Portugal - Lisbon

[Miss Wave]

Hello everybody

I´m planning a surprise trip to Portugal in June for my boyfriend´s upcoming birthday. Therefore I´m looking for good and nice kite surf spots (possibly "supervised" or nearby a school or kite surf center) close to Lisbon, on Portugal´s west coast. I will rent a car so we are mobile.
He has been kite surfing for some years but wouldn´t call himself "experienced" or "pro" so preferably, it should be shallow water and sideshore or onshore wind (if I understood it right!? :p)
Hopefully June is a good month to kite surf in Portugal?
I have been looking the Internet for info for several days but I`m getting a bit confused and lost ... So if anyone could help me regarding good spots/beaches in that region, I would be eternally thankful!

Big thanks in advance

[Tiago1973]

"eternally thankful"? I like that!

the shallow water locations I know, lagoons and stuff like that, are off limites to kitesurf on the summer months, so you will need to stick with the ocean

Try "Praia da Nova Vaga, Costa da Caparica", or "Fonte da Telha, Costa da Caparica" in Lisbon south margin

Guincho, nearby Cascais, from Lisbon to the West, is another alternative spot, but even when mellow is not a totally easy spot. Fantastic views in any case, so worth a checking.

some links for Nova Vaga (Costa Caparica):
https://www.google.com/search?q=praia+d ... d=0CAUQ_AU


Any question shout - it´s Friday and I´m procrastinating

[Capi]

Hello
There is also a new kitespot in Lisbon.
It's called Jardim do Campo Grande and it works great during Summer with thermal winds.

[Miss Wave]

Cool and big thank you @ Tiago1973 and @Capi!

Some of the places you name, Tiago1973, I recognise from my web searches, such as Guincho. This spot seems well-known and appreciated but I also read, just like you say here, it is recommended for experienced kite surfers as the wind and the waves are quite strong.
So good to hear and have it confirmed from someone experienced and who has been there!
And especially to get some other places/options!

PS: Of course, I´m eternally thankful for advice/tips as this might be a "make it or break it" trip:
either he "kills me" because there is not enough wind ... or he gets killed because there is too much wind! (and I obviously don´t want either of this!)

Thx again and happy WE to you both

[Miss Wave]

Oh last question to @Capi: what are "thermal winds"??
I tried to check on google but didn´t get that much wiser ... (and however I´m not blonde ) Is this the same as "side shore"?
Thx in advance

[Toby]

Hello
There is also a new kitespot in Lisbon.
It's called Jardim do Campo Grande and it works great during Summer with thermal winds.

Where exactly is it Capi? Do you have a map?

[Toby]

Oh last question to @Capi: what are "thermal winds"??
I tried to check on google but didn´t get that much wiser ... (and however I´m not blonde ) Is this the same as "side shore"?
Thx in advance

Thermal winds are winds who blow because of different temperatures.

E.g. in Brasil we have lots of wind, because the dunes heat up, so air goes up to the sky and sucks in colder air from around. This "sucking in" is the thermal wind.

So normally a thermal spot works during summer, when it is really hot. It won't work during winter, since the air does not heat up enough to create this effect.

[Miss Wave]

@Toby thank you for the explanation!
Regarding "Jardim do Campo", Capi´s tip, it seems to be in Lisbon city, not at the coast ...?! Can you kite there?

[fredmendes]

I used to kite most of the time at Nova Vaga, but I was told it will be exclusively for kite lessons this summer.

The next beach from Nova Vaga (going south), praia da Bela Vista, seems to be open to kitesurfing this year, and I believe there is at least one school there already, you can check the following link which has a map with the location.

http://www.waves4life.pt/#!contactos/c19rm

As already said, Guincho is probably the most consistent during the summer months, the waves are smaller during the summer but the wind can be strong and gusty at times.

Regarding Jardim do Campo Grande, it's a joke, it's in the middle of the city...

If you want to stay within 50 Km and a kite spot with a school it's either Guincho or Costa da Caparica (Praia da Bela Vista or Fonte da Telha, Praia da Nova Vaga I won't guarantee will have open access to any kiter).

[Miss Wave]

I used to kite most of the time at Nova Vaga, but I was told it will be exclusively for kite lessons this summer.

The next beach from Nova Vaga (going south), praia da Bela Vista, seems to be open to kitesurfing this year, and I believe there is at least one school there already, you can check the following link which has a map with the location.

http://www.waves4life.pt/#!contactos/c19rm

As already said, Guincho is probably the most consistent during the summer months, the waves are smaller during the summer but the wind can be strong and gusty at times.

Regarding Jardim do Campo Grande, it's a joke, it's in the middle of the city...

If you want to stay within 50 Km and a kite spot with a school it's either Guincho or Costa da Caparica (Praia da Bela Vista or Fonte da Telha, Praia da Nova Vaga I won't guarantee will have open access to any kiter).