North East Brazil

[Ryan]

North East Brazil

When: October and November are the windiest months.
Where: Anywhere between Fortaleza (East) and Bitupita (West). There are hundreds of potential places to Windsurf or Kite. The wind is almost guaranteed, we were there for 60 days and had one day where the wind got as low as about 18 knots, all the other days were greater than 22 knots.

How: Fly into Fortaleza via the USA, we went Vancouver, LA, Miami, Fortaleza. We bought four boards,two freestyle boards and two wave boards, and 3.7, 4.0, 4.2, 4.5, 4.7, 5.0, we used all the the sails. Rentals are available in Jeri, Icaraizinho, and Maceio (Camocim), I'm sure there are many other places.

Bringing gear on the plane is not an issue, we paid nothing extra on the way there, and $300 on the way back. It's luck what you pay, we have travelled with gear many times, the most we paid was $600 for five boards once to Cape Town, the least is $0 all the way to Cape Town. Only book with Airlines that take gear, for example not with Air Canada or British Airways etc.

Mad Max Run to Jeri from Fortaleza, the last few hours are on the beach.

Airport to Jeri was about $200. Whatsapp Paulo Roberto ,+,55, 889,724.8three20. Very reliable.

#photo Driving to Jeri from Fortaleza

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The main break at Jeri. It's not as good as it looks, very gusty, and there are weeds! There are better places near Jeri if you're willing to sail 20 minutes up or down the beach. Up to Malhada or down past the sand dune.

#photo Jeri Main Break

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Jeri is busy, the main attraction at sunset is to climb the sand dune. We were almost always on the water then.

#photo busy Jeri

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An alternative to the sea is to take a truck to one of the lakes, driving 45 minutes along the beach takes one to Lagoa Grande, but there are a few to choose from, there are also a variety of spots along the way.

#photo Ferry

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Taking the ferry to the lake spot

#photo ferry

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Rigging up on the lake..

#photo lake

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Jeri is too busy, we ended up escaping further west to Maceio.
Maceio on Google Maps

#photo busy Jeri

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We drove the 100km to Maceio along the beach with two ferries across rivers, here's the ferry to Camocim.

#photo ferry to Camocim

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We much preferred Maceio, no crowds.

#photo Maceio

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Maceio Beach at low to medium tide.

#photo Maceio Beach

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The windsurf and kite centre there, run by Italians from Sardinia. They are all incredible sailors, almost pro level freestyle skills.

#photo Sabara Windsurf

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Sabarra Windsurf and Kite

We stored our gear here for $8 per day each, worth the convenience of having the gear rigged on the beach. They also rent gear at about $60 per day for two weeks.

We stayed close to the beach at the
Hotel Close to Beach Maceio , huge breakfast is included everyday. $30 to $70 per night depending on duration, room, and dates.

Jen heading out with 2015 World Champ, Dieter Van Der Eiken.

#photo Maceio

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Amado Vrieswyk doing a double air Culo.

#photo Amado

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Dieter Van Der Eiken backloop.

#photo Dieter Van Der Eiken

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Jen getting free tips from Colin "Whippy Dixon", he's a good sailor with many moves.

#photo Jen

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Sunset sailing at Maceio. The spot is very easy and safe, the worst that can happen is you'll end up having to walk back along a sandy beach. The bottom is all sand except for s few rocks far upwind at low tide.

#photo Maceio

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I finally got some Shaka's after years of trying! The kickers at Maceio make it so much easier.

#photo Shaka Ryan

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Jen heading out at Maceio on the incoming tide when it is nice and smooth between the kickers. Our new Sailworks sails handled 60 days of sailing very well.

#photo Jen Maceio

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Unfortunately we had to leave, somehow a 23kg bag only weighs 12kg.
Transfer back to Fortaleza was 360 km , 5-6 hours and cost about $250.

#photo scale

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[Chuck]

Wow!

Great pics and a great writeup, Ryan!

Thanks for sharing!

Did you find much in the way of good DTL sailing? How would you compare it to SA? I know you are somewhat biased, but keen to check out both places sometime.

Shame you had to return to our liquid sunshine here...

[Ryan]

Did you find much in the way of good DTL sailing? How would you compare it to SA? I know you are somewhat biased, ..

There were rideable waves about once per week, I would not really call it down the line though, more like one or two hits, the waves do not have much power, the wind is cross shore but waves are small and peaky. Maceio more of a jumping spot.
This video shows the conditions at about their best.
Macieo Windsurf

It'snot much like SA, much more reliable wind at around 100 percent vs SA about 50% windy days per month. SA has powerful waves, which North East Brazil does not, but unless you get a good day, SA waves are often one hit wonders too. There are many other things to do in Cape Town when there is no wind.
I would definitely go back to Brazil, mostly for the reliable wind, and the kickers for jumping, not really for the waves.

[C36]

Looks like a lot of fun to me! Glad you both had such a great trip.

[Michael]

Thanks for the writeup and pics Ryan!! Maceio looks like a really fun place. Congrats on the Shaka!!! Were those Sailworks Revos that you're using, how do you like the new ones?

[Ryan]

Thanks for the writeup and pics Ryan!! Maceio looks like a really fun place. Congrats on the Shaka!!! Were those Sailworks Revos that you're using, how do you like the new ones?

Thanks! I was so happy to finally get a Shaka, I saw another guy get his first backloop, and a pro got his first double air Culo on video.
Yes, Sailworks Revo's. Great sails, just as good as any sail I have sailed. Very balanced and easy, and as Phil has proven can be used for wave and freestyle.