After Surf Munchies in Europe

What do you think about when you’re waiting for a wave? Your last wave? Or the next wave? Maybe the slightly omnipresent guy next to you in the line up, how much longer you can spend being in the ocean? If it’s a long wait, my thoughts quickly move from critiquing my last wave to the more pressing thoughts about what to have to eat after the session.

In Hossegor the food thoughts didn’t take very long. I knew I was going to have an ‘Americain’ sandwich. Freshly made and cooked beef burgers in a crusty baguette with deep fried chips, mayonnaise and ketchup. Oh, and some lettuce and tomato to make it healthy. The only decision left to make was where to get it from. Some places did homemade chips, which could be a bit soggy. Others used more of a ciabatta than a baguette. Mmm, decisions decisions. Oh, hang on, there’s a set on the way...

Now in Portugal it’s not quite so easy to make a decision. There’s the ubiquitous burger, of which the standards fluctuate depending on venue – but usually fills a hole. There is the quick and ever popular tosta mixta (cheese and ham toasty), which again can be simple, or made with huge slices of rustic Portuguese bread. Or you could have some freshly caught and grilled delicious fish, normally sardines. Then there’s a ‘bitoque’ – grilled steak, fried egg and chips – good greasy food. And if you’re in the northern parts there’s a ‘Francasinha’ – a sandwich filled with several different meats, topped with melted cheese and a fried egg, then finished off with a tomato and beer sauce, surrounded by chips. Well worth those 3 hours in the water, but not so good if you’re planning an afternoon session.

Back in the UK pasties were a favourite. Usually because you could buy them at the café in the car park. And the fillings varied too, so I would spend the session choosing which to have, and then hoping that they hadn’t sold out by the time I came in. If I was feeling particularly hungry, I would make myself wait for a classic English fry up – bacon, sausages, scrambled egg, toast, baked beans, washed down with a mug of tea – heaven. Gosh, I’m getting hungry just thinking about it…

I have not travelled much as a surfer – my knowledge of post surf food is very limited. I have heard tales of breakfast burritos in California, of fanastical smoothy combos in Bryon, or an avocado and Vegemite sandwich on the Sunshine Coast, of fruit fresh from the trees in Costa Rica, the list is endless. I guess I need to pack up my board, hit the road and get out there – exploring and experiencing it all. I’ll just go and make some lunch…