Tales from the road: Part 2 – a surf story

The list of metaphors and analogies surrounding surfing is long. Being at one with the water, the battle between hard work and reward, the humbling nature of such a fickle sport dictated by weather conditions, the patience required. They’re cliches because they’re true. Surfing is a unique and wonderful way to experience what the world has to offer. It’s all worth it.

It was therefore no great surprise that I met so many like-minded people in Baleal in Portugal while on my two-month road trip through Europe. Situated between Nazare to the north and Peniche to the south, this small town is a hot spot for surfers and travellers alike. With warm weather, consistent waves and close proximity to lots of other surf spots, including the infamous Supertubos, it can certainly draw a crowd.

Among the many friendly faces I met both on land and in the water, were Tarn, Steve and Billy: three Brits also chasing an endless summer and perfect waves. Tarn, an artist and Steve a photographer and carpenter were renting a small apartment together in the next town, Ferrel, while Billy, a keen fisherman, and I were both living in our vans near the beach.

We spent hours in the water, often surfing twice a day, making the most of what was a fantastic week of consistent swell, offshore winds and warm sunshine. We’d sit in the line-up chewing the fat, cheer each other into the set waves and take the occasional ‘party wave’ together. The long days were complimented by equally long evenings sitting on the beach, sharing stories over a beer or treating ourselves to a hearty dinner at the local bar.

“We spent hours in the water, often surfing twice a day”

My Christopher Ward watches – two C60 Trident Pro 300s and a C65 Aquitaine GMT – were integral to my surfing routine. I wore the Trident 300 on both a #tide strap and orange band – the latter because the way it matched my orange surfboard looked rad!

I’ve always surfed with a watch on, and the difference between the CW models and the cheaper ones I’ve worn in the past, was huge. Wearing a Trident or Aquitaine, I had the confidence it would stand up to regular battering in the saltwater swells.

Good things come to an end however, as Billy had a ferry to catch from Santander in Spain back to England. We waved him off before Tarn, Steve and I road-tripped further south together for a couple of days,parting ways just north of Lisbon. I kept the wheels rolling around Europe as the others returned to normality in England.

During my long days on the road, I wore the C65 Aquitaine GMT. I love classic design – my van is 30 years old! – and this watch has it in spades. I thought the GMT hand was really cool: when you’re travelling through different times it’s incredibly useful. I kept the GMT hand on UK-Portuguese time, while setting the ‘regular’ hands to CET. Such a cool idea.

A few weeks later I’d made it to The Netherlands when I got a message from Steve. “What you saying, next weekend? Tarn and I are heading to Polzeath to see Billy. You coming?” – and just like that, I had a plan.

I arrived in England on Friday evening and was on the beach in Polzeath by Saturday morning. The excitement was familiar, with a forecast showing waves firing all weekend, but with an added sense of joy about seeing my friends again. It was such a special time.

My time surfing in Cornwall also gave me the space to reflect on what had been an eye-opening trip to The Netherlands. One that shed light on Amsterdam’s arts scene, and helped me understand why it’s such a magnet for British creatives – two of whom are now confirmed Christopher Ward fans! You can read about that in the third part of my road trip.