MADEIRA ISLAND; THE JEWEL OF THE ATLANTIC | VON FROTH

A big wave dreamland, Madeira Island is the Atlantic Ocean version of Hawaii. With consecutive obscenely glassy days and three equally barrel-thirsty surfers, what could go wrong on the final episode of Portugal Back-to-Back? Our host, Nic Von Rupp, along with invitees, Vasco Ribeiro and Martim Fortes, are in for some amazing surf on an island that totally justify the tag “Jewel of the Atlantic”.

A special thanks to Vanderlux Music for the Madeira remix

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Produced by
Von Rupp Media

Filmed and Edited by
Kenny Kemp

Additional footage:
Andrew Kemp

Special thanks to:
Orlando Pereira
Vandelux

Music by
Vanderlux - Tulum Remix
Ragtime, Peerless

[chicobicalho]

I am a Brazilian citizen who never visited Ilha da Madeira, but I have a deep emotional involvement with it. My father use to say -"I slipped out on the Madeira Island" (-"Eu escapuli na ilha da Madeira"), and here is the fascinating story. My grandparents were quite "old", when they married in Recife (Pernambuco state), Brazil in 1922, my grandmother Flora was 45, and my grandfather Aurelio was 44. For obvious reasons, they never intended to have children, but, during their honeymoon in Madeira, my grandmother became pregnant with my father, Caio, who was born on May 2nd 1923 from a normal birth after a perfectly normal pregnancy. Needless to say, for a woman who was 45 in 1923 to have her first child without a single problem during pregnancy is nothing short of a miracle. Curiously, my father had his first child (my brother) in 1943 at twenty, so, my grandparents, who in their mid 40s never dreamed of having a child, became grandparents at a relatively "normal" age in their mid 60s. This year my father would turn 100, so, maybe I should pay a visit to Madeira Island to celebrate his life and miraculous birth, for, for if it wasn't for that miracle I wouldn't be here telling this story.

[Rhodieveteran]

I first surfed it in the early 1990's. There was one Portuguese surfer living on the island only. I had no idea what had been surfed and what hadn't. It was quite an experience getting used to the way the waves break so close to the shore and getting in and out took a bit of balls. One day I paddled out in what I believe became known as bone crushers. The swell built from double overhead to triple in an hour. The only way out was to catch a wave and then risk getting in over the boulders or paddle around the headland. I found another spot down some huge cliffs the fishermen told me it was where the sharks were seen most frequently. I thought it was 3 to 4 ft till I got down to the bottom to be shocked at sold 8 to 10 ft.
My last trip was many years ago with no surf shops but a few surfers had started to live there. What an amazing place I bet its crouded now. I surfed an 8ft and 7'8" gun in those days.

[paulkratka]

I just finished Finnegan's great (great!) book BARBARIAN DAYS - a must read for all surfers - where he writes extensively (and intensively) about Madeira and this wave - so good to see it on film. Nice work!👏

[zpyxsnz]

The shot at 2.58 has too be one of the best surf clips I've ever seen. Sooo clean . Best song . This is how you make a clip.

[morrisondayy]

Orlando is going to be so happy and friendly when all your fans paddle out at Paul de Mar next swell 😂😂

[Jbar]

I'm born and raised in California. My father was born in the Algarve and I got to spend about a month this summer surfing in Portugal and visiting family, man it was special. I hope to get the opportunity to live in Portugal. It's beautiful and the people are some of the nicest and most welcoming in the world.

[reddiver]

Fun, uncrowded waves!
Aloha from Hawai'i.

[pineapplesurf]

Thank you for sharing about such a beautiful place. I didn't know about that place, and despite the fact that there are many people who don't want other surfers to know more places so don't get 'crawded ', I feel that all surfers have the right to surf all the waves in the world.
What a good Trip!!!

[fabionascimento]

I am lucky enough to live here, in Jardim do Mar. I don't surf but I have met a lot of surfers, from all over the world. Some of the waves are absolutely stunning. By the way, my mother-in-law (Cecilia from Cecilia's house) says "hi to everyone" :)

[davidlovett]

Wow, what a slice of Heaven!!! As a road cyclist of 4.5 decades, a sports car enthusiasts(even the road surfaces look awesome) & always dreamed of becoming a surfer...I'm ready to pack-up All my toys & move!!! Thanks, happy surfing!!!

[kenschicken]

That young dude - Yes bro, a young guy who's learning to use his rail 👍 Too many kids are good at airs but not carves these days, I see a bright future for you dude 👍

[oliversmith]

Great video quality, cinematography and music, a pleasure to watch.

[sdean]

Nice video and sweet music. Thanks for posting.

[abc]

Wow, some great footage there. Spectacular coastline...and I'm from Australia where we have some pretty good coasts ourselves. What a lovely spot.

[Mitch-cwnd]

Gorgeous place and has beautiful breaking waves!!🤩🌊

[zjgvergara]

Travel and surfing best vlogs I seen so far.

[pedroleal]

Hi Nic, I went to Madeira once, to play there with 'Blasted Mechanism' in a Festival. The water had the most beautiful Turquoise Blue I've ever seen. We also rented a car to go around the Island, so we did vist the places you show in the video! Thank you for sharing!

[יגאלגולן-צס]

Portugal is all butifull the people so so friendly and so so hospitality...
I love u Portugal...be blessed by god

[mannyaldama]

this place is sic, I wish i knew of this place 40 years ago when I was a kid and could surf all day long awesome

[lichtwesenohnenamen]

it is the most elegant surfer Video i have ever seen....Yes, Maderia can be compared to Hawaii. happy New Year Nic and friends.🙏🏄