The 7’2” Coaster in Portugal: Ride Report

“I’ve just moved to Sao Pedro, about 20km west of Lisbon on the south facing coastline before it juts up northwards towards the famous Ericeira surf area. Sao Pedro has three surfable waves; a long rumbling right hand point, a fast left at mid tide in the bay and a second slightly more fickle right called Bafureira.

Sao Pedro itself has a slight SW aspect and westerly swells wrap perfectly around the point. Often the west facing spots further up the coast can be maxed out and the spots nearer Lisbon benefit from a bit of shelter. My self made Otter Coaster is the ideal board for the main right hand point. The best take off point can shift quite significantly from set to set so I like to sit on the outside and wait for the broader set waves that break further out and often go unridden as the main pack tends to sit closer to the steeper takeoff.

My Coaster is perfect to pick up the necessary paddle speed to catch these larger waves early and roll straight down the face before indulging in a drawn out bottom turn. The rest of the ride is an exhilarating balance of maintaining speed down the line as sections break in front of you and checking speed in the flatter sections. I find the Coaster ideal for this and a lot of fun, the weight of the wooden board means you have to be very alert to the way the wave unfolds, but a well ridden wave can mean a long paddle back to your take off spot watching some top quality surfing from others in the line up.”

Harry, 2025

It’s awesome to hear how Harry is getting on, surfing his Coaster regularly in some quality waves!

If you would like to make your own wooden surfboard just like Harry, click here.

All of our sustainable, hollow wooden surfboards are made using wood from local, regenerative woodlands and are intended for a lifetime of waves. Custom made or make your own.