The perfect lefthander
Look at this perfect lefthander 😳 When a passenger ferry runs from Barreiro to Lisbon a wave shows up. These surfers know all about it. What would you do?
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Algarve: 3 meter+ waves with 18 seconds swell
Saturday untill Monday will be big in the Algarve. This storm will be close to the main land:
So get your guns out.
Some advise; leave the west coast of the Algarve for what it is and go south. Where? Check this post with a surf spot map where you can the spots that are favourable to surf under these circumstances.
Enjoy the waves. We like to see your pictures.
Hossegor on fire. September 27.
Ripitup made this impressive footage of a great day in Southwest France: Hossegor. Watch and see for yourself. The waves look pretty doable. Don’t be fooled.
Where to surf in Europe in October?
Surf in October
It’s one for your bucketlist: surfing in Europe in October. Europe made a transition from summer to Autumn. Days are getting shorter. The swells are getting longer. And the waves stronger.
France
The Basque Country and Les Landes are good to go. Check out the Hossegor Pro if you’re around. Also check places around like Guethary, Cenitz and Lafitenia.
Hossegor will show more of this in October:
The swell can be pretty strong (in that case, check Hendaye. Also better for beginners). Ride safe.
More about surfing in France.
Spain
The North of Spain is also an excellent choice for October. If you’r lucky Mundaka will show here best attitude. Looking for more mellow waves? Check spots like Oyambre and San Vicente.
More about surfing in Spain.
Portugal
October is in our opinion one of the best months, probably the best month, for Portugal. Whether it’s round Lisbon or the Alentejo (between Lisbon and the Algarve). Swells are almost secured. And the weather is still super nice. Extend your summer!
When Ribeira d’Ilhas is on:
Places to go:
- Lisbon Regio: Ribeira d’ilhas, Matadouro, Peniche (good for beginners)
- Alentejo/ Algarve: Odeceixe, Vila Nova de Milfontes.
Check our Ericeira Surf Guide.
Accommodation
Looking for some good accommodation? Search here.
MORE INFO ON SURFING IN EUROPE
Surf forecast Europe
Check out Europe’s surf forecast, with the best spots visible on one page.
Monthly surf calendar
Check out the European surf seasons guide. And get monthly information where to go in Europe.
Also read:
Covershot by Ripitup
Yes. You can surf in Holland. Interview with Nienke Duinmeijer
Original article by Surfgirlmag
In an interview with Surf Girl Magazine, Nienke Duinmeijer talked about the growing surf culture in the Netherlands. Nienke Duinmeijer is Patagonia amassador and longboarder (this dutch lady won several contests).
Nienke, how did you get into surfing?
I grew up in a small coastal town in Holland. Surfing was not really known in the area, except for windsurfing which was really popular at that time (some people in Holland still think I use a sail when I say I surf).
When I was 12 I joined the local lifeguarding community as a youth member together with my nieces. We always loved the beach and doing sports, so this was a great way to be active on the beach and at the same time learn about currents, life saving and waves. The senior lifeguard at that time was one of the few surfers of the area and he learned how to surf in Australia. He taught us how to surf in Holland and I loved it immediately. From that moment I spent all my money on surfboards, wetsuits and trips… and still do 17 years later!
Why did you choose longboarding?
I surfed both shortboards and longboards for a long time, but in the end I found out that I improved a lot more in longboarding and got better at it. I liked that. I also loved the fact that you can put your own style in it and make it very personal in that way. Plus the waves in Holland are usually a bit smaller so picking a longboard guarantees you much more waves.
I still use a longboard 95% of the time, but I also enjoying bodysurfing and surfing my fish just to have a different approach of surfing sometimes. Longboarding is also very technical. To learn how to turn a 9’4 foot board in a different direction takes some technique for sure.
Describe the surf culture there?
Oh I love the surf culture in Holland. During my travels I found out that nobody really can beat the Dutch in terms of determination and stoke for surfing. The Dutch are so keen to surf in any kind of conditions and temperature. They will paddle out in 2 foot mushy waves or onshore 7ft on a winter day. There’s so much stoke and joy for surfing.The surf culture is also still relatively small and young, so everybody has a connection with somebody which creates a nice community.
What are the names of the top surf spots?
Wijk aan Zee and Scheveningen are the main spots because of the jetties. But when there is swell and not much wind, you can basically go anywhere to score waves. The islands in the North are worth a visit as well.
The surf in Holland is not as consistent as in France for example, but we can get pretty good Northern swells now and then. Just don’t set your expectations too high, and you will be surprised by the surf. But I guess that’s how life works in general.
What board size and wetsuit thickness best suits a surf there?
The right wetsuit thickness depends a lot on the time of the year. August and September are usually very comfortable and you will only need a 3/2 mm or even a shorty when the weather is nice.
In February and March though, you will need a full 6 or 5 mm suit including booties, hat and gloves. And some balls.
Regarding board size; I always like an in between board in Holland. A minimal or fish for example. A shortboard which is too small and narrow (we call these boards tooth pickers in Holland) won’t really work in most conditions and a too classic longboard won’t work as well.
You will need a bit of rocker and flex in your board in order to absorb irregularities in the waves but also some volume as the waves are not that powerful most of the time.
What’s a cool Dutch saying (in Dutch and it’s meaning)?
For surfers in Holland that would be ‘Dikke klotsbak’. It describes the sea when there is a lot of onshore winds and very mushy wave conditions.
Huru. Surfing the magical lefthanders of New Zealand.
Morocco is the land of the righthanders. New Zealand is the land of the lefthanders (amongst others). Watch Oli Adams and Billy Stairmand surfing these magical waves.
Space with John John Florence. Epic cinematography.
A new movie by John John Florence. Take a look at this epic cinematography. And take a close look at 2:21. If that doesn’t give you shivers…
Warning: you’ll get fired up.
Look how possible Impossibles was this august
Often impossible to surf long waves. Because it’s really fast on a reef. But in August, when big swells hit Indonesia Impossibles became possible to ride long walls.
As you can see below. Wish we were there.
Where to surf in Europe in September?
September in Europe: summer vibes and swells
France
September might be the best month to visit France. Summer is still present and swells are frequent (on an average).
The Vendee is great to go. Super quiet, awesome reefbreaks (go search!).
Les Conches (Bud Bud) – Vendee, France
But also the Basque Country in the southwest of France and the beach breaks of Les Landes are worth to take a look and paddle out. Of course Bretagne is good to go too, but weatherwise it can be a bad month. But as the Breton people say: it only rains on fools.
Lafitinea – Basque Country, France
Spain
Spain (Basque County) is perfect in this month. But plan your trip more towards the end of the month.
Check surfpots around San Sebastian, like Zarautz, and Bilbao, like Sopalena. More into longboarding? Check places as Salinas and San Vicente de la Barquera.
San Vicente – Asturias, Spain
Surf forecast Europe
Check out Europe’s surf forecast, with the best spots visible on one page.
Monthly surf calendar
Check out the European surf seasons guide. And get monthly information where to go in Europe.
Also read:
Where to surf in Europe in August?
Crowded beaches and line ups
Be aware.
August is the busiest surf holiday month of the year in Europe. That means crowded beaches and line ups in for example France.
So, where to go?
But there are also some really good and more quiet places to surf and still enjoying the European surf summer.
France
But the French beaches are packed you said? Yep. But when the beaches like Lacanau get packed, head for Britanny.
Britanny (Finistere) will see waves every day. For every level. The water is cold though and it can get rainy. But as the Bretons say: it only rains on fools. Surfing in empty line ups is out there. Point breaks, beachs breaks. All you could wish for. Check out surf spots as Baie de Trepasses, St Tugen, Plovan.
The North of Portugal
As mentioned for july Galicia is good place to go. But also check out Portugal a bit more south from Galicia. Northern Portugal is still a remote area. Meaning pretty empty line ups.
Monthly surf calendar
Check out the European surf seasons guide. And get monthly information where to go in Europe.
Also read: