What’s up? Adrian Beholz

Windsurfing at Sao Pedro on Sao Vicente, Cape Verde – Pic: Fred Savalle

Continentseven: Adi, you are at Sao Pedro on Sao Vicente (Cape Verde) at the moment. Why did you decide to spend your winter there?
Adrian Beholz: I’ve been on Sao Vicente two years ago already. I kept daily winds and the really laid-back atmosphere in good memories. It was so much traveling during last winters. Always when I really felt comfortable in one place I had to leave again. Sao Vicente is windy from Oktober till May, so I can stay for a longer time here. Last of all I offer windsurfing lessons at the very nice station down here.

Continentseven: How long will you stay on the island?
Adrian Beholz: Till February, 4 months.

Continentseven: What do you like about the place?
Adrian Beholz: For windsurfing it’s just amazing. Strong wind and flatwater at Sao Pedro and loads of nice wave spots with wind from the left and right around the island. The island offers so much diversity. Tourism is quiet small here. There is a bit of diving, sport fishing, windsurfing and kitesurfing tourism but the economy of the island dosen’t depend on it. Because of the colonial harbor of Mindelo there is an existing economy since hundreds of years. Creols are very gentle people. They remind me a bit to the Brazilians or Caribbeans, but here there is no crime.

Adrian Beholz at Sao Pedro on Sao Vicente, Cape Verde – Pic: Fred Savalle

Continentseven: How are the windsurfing conditions on Sao Vicente?
Adrian Beholz: They are really awesome. The water is flat and the wind strong. On the good days it’s also super consistent. It can be gusty, too, but it’s still nice and challenging then. The wave spots are not that hardcore like Ponta Preta and the wind blows less strong and more consistent there.

Continentseven: Are you living in Sao Pedro in the village or in the resort on the opposite side of the bay?
Adrian Beholz: I live in the hotel, but I know some very affordable apartments with nice western standard in Sao Pedro. So who ever wants to visit, feel free to contact me. The bay is only 1,2km wide and on one side there is only the hotel resort and the fish restaurant. On the other side is the village with the fishing boats.

Continentseven: Are the local kids from the village interested in windsurfing?
Adrian Beholz: Yes! The locals there founded a “association de surf”. They go bodyboarding, surfing and windsurfing together. During the summer when the station is closed, the kids can use some of the equipment. And I’m thinking about bringing some stuff down for them. It’s like in Camocim. You would give them opportunity and the kids could influence our sport.

Sao Pedro on Sao Vicente, Cape Verde – Pic: Fred Savalle

Continentseven: The Cape Verde islands used to be an island country with high poverty but reports say the country show positive developments and is improving. You have seen a lot of different countries, how is Sao Vicente?
Adrian Beholz: It really depends what you compare it with. You have to keep in mind we are in Africa. But no one starves here. In Sao Pedro there are so many dogs. People live super basic without toilet and water, but every dog got a name and enough food to live. Camocim in Brazil is probably similar.

Continentseven: What is your plan for the upcoming months on the island?
Adrian Beholz: Ouhh, I hope to prepare well for the upcoming World Cup season. In December Julian from Broken Bloke Productions will come and we gonna show you the island in pictures…

Continentseven: Great, we are looking forward to it and may the wind gods be with you….

If you want to get a windsurfing lesson or plan a trip to Sao Vicente, you can contact Adi for more info: E-mail to Adrian Beholz