Gliding Barnacles Gentlemen's Club

I was recently told that life is all about being selfish. Our time on this planet is so short that we have one responsibility, and that is to ourselves. To make sure we have the best time we can.

Sounds a bit uuuu, un surfy and kind of... self centered?

Well maybe not. Getting enjoyment is not always selfish, especially if it comes from giving something. To draw a comparison, I love surfing waves, but I love watching people getting their first ‘stoke’. To give and cheer people into waves makes ME happy. Boom. So that's being selfish and giving at the same time.

Now, if you want to think about being properly selfish then you have to treat yourself. For me this would have to include surfing, surfboards, live music, dancing, food, sun and awesome people.

It just so happens that I know where and when I can guarantee all of these things with two words. Gliding and Barnacles in a place called Figuiera da Foz in Portugal.

To make more sense out of all this I have asked Eurico to answer a few questions. Eurico is a specialist in what the words Gliding and Barnacles mean when you put them together.

SB: Hey Eurico, how has the surf been up in Figuiera da Foz (Portugal) recently?

Eurico: Surf is always great in FF. There are so many places to look for depending on the swell direction. As you know, winter time offers size to more experienced surfers, but the long sunny days and warmer water are idyllic for logging in summer time. That being said, and finishing as I started, surf is always great in FF.

SB: Can you tell a bit more about on of the best places to be this summer and how Gliding Barnacles is that place?

Eurico: Time spent in Portugal is always fun to remember. There's so much to see and do, specially during summer time. But 28th August to the 3rd September this year you will definitely want to get psyched at the GB festival in Figueira da Foz.

SB: I hear that Mitch Surman (master shaper) is going to be with you again. Will it possible to get a board shaped by him?

Eurico: Sure you can. Send us an email to [email protected] so we can attend your request.

SB: What do you guys get out of this and what gave you the idea to do it?

Eurico: The Gliding Barnacles Gentlemen's Club started kind as a joke with some fellows from my hometown. Friendship is pretty much centered in surf and surf culture, and ideas flowed naturally on the perspective of organizing an event not focused on competition rather in the surf life style. Since the beginning, one of the main points is still that is a non profit event with free entrances for everything event related. Further, we felt the need to  approach the surf culture to the city mindset.

SB: If you had an unlimited budget, what else would you include in the line-up at Gliding Barnacles?

Eurico: There's some names coming to my mind across surfers and artists, but one day we'll succeed to bring The Growlers.

SB: I hear you are pretty handy on a log yourself, what was your first surfboard and have still got it?

Eurico: It was a pink boogie board, named woogie, that I still keep under my bed 😍

SB: Thanks to Eurico for the time he spared us. Having been to a previous year's Gliding Barnacles we can assure you that you will have a great time. The easiest way to explain the experience is sliding back to a time in surfing history when strangers talked to each other in the water, called each other into waves and generally shared the stoke.

As Eurico is fond of saying fun is free and I guarantee there will more than enough to go around this summer at the Gliding Barnacles Gentlemen's Club (that's for ladies too)

We will be catching up with Eurico nearer the time to find out more. Stay tuned.