Algarve‘s version of Pipeline at a firing Tonel, Surf Guide Algarve Solo session
As much as we all dream of big empty barrels, when they are there right in front of you, it is a different story. In case you missed it, the Pipeline pro just finished. In contrast of last year, it was absolutely epic. Not surprisingly, every single wave of the world that throws a bit of a barrel is always compared to the famous Hawaiian Pipeline. Waves in Tonel break on sand, making the chance on a serious injury a lot smaller. Still, every wave-even the smaller ones, barrel. Important to realise that this is really still very dangerous surf. Today Surf Guide Algarve is not guiding and while checking the surf the first guy comes walking up the beach with a broken board. Here is Algarve‘s version of Pipeline at a firing Tonel with a Surf Guide Algarve solo session.
The best waves you have ever seen
Open your not-so-social media and you will see them everyday. Perfect waves. In reality waves do not often get like that. Plus a foto or video clip only tells a part of the story. Paddling for half an hour against a raging rip, waves on the head on the inside, all this is left out of the perfect picture.
Fast forward back to Tonel. Whenever the waves are really good there is a small crew of very dedicated local heroes ready to go. Most of them with some stickers on their board. When I get changed some of the worlds best boogie boarders and surfers are in the water. In contrast, I surf every day and can take off on a somewhat overhead wave, but I am far from a pro. I do know the spot do, and I know what to expect, where to paddle out and where to sit. In order to stay out of the way of the pros and get some waves I chose a nice solo peak on the other side of the rock. Without a doubt I got some of the best waves ever. But I saw one guy *the guy on the yellow board, get a 5 second backside barrel- and come out, that will stay in my mind for possibly ever. Stoked, humbled, barreled and all in one piece.
