Kite-Surf World Tour Portugal - Check out the venue!
by Matt Pearce 12 Jun 2018 12:05 BST
7-12 June 2018
Roderick Pills - prepared and pensive! © Ydwer van der Heide
There had been high hopes for Monday based on the forecast but, although things had looked very encouraging in the morning with a steadily building northerly breeze and a relatively cloud-free sky, the rain returned in the afternoon to quash the thermals before they could really get going.
So yes, it's not been the best week for wind here in Viana do Castelo so far but that doesn't take anything away from what an incredible location this is. Before the event began, a number of the KSWT riders were in Viana early to train before the event and some of them scored solid days on the reeling rights of Cabedelo beach.
For an idea of what it's like when the conditions are on in Viana, click here to watch Charlie Wise and James Carew's video filmed just before the KSWT Portugal.
This is the first time the tour has visited Portugal, and it's got a lot of potential to become a firm favourite of the KSWT. If you're thinking about checking out Viana do Castelo yourself, then here's an overview of what you need to know.
Conditions
Generally speaking, this area gets some of those most consistent wind on the entire Portuguese coastline. The most reliable months for wind are from May to September, when the thermic El Nortada winds blow in cross / cross-off from the right. That makes it an ideal spot for wave riding when the Atlantic swells roll in.
The waves don't get huge here, but they're usually clean and peeling and the wind direction helps them to hold up nicely for some lengthy down-the-line rides.
Viana is on Europe's Atlantic coast of course, so a wetsuit is required but a light one will do the trick in summer and a 4/3 will be enough for the rest of the year.
The town
Viana do Castelo is a lot smaller than nearby Porto (where the closest airport is) but that's part of the appeal. The GKA riders went exploring this week and discovered a traditional, charming town with an authentic old town, enchanting hidden little streets and epic views across the river and over the kite spot from the Santa Luzia church that sits high above town.
The local food and wine is also pretty epic, and you can find everything from traditional dishes to unreal sushi in Viana itself.
Culturally and architecturally it's totally unlike anywhere else the GKA KSWT has visited up to now, so the riders and crew were stoked to spend some time checking it out!
Stuff to do
Wind is a fickle beast (that's been made abundantly clear at the KSWT Portugal) but that's when finding other activities to do becomes key. Luckily that's pretty easily done in Viana.
Viana do Castelo also has its impressive mountain backdrop of the national parks to explore which are just a short drive away.
Watch the video below to get an idea of what Viana's all about and to find out what the competitors have made of it so far.