Surfing has a rich and storied history in Portugal that dates back to the early 1920s but often remains hidden beyond Portugal’s borders. While countries like Australia, the USA, Brazil, and South Africa are widely celebrated for their surf legacies, Portugal’s unique surfing heritage remains somewhat of a secret.
Here, the Atlantic Ocean shapes some of the best waves on Earth, sculpting a coastline that draws surfers from every corner of the globe.
But make no mistake—Portugal’s surf culture and talent deserve global recognition. The country is home to legendary waves and world-class surfers like Pedro Lima, Tiago Pires, Joana Rocha, and Nic Von Rupp, who have made their mark on the international stage over the decades.
So, join us as we dive into the fascinating history of surfing in Portugal, exploring the events and icons that have fuelled its vibrant surf culture and made it a wave-riding powerhouse.
Let’s dive in!
1926 – The first wave riders in Europe
France is often celebrated as the birthplace of surfing in continental Europe, tracing back to 1956 when Peter Viertel and Georges Hennebutte famously began catching waves in Biarritz.
But many don’t realize that wave riding in Europe might have started even earlier—in Portugal, as far back as 1926.
A fascinating discovery from the National Archive of Moving Images in Bucelas offers a glimpse into this history. There’s a 28-second black-and-white film showing a group of men bodyboarding in the whitewash at Leça da Palmeira, near Porto. In the footage, they ride on board-like crafts, skillfully navigating the swell along the Portuguese coast on what seems to have been a lively day of waves.
1959 – The father of surfing in Portugal
Pedro Martins de Lima is celebrated as the pioneer of surfing in Portugal. This legendary waterman helped establish surfing as a beloved pastime in this country.
Pedro Martins de Lima’s journey into the world of surfing began in 1946 when he started bodysurfing—a style of riding waves without a surfboard, relying instead on the body to glide across the water. At that time, he used a pair of Churchill fins, a type of swim fin that allowed him to navigate the ocean with ease and speed. These fins were popular among watermen for better movement in the sea. They were even used by famed ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau.
In 1959, after years of bodysurfing, Pedro took the next step. He stood up on a surfboard for the first time, officially embracing the sport he would go on to pioneer in Portugal. This milestone began a lifelong passion and solidified his place in surf history.
Pedro remains a vibrant ambassador of Portuguese surf culture, working closely with the iconic brand Lightning Bolt. His incredible life has even been captured in a TV documentary, “The Wolf of the Sea,” showcasing his adventures and influence on the sport.
1987 – The birth of the national surf team
After the fall of the Estado Novo regime, Portugal began welcoming sports from around the world, including surfing. Within a decade, surfing had surged in popularity, captivating both young and old, sparking the creation of Portugal’s first National Surf Team.
They soon represented the nation at the Eurosurf European Surfing Championships in France, finishing in an impressive 4th place, earning the respect of the global surfing community. This milestone ushered in an era of competitive surfing in Portugal, setting the stage for the country’s surfing stars of the 1990s.
1988 – Portuguese Surfing Federation founded
After Portugal’s impressive 4th place finish at the Eurosurf event in France, the nation’s surfing scene began to thrive. This success ignited discussions among the surf community about creating a dedicated governing body, which soon led to the founding of the Portuguese Surfing Federation (Federação Portuguesa de Surf, FPS).
Located in Carcavelos, Cascais, FPS is at the heart of Portugal’s surfing development. The federation focuses on training young talent to help them excel competitively. Also, it plays a crucial role in organizing surf camps to promote surfing across the country.
That’s in addition to:
- Coordinating competitions
- Enforcing discipline to ensure fair judging
- Advocating for environmental conservation
1989 – ASP World Tour event in Portugal
The ASP (Association of Surfing Professionals) World Tour, the original World Surf League, was founded by Ian Cairns in 1983 with a mission to showcase the world’s best surfers competing on the most thrilling waves across the globe.
In 1989, the ASP World Tour held its first-ever event in Portugal—a landmark competition won by Australian surfer Rob Bain, drawing over 2,000 enthusiastic spectators to the beach.
This event marked a major milestone for the ASP and cemented Portugal’s reputation as a world-class surfing destination.
1991 – National Competition Held With Prize Money
Portugal had firmly established itself as a key player in the European surf scene, so the next step was to elevate its national competitions by offering prizes to the top surfers.
In 1991, this vision came to life with the launch of the first official Portuguese surfing competition, where winners were awarded cash prizes.
The champion of this landmark event was Bruno “Bubba” Charneca, a local surfer from Caparica who has since become a national icon. Known for his smooth style and relentless drive, Charneca’s performances made waves as he relentlessly fought to win every heat.
1996 – Portugal Hosted The World Championship Tour
In 1996, the World Championship Tour (now known as the World Surf League) held the Coca-Cola Figueira event at Figueira da Foz. The lineup included three-time world champion Kelly Slater, along with other surf legends like Shane Dorian, Matt Hoy, Rob Machado, and Luke Egan. The event set several big wave records, underscoring Portugal’s importance on the global surfing map.
Among the competitors was local hero Bruno Charneca, who faced Slater in Round 2 and made history by defeating him—the first Portuguese surfer ever to eliminate the iconic Floridian.
Although Charneca’s run ended in the next round with a loss to Sunny Garcia, the competition concluded with Matt Hoy taking the win.
1998 – First female surf meeting takes place
In 1998, surfing in Portugal began to diversify. Alongside a strong male circuit, women started making waves of their own, leading to the rise of Portugal’s first professional female surfer, Joana Rocha.
She took her impact further by organizing female-only meetups, creating a supportive space for women in surfing. This initiative allowed Rocha to track and promote women’s involvement in the sport, inspiring the 125 female surfers active at that time to push their limits.
Today, there are over 450 female surfers in Portugal, with numbers rising every year—all sparked by Joana Rocha’s pioneering steps in 1998.
2007 – Portugal’s maiden WCT surfer
Tiago “Saca” Pires was Portugal’s first surfer to compete in the prestigious World Championship Tour (WCT), the highest level of competitive surfing. He earned this spot in 2007 by reaching 5th place on the World Qualifying Series (WQS) leaderboard, a ranking system that determines who advances to the WCT.
In his first year on the WCT, Tiago placed 31st, which allowed him to continue competing at this top level. He steadily improved over the next two years, achieving a personal best of 21st place by 2010.
Unfortunately, a knee injury in 2013 interrupted his progress, and after competing in the WQS again in 2015, Tiago decided to retire from competitive surfing.
2011 – Ericiera becomes a World Surfing Reserve
Ericeira is Portugal’s surfing capital. Here, surf culture shapes the local landscape, economy, and community. Ericeira’s world-class waves led the Save The Waves Coalition, a global nonprofit dedicated to protecting surf ecosystems, to designate it as a World Surfing Reserve in 2011. This prestigious title not only celebrates Ericeira’s unique surf quality but also implements strategies to protect and manage its coastline, ensuring the preservation of both its surf breaks and the surrounding natural environment for future generations.
This Surfing Reserve spans 4 kilometers and includes iconic breaks like Pedra Branca, Reef, Ribeira d’Ilhas, Cave, Crazy Left, Coxos, and São Lourenço.
Today, Ericeira is one of only 11 World Surfing Reserves globally, joining renowned destinations like Punta de Lobos in Chile, Manly Beach in Australia, and Malibu in the United States.
2014 – First Portuguese junior world champion in surfing
Portugal’s surf scene hit a new high when Vasco Ribeiro, a young surfer from Cascais, became the country’s first junior world champion. He won this title by competing against top surfers, including Italo Ferreira, now a star in the World Surf League, in the challenging waves of Ribeira D’Ilhas in Ericeira.
This win marked a pivotal moment, but Ribeiro’s individual accomplishments made 2014 truly unforgettable. That year, he also clinched his third national title and the European junior title, showcasing his skill and solidifying Portugal’s place as a top-tier surf nation.
2017 – Biggest wave ever ridden at Nazaré
Just north of Lisbon, Nazaré is a legendary beach break known worldwide for its massive winter swells, often towering over 50 feet. This big-wave playground attracts the world’s bravest surfers, and in November 2017, a massive surge drew Brazilian surfer Rodrigo Koxa to its waters.
When his moment came, Koxa seized it, riding an awe-inspiring 80-foot wave—the largest wave ever documented, surpassing the previous 78-foot record set by Garrett McNamara at Nazaré in 2011.
Koxa’s historic ride earned him the Big Wave Surf Award for the world’s largest wave in 2018, solidifying Nazaré’s reputation as the world’s premier big-wave destination.
Surf Culture in Portugal
That brings us to the end of our timeline! But, while we’re on the subject of Portugal’s surfing history, we would be remiss not to take a closer look at Portugal’s surf culture.
Since the 1960s, a vibrant surf community has flourished, blending deep-rooted Portuguese customs with modern influences. From the Algarve’s lively beach towns to the untamed northern coastlines, Portugal’s surf scene thrives on camaraderie and a deep respect for the ocean.
At the heart of this culture is a network of local surf clubs dot Portugal’s coastal towns. These clubs serve as gathering spots where surfers connect, share skills, and participate in local competitions. With surf lessons and rentals available, they welcome both locals and visitors, making it easy for anyone to join Portugal’s thriving surf scene.
Portugal’s appeal as a surf destination also attracts international influences, drawing surfers from across Europe and beyond to its mild climate and diverse waves.
This global connection enriches Portugal’s surf culture, blending styles from California’s relaxed approach to Australia’s high-performance techniques. As a result, Portugal’s surf culture is a melting pot of global surf traditions, providing an open invitation to experience the sport and spirit of surfing in a truly unique way.
What’s Surfing in Portugal Like Today?
As we’ve seen throughout this blog post, Portugal is a surfer’s paradise, boasting some of the best surf spots in Europe, each packed with character, charm, and adventure.
Surfing Portugal offers an impressive variety of surf breaks, including everything from challenging point breaks to the more forgiving beach break, each ready to challenge and reward surfers with everything from beginner-friendly waves to the biggest swells for advanced surfers.
With that said, let’s take a look at some of the best surf spots in Portugal:
At the top of the list is Nazaré, renowned for producing the biggest waves in the world. Situated on the west coast of Portugal, this Portuguese town is famous for its monster waves in the winter season.
These heaviest waves attract experienced surfers from around the globe. Among them is renowned big-wave surfer Andrew Cotton, who, along with other top athletes, pushes the boundaries of skill and courage to ride waves that reach over 100 feet. It’s a true bucket list destination, drawing thrill-seekers eager to face some of the most extreme conditions in surfing.
Another standout is Peniche, located just south of Nazaré along the same coast. Known for its consistent surf, Peniche offers good waves year-round, making it ideal for surfers of all levels. This larger town is famous for its reliable, world-class breaks, particularly at Praia do Norte, which lies at Peniche’s north end. With plenty of surf schools and rentals, Peniche has become a go-to destination for both beginners and pros looking to book a surf trip.
For those exploring Portugal’s north coast, Santa Cruz provides a mix of powerful beach breaks and hidden gems that bring in big swells from the Atlantic. Santa Cruz is especially inviting during the winter season when the waves are at their best.
Pro Tip: due to the rugged nature of this coast, be cautious of hazards like sea urchins around certain rocky spots.
Costa da Caparica, a favorite closer to Lisbon, offers year-round waves and easy access to both beach and urban amenities. With two beaches and several breaks within easy reach, Costa da Caparica caters to surfers looking for mellow rides and dependable surf near a lively city atmosphere.
No matter the location, Portugal’s coastlines offer a mix of breaks for all skill levels, from beginner-friendly waters to challenging spots where only experienced surfers dare to venture; you’re bound to find somewhere that tickles your fancy!
Surfing in Portugal: FAQs
Which surf spot in Portugal is the most historical?
It’s tricky to pick just one surf spot, so we’ll quickly list the top ones. Portugal’s most historically significant surf spots include Carcavelos, where surfing began in the 1960s; Ericeira, the only World Surfing Reserve in Europe; Nazaré, now iconic for its record-breaking waves; and Peniche’s Supertubos, known for hosting major competitions. Each spot has played a vital role in shaping Portugal’s rich surf heritage.
What’s the best beach break in Portugal?
One of the best beach breaks in Portugal for today’s surfers is Supertubos in Peniche. Known internationally for its consistent, powerful, and hollow waves, Supertubos creates fast, barreling waves that are ideal for intermediate to advanced surfers. It’s particularly famous for producing “super tubes,” which is where it gets its name. This beach break works best with a southwest swell and offshore northeast wind, making it a high-performance destination and even host to the annual World Surf League (WSL) event.
Which surf spots in Portugal are best for beginners?
Costa da Caparica near Lisbon and Praia do Amado in the Algarve offers gentle waves and safe conditions that are perfect for beginners. These areas provide easy access to surf schools and rentals, making them ideal locations for learning to surf in Portugal while still enjoying a mix of beach breaks and great spots to practice.
When is the best time to surf in Portugal?
The summer months, from June to September, provide smaller waves and warmer waters, making them perfect for beginners and casual surfers. However, for those seeking bigger swells, winter offers the best waves along Portugal’s west coast, especially at spots like Nazaré, which is known for its famous big waves.
Do I need a roof rack for my surf trip in Portugal?
If you plan to explore multiple surf spots along the coast, having a roof rack for your vehicle is helpful. Portugal’s coastline is dotted with numerous surf Praia (beach) destinations, and a roof rack makes it easier to transport your boards from spot to spot without hassle.
Who are the best big wave surfers to make history?
Nic von Rupp, known for his fearless approach at Nazaré and for riding massive waves worldwide, and João de Macedo, a prominent figure on the big-wave circuit with impressive performances at locations like Mavericks and Nazaré. António Silva is another standout, regularly tackling Nazaré’s monster waves with skill and tenacity, while Alex Botelho has earned international recognition for his big-wave achievements and resilience after a high-profile injury at Nazaré.
