Paulo Rodrigues

I was born on January 10th 1973, in Lisbon. I don’t have many memories of my childhood, and the ones I have are very vague, but I think my story begins with an image in my head...

 I lived in Bairro da Liberdade, a social project in São João do Estoril in Cascais council. One day I went to Poça beach and was amazed to see a person standing up and riding a wave. I was so impressed that I wanted to do the same. Later I found a skimming board, and took her right to the water. I use to hold the board in front of my hands and catch the waves. Later, I found on the beach half of a foam board, and started catching wavess on my stomach.

I began saving money to buy a surfboard. Near my house there was a storage house where they stored bananas. I used to stay in the corner of the neighborhood, waiting for the truck to unload. I earned 400 to 500 escudos (2 Euros) a load, and I managed to save some money. Then I went to my mother to see if she could help me. I told her I wanted to buy a surfboard, which cost 10.000 escudos (50euros). I had almost half the amount but she told me to talk to her when I had the full half.

When I reach half the amount, I went and talked with her again, but she said she couldn’t give me all the money, but if the guy, who was selling it could lower the price to 8.000 (40 Euros), she would give me the rest. I talked to the guy, and he agreed to reduce the price.

From that day on, surfing was like a drug; I would do everything to surf! In the summer I used to go by bike to Guincho – sometimes I even went on foot; such was the desire to be in the water. On the way back I would catch a ride home from someone. In the winter I use to surf Poça beach, which was a beach near my house. Down the "hill of milk" and there I was.

Back then I was always alone, and sometimes other surfers would asked me where I was from, and what was my name. I answered, "my name is Paulo, and I live in the “Liberty” social projects (Bairro). From then on, when other surfers referred to me, they would say, "its Paulo, Paulo do Bairro" and so I was branded.

I did everything to evolve, and get better surf equipment. I worked in cafes, fixing shutters, as a carpenter, and even in an alarm company, mounting alarm systems.
I made a few choices that now I know weren’t the right ones. I was living near the beach, and each time I went to school, I would go by, and if there were good waves, I wouldn’t resist, and went surfing, instead of going to class.

I kept evolving, and soon began entering tournaments, in one of the events of the nationals, in Viana do Castelo, I manage to get 2nd place, it was my best result so far. Funny thing is, I was not even going to enter in that event, because I was working in constructions, to get enough money to go to France in the summer to see the "Pros". My boss changed is mind at the last minute, and gave me the Friday off, and so I went. From that day on people started to recognize me in the water.

By that time I met two people who would be very important in my life, in surfing, and at a personal level. I became friends with José Gregório "Grego" and Marcos Anastácio. We were inseparable; we would travel, and surf always together. They were responsible for my development as a surfer and as a person.

After a while, I decided to save all the money I could, and go to Australia. I knew it was the only chance to substantially improve my level of surfing. I went with Alexandre, "Xana do Algarve”, and I remained there nearly four months. This trip was very important to me, because it was the first time I went on a plane, and spent so much time away from my family. One of the best experiences I had in my life.

In the following years I competed, had some success, but the best thing that I took from surfing, were all the good memories. Today competition is part of the past, and now I embrace other projects and objectives with the same vigor and tenacity...

I hope that this text may help you to know me better.

See you in the water.

Paulo Rodrigues