After all the excitement of the Billabong Pro Rio last month, June could seem to be a bit on the quiet side.  The next big dreamtour event isn’t until July... However, whilst the pros journey to exotic islands to get in some surf practice, there are a few good contests to watch out for.  

 

We love the events in Europe, especially home breaks such as Ericeira and Hossegor.  June will see hot weather, less crowds than July and August, and a lot of good surf.  So if ever there was a time to take a sneaky surf holiday to go watch some contests and work on your technique, it may well be this month.  However, if making another break for it is out of the question, sit back and enjoy the live feed of the events and hatch a plan for your next holiday.

 

 

 

Event: Quiksilver Pro Portugal

Location: Ericeira, Portugal

Rating: Prime

Dates: 14th - 19th June

Prize money: $250,000

Last year’s winner: Hodei Collazo (EUK)

• Women:

Somehow I have spent the last month in Bali, surfing, exploring and finding out that all it takes to love a place is people. You can read guide books that will tell you that you ‘must’ do this or that itinerary, you could be stressed that you don’t have a enough time to see the island, but then you would miss just how good it is to hang out with people and see where each day takes you.

 

Yesterday my local break looked very crowded.  The expected swell hadn’t arrived and everyone who surfs had been getting cabin fever.  So even though the waves were small, the line up looked busy.  However, as I paddled out I realized that I knew half the people out in the water, so instantly the vibe changed from one of tension- to people chatting, sharing waves and encouraging each other when a set came through.  It was one of my best surfs simply because it was so relaxed and fun.  You can’t plan this stuff.

 

Ironically, after weeks going by with my reluctance to leave Padang Padang, I’ve miraculously ventured off the Bukit Pennisular and had the most amazing experiences.  Some American friends invited me to join them on their friend’s yacht for an afternoon.  If you had tried to find me last Saturday you would have discovered me sailing on the Defiance around the beautiful eastern coast of Bali from Sanur, jumping into the ocean and being mesmerized by the oil-painting like sunset.

 

On Sunday evening it was finally time to go ‘do’ a touristy excursion: The Uluwatu Monkey Temple.  After waiting a month to go to the temple, I was joined by old and new friends in the pursuit of monkey fun, and it didn’t disappoint.  After being wrapped in a purple sarong (part of being covered enough in the holy grounds), I walked around the grounds finding monkeys everywhere.  

 

They really are little people, and look like old men with how they sit.  Within the grounds I bought some nuts to feed the monkeys, however this invited monkey trouble.  There is definitely a pecking order, and the alpha males instantly wanted the whole bag of nuts.  I had a monkey jump onto my head and shoulders and try and pry the bag from me.  In the showdown of Francesca vs the monkey I amazingly won thanks to my friend’s nut distraction technique, so I not only lived to tell the tale, but was able to feed baby monkeys.

 
My activities continued even more over the past week, as I made it to Ubud- the cultural centre of Bali.  Hello ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ time. Single women mill around having come from a yoga class and shop in the massive hive of market stalls and small boutiques.  I wasn’t overly wow-ed by Ubud’s shopping, and found that the Bukit Peninsular is actually more beautiful. However, I did treat myself to a day spa, and almost fell asleep during my 60 minute traditional Balinese massage.  I left smelling of Jasmine and feeling relaxed to the core.  I feel a spa addiction in the making.

 

So what’s next?  My plan to not plan is still working out a treat, as next week I’ve been invited to go to the Gillie Islands on a speed boat with some new friends.  I’ve got no idea what to expect, but that seems to be the best way.  Get ready for the next update.
 

Imagine strolling down small cobblestone streets, then appearing at beautiful surf beaches in the warm sunshine. Restaurants and cafes service delicious seafood, whilst people chat during the afternoon siesta.  Long sunny days of surf are a reality in the Portuguese town of Cascais, and this is why beginner and improving surfers head there every summer.

 

Cascais is considered to be one of the glitziest towns in Portugal, often being compared to Monte Carlo or Biarritz.  Ever since its importance grew in the 14th century when it became a major boating port, it has been used by the famous and royalty as a retreat.  Now it has the mesmerizing beauty of a stunning coastline combined with decadent architecture. The town is a great combination of the old and the timeless to keep families or groups of friends who want to surf but also want to explore and enjoy the culture.

 

One of the best beaches to first explore is Gunicho.  It’s about 5km north west of Cascais along the coastal road.  The 1km stretch of beach is ideal for beginner to intermediate surfers.  So either book up your surf lessons, or head there with your gear to check it out.  

 

There is a real sense of discovery when you are based in Cascais, as the town is the beginning point for exploring the beaches along the coastline all the way to Lisbon.  The city lies about 35 minutes drive away from Cascais and the coast is littered with beaches waiting to be surfed.  Look out for Bica beach, ideal for longboarding; and definitely stop off at the famous Carcavelos where you can see some of the best surfers in Portugal ripping into the beach break.

 

Lisbon has to be a day trip or two, as the shopping is so good and some of the cheapest in Europe.  Head to the Baxia area of the city to really make the most of it.  However, if shopping isn’t your thing, but sport is, make a point of going to see one of the local football teams Lisboa or Benfica play.  

 

If you are all surfed out another day, Cascais has some of the best golf courses in Europe, so head to Quinta da Marinha, Oitavos or Penha Longa and enjoy the views.

 

After long days of exploring the coastline, making the most of the really good surf and company, spend the the evenings relaxing in beach cafes.  It is all about hanging out in Cascais at Tamariz beach bar and nightclub, enjoying warm nights with a few drinks and some good company.

 

Feeling inspired yet to get booked and get in the water?  Check out our latest deals for Cascais this summer and get practicing your Portuguese, because you’ll want to make the most of every day in Cascais’ sunshine, waves and warmth.
 

Adriano de Souza is one happy Brazilian.  He’s won stop number 3 of 11 of the ASP’s world championship surf tour in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.  De Souza bested an outstanding performance by fellow competitor Taj Burrow (AUS) in tricky waves at Barra Da Tijuca on 20th May at the Billabong Pro Rio.

 

In front of a massive home crowd De Souza defeated the talented Burrow 15.63 to 12.17 points out of a possible 20.  De Souza was on fire for the whole contest, springing airs and feeling the support of his home crew.  Burrow was on form, and posted some of the best waves and highest scores throughout the contest, but couldn’t quite find the points when it came to the final.

 

De Souza’s win has shaken things up for the world rankings, as former rantings leader Kelly Slater (USA) has now slipped to third place as he finished 13th, and De Souza has leaped up to first place.  Australian Gold Coast surfer Joel Parkinson is waiting in the wings in spot number two, after placing 5th in the Billabong Pro Rio.

 

French surfer Jeremy Flores from Hossegor represented our Euroforce by finishing 3rd at the event.  Flores had been out of action for the past event with a severe knee injury, but he seems to be back in form and doing Europe proud.

 

Now it’s time for the surfers to get training in preparation for the Billabong Pro Jefferys Bay that runs 14th until 24th July over in South Africa.

 

It’s all change for the women’s tour as well, with Carissa Moore (HAW) dominating the scene.  She won the contest on 15th May in small 2-4ft waves at Barra Da Tijuca.  Moore dominated at the event and defeated world number two Sally Fitzgibbon (AUS) in a very close final where Moore won 14.87 to Fitzgobbon’s 13.80 points.

 

Moore’s win means that it is now a two horse race for the women’s world championship title, as x4 world champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) is knocked out of the running with her semi final finish.  It’s the first time since Gilmore came on the tour that she wont be in the running for a title.  So this year will see within the next two events on the women’s tour, who will be the world champion.

 

Next up on the women’s dreamtour is Biarritz, France for the Roxy Pro.  The event is set to go from 14th to 17th July, and will celebrate surf inspired music and art during the contest.

 

If you missed all the action at the Rio Pro, check out the final day video below to get a feel for the fun beach break waves:

 

Living in a community that is obsessed with surfing is so much fun.  At home you can feel very detached from what you love... miles from the surf, or weeks/months from your next surf trip.  Then it can be really hard to talk about how much you miss playing in the waves with friends that don’t surf.  However, there is a real pleasure to life when almost everyone living around you either surfs or loves the ocean.  I’m loving my time on the Bukit Peninsular of Bali because of the great surf and the fun people.

 

It is very easy to get stuck anywhere in Bali.  You go to busy Kuta city, and you have so much fun partying, shopping and hanging at the beach, that you can easily get stuck.  Every night is party night, and with the influx of Aussies, Californians and Brazilians, there are always beautiful people wanting to party.  Music is crazy loud, everyone is about the dancing, finding their next girl/boyfriend and sweating their body weight out on the dancefloor.  Kuta in a word is: addictive.

 

When you get out of Kuta, you discover that there is another world, which is a more relaxed Bali.  Instead of being heckled to buy fake sunglasses or for taxi rides, people are always saying hello and chatting to you.  Now that I’ve been here a month it feels perfectly normal to speak to strangers all the time- something that’d be hard to believe at home.  Instead of my instant reaction being ‘why are you talking to me?’, instead I feel open and friendly, so I chat to new people everyday, whether it is in the surf, on the beach or just walking down the road.

 

People whizzing by on their moped to go check the surf, toot their horn, or slow down to chat to you... it’s like you’ve stepped back in time within our society, to a time when people did live in small communities.  Everyone talks to each other, especially at night when there is little else to do but hang out and make friends.  People have stories to tell, whether it is the Californian who hit his head on the reef, or the Brazilian girl who decided to travel to Bali alone.

 

I had every intention of doing the touristy thing this week, especially as a new friend from England has arrived.  However, rather unsurprisingly I’ve been having so much fun living in Padang Padang, that I’m still there.  Instead, sunset at Uluwatu was finally done, where perfect barrels were accompanied by Bintang and a birthday party at the Single Fin restaurant. You can really get used to talking about the surf, enjoying the ocean and relaxing amongst friends.

 

Over the next week the swell is supposed to be getting even better, so I’ll be making the most of it all.  However, it’s time to leave the southern point of the island and visit Ubud and some temples.  So stay tuned for some new adventures.