Surfing the Camino

[wisepilgrim]

Now feels like an opportune time to remind everyone that the crowds on the Caminos travel in great big waves. For every panicked pilgrim riding the crest and worrying about beds, there is another down in the trough wondering what all the huff is about.

They start in certain places, at certain times. Those places are the common starting points, and those times are generally Fridays or Saturdays but can also be long holiday weekends for Spaniards or their neighbors to the West.

To avoid the crest pick a common starting point and start in the middle of the week. Or start on a Friday but 60km away from a common starting point.

The one NEW phenomenon that I found recently is that along the last 100km there is a very large tour company from the South of Spain that brings massive groups to the camino from Sarria. They arrive on a Sunday night in order to arrive in Santiago on a Friday. So keep this in mind when you’re surfing the camino in Galicia, Monday nights in Portomarín will be hit by a big wave.

You can't stop the waves, but you can learn to surf. -- some famous surfer who would have made a great pilgrim.

 

[Bradypus]

A graph showing the busiest/quietest days of the week for receiving Compostelas. If you can time it to arrive Monday to Wednesday then chances are you will be walking in less company those last few days.

 

[Goyo]

Now feels like an opportune time to remind everyone that the crowds on the Caminos travel in great big waves. For every panicked pilgrim riding the crest and worrying about beds, there is another down in the trough wondering what all the huff is about.

They start in certain places, at certain times. Those places are the common starting points, and those times are generally Fridays or Saturdays but can also be long holiday weekends for Spaniards or their neighbors to the West.

To avoid the crest pick a common starting point and start in the middle of the week. Or start on a Friday but 60km away from a common starting point.

The one NEW phenomenon that I found recently is that along the last 100km there is a very large tour company from the South of Spain that brings massive groups to the camino from Sarria. They arrive on a Sunday night in order to arrive in Santiago on a Friday. So keep this in mind when you’re surfing the camino in Galicia, Monday nights in Portomarín will be hit by a big wave.

You can't stop the waves, but you can learn to surf. -- some famous surfer who would have made a great pilgrim.

I’d love to know who that “some famous surfer” is…

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

I’d love to know who that “some famous surfer” is…

You can't stop the waves, but you can learn to surf. - Google Search

 

[Kirkie]

Now feels like an opportune time to remind everyone that the crowds on the Caminos travel in great big waves. For every panicked pilgrim riding the crest and worrying about beds, there is another down in the trough wondering what all the huff is about.

They start in certain places, at certain times. Those places are the common starting points, and those times are generally Fridays or Saturdays but can also be long holiday weekends for Spaniards or their neighbors to the West.

To avoid the crest pick a common starting point and start in the middle of the week. Or start on a Friday but 60km away from a common starting point.

The one NEW phenomenon that I found recently is that along the last 100km there is a very large tour company from the South of Spain that brings massive groups to the camino from Sarria. They arrive on a Sunday night in order to arrive in Santiago on a Friday. So keep this in mind when you’re surfing the camino in Galicia, Monday nights in Portomarín will be hit by a big wave.

You can't stop the waves, but you can learn to surf. -- some famous surfer who would have made a great pilgrim.

I love the quote at the end. It speaks at a different level for other things in my life.
Thanks, and also for the service you do for pilgrims needing guides and support.

 

[FriendsoftheNHW]

You can surf on the North Highland Way... www.friendsofthenorthhighlandway.com

 

[Goyo]

“Though I’m not particularly good at it, most of the time I do suit up I make my best effort to ride a few waves and not be the biggest kook out there.” Jon Kabat-Zinn

“Only a surfer knows the feeling.”

 

[Goyo]

You can surf on the North Highland Way... www.friendsofthenorthhighlandway.com

With a little patience (sometimes a lot) one can find waves along almost any coastline. Just look at what pumps into the Portuguese coast. Bombs awaaay!

 

[FriendsoftheNHW]

I have never surfed, but used to go windsurfing when I worked in Libya. There is a great book about an Irishman who escaped from Libya on his windsurfer.... wonderful.

 

[Goyo]

Bodysurfing, boogie boarding, surfing, surf kayaking, windsurfing, kitesurfing…”different strokes for different folks”. They’re all good, and all involve a “special relationship” with the water (for me, preferably the ocean) and wind, albeit using different means, toys, to attain that feeling of “stoke”. Getting wet, taking what you’re given, flowing with, not trying to dominate nature’s power (which often results in a “put you in your place” slapdown ) is, in my opinion, what surfing is all about. And yeah, kinda like my approach to my Camino and that feeling of “stoke” ( at you, wisepilgrim)

As for the Irishman escaping Libya on his windsurfer, that’s pretty radical . Do u happen to know the title of the book?

 

[FriendsoftheNHW]

Bodysurfing, boogie boarding, surfing, surf kayaking, windsurfing, kitesurfing…”different strokes for different folks”. They’re all good, and all involve a “special relationship” with the water (for me, preferably the ocean) and wind, albeit using different means, toys, to attain that feeling of “stoke”. Getting wet, taking what you’re given, flowing with, not trying to dominate nature’s power (which often results in a “put you in your place” slapdown ) is, in my opinion, what surfing is all about. And yeah, kinda like my approach to my Camino and that feeling of “stoke” ( at you, wisepilgrim)

As for the Irishman escaping Libya on his windsurfer, that’s pretty radical . Do u happen to know the title of the book?

Bodysurfing, boogie boarding, surfing, surf kayaking, windsurfing, kitesurfing…”different strokes for different folks”. They’re all good, and all involve a “special relationship” with the water (for me, preferably the ocean) and wind, albeit using different means, toys, to attain that feeling of “stoke”. Getting wet, taking what you’re given, flowing with, not trying to dominate nature’s power (which often results in a “put you in your place” slapdown ) is, in my opinion, what surfing is all about. And yeah, kinda like my approach to my Camino and that feeling of “stoke” ( at you, wisepilgrim)

As for the Irishman escaping Libya on his windsurfer, that’s pretty radical . Do u happen to know the title of the book?

the book is Walking on Water by Adrian Keane. You will find it on Amazon. Here is a picture of me on the beach in Benghazi.

 

[Goyo]

the book is Walking on Water by Adrian Keane. You will find it on Amazon. Here is a picture of me on the beach in Benghazi.

Thanks for the info on the book.

I guess Libya is a bit more welcoming to foreigners, in bikinis no less, than under certain former leaders?

 

[FriendsoftheNHW]

Thanks for the info on the book.

I guess Libya is a bit more welcoming to foreigners, in bikinis no less, than under certain former leaders?

That was around 1986 I think. Himself was still in power.. easier than Saudi Arabia in that respect though.

 

[VNwalking]

Ummm. The thread's about avoiding peak walking days on the Francés, not actually surfing on a board on walls of water. If you want that, go to Nazaré. Otherwise please read beyond the thread title.

 

[Goyo]

Ummm. The thread's about avoiding peak walking days on the Francés, not actually surfing on a board on walls of water. If you want that, go to Nazaré. Otherwise please read beyond the thread title.

That wisepilgrim was not talking about surfing per se was understood from the get go. He was employing a literary device but, aw hell, what do I know…

I do know my limits, tho’, so I’ll leave Nazaré to the pros.

Since you asked nicely, I’ll try to remember your advice.

Mahalo

 

[FriendsoftheNHW]

I wonder if there is an event in Spain which could be slotted into our programme of the Global Climate Change week which will take place from 14-18 October? Eg surfing, walking, etc.

 

[JabbaPapa]

They start in certain places, at certain times. Those places are the common starting points, and those times are generally Fridays or Saturdays but can also be long holiday weekends for Spaniards or their neighbors to the West.

Walking from Santiago to SJPP in 2022, I do very much concur -- though as you suggest, there is often some overflow on Mondays (some people start their vacation period after a Saturday working day so that Sunday for them is a travel day for a Monday start).

Tuesdays to Thursdays in the major start/stop/re-start places are the days to aim for to either start yourself or sleep in those locations. Though Burgos and León are always rather packed no matter the weekday, as the foot and bike pilgrims congregate there with those ending or beginning their year's walking stage, as well as the attractiveness of both places for a rest day.