Porto & Matosinhos Wave Series 2017 kicks off May 6

For the second year running, the surf world's collective eye turns to Porto & Matosinhos Wave Series 2017. Porto & Matosinhos Wave Series kicks-off 6 and 7 May with the regional series, a qualifying stage for the National Championship. The events programme runs until 2 and 3 September 2017.

This surfing event includes seven competitions, from Longboard and Stand Up Paddle, to a number of parallel activities such as sport instruction, first-time surfers, conferences and photo exhibits.

Mayor of Porto, Rui Moreira highlighted the growing importance of surf in Portugal, also stating that, lamentably "this sport has been far too much hidden from the northern region".

The President of the Portuguese Federation of Surf, João Aranha, affirmed that "this is a global event for surf as it encompasses all surf's sporting stages".

You might want to check out reason number five for visiting Porto, according to Air France magazine, May issue, describing Porto as the "Surf city - The air in Porto is infused with sea spray. While its heart is bisected by the "river of gold," the city's western edge lies along the Atlantic coast, and numerous beaches adjoin the elegant Montevideu and Brasil avenues, just 15 minutes from the centre aboard the Eléctrico No. 1 tram. The Praia do Molhe and its pseudo-Miami feel (1930s pergola and palm trees) is probably the chicest beach, while Praia de Matosinhos is by far the most popular. People of all ages come here to take on the huge waves which is why Porto is one of the best surfing spots in Europe".