Swell of the decade with Nic Von Rupp

The best guidance on a new place is always best from the locals who live there. And perhaps the best tip for waves I ever received came on my last trip to Portugal from Nic Von Rupp. I had been surfing a fun wave on a shallow little sandbar with a mellow crowd at a beach that I had been to numerous times over the years. I knew the next few days of my trip were going to be a little more than my tiny sandbar could handle so I called Nic. He put me right on the spot. It was minutes away from where I had been surfing but when I showed up there was only one guy out and perfect overhead rights reeling down the bank. The best waves that I had seen in years! I couldn’t believe it, and I would have never found it had I not been given the local tip.

Nic’s been taking his viewers through his home country of Portugal on his YouTube channel. Showcasing the best beaches and surf spots that he loves and recommends you check out next time you visit Portugal.

His latest trip to Madeira Island comes with a big disclaimer. Aside from fine wine and crystal blue waters, Madeira Island has one of the best big wave point breaks on the planet, Jardim do Mar. Nic, Twiggy, Torrey Miester, Miguel Blanco and a handful of other local surfers tried their hand on the giant right on the biggest swell of the decade. So even when you get the local tip, make sure to do a little bit of homework beforehand.—Brandon