SURFING SAGRES

At the extreme south west of Portugal, beneath colossal, craggy cliffs, some of Portugal’s best waves crash onto unspoiled white sand beaches in Sagres – a paradise for surfers. Ocean lover, avid surfer and owner of the Memmo Baleeira hotel, Rodrigo Machaz, says being in the waters, with the salty air in his face makes him feel alive, “When I am surfing, all my problems go away. The water is everything to me, I’m like a fish.”

But you don’t have to be an experienced rider to experience the rush that comes from surfing, even beginners are welcome at Memmo Beleeira, where a fully-outfitted surf center offers classes and equipment for all levels. “What is special about surfing compared to other sports is that you feel very close to nature,” Machaz says. “It’s the board, you and the wave. It’s more than a sport; it’s very spiritual.”

But world-class waves aren’t all this unmarred landscape has to offer, he says: “People come to Sagres for the pure nature. It’s like a diamond in the very basic phases.” Machaz spends a part of everyday in the water, swimming, sailing and diving, “Diving is like going to the moon. You can’t compare it to anything.”

In these pure waters, Machaz can also direct you to the right spot, where at low tide you can forage from the ocean. Visitors can search for wild species they will only find in this region such as limpets, moray, or barnacles. Cooked on an open fire on the beach, with good friends and cold beer, is Machaz’s idea of perfection.

Author

Leisha Jones

Tags

VIDEO | PORTUGAL | SAGRES