The almost two-metre man is as happy as a child: a broad grin stretches beneath his still wet, dark hair. He comes dripping down the wooden jetty towards us, the sandy waveboard tucked under his arm like the daily newspaper, outside it's still hammering for 4.5 metre sails. But instead of raving about surfing, he first asks the kids: "How was the Pump Track? You like it?" José Sampaio only wants the best. For himself, but also for his guests. You can see and feel this in "Feelviana", which was the ideal basis for the creation of perhaps one of the most beautiful adventure playgrounds for the whole family. José is the planner and manager of the "Feel Viana Hotel", but first and foremost still a big play child himself - and so "one night when I couldn't sleep", new ideas like the one for a pump track under the hotel keep coming up. For his nephews and nieces - and of course the hotel's guest kids.
José already had his eye on the spot for the hotel ten years ago. As an obsessive windsurfer, surfer and later also kiter and stand-up paddler, he has always appreciated the spot. Just like some locals and numerous Spaniards, who can often be found on the water on good days and weekends, coming from the nearby border. However, the first attempt to plan a hotel failed and the project was only realised last year.
The general mood of optimism in Portuguese tourism, the promotion of the region and the "Portugal Norte 2020" programme, which aims to open up the region for tourism - also with EU funding in the billions - were certainly not a hindrance at the second attempt. Holidaymakers are welcome in Portugal and prices are still at a decent level. In addition, Viana offers as many windsurfing opportunities as three normal spots, with an impressive wind yield for a large part of the year and a comprehensive alternative programme. So mum can shred waves in Cabedelo while the kids shop in Viana and dad catches up on a happy childhood on the Pump Track on his skateboard. The focus is always on the windsurfing options.
You can find the full spot report on Viana Do Castelo - four spots in one place - in the download area below:
