|
Finally, we focus on windsurfing conditions… Boa Vista offers a few really gorgeous spots, which are more or less located in the same large bay, south of Sal Rei. Freeriders, freestylers, speed-addicts, beginners and even wave aspirants can find perfect playgrounds to freak out, of course depending on swell size and direction. Only hardcore wave freaks may judge Boa Vista to be a bit boring. There are a few reef breaks, which produce nice and funny toy-like wave conditions, but you will not succeed to find Ponta Preta’s little sister on Boa Vista’s shoreline. Furthermore, you should be aware that large sails around and above 6 m2 are the right choice to enjoy a satisfying number of windsurfing days during an average holiday trip. In return, the North-Easter blows very constantly during wintertime, and effectively helps to get rid of any wintertime-induced depressions…
Talking about depressions again – the main effect this very special trip to Boa Vista had on our minds is the following: Optimism and serenity of the islanders have faded on us. And despite the ongoing pessimism and devastating news in European press releases, which we are facing since our return to Germany, one thing seems very clear for us: If the Cape Verde people face their daily challenges so optimistically, Europeans really moan and lament on a very high level. Honestly, we would have every good reason to spread more optimism to the world…
Windsurfing conditions
Windsurfstation No. 1. „Rod’s Surfzone“, located directly in front of the lately built Riu Hotel Resort, offers latest Fanatic / North Sails equipment for 20 to 30 guests and a very comfortable infrastructure. The wind is blowing sideshore from the right. When the swell is small, you enter the freeride/freestyle conditions easily over a sandy beach. Caution: When the swell size increases slightly, there arises a heavy shorebreak, which may reach up to 2 meters and more! It is a real challenge for sailor and equipment.
Windsurfstation 2: Planet-Station (former Happy Station), about 4 km north from the Riu, a few meters downwind from the village Sal Rei, offering latest Fanatic / North Sails for approx. 30 guests + storage room. The wind blows side-off from the right, and is much more gusty than at Rod’s Surfzone. There is a beach bar and sanitary facilities (no freshwater showers). Manager Peter and his team are ready to assist at any time and really do anything to make their guests happy.
There are 3 different spots in front of the Planet Station:
Right in front of the Station, there is an easy freeriding spot, with very few and clearly marked rocks and coral blocks. The beach is sandy and comfortable. Due to the village Sal Rei, which is located upwind, the side-offshore wind is a bit gusty, especially close to the beach. Nevertheless, the spot is well-suited for beginners, as there is never ever any shorebreak, even when the swell becomes really big.
The Funana reef is an easy to sail reef break, just downwind from the industrial harbour of Sal Rei. The desitance to the beach is about 600m, and the depth is about 1.5 to 2.0m, depending on the tide. With the right swell direction, the waves may reach an impressing height, but always remain very forgiving. Unfortunately, due to the short distance to the harbour, the wind is extremely gusty here. Equipped with large Waveboards, you may catch some very nice waves and experience fantastic rides.
The famous Turtle Bay is Boa Vista’s most beautiful spot, located right in the middle between both windsurfing stations. The bay is easily accessible from the water, and offers fantastic water colours, more and more constant wind than at the Planet station, loads of turtles, and perfect freeride and freestyle conditions. Harmless and soft mini-waves produce a small shorebreak at the beach, which becomes larger towards the Riu Hotel in the south. Close to the beach, the water is shallow enough to stand and rest on the sandy bottom. This place is paradise!
At the northern end of the turtle bay, there is another small and shallow reef, which offers nice and small waves for surfing when it is calm. With the wind blowing side-offshore, it is perfect for down-the-line wavesailing in soft waves. It is a perfect playground for first experiences in the waves, and only experts may not find what they are searching for. Caution: the reef is very shallow at low tide – long freeriding fins will result in nice and heavy impacts! All in all, the Planet Station is well-suited for wave-lovers, beginners and advanced sailors. As the beach is a bit sheltered from the wind by the village Sal Rei, non-windsurfing partners or kids may very well relax and enjoy the sun, while the windsurfers enjoy the great conditions outside on the water.
Text: Flo Soehnchen & Chris Hafer, Pix: Chris Hafer, Valerie Luther, Vera Ritter and Flo Soehnchen
for more pics check the gallery, for a visual journey click here
|
