Wingfoiling Paradise: Exploring the North Coast of Brazil
Features / Wed 7th Feb, 2024 @ 9:30 am
Delve into Joachim Bertelsen and Therese Tabbell’s journey to the North Coast of Brazil as they share their discoveries and explore the very best wingfoiling spots, including Taiba, Cumbucco, Icaraizinho and Paracuru. So, if you’re on the hunt for a wingfoiling destination, Joachim and Therese have done the homework for you. Read all about their 2-month road trip here – Brazil awaits!
Last September, my girlfriend Therese and I embarked on a journey to the North Coast of Brazil, leaving behind the chilly weather for paradise. Brazil holds a special place in our hearts, and we couldn’t resist returning to this beautiful coast. Our goal for this trip was to discover the ultimate wingfoiling spots, particularly the best foil waves.
Our adventure began in Taiba, a charming coastal town known for its impressive freestyle lagoons. However, Taiba also boasts perfect locations for wingfoiling. Just an hour’s drive from Fortaleza airport, Taiba offers ideal waves during high tide, making it a favourite among experienced wingers. For those seeking a smoother, flat-water experience, a short downwind buggy ride from Taiba Lagoon brings you to a hidden gem known as the ‘secret spot.’ This expansive area off the coast has no breaking waves and caters to all skill levels, making it the perfect spot for learning wave riding. Taiba provides the perfect playground for any condition and is within a short buggy ride from Cumbucco and Paracuru.
We were fortunate to witness a lunar eclipse, and at 4 pm, we drove to the highest viewpoint in town, joining a crowd of locals as darkness suddenly enveloped the area. The stunning backdrop of the ocean made this moment genuinely surreal and unforgettable.
Our next destination was Cumbucco, a small town with excellent restaurants and cosy accommodations. The highlight of Cumbucco is Cauipe Lagoon, which offers flat water suitable for all wingfoilers, perfect for beginners who want to learn the sport. Another spot in town is right in front of Duro Beach Hotel, a great location for all levels with no challenging beach breaks, allowing for a relaxing ride.
Continuing north for two hours, we arrived at Icaraizinho, an ideal haven for wingfoilers of all skill levels. Icaraizinho has great waves during high tide, promising you an experience you won’t forget, while low tide offers smooth, flat waters for a more versatile ride. The wind is relatively stronger in this area, offering excellent opportunities for downwinders. With pousadas (inns) situated right in front of the spot, it’s incredibly convenient to catch the best conditions. Additionally, Icaraizinho offers a variety of restaurants and shops, something for everyone to enjoy!
Our journey reached its pinnacle in Paracuru, a true paradise for wingfoilers seeking waves and flat water. Paracuru has a great wingfoiling school for all levels of riders. With its diverse conditions, Paracuru is an ideal location for refining skills or conquering the waves confidently. Mid to high tide offers perfect conditions for learning wave riding, while low to mid tide is excellent for beginners. Paracuru truly embodies the essence of wingfoiling paradise.
While exploring the North Coast of Brazil, we came across unexpected obstacles along the way. On the first day of our trip, we forgot to secure the knots tying our board to the roof of the beach buggy, and this led to our board flying off onto the road, resulting in a lot of damage! Thankfully, we found an incredible board shaper in Taiba who repaired it in just a few days, allowing us to continue our unimpeded journey!
Another memorable happening occurred at the secret spot in Taiba. We discovered that this hotspot is frequented by sea turtles, creating a slalom-like experience in the waves. Thankfully, we managed to navigate around them and avoid any turtle-related accidents!
There were moments when we felt out of our comfort zone, such as at Taibinha, where the waves can be both big and dangerous. I learned this the hard way when I took a wave too close to shore and fell just as a massive set rolled in behind me. While I came out uninjured, I was reminded of the powerful force of the ocean and the need to respect its might.
Adapting to unforeseen circumstances was a recurring theme during our journey. For instance, while charmingly old-fashioned, our beach buggy lacked a fuel gauge, making it difficult to know when we were running low on gas. On one occasion, while returning from Cumbucco alone, I was stranded without a phone signal when the buggy ran out of gas. After walking for a while, I luckily stumbled on locals who shared their wifi, letting me call for help! It took two and a half hours under the blazing sun, but eventually, I had gas again and could drive home. We first filled our spare plastic bottle with petrol, guaranteeing we wouldn’t face such an issue again!!
The highlight of our trip was undoubtedly the consistent wind and waves. Brazil remains unparalleled in its reliability for wingfoiling and kitesurfing, so we return each year. Along the coast, we encountered many like-minded individuals with whom we shared our passion.
Our journey along the North Coast of Brazil uncovered a diverse range of wingfoiling spots, from the waves of Taibinha to the serene flat-water lagoons in Cauipe. Through two months of exploration, we never had a day without wind, providing the perfect environment to learn, progress, and take our wingfoiling skills to the next level. Brazil truly offers a paradise for wing foilers, and we eagerly anticipate our next adventure in this breathtaking coastal haven.
Words: Joachim Bertelsen
Wed 7th Feb, 2024 @ 9:30 am
By Jen Tyler
Italian/Egyptian Jen Tyler grew up on the sandy beaches of the Red Sea and has been on the IKSURFMAG & Tonic Mag team since 2017.
