The craft of fishing and the craft of shaping a board
Many of the first surfers in Ericeira’s World Surfing Reserve were fishermen, but others came specifically for the waves, like Nick, from Semente Surfboards. Nick came here in 1982 back when he was one of just a handful of adventorous men fighting their way to the waves through the sharp reefs, paddling out into the yet little known but very promising waters.
Nick was not just one of the early surfers, he was also brave—or crazy—enough to build a business in a place where there were only a few potential customers, and they didn’t have much money.
But this man had more than a vision. He loved this place and these world class waves, and he wanted to stay by any and all means.
Get to know him, he is still shaping his boards just up the road. And you have one of his boards at your Ocean Hut.
Apart from shaping, Nick is also a passionate spearfisher. If you want to get to know him, don ́t bother going to his shaping room on a calm sunny day. He’ll most likely be submerged in the waters with his speargun.
The culture of artisanal fishing
Artisanal fishing is inseparable from the people of Ericeira,, deeply ingrained since the times of the original Jagoz culture. This identity has been part of its history since the genesis of this community.
Apart from the tradition of low tide fishing, spearfishing and cane fishing that are practiced as sport, the Port of Ericeira still maintains the craft of artisanal fishing.
Let’s hope these traditional activities will last for many, many more years to balance the destructive fishing methods of commercial fishing boats. Let’s be conscious in our decisions of how we nourish ourselves and support the craft of fishing that is still practiced in a non-destructive way.
Low tide fisherman / Os Pescadores de Malhada
What do a fisherman and a surfer have in common?
They are both constantly checking the tides. One for the perfect wave, the other for the perfect catch.
As the Earth rotates through two tidal “bulges” every lunar day, coastal areas experience two high and two low tides every 24 hours and 50 minutes. High tides occur 12 hours and 25 minutes apart. It takes six hours and 12.5 minutes for the water at the shore to go from high to low, or from low to high. Besides other factors such as swell size and wind direction.
For a perfect wave to break just perfectly, the tide must be timed perfectly. Every wave in the Surfing Reserve awaits its tidal perfection.
The fish are the same, moving around the globe according to the moon’s magnetism, gathering in and around the reefs in the Reserve. Here, the fisherman know how to use the low tide to their advantage. Keep your eyes open for the fishermen at these perfect tidal moments, you will be sure to spot them in their element.
The change of generations
These are the hands of 75-year-old Nuno. He comes to the port of Ericeira as often as he can, just to help out, just for his soul’s sake.
He loves quietly working there, surrounded by long-time friends. “Eu não quero ganhar com isto,” he says. “I don’t want to earn money with this.”
He is retired, but being there working with the nets means pleasure for him. His reward: Fish for him and his family.
“Há alguma coisa melhor?” “Is there anything better?” he murmurs. It certainly doesn’t look like there could be.
Nuno tells how back in the day there were 50 or 100 kids coming and helping out. Now, the youngest man helping is a fresh 45-years-young.
How long can these artisanal fishing methods stay here in Ericeira, and in the world?
Be sure to visit the port and see the fisherman at work. And maybe shake the hand of one of the older fisherman, still working for the soul’s pleasure of the work. A younger man is fascinated by the craft of spearfishing, diving into the water for the pleasure and the sport of trying to catch his own lunch.
Would you be brave enough to take the plunge?
In Ericeira, there is the culture of surfing, but beyond and deeper than that, the people have the culture of the sea in their blood.
The calm beaches around Ericeira
You are most likely to see rocky surf breaks around Ericeira but, if you know where, you will also find wide sandy beaches around Ericeira.
On a calm, hot summer’s day, go check out the beautiful beach of Sao Juliao (located here) or Santa Cruz (located here). These are stunning wide beaches, perfect for relaxing sunning and swimming, without a care about reefs amongst the waves.
Ericeira New Ocean / A surf community magnetized by the sea
In the last years, the small fishing village of Ericeira and its immediate surroundings like Ribamar has turned into a surfing Mecca because of its fabulous waves, and its nomination as a WSR in 2010. More and more people from all over the world have come, deciding to base themselves here, enriching this place and developing it into an international community.
The beauty of the coast, surf, yoga, skate, and a deep connection to the ocean draw them here and make them stay.
And you? What makes you stay?
World Surfing Reserve
What makes Ericeira a World Surfing Reserve?
The Ericeira World Surfing Reserve is a world-class surf zone encompassing around 8 km of coastline. It contains a high density of outstanding surf breaks. Being a reserve also means that it is an area of high biodiversity, home to a large number of sea species. Here in Coxos, you are actually living inside the reserve and that is a real privilege as when walking just a few meters away you enter protected area and are in wild stunning nature . Catch its beauty, find its hidden treasures of flora, fauna and marine life, connect with it and you, too, will naturally catch the urge to preserve it.
Read more about thethe area’s different different waves click HERE.
Jagoz
Did you know what Jagoz means?
Jagoz is the term used to designate a native of Ericeira. Back in the days, the region was mostly inhabited by people connected to the sea Defining their own identity by the challenges and richness of the rough Ocean.
Nowadays, the region of Ericeira is still inhabited mostly by people connected to the sea, but to find a real Jagoz, born in Ericeira, is rarer. Many people come to the region from Lisbon and Cascais, attracted by the waves, and make their home here feeling as at home as any native-born. Not to mention the international foreigners that have found their way home here, too, magnetized by the reserve’s beauty and its waves.
Flora and Fauna
Ericeira boasts a rich diversity of flora and fauna thanks to its Mediterranean climate and unique geography. Local flora like olive trees, aloe vera, cork oaks, and agave trees delight the eye with a thousand shades of green, and aromatic herbs like lavender perfume the skies. Wildflowers, such as poppies and daisies, bloom in abundance during the spring, painting the fields with vibrant colours.
When the tide is low, the receding waters reveal hollows in the region’s rocky beaches. These small crevices and pools create an environment very similar to the area just below the ocean’s surface. Plants and animals, specific types of algae, spiky sea urchin, and many other unique and critical creatures call these pools home. These small spots are crowded with species competing for the available life-supporting space. Notice how much life is here, and how each of the individual species has their own role to place in maintaining the healthy ecosystem.
Skateboarding
Surf culture and skate culture are almost inseparable. Both of these sports, or better, let’s call them lifestyles, have an important thing in common: Freedom. This is that rarefied kind of freedom that we are so drawn to in our busy lives: Freedom to do what you love, to step out of your comfort zone again and again facing your fears in the challenge of the wave.
Or, to drop into a big skate pool getting in touch with your physical self through a naturally produced adrenaline rush.
If you dare to go deeper with either of these sports, or lifestyles, and commit yourself to them, you will find yourself a part of a new family spread over the globe. Check out Boardriders Skatepark in Ericeira in front of Matadouro surf break. It’s one of the most “complete” skateparks around Europe, combining a skate pool, a park with “street style” obstacles and a mega ramp.
Besides the skatepark, Boardriders is a great place to get yourself a new surf or skateboard, enjoy a great lunch and take in the scene, or to chill out with a beer listening to live music.
