Surfin' Lisbon

Patiently waiting for the big waves!

Photo taken from: http://www.beachesandsunsets.com/

The sun is always shining in Carcavelos Beach.

Photo taken from: http://www.lisbonproperty.com/

Sunset at Carcavelos Beach.

Photo taken from : http://lisbonsurfcamp.com/

A photo before riding the waves!

We did it! Victory!

Our planet is covered by 71 % of water and oceans hold about 96 % of earth's water!

Surfing is an everyday hobby or even a job for a significant number of people around the world. However, Europe, even though is a beautiful and unique continent, lacks of this great opportunity to '' ride the waves ''. So, if someone wants to test his/her skills, one of the few and affordable opportunities to achieve it is to travel to beautiful Portugal. Its coast is against the Atlantic Ocean.

In 2012, I was accepted as an Erasmus student in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. I didn't know anything about the city. However, I knew that one of my life-dreams was to try surfing at least once. So, when I was accepted there, I realized that I could finally make my dream come true.

The weather in September and October is still sunny and hot, so people go to the beach on a daily basis. If you take the train from Cais Do Sodre (trains pass very often - every 20 minutes ) and stop at Praia Carcavelos, in only 20 minutes of travelling you will be at the beach enjoying the ocean.

The first time I went there, it was also the first time in my life that I saw the ocean. I was so amazed by the big waves and the endless sand, and most of all, by the cold temperature of the water. Outside, the temperature was almost 40 degrees, but inside, it was very very cold, although, refreshing! After my first experience with the water, I went to one of the surfing schools that are located there, and asked for a class. With 15 euro, they provided me with a teacher, a board and a suit and an hour and a half of lesson.

Firstly, we were divided in groups of four or five people, who had the same teacher. He showed us the basics ( how to get on the board, how to paddle and how to stand up ) on the sand. When we were ready, we went to the ocean ( with the suit you could stand the cold water ) and started to paddle and wait for the bigger waves to come. My first three attempts were disastrous! I was trying to stand up on the board too late, so I was underwater all the time. But it was still amazing. I hadn't seen such big waves in my life!

After half an hour of swallowing water from the ocean, I decided that I should succeed, at least once. So, I asked the instructor and he told me what exactly I was doing wrong, and after that I decided to try it once again. The final time was good, I managed to ride the wave and realized that it was not so hard at the end. You just have to be patient! The feeling after you manage to do it is indescribable, you just feel like the "king of the world". My next attempts were also good, until after some point, when I was tired, decided to go out, warm myself and enjoy the sun on the sand!

Finally, to all of you, nature and sports lovers that still haven't tried this experience, I suggest you to just get on a plane, fly to one of the most beautiful European countries and go ''meet'' with the ocean and the waves! You never know, maybe you decide to stay there and make surfing your everyday hobby!