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Tag: Nazaré

Base Jumping in Portugal

BASE is an acronym formed with the initials of the words Building, Antenna, Span, Earth, the four types of places from which this modality of jumps is practiced. The German Dominik Loyen and the Swedish David Thomasson, shared the passion for the BASE jump and fate wanted both to die trying to jump in the same place, on the cliffs of Nazaré, one in 2018 and the other in 2013.

Dominik is number 359 and David is number 207 in the BASE fatality list published by the specialized magazine Blinc. The list collects data from the year 1981 as a reminder and warning that BASE jump is a high risk activity, which must be done responsibly and with solid previous experience in jumps with parachutes from airplanes.

In fact, every time there is a death of this kind, the debate on whether these high-risk sports should be banned reopens. In Portugal, as in most European countries, it is not considered in itself an illegal activity although those who surreptitiously access some of the enclosures closed to the public from which the jumps try to be executed can face fines and penalties. The basic rights and freedoms of every individual to dispose of their life take priority as long as they do not jeopardize the property or rights of others.

And the truth is that for many it is a risk worth it. Most of those who practice it admit that they feel fear before jumping but that it pays off when they land and they feel the tremendous outburst of joy that comes when they see that the jump has gone well. Others say that the feeling of freedom that these jumps produce is something difficult to equal.

For those who want to know more about skydiving and the different ways of jumping, one hour North of Lisbon, in the Leiria area, operates the company Get High, initiated by one of the best-known Portuguese jumpers, Mario Pardo, who has jumped from emblematic places such as the bridge 25 de Abril or the Padrão dos Descobrimentos in Lisbon. Also, in Lisbon and in Porto there is a growing offer of indoor skydiving, where you can experience in a wind tunnel what to expect in the air.

Finally, for those who prefer to follow this topic a bit more from the sidelines, the documentary Sunshine Superman is very interesting, about the life of Carl Boenish, one of the founders of the BASE jumping movement. The BASE jump has also been very present in action movies, such as Drop Zone, with Wesley Snipes, or the impossible missions 2 and 3, with Tom Cruise. And for those who prefer reading, The Great Book of Base, by Matt Gerdes, is a good option to learn more about this subject and The Moment of Letting Go, by Jessica Redmerski, would be the alternative for those who prefer romantic literature.

Surf events in the Oeste region

A tennis fan can hardly ever play on the Centre Court of Wimbledon or at Roland Garros. A golf fan will probably never have the opportunity to play in Augusta or St. Andrews. And football fans would surely be willing to pay absurd amounts of money to play one day at the Santiago Bernabeu or Wembley.

Exactly the opposite of surfing, which has the peculiarity that anyone can easily buy or rent a board and live first-hand the same waves of Ericeira, Supertubos or Nazaré, where three of the most important events in the world of surfing take place.

In the more than 100 km of coast of the Oeste region there is a wide range of possibilities of surfing, for all levels. And any day is fine to go and find good waves. But the end of the summer adds three world-class appointments for surfers: the World League events in Ericeira in October, in Peniche in March and the giant waves season in Nazaré, that runs from October to March.

Supertubos

The waves at Supertubos are considered the European version of the famous Hawaiian Pipeline, with the advantage that the seabed is sandy and without the dangerous reefs of the Hawaiian. On the other hand, you may need a much thicker websuit. In Ericeira the temperature is more or less the same but the town has that cool charm so appealing to those who start to know the surf world.

Ericeira

To regain strength, a very popular option in Peniche, right on the beach, a few meters from Supertubos, is the Xakra, whose tables are also a very popular spot all year round. In Ericeira, Furnas is the place to go, with its great views and its high quality.

The accommodation offer is also extensive. It covers all the spectrum, from the typical mini-vans of the youngest, to campsites near the beach, from hostels and apartments to bio-eco-resorts, and there are even some conventional hotels. For its good value for money we highlight two: the Kate Kero, in the center of Peniche, with good access to restaurants, shops and the bustle of the city; and the recently renovated MH Atlántico, for the opposite reasons, since it is right on the beach, and you can easily reach Consolação and Supertubos by foot and make the most of the waves from dusk to dawn.

In Nazaré, the giant wave season in Praia Norte lasts from October to March although there may always be some big storms outside those dates that also allow you to watch the monster-waves up to 30 meters high, only suitable for expert surfers. At the end of October Nazaré also hosts the Big Wave Challenge annual awards, where all the big names of the big waves get together.

Nazaré

In this link there is a very interesting video of the World Surf League explaining how these giant waves are formed, due to a submarine canyon several kilometers long that is just south of the cape.

To stay in Nazaré, a good option, in the center, is the Hotel Magic. And to eat, our favorite options are Rosa dos Ventos and A tasquinha, although the excellent level makes the experience almost always great in most places. In fact, one of the biggest fans of this blog always remembers that in Nazaré he ate the best wild sea bass he has ever eaten.

Whether as a surfer or as a spectator, with accommodation in a minivan or in hotels, the waves and the collective good vibes are guaranteed and the experience is really worth it.

Oeste with kids

There are studies that have calculated that children smile on average 400 times a day while adults only smile between 30 and 40 times a day. There are also several studies that have analyzed that children are much more creative than adults because they see life as a game and are able to imagine playful situations in any scenario.

Fortunately, there are times in adults’ lives when they have the opportunity to recover some of that joy, sharing games with their children, nephews or grandchildren. For that, it is enough to let go, get some imagination and let yourself be carried away by the little ones.

For several reasons, the Oeste region of Portugal is an ideal setting for children. In the first place, because it has a climate that favors all outdoor activities; the temperatures are mild all year round, never too cold or too hot. Second, because it has more than 100 km of coastline, with dozens of beaches, which are, as is known, the preferred scenario for children to play. And, thirdly, because it is still not a saturated destination, and does not have the long queues that always characterize the most typical children’s destinations.

So today our recommendation is that we all fit imaginary cowboy boots and hat, that we take our horses and that we throw ourselves to the great adventure of the conquest of the West.

The route can begin in Óbidos, which with its castle and its walls can be the best inspiration for any adventure. If we need a certain atmosphere to warm up, the ideal moment would be in summer, while the medieval fair takes place, with its famous combats between knights. During those days, costumes are rented and anyone can feel for a few hours the lord of the castle.

Another very appropriate time to go to Óbidos with children would be in December, during Vila Natal, when the whole town becomes a large theme park of games and activities related to Christmas. You can check in the city council website for dates and schedules of these two events: www.cm-obidos.pt

The beaches of the region are known worldwide thanks to surfing. The Praia Norte in Nazaré, with its giant waves, and Supertubos in Peniche, with the World League events, are the most famous but almost all have a surf school and instructors to show you how to start with this spectacular sport. We tend to think that surfing is not suitable for small children but in reality, as soon as they know how to swim well, they can start jumping on the board and at those ages it is when their approach is simpler and more natural and they immediately dominate the movements. For the little ones, the ideal is to start on beaches with little waves, like Gamboa in Peniche, where the veteran Escola Surf Peniche offers its courses.

For those who do not dare to try it, another fun and different beach plan is the Parque Acuático of São Martinho do Porto, a set of slides and jumps that is installed during the summer in the sea, a few meters from the shore.

And for children and not so children, an option that never fails to make you have a good time with friends is a kart race. In the region there are several kart tracks, all quite good, such as the Kiro Kartódromo do Oeste in Bombarral, the Dino Kart in Lourinhã and the Euroindy near Batalha. There is even an option for rainy days, the Indoor Karting Caldas da Rainha, which is somewhat smaller but also great fun. It is advisable to check beforehand the minimum ages, although most of them have different options to welcome the smallest too.

We can continue our adventure in the Jurassic period, looking for fossils and discovering all the secrets of the dinosaurs in the Dino Parque de Lourinhã.

And finally, for those who want to make the most of the boots and hat that they put on at the beginning of this entry and prefer not to bring their own horse, there are also several first class equestrian centers where you can give free rein to the cowboy you carry inside. We highlight the Alfeizerão International Equestrian Center, with very complete facilities and all kinds of services, and the Quintas de Óbidos, which also has magnificent facilities and is gradually starting up after some very troubled beginnings due to the crisis.

With all these elements and a bit of our imagination we have more than assured the smiles of children and adults.

The best beaches in the Oeste region

It is challenging to recommend beaches because not everyone likes the same things. Therefore, when someone asks us for advice on choosing a beach destination in the Oeste region, we always ask them first about their goals before answering. For those looking for surfing and fun, we usually suggest Baleal, Peniche, or Santa Cruz. For those who prefer family beaches and calm waters, we point them towards São Martinho or Nazaré. For those who want to have it all, towards the resorts around the lagoa de Óbidos. And for those who like bathing in warmer waters… towards a good spa.

And, for that very reason, we believe that it is best if our list of beaches does not have a ranking, as, for some, the top 1 may be a beach that, for others, is one of the least desirable. The ones that follow appear, as the cast in Woody Allen’s films, in alphabetical order:

– Baleal. The small peninsula of Baleal and its two beaches is a popular with the international crowd, especially with surfers from all over the world. It is also a recommended option for beginners, since it always has different difficulty levels spread across the various sections of the peninsula. The accommodation on offer between Baleal and Peniche is extensive, especially in apartments and youth hostels. For those looking for a good higher- end option, the MH Peniche is a very good hotel and has an excellent location, being close to both the beaches and the restaurant district.

– Bom Sucesso. The Bom Sucesso beach, on the southern side of the lagoa de Óbidos, has a wide sandy area, and calm, transparent waters, perfect for children’s games. Furthermore, it has the bonus of walking between the dunes to the open sea and enjoying the waves. There are several resorts in the area that offer an excellent level of accommodation. Our personal experience and opinion, suggest none offers such a complete experience as the Bom Sucesso Resort, with its distinctive design element but still complete with the main amenities of the other resorts.

– Física. Surfing destination, bustling and fun, with all the services and entertainment of the touristic town of Santa Cruz. The Noah Surf House has different accommodation options and has developed the boho-eco-chic concept like no other.

– Nazaré. Praia Norte is a must during the winter, to watch the pros taming the largest waves in the world. In the summer, the Nazaré main beach is a top-rated family destination, with all the services and entertainment one would expect. For those who prefer a somewhat quieter accommodation, away from the city center, the Vale d’Azenha hotel, with its modern architecture and characteristic style, may be a good option.

– Porto das Barcas. It is a beautiful beach, usually quiter, in an area still under development. Accommodations are cosy and family-friendly, highlighting the Silver Coast Vacation Inn.

– Porto Novo. This beach is in an area with very low density, near the small towns of Vimeiro and Maceira, but the Well Hotel & Spa, right by the beach, has sufficient attractions and services to enjoy a complete stay.

– Supertubos. Its perfect waves host the Surf World League in October and make this beach an absolute mecca for European surfers. It has a wide range of accommodation and good surf schools. For those who may prefer to stay this time in a hotel rather than in a Volkswagen minivan, the MH Atlántico is an excellent option.

It is impossible to condense 100 km of beaches in a few lines, but we hope we have helped you with this small selection, which you can expand by sharing your preferences in the comments. Come on, dive in…