Madeira is sometimes considered the Hawaii of the Atlantic. It’s almost unbelievably pretty, with its rugged coastline falling dramatically into the sea. Green mountains look over the ocean, waterfalls sending clouds of mist into the air. There are waves a-plenty there — points and reefs and small ones and big ones — and the climate is just about perfectly sub-tropical. Waves aside, the food and culture, as it is in all of Portugal, is something that needs to be experienced at least once in everyone’s life.
One of the better waves in the area is known as Jardim do Mar, which, when translated to English, means “Garden of the Sea.” Andre Carvalho, an insanely talented photographer from Portugal, was there with his camera in hand. “This was one of swells of the decade in Jardim do Mar,” he said.
There were quite a few names you likely know out in the lineup, along with a handful you might not. The Portuguese contingent was made up of Nic von Rupp, Miguel Blanco, Tomás Lacerda, and João Maria Mendonça, the latter of whom is just 18 years old. This was his first time surfing on a big wave gun and his first time at this particular wave.
Also in the lineup was Nano Riego. He’s a part-time big wave surfer from Spain, who doesn’t (yet) have any sponsors behind him. Torrey Meister was there, too — a guy who loves Portugal — along with Grant “Twiggy” Baker. “Twiggy was always in the right place,” Carvalho remembered. “It was amazing to watch. All the guys have ripped really well!”
See more of Carvalho’s incredible work in his book, Salitre, on his website, and on Instagram.
