Surfing in Portugal with Pedro Boonman
Place : Portugal, Cascais, Carcavelos
Best time to go surfing : September until April
Wetsuit recommandation : GURU 4/3
Pedro Boonman
Pedro Boonman represents Soöruz in Portugal and around the world. We are very glad to have with us this famous Portuguese surfer.
Pedro rips at tube riding as well as in the air. He represents a great surf figure for Portuguese surf, but he’s also really involved with the brands he’s a part of: like Soöruz and Polen.
We invited him to our Waves Games at La Torche in 2018. It was a great event to share some good times with our riders of all watersports.
Now, Pedro is more into chasing waves to improve his style and level rather than competing.
He is from Cascais and his hometown is Carcavelos. Growing up close to the beach gave him the opportunity to start surfing when he was 12 years old. Then he starts competing and he started his career.
Until now i’m a professional and yeah, I just enjoy surfing.
Pedro’s home spot in Portugal : Cascais
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What’s your favorite surf spot ?
I’ve got a lot of them. I like to surf Ericeira, Peniche, Supertubos and of course my hometown Carcavelos.
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With who do you go surfing ?
I like to surf always with friends. I don’t like to surf alone. Sometimes it’s a mess, if you go for a session and it’s pumping, you want to share this session for sure!
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When do you recommend going surfing in Cascais?
It’s better if you go from September until April. But it’s also great at the end of the summertime like August until November. It’s good.
About cascais
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How are the waves in Cascais ?
If you come surfing in Cascais, it’s all over like beach breaks. You can surf many different types of waves. On that area, you always have a place to surf.
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How is the water temperature in Portugal ?
It’s about 16-15 degrees. But in summertime, you have better temperatures from 18 up to 21 degrees. But no more than 21 !
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Which types of boards do you need to bring for surfing in Cascais ?
On the summertime you can use your regular boards but if you go at the end of the year, you can bring some step ups boards. Because sometimes there is a huge swell coming and you will have to change your board.
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Do you I need to bring some equipment (special wetsuit, boots…) ?
Not really, but for the end of the year you need to bring a Soöruz wetsuit GURU 4/3.
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Is it difficult to move around there ?
No, it’s easy to move around Cascais. You can take the bus, the train or sometimes even the UBER. It’s not expensive. But if you like to stay for a week, and you’re chasing some good waves, the best option is to rent a car. You will search and drive alone.
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Is it easy going from one spot to another one ?
Yes, it’s easy. You just have to use your GPS. You can even find some spot using your map. It’s not that hard.
To go to the secret spots it might be difficult but if you talk to a local guy, you will find some, for sure !
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Are the spots close from each other ?
Yes, they’re close. For example, in Cascais, it’s not a long coast but you have like so many spots around and there are so near form each other.
What could we do after surfing?
There are cool places to visit in Portugal. Especially in Lisbon, the place is so touristic. You have always good parties over there, and there are a few ones in Cascais but the best one are in Lisbon.
Is Cascais expensive?
It depends. On summertime it’s expensive because Cascais is a touristic place. On high seasons it’s expensive but for accommodation you can find AirBnB. While on the low season you can find cheap hotels.
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Tell us a story about surfing at your home spot.
I have a good one. I think it was at the beginning of last year. We went surfing and the swell was supposed to be huge in the morning, so we went there with the guns.
When we arrived at the spot and it was flat. We watched the waves for 15 minutes and there was no set, it was like flat. We went for a coffee for almost 45 minutes. And when we returned, man, it was so glassy. It was like gnarly. The gnarliest day ever. I think it was 27 of February.
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