“We’ve had a couple of surf sessions but mainly just eating lovely food, drinking wine, and just seeing the countryside,” said Craig Anderson about his tour of Portugal after the Capitulo Perfeito (Perfect Chapter) barrel shootout in February. “It’s been a trip I’ll never forget.”
While Anderson was certainly right about the good food and wine, his assessment of the surfing was quite an understatement. In a video summarizing the trip, he’s pictured surfing flawless Supertubos – conditions that would make the WSL envious after the slop they received last week at the MEO Rip Curl Pro.
After the 11th edition of Perfect Chapter took place (crowning Cam Richards champ), Anderson hit the road with the likes of Joel Parkinson, Victor Bernardo, Balaram Stack, and Bruno Dos Santos to take advantage of their time in Portugal. From Ericeira to Santa Cruz to Peniche, they scored pumping surf while fitting in time for extracurricular activities like golf, fine dining, and soccer matches.
“I’ve just been with the local people and the local surfers,” added Anderson. “They’ve showed me the best restaurants and the best wine and the best food. We’ve had some amazing waves. I think for me this is definitely my favorite trip to Portugal.”
For that group, a bit of R&R was more than deserved after packing the unruly, board-crunching tubes of Carcavelos Beach during the contest. Competing is just the price to pay for the real reward: the expenses-paid post-event journey. Bruno Dos Santos summarized it well: “I always say that after the event is just as good, if not better.”
Anyone else feel the need to pencil in an autumn surf trip to Portugal? The wine and waves are tempting. And you wouldn’t be disappointed.