PORTUGAL
Leaving Spain the wind ramps up and soon I am fully planing. For the first time in 2018 the sailing and progress is good. Fifteen nautical miles south of Cabo Silleiro and I am in Portugal. The coastline is a mostly uninterrupted yellow fringe of sand, upon which waves dissipate rather than rebound. In need, and with good wind like this, you could get in most places. The water is turquoise, the sun is shining brightly, and the miles are ticking by.
The thermal wind blows hard at some parts, and less hard at others, but it is beautifully stable. The wind is strong at Viana do Castelo. (Editor’s note – home to the recent Viana PWA World Cup, Slalom and Freestyle event.) I stop. By early afternoon it is howling at this windsurfing Mecca I’d somehow never before heard of. I’m made very welcome by Portuguese and visiting Spaniard windsurfers. Another place to visit again.
Next hop to Porto. Then to Aveiro, where the strong thermal keeps me honest with a couple of heavy falls. It’s occasionally wild, but I make a trio of 30 nautical mile days and confidence is up. I sit out a too windy day: local Hugo and family rescue me from the beach and humble me with their kindness. The port pilots, and local hotel are similarly supportive, and the lighthouse – with entry to the public- has fantastic views.