Surf lovers who do not have their own transport, at least those in the Barlavento Algarvio, as well as curious tourists who want to add another experience to their stay, already have at their disposal the Algarve Surf Bus, a bus that departs from Today, April 8th, he starts the journey between Portimão and Praia do Amado, on the Costa Vicentina.
The bus was presented yesterday – or rather tri presented, since there were sessions in Alvor, Lagos and at Praia do Amado itself, with the entourage being transported on the inaugural surf bus trip.
The Algarve Surf Bus is a partnership between Transol, Amado Surf School and We Do Tourism, and will make a daily route between Portimão and Praia do Amado, from April 8th to October 31st. The bus leaves at 8:40 am from Portimão, picking up passengers at Praia da Rocha, Alvor, Lagos, Praia da Luz, Campismo de Espiche, then heading to Amado, a beach considered to be the surfing mecca in southern Portugal.
Tickets cost between 19 and 50 euros, and may include only the round trip or trip, surf lesson with loan of a wetsuit and surfboard, and insurance.
Interesting is that the bus, thanks to a partnership with the company LCPA - Creative Agencies, by young entrepreneurs Pedro Águas and Luis Caracinha, has wi-fi internet free of charge, so that passengers can start sailing even before they reach the beach.
Rui Barata, from the transport company transol, explained to Sul Informação that the bus is a «new product that, despite its name, is not just about surfing. This area is fabulous for walking and we can transport those who just want to come to know another part of the Algarve, for a different day at the beach or for a walk».
António Ferreira, administrator of Aldeia da Pedralva, added that “this product is not limited to surfing, it also provides work for restaurants and hotels. It is a product with a symbolic character, which allows us to talk about surfing in a larger dimension, especially in traditional hotels, which had never sold anything related to surf at their branches». In fact, hotels and tour operators in the Portimão and Lagos areas were present at the Algarve Surf Bus presentations that took place before the arrival of the delegation to Praia do Amado, confirming the interest that the new product is arousing.
«It's about completing the tourist experience, allowing him to enjoy one more activity. It is also a transversal product, which is as good for young people who do not have their own transport and want to come surfing some waves, as for a family that wants to discover this other Algarve», added António Ferreira. “The tourist experience, deep down the memory that he will take from here, is always better if he has several activities”, he said.
João Lourenço, owner of Amado Surf School, is one of the partners in this project and expresses his hope that the surf bus will attract «more tourists and different tourists, from surfers to families» to this beach located on the coast of Aljezur, right in the middle of the sea. Natural Park of Southwest Alentejo and Costa Vicentina.
Desidério Silva, president of the Algarve Tourism Region, was also part of the delegation that debuted the surf bus on the trip to Praia do Amado. In declarations to the Sul Informação, the person responsible for tourism in the Algarve made a point of stressing that this «can be an example of the partnerships» that need to be created to develop complementary products, namely in the areas of Nature and Active Tourism.
«In this new product, public and private entities come together to structure a new product that is not just about surfing, but goes far beyond it, involving transport, gastronomy, culture and nature. It is therefore a good example of what can be achieved with partnerships, bringing together different entities for the same objective, working together to gradually reduce farms and backyards, a strategy that Turismo do Algarve values and supports», said Desidério Silva.
Looking at Praia do Amado with eyes to see
José Gonçalves, deputy mayor of Aljezur, underlined, in turn, that the Algarve Surf Bus shows that this municipality «has been right over the years, when we say we are good at what we have and that's what we have to bet on ». «Surf is a very strong product, already having a very large impact on the municipality's economy throughout the year. It is urgent to look carefully at this surfing sector», added the mayor.
The vice president of Aljezur only regrets that, over the years, the central administration entities with jurisdiction in the matter have never invested in Praia do Amado. «It is a fabulous beach, which needs entities to look at it with eyes to see and see what is happening here and the potential of all this, not burying their heads in the sand».
The Câmara de Aljezur, almost a decade ago, presented its own development project for the surroundings of Praia do Amado, which was already beginning to attract the surf crowds and where there isn't even a bathroom. «We made a project and offered it to ICN, because this is located in a Natural Park. But they didn't accept our project, nor did they do anything," laments José Gonçalves. It's been three years since they started this review, but there's still nothing...»
However, even without the planning of parking, sanitary conditions and overnight stays for tents and motorhomes on its most emblematic beach for surfing, this sport attracts surfers from all over Europe – and beyond – and has already led Aljezur to bet on seriously in everything that has to do with this cluster.
So, already in this Easter holidays the initiative was launched surfaljezur, which takes place between the 16th and 21st of April, inviting them to spend two or more nights in the municipality, thus being able to win free surf lessons for their children (ages between 8 and 16).
Interested parties must choose among the 21 accommodations that adhere to this initiative, make a reservation (consulting the contacts in the accommodation page) and schedule the surf lesson with the accommodation.
After this experience, there will still be weekends dedicated to surfing, always with special conditions and involving various economic agents from the county and neighbors.
To complete this work, Praia do Amado will once again receive, between the 6th and 8th of June, the fourth stage of the 2014 Moche League, confirming the return of the Algarve to the most important surfing competition in the country. Three months later, the fifth stage of the Esperanças 2014 National Surf Circuit will take place on the same beach.
“There is a serious bet here on everything that surfing can bring to Aljezur”, guaranteed the vice-president of the Chamber.
For now, those who don't know and want to take a look at the beautiful Praia do Amado, can take the surf bus from today until the end of October. With air conditioning, space to transport boards and free wi-fi internet, even the trip will be pleasant.
Algarve Surf Bus prices:
- Beloved Visitor Ticket: 19.00 €
Round trip to Praia do Amado, to the Algarve Surf Mecca, in the Costa Vicentina Natural Park - Beloved + Sagres Visitor Ticket : 23.00 €
Round trip to Praia do Amado, the mecca of surfing in the Algarve, in the Costa Vicentina Natural Park. City tour in Sagres with stops at Sights, Cabo de São Vicente (Farol) Sagres Fortress and Baleeira Fishing Port. - Surf Ticket: 40.00 €
Round trip to Praia do Amado, the mecca of Algarve Surfing, in the Costa Vicentina Natural Park + 1 Surfing Suit for 2 hours + 1 Surf Board for 2 hours + liability insurance. - Surf Course: €50.00
Round trip to Praia do Amado, the Algarve's Surf Mecca, in the Costa Vicentina Natural Park + 1 2-hour Surf Lesson with a Teacher + Surf Suit + 1 Surf Board + Liability Insurance.
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