Kitesurfing in Portugal

[neilj37]

I am out in Portugal at the moment having lessons from Ricardo & Sofia of SouthAdventures. I can highly recommend them as they are very friendly people and very competent.

 

We have been to the area by Faro which is great to learn as the wind has been constant at around 15knots and the water is warm and shallow.

 

Will be sorry to leave but already planning my next trip back next year.

[MadAndy71]

Anything is warm compared to NE scotland though Neil:D

[mrmawalker]

Was this CABANAS by any chance, I visited there a couple of years ago and found it okay, but didnt visit the lagoons there, just the beaches. Did have a kite lesson in Faro though with Pedro Marcos and it was the worst kiting experience of my life with virtually no lessons in safety, no rescue boat and an offshore wind. Sweet.

[Pike]

could you give us a it more info re where the beaches are and what the wind is like, are there kitezones? what are the nearest airports? is it quite cheap?

 

sorry to harp but I had a great week in france and am really interested in other good value consitant european spots.

 

Been to the website which has some great pics but not alot of detail as to where exactly the kite beaches are??

[neilj37]

The beach they taught me on is 5mins from Faro and can only be accessed by a boat so you need to arrange with them if you want to go out. However, they can provide transport to other areas dependent upon the wind conditions although whilst I was there it was always at Faro.

 

There is always a sand area available at high tide so you don't need to wait for low tide although this is best as the are is shallow enough to stand up in so no worries about safety.

 

They do have a safety boat and 2 guys that were with us needed to be rescued the one day as they both ditched their kites and the wind dropped off so they weren't able to relaunch.

 

First day was mostly safety training, how to relaunch, body dragging with and without the board, who has priority etc. Second day was water start and basic boarding downwind etc

 

As I said really impressed with the setup.

 

If you want more info drop them and email as they are very helpful. I think they will also arrange accommodation and transport for you at a small cost too.

[Steiner]

If you are talking about the beach at the end of the Lagoon at Ilha de Faro, you can drive to the end of the road (right turn off of the bridge) park outside the surf shack bar place and then walk over the duck boards past the wee fishermens houses out to the beach. A lot of the locals do it this way.

 

Another good instructor out there is Pedro from Kitesurfalgarve.com. He is an excellent instructor and a real nice dude. Also you can fly at Pria de Falesia 20 mins to the east of Faro in Vilamoura when there is an onshore wind, and have seen folk out at the beach at Forte Nova, at the eastern end of Quarteira (just east of Vilamoura)

 

Flights are real cheap to Faro if you book in advance. car hire is also pretty cheap. food and Booze is also very cheap.

 

can't wait to head back at crimbo!

 

Easy to get your gear there ont eh cheap if you have a deciever bag as there are loads of golfers on most of the flights out.

[sidmaniac]

You won't deceive anybody with a golf looky likey anymore. There is a sliding scale charge for sports equipment now- pretty much for all airlines. Golf clubs cost more than a snowboard for instance. Best bet is kites and gear in a regular suitcase (below 18kgs), board in board bag- pay as a snowboard £15 (nearest definition), get a receipt, other gear in hand luggage. Show receipt for board to baggage at Faro and they will not usually charge for flight back. Sum total £15 extra,

[Steiner]

Globespan charge £15 for a golfbag / or one with kitestuff in it. Certainly out of Edinburgh they do. And if you pay in Advance.

[sidmaniac]

I suppose £15 is OK- always best to check with the carrier. A guy who flew with us paid £35 for his golf bag- easy jet.

[Steiner]

no surprise with Sleazy Jet really

[Pike]

thanks for the info guys, another great european spot to add to my list...for me egypt is over hyped, overpriced, overlong flights & transfers, dodgy food, dodgier nightlife and dissappointing...so far, south france, portugal and north east and south spain are closer, cheaper and just as good wind wise..

[sidmaniac]

And much better wine wise;)

[ANGELZ]

Awsome!! Im 20mins from Faro for Christmas! cant wait!

[Steiner]

Awsome!! Im 20mins from Faro for Christmas! cant wait!

 

Where Abouts? I'm there from the 18th Dec.