I feel the cold water seeping down back of my wetsuit. Quickly tuck the feet up and cover the head. Avoid the thousands of sea urchins wedged into the reef below. I need air! Stay calm. Eventually the white water subsides and I break into the open. One thing is for sure, the waves in Portugal definitely have some power. I’m glad that I decided to train in these conditions and gain some sort of ‘home advantage’ for the upcoming German SUP Wave Championship taking place in Peniche. Five weeks until it kicks off. I better get back to it.
“OK. Next time, maybe just a little bit closer to me?” Dan, our photographer calls over to me. Dan Petermann is not just a good friend, but also a stunning surf and travel photographer. He immediately jumped into the water despite just a couple of hours sleep the night before. Already on our first day here we’re capturing great images. I’m mindful of how we need to get used to the Atlantic and its power. Last night I never imagined that we would get such good surf already.
