Legendary Surf Spots Supertubos

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Wave: Supertubos

Nickname: Supers

Where: Peniche, Portugal

When: September to May

Why: Steep barreling beach break

Stats: Lefts and rights, near vertical take off, starts from 4ft+, can handle 10ft+
 

 

Last October Rip Curl's The Search ASP contest chose to visit Peniche, and rightly so as it is one of our most popular surfing holiday destinations in Portugal.  The waves were so good during 2009's contest that the ASP and Rip Curl have decided to make Peniche a permanent spot on the dream tour, and will again be hosting its contest there in October of this year.


 

So what is it that has enticed the world's best surfers to Peniche's shores again?  In a word: Supertubos.  This heavy barreling beach break literally breaks the rules.  When the swell gets to 4ft plus Supertubos lights up and turns into thick lipped barreling wave that looks more like it should be created by a reef break out in the Indonesian islands than in the Atlantic Ocean.  However, dip a toe in (if you dare) and the cooler water temperature will soon reaffirm the fact that you are truly in European waters.

 

Supertubos is created when a heafty westerly swell hits the sand bar off the coast of Peniche's main beach just south of Peniche port.  The sand bar forces the wave to break to the left and right, creating very steep take offs or very quick wipe out depending on the surfer's ability.  The sheer volume of water that surges against the sand bar creates powerful tubes that will quickly close out depending on the swell direction.  Surviving a Supertubos barrel is the reward for the expert surfer only.


 

At Rip Curl's The Search contest in October 2009 the waves were pumping and gave the chance for the pros to really show off.  Mick Fanning dominated and won the event, but the contest will be remembered for wild card entry Owen Wright (Aus) who ousted Kelly Slater in round 2 and went on to the semi-finals only to be forced to pull out when he ruptured his ear drum after wiping out badly in one of Supertubos' heavy waves.


 

So fancy taking a break, watching Supertubos and maybe improving your surfing in one of the many beginner to intermediate spots around Peniche?  We have surf & stay packages in the Baleal Beach House right on the beach. Shared accommodation starts from €185 and private accommodation from €245. Traveling to Peniche is simple, you can fly to Lisbon and then either take the bus (1hr30mins away) or hire a car from the airport and drive the short distance (1hr away).  And if you really want to see a show, time your holiday with this year's Rip Curl Pro held 7th to 18th October.

 

Check out last year's Quarter Finals at the Rip Curl Pro Search at Supertubos.  Watch out for Bede Durbidge's,  Joel Parkinson's and Owen Wright's perfect 10 scores from 1min 50secs- yep that's right, the waves really were that good.