Surf’s contribution to the Portuguese economy is undeniable and, according to the National Association of Surfers, it is estimated to generate €400 million.
Practised in Portugal since the 1950s, our country is increasingly positioning itself as Europe’s leading surf destination and one of the best in the world, thanks to its unique characteristics:
- A high concentration of spots close together, with quality waves all year round;
- Having Europe’s most concentrated stretch of wave-rich coastline in Ericeira (Europe’s 1st Surf Reserve and the world’s 2nd, officially recognised by the US organisation Save the Waves Coalition);
- Having the biggest wave in the world in Nazaré and Europe’s longest wave in Figueira da Foz;
- Having the easiest waves for beginners in Costa da Caparica and, in the Cascais region, an easily accessible area for so-called urban surfing.
Surf has contributed actively and positively to promoting Portugal as a destination, strengthening its status of excellence, widely recognised internationally. But Surf’s contribution doesn’t end with promoting Portugal as a young, creative, modern, laid-back tourist destination; it is connected to a healthy lifestyle that respects nature—more specifically the sea—and it boosts the regional economy in the areas where the sport is practised. Aware of all these qualities, Horto do Campo Grande has been supporting this sport, which attracts so many visitors and promotes Portugal as a destination so positively.
The best surfers at the MEO RIP CURL PRO PORTUGAL presented by Corona
Supertubos Beach, in Peniche, is once again hosting the world’s best surfers for the 3rd stop of the World Surf League tour, taking place between March 6 and 16. After the two events in Hawaii, at Pipeline and Sunset Beach, the focus is now on Europe, and Portugal once again takes its mandatory, solid and consistent place on the tour—a position it has held since 2009, when it first welcomed the elite of world surfing.
With only three events to go until the “Cut”, when the list of competing surfers will be reduced to 22, Frederico Morais arrives in Portugal with a positive ranking position, sitting within that same top 22. The Portuguese surfer who returned to the elite of world surfing this season can now, at home, secure a strong score that will help him stay among the athletes still in contention after the mid-season “Cut”. Kikas achieved 17th place at the Lexus Pipe Pro and 9th place at the Pro Sunset Beach, both events in Hawaii.
Wildcards
In addition to Frederico Morais, the MEO RIP CURL PRO PORTUGAL will also welcome two more Portuguese surfers, who have been given wildcard spots. The 2022 junior world champion, Francisca Veselko, receives a WSL wildcard and will be able to make her debut at the highest level of professional surfing in Peniche. The Carcavelos native delivered a solid performance in last season’s Challenger Series (CS), finishing 12th, and will now have the chance to shine at Supertubos, showing she knows the Portuguese wave well.
In the men’s event, current Portuguese national champion Joaquim Chaves receives MEO’s other wildcard spot. Last year, the 20-year-old surfer stood out by taking 3rd place at the QS in Pantín, and he is currently 15th in the QS 2023/24 rankings.
The Portuguese surfers are looking to shine at what is the tour’s only European stop. Year after year, Peniche has become a solid and consistent stop on the World Tour, welcoming thousands of surfers who travel to this fishing town, drawn by its world-class barreling waves.
Peniche surprises with its variety of wave types, exposure to multiple swell directions, and the fact that it offers excellent conditions with almost every wind direction. In addition, the gastronomy, hospitality and the infrastructure developed since 2009 for the sport have been an open door in the fight against seasonality. That’s why it was—and continues to be—the stage for the world’s most prestigious surfers, currently the only one in Europe.
The year 2024 is thus marked by the 15th edition of the event. To mark the date, a party will take place on March 9 at Ride Surf Resort, in Baleal, with the highlight being a live performance by Tom Curren, the first American surfer to win a world title, in 1985. At the party, it will also be possible to watch the punk rock concert by the French band “The Dead Krazukies” and DJ sets by Nuno Lopes and Campos.
The MEO RIP CURL PRO PORTUGAL (March 6–16) is supported by MEO, Rip Curl, Corona, YETI, Shiseido, Eventbrite, Apple Watch, Bonsoy, True Surf, Surfline, Oeste Portugal, EDP, Millennium BCP, Hertz, Municipality of Peniche, BH Fitness and Horto do Campo Grande.
© Companhia das Cores for Horto do Campo Grande
