Teresa Bonvalot’s Portugal

Local Currents is a series about surfers that live in a place we often visit, sharing with us their local recommendations and intel about their homes.

Thermal: Teresa, before you give us some insider Portugal stuff…tell us about the Olympics!

Teresa: Well, even as a professional surfer now, I remember when I started surfing 13 years ago and even then, the Olympics wasn’t even a dream. You didn’t even think of that happening. But being there at Tokyo last year, you could definitely sense that all surfers there felt like this wasn’t your average WCT comp. It was sooo much bigger, something sooo much different. It was just another level. Even in the Olympic Village, just witnessing how athletes of that caliber train…it’s unbelievably inspiring. Seeing the effort that those athletes give, as a surfer, I think that the Olympics will push our sport’s progression.

I guess what I really noticed is that people, like myself, were feeling every single second of it. Totally present. Even watching a surfer like Owen Smith. It was like he was giving it 300%! The whole experience, it was like: as an athlete, you felt like you could reach bigger, brighter things in our sport now.

I just cannot imagine. Well, congratulations, Teresa. Bringing it back home, what are your favorite waves around Cascais?

First, my homebreak: Praia Do Guincho. It’s where I started surfing and stood up for the first time. My dad used to kitesurf and windsurf there, so I’d be at the beach all day long as well, even on windy days. Every single summer, I was there all day. Praia Do Guincho is a beachbreak that’s always fun. So many faces to the break. Next, there's a more secret pointbreak near São Joao. A super fun wave that’s very, very rippable. And lastly, I love Carcavelos. There’s just a lot of variety at that beachbreak and I really like it.

What about in all of Portugal?

Figueira da Foz: There’s a pier there so the wave kind of breaks like a super fun pointbreak. Great righhanders. Next would be Aveiro. It’s a big coast with all kinds of peaks and piers that reminds me a little bit of Hossegor in Southern France.

Your favorite season to surf in Portugal…

October is the best month I think. The water is a little warmer than other months. There’s more south swells, and then the good winds and bigger waves come in. Yeah, September and October are my favorite months, for sure.

Your favorite non-surf activities around Cascais…

I actually love the trampoline parks. There’s a couple ones near my house in Cascais. It helps your surfing. Then I love hanging out at the Casa da Guia for açai. It’s right on the ocean with an amazing view. Great to hang out there and cruise after surfing. You can also get a bike around there and ride along the sea, it’s all protected to skate, too. You could actually ride from Casa da Guia to Carcavelos on the boardwalk and walk paths.

Favorite authentic Portuguese dish…

I don’t eat meat anymore but it used to be duck and rice (arroz de pato). Also any kind of octopus on the coast of Portugal is incredibly delicious. Octopus is super traditional and I love it.

Favorite restaurants and cafes around Cascais…

There’s a little kiosk in Casa da Guia that has great açai. I’ve probably had 10,000 acais there. [laughs] Then, the other is called Pariuts. Healthy food there and great tapioca. I also really love pastéis places. They’re like tapas, and you can find those types of restaurants all around. Lot of variety with pastéis.

Must-dos while in Portugal…

1. Go to Sintra. There are so many old castles there, it’s sooo nice and very cultural. Very short drive from Lisbon.
2. Lisbon. Go to the historical parts, museums and sites next to the river.
3. Try Pastéis de Nata in Lisbon. It’s a pastry everyone must try while they’re in Lisbon.
4. Also, I’m not a wine person, but of course the most well known wine in Portugal is vinho do Porto (Port).

Recommend any Portuguese islands?

I’ve never been to Madeira but I’ve heard it’s really nice. Madeira and the Azores are like the islands of Hawaii for us. They’re warmer, great surf. I’ve been to the island of Sao Miguel in the Azores and the waves are great. It’s very beautiful. I’d definitely recommend the Azores.

Any other advice for surfers visiting Portugal?

If you’re a surfer, you have to bring a wetsuit [laughs]. Depends on the time of the year, but booties as well. Even a hood in the winter. Our country is very clean, the weather is quite nice, the food is great, it’s hard to go wrong in Portugal. What’s pretty cool too is that even if you only speak English, Portuguese people really make an effort to help you if you don’t speak Portuguese. The people here are very kind to travelers. For sure. It’s my favorite place in the world.

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Thermal