Can’t have it all

Photo: Sandra Stubenvoll, Supertubos Peniche Portugal, 23-11-2009

The pro’s are in Hawaii and the crowds are gone. The cars are elsewhere and the summer too. There are no afternoon traffic jams nor there long lines at the supermarkets. There are less Sunday drivers and the chaos parking is over. The bikinis are in the closets and that’s a major upset to the local community, but you can’t have it all…

The great news is that, despite so many not so good things and other not so bad are gone, some of the best things we have around here are back, and we’re cool with it.

It's all over now...or maybe not.

Winner Mick Fanning on his way to the semi-final

We had an idea that the WCT Rip Curl Pro Search 2009 would score something decent or perhaps a bit more. And the fact is that on the 2 weeks the pros were in town they did score a bit of everything this place as to offer surfers; there was a tow in session in Baleal, there were plenty of glassy days on the coast north of Peniche, we had a sample of the Atlantic power enough to ruin the main site, a 4th alternative site and, though far from classic, the Tuesday October 27th was the highlight with a show of power from Supertubos well matched by impressive performances.


Kelly Slater early Supertubos test

As we imagined a sizable day at Supertubos would not only provide conditions for a great show but also would claim its share of broken surfboards and unfortunately some injuries, something we’re used to see around here and that not even the top 45 surfers in the world can avoid. Yes, Supertubos is powerful and when there’s size it’s also difficult to surf. Maybe that’s why surfers from Peniche, Ericeira, Nazaré and other areas in Portugal feel comfortable abroad when heavier conditions filter the crowd.

Mick Fanning tow-in session in Baleal

There’s a word of mouth that Peniche caused an impression strong enough on the ASP crew, pros and media alike so that a future permanent stop in Portugal is no longer a utopia but a rather a real possibility. Arguments include plenty of surf options, a devoted but respectful crowd and the will from both local and national authorities. We won’t say that the idea of the tour passing by every year is not wished for although it’s also a common remark that we’re happy to see the “circus” gone and have the chance to go back to our winter routine: un-crowded surfing.


Owen Right air show in Pico da Mota

Maybe this Rip Curl Pro Search 2009 has been the turning point for the ASP to add Portugal to the map. We hope that the things that did not run so smooth can be improved should the tour come back to Peniche. Among these we can mention the uncontrolled access to the dunes in Supertubos, the “chaos” we’ve seen in Belgas and all the trash left behind in both locations, by the crowd but also by the competition sites themselves.


Dane Reynolds Supertubos air show

It’s difficult to understand how can be allowed to literally change the beach natural profile to fit all the “luxury” that pro surfers and organization seem to demand nowadays. It’s hardly understandable that an eco friendly organization does not consider abusive to put such a massive infrastructure on a very limited area and maybe that’s why the Atlantic decided to demonstrate who really runs the show, Mother Nature that is.


Crowd watches the show at Supertubos

Bobby Martinez backhand bottom turn at Supertubos

All photos by Sandra Stubenvoll, courtesy of Baleal Surf Camp