The algarve nubbin of portugal is a winter bolthole for surfing brits, giving respite as it does from the cold tendrils of our long winter. Empty beaches, awesome seafood and unfettered access to that glowing ball of fire in the sky are all plus points. Obvs question: what the hell is it like in the summer? We thought we'd find out...
The jet stream had been hugging the UK like an overly amorous wet dog so shooting a sunny, summery, bunch of shots for a certain wetsuit company in Cornwall, Devon or Wales was a big ask. If the brief was 'drowned rat chic with a hint of flash flood' then we'd have had no problem. But it wasn't and Mama Nature has got her gears funk mode. So we had to hit Plan B. Which was to go sarf, so to speak. Chasing the sun. Which with Europe literally cooking in a heatwave on the flip side of errant jet stream wasn't too much of a stress.
Only issue was being summer hols in Europe means getting accommodation at short notice for a decent sized crew was a tad tricky. So bereft was the entire Algarve of a place to suit we ended up in Portimao. Where that you say? Well it's in that bit of the Algarve you drive past blindly from Faro airport to get to the good bit of the Algarve from Lagos westwards. Plus side Port' has very big supermarkets, a Decathlon and some fine food joints. Not to mention an 11th floor penthouse apartment big enough for our mob.
I got there earlyish with Peony Knight and Nelson Cloarec, so we baggsied good rooms, and as folks drifted in on various flights from distant corners of Europe the crew assembled. Only Skindog and Lukas were missing, but their flight direct from Newquay (who knew?!) got in late. One thing we didn't think of: 11th floor penthouse apartments are all well and good when you're board bag fits in a lift. If it don't, and Ben's 10-foot coffin sure as shit didn't, it means that some bugger has to carry the thing up 11 flights of stairs ... Even better when it's still 30C plus at midnight.
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2020 Wetsuit Guide
If the recent boom in wetsuits sales is anything to go by, the best bit of advice we can give you is make swift decisions and invest quickly. To help you, here’s the lowdown on the best wetsuits on the market right now.
CEYLON STORIES
SERENDIPIDITY IN THE INDIAN OCEAN.
ENGLISH NATIONALS
TOLCARNE TAILSPINS IN THE LAST COMP FOR A WHILE . . . MAYBE
THE ST VALENTINE 'S DAY MASSACRE
ROB MILES AND CALLUM DAVID THOMAS MIX IT UP WITH THE WORLD’S BEST AT ALL TIME SAFI.
BARBADOS
FAMILY FRIENDLY SURF TRIPPING TIPS
GENE GENIE
FROM PAIGNTON THROUGH VARIOUS PROFESSIONAL KITCHENS WITH A SOJOURN IN THE SCOTTISH ISLES EUGENE TOLLEMACHE NOW CALLS INDO HOME AND IS LOVING LIFE
*OCCIDENTAL DRIFT
THE BLEEDING EDGE OF SURF EXPLORATION IS A HOT, INHOSPITABLE PLACE. BUT WORTH THE MISSION.
TASMANIA ART CLUB
BRENDON GIBBENS AND DION AGIUS EXPLORE THE LITTLE CHUNK HANGING OFF THE BOTTOM OF AUSTRALIA AND GET CREATIVE
Mr Smith
THE GENIAL ED SMITH IS ONE OF THOSE SURFERS THAT HAS A TON OF ABILITY AND TOYED WITH THE COMP SCENE BUT SOON REALISED A REAL TRADE AND SURFING FOR HIMSELF WAS A WISER OPTION. WE BUMPED INTO HIM ON OUR MISSION TO SCOTLAND, AND HE WAS KILLING IT EVERY SESSION. SUPER STYLISH, ALWAYS DEEP, A PLEASURE TO SHOOT. HE 'S A GOOD BLOKE TO GO FOR A PINT WITH TOO.
SETH MOZ
SETH MORRIS IS A YOUNG PRO FROM A QUIET PART OF WALES. HE JOINED US ON OUR WINTER MISSION TO PORTUGAL, WHERE HE IMPRESSED ALL WITH HIS STYLISH ATTACK. READ ON FOR A PEEK INSIDE HIS HEAD.
