The contribution of surfing to the Portuguese economy is undeniable, estimated by the National Surfers Association to generate 400 million euros.
Practiced in Portugal since the 1950s, our country is increasingly becoming the leading surf destination in Europe and one of the best in the world, due to its unique characteristics:
- Concentration of spots within short distances, with quality waves year-round;
- Having the most concentrated stretch of coast with waves in Europe in Ericeira (the 1st Surf Reserve in Europe and the 2nd in the World, officially recognized by the North American organization Save the Waves Coalition);
- Having the biggest wave in the world in Nazaré and the longest wave in Europe in Figueira da Foz;
- Having the easiest waves for beginners at Costa da Caparica and in the Cascais region an easily accessible area for urban surfing.
Surfing has contributed actively and positively to promoting Portugal as a destination, consolidating its status of excellence, widely recognized internationally. But surfing’s contribution doesn’t end with promoting Portugal as a young, creative, modern, relaxed tourist destination—it’s connected to a healthy lifestyle that respects nature, specifically the ocean, and promotes the regional economy in areas where the sport is practiced. 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 in such a positive way.
The best surfers at MEO RIP CURL PRO PORTUGAL presented By Corona
Supertubos Beach in Peniche once again welcomes the world’s best surfers for the 3rd stage of the world surf circuit, 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 essential, solid, and consistent place that it has maintained on the circuit since 2009, when it first hosted the elite of world surfing.
At a time when we’re just 3 stages away from the “Cut,” when the list of surfers in competition will be reduced to 22, Frederico Morais arrives in Portugal with a positive result in the rankings, sitting in that same top 22. The Portuguese surfer, who this season returned to the elite of world surfing, can now, at home, secure a good score that will help him stay among the athletes in competition after the mid-season “Cut.” Kikas achieved 17th place at the Lexus Pipe Pro and 9th position at Pro Sunset Beach, both stages in Hawaii.
Wildcards
In addition to Frederico Morais, MEO RIP CURL PRO PORTUGAL will also feature two Portuguese surfers who receive wildcard spots. The 2022 junior world champion, Francisca Veselko, receives a WSL wildcard and will make her debut in Peniche at the highest level of professional surfing. The Carcavelos native had a solid performance in the Challenger Series (CS) last season, finishing in 12th place, and will now have the opportunity to shine at Supertubos, showing she knows the Portuguese wave well.
In the men’s division, current Portuguese national champion Joaquim Chaves receives the other MEO wildcard spot. Last year, the 20-year-old surfer stood out by achieving 3rd place in the QS at Pantín, currently sitting in 15th position in the 2023/24 QS rankings.
The Portuguese surfers want to shine at what is the only European stop on the world circuit. Year after year, Peniche has become a solid and consistent stop on the World Tour, welcoming thousands of surfers who travel to this fishing village, attracted by the world-class tubular waves.
Peniche surprises with its variety of wave types, exposure to various swell directions, and the fact that it presents excellent conditions with almost all wind directions. Furthermore, the gastronomy, hospitality, and infrastructure developed since 2009 for the sport have been an open door in combating seasonality. For this reason, it was and continues to be the stage for the world’s most prestigious surfers, currently the only one in Europe.
This year, 2024, marks the 15th edition of the event. To mark the occasion, a party will take place on March 9 at Ride Surf Resort in Baleal, with the highlight being a musical 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 a punk rock concert by the French band “The Dead Krazukies” and DJ sets by Nuno Lopes and Campos.
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
