Featuring Titik, Djo, Elvis, Mutchu, Airton & many more.

For information call 00238 9965212 or visit the AboutSal Grijinha page here.

Mitu… Why Mitu ?
To begin with, it was Nitu, a nickname given by my mother. But my aunt and grandmother could never remember it and called me Mitu. As time went by, the whole village remembered Mitu, so it stayed.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself, in general, from when you were a kid until now?
My first contact with the sea when I was four or five years old, with my uncle. I was actually frightened by it (the sea). By the time I was six, I would go fishing or playing with small boats (cuttlefish and wooden sticks) on my own in the lakes created by the shore break that gets stuck inland. When I was seven, I got on a bodyboard for the first time. It belonged to a South-African and as soon as I was on the wave, I fell in love with it. I immediately tried to surf on a windsurf board. I bodyboarded until I was twelve years old, taking part in every single local competition and winning most of them! Whenever I had some free time, I was in the water. Then my interest turned to windsurfing as there were more and more windsurfing tourists arriving in Sal every winter. Back then, it was hard to learn and after a few attempts with a garbage bag as a sail, my aunt offered me a real board. From that moment, I learned quickly and in 2003, I was taking part in my first PWA international competition in Pozzo.

And kitesurfing?!
Hold on, I’m getting there! At that time, kiting was starting to appear and in 2001 I got my first 2-line & a directional board. Right after, I got myself a 4-line. Once I was sixteen I started working in a windsurf centre and I was kiting, windsurfing and surfing. In 2003, I ranked 5th at one of the first legs of the Wave Masters of KPWT. Back then, it wasn’t easy to ride Ponta Preta with a kite with the off-shore wind and the wings with no real depower but we were already exploiting the site differently than what we could do in windsurf. After breaking a lot of very expensive windsurf equipment, Kitesurfing became a much more interesting option even though we still didn’t have good directional-strapped boards. A regular board was good enough and each session brought new sensations.

And your introduction to competition?
In 2005, F-One started giving me some equipment, which really helped me to progress more and more each session. In 2006, I went to Como, Italy for my first freestyle competition. I ranked 9th, same thing the following year, 7th in freestyle and 5th in race. I went on to Guincho but there was no wind. I dropped the competition because I had no sponsor to carry on the tour; here, it’s not easy to find sponsors and it’s expensive to travel to Europe. It’s at that moment that Jerome got me back on track and helped me with the sponsors so that I could participate in all the stages of the Wave Master 2008. At the same time, I was opening my own kite school in the Italian hotel Vila do Farol (Bravo Club). In Portugal, last summer, I won the titles of Water Man and Wave Master of the KPWT. I gained a huge amount of experience from the other competitors. I’m the first Capeverdean to win a World Title in a watersport and it was a real national pride.

You’ve travelled quite a lot. Looking back, what do you think about your country, kite-wise and life-wise?
My island is a paradise for kiting. We have all sorts of conditions, off-shore, on-shore side-winds, portside, starboard side, lefts and rights… There are 10 islands in Cape Verde, each one different from the others with an amazing landscape, quietness and a good climate to live well, no stress!

Your island has been changing a lot these past few years, what’s your view on this?
Every year, there is more construction and more people living on the island. On one part, it’s advantageous since it brings a lot of jobs but on the other side, it’s destroying the landscape and it’s beauty. The government is aware of the importance of the watersports and wants to get more involved… But it’s clear that the first thing they need to do is to preserve our spots.

Living in Cape Verde, how do you go from the kid who watches to the kid who rides?
By freely taking a step towards the ocean…

Where did your love for the waves come from?
From bodyboarding.

What do you like so much about waveriding?
Finding the tube, I think.

You’ve developed a particular style, aerial, feline. You use the power of the wave but also the power of the kite. Where did that style come from?
I think it’s a mix of all the watersports I’ve tried, probably also combined with my knowledge of the ocean.

Why do you think you are so comfortable in waves?
It’s a very beautiful, very pure sensation of fusion. You have to experience it to understand. It’s hard to explain.

Are you scared confronted with heavy conditions? You give the impression to have demystified all that…
You’re right, I’m not scared. However, I’m very respectful therefore conscious of the risks. After the first wave, it’s gone…

What relationship do you have with the sea?
The ocean is my source of energy; the noise and the power of the waves, the wind and the sun contribute to my peace of mind and my confidence when I’m riding the waves.

Describe riding the wave at Ponta Preta?
The wave is very fast and the wind almost always off. It’s therefore very hard for re-entry tricks. It’s a wave with a lot of down-the-line to place your bottom in order to hit the lip of the wave at thedeepest point of the break. Then you have to slow down to find the tube if that section allows it.
The greatest danger is if your kite goes down – if the kite starts surfing on the lip of the wave, you end up getting dragged underwater, which can be painful!

What does your World Champion title represent to you?
The title is very important since it opens a door for the young Capeverdean athletes. There are many young talents here but very few sponsors and no structure to supervise them. It’s also a great pride for my country.

I know that you have a special relationship with Raphaël Salles?
Raph has been coming here to Sal for a long time. At first, I only knew who he was when Jerome, who uses and represents F-One in Cape Verde, introduced me to him. That’s how I started using his wings. I love his style in the waves and I learned a lot by watching him to improve my own. He’s an adept of work well-done and I’m the same. Maybe that’s why we get along so great.

What kind of board do you ride?
Bambu 5.6 strapped for big waves, choppy water and a strong wind to be as radical as possible in my manoeuvres.
Bambu 6.0 Strapless in light winds to use more the power of the wave with the board.

Strap, strapless, hooked, unhooked, how do you ride?
It really depends on the conditions but generally in descending order: Strap, hooked, strapless, unhooked.

What makes a quality session for you?
Being able to make the most of the wave’s energy. You have to be able to exploit each opportunity of the break to make manoeuvres and feel in harmony with the sea.

Which is the nicest wave you’ve ridden?
Fontana and Ponta Preta.

You’re one of the best strapless freestyle riders… You do that while you wait for the waves or is it a real passion as well?
I do that a lot when there’s very little wind, to learn new tricks that I can integrate later in the waves.

Your favourite freestyle trick at the moment?
F-16, kite loop, back loop strapless.

What are you hoping for in the future?
To improve forever and always, always riding more quality waves and to keep on travelling. And then to make my kite school tour.

Can you comment on the photo session we just had?
Nothing else than yet another perfect session in my back garden…

One more thing… Why are all women crazy about you?
I had never noticed… But if you say so, I’ll pay more attention from now on.

Thanks Mitu

Source: Stance Mag France
Translation from French: Yseult Laganière (y_laganiere@hotmail.com)

Images:
Front Image & Profile shot: Courtesy of Pascal Laborde
All other images: Courtesy F-one/Gilles Calvet

The best Surfwear and Surf/kite gear place in town. Tout’ Sab Surf Shop Sal
www.caboverdewaveriding.com

Villa Praihina: Beachfront accommodation in Santa Maria
www.caboverdewaveriding.com

Looking for pictures of your daily water sports in Sal?
www.pontapreta.net

Since it’s formation, RevoluSal has organised:
Beach & coastal cleanups: removing rubbish from several sites of outstanding natural beauty around Sal
Surf Events & Training: bringing surfers together from all of the islands to compete at some of the best surf spots in the world
Social events: getting kids off the streets and working together in social programs

Get involved
RevoluSal is run and funded by volunteers and is recruiting surfers and Life members .Whether you are a surfer of many years or if you simply want to be involved in something positive here in Sal, a small donation or to simply join in a Clean-Up session makes all the difference. The clean ups are a lot of fun and are a great way of meeting and interacting with the young surf community – remember the beaches are there for everyone to enjoy.

If you would like more information or to find out about the next Clean-Up day contact info@revolusal.org or visit the official site RevoluSal.org

RevoluSal Contacts

Board of Directors
+ President | Daniel Obradovic
+ Vice President | Edir Lopes
+ Secretary | Filomeno Carvalho
+ Treasurer | João Silva Almeida
+ Substitute | Fred Wilson Cruz Duarte

General Assembly
+ Table President | Fredy Harley Fortes
+ Table Vice Pres. | Roberto Espirito Santo
+ Table Secretary | Dunia S.L. Obradovic

Watch Committee
+ President | Ricardo Xavier Bettencourt
+ Vice President | Valdir Duarte Brito

Rarely is there a day where you wake up without the company of the sun and a breeze that makes the heat more comfortable than intolerable. You are never more than 10-15 minutes from the ocean. This constant presence of the ocean and all the sounds that accompany it, allows you to feel in touch with nature and ease the stresses often associated with “life”. Although everywhere you turn there is construction and the influx of new investment, the glorious beaches, the ocean, and the occasional sight of whales, dolphins, and turtles, allows you to quickly forget the mortar.

Complimenting this scenic environment are the people. Cape Verdeans, although lackadaisical to a certain extent, show a love for life that is contagious. There is laughter to be heard and an ease that gives off a sense that they have morphed with their island and are at ease with the life that comes with living on an island. They are a talented population excelling in languages, water sports, fishing and partying. The music of Cabo Verde, seeps into your soul and fills you with this tremendous excitement for life, the island, and all that it offers your senses. It is difficult to put words to the feeling I get every time I hear their music, watch the locals and tourists flirt with the beach, toy with the water, play volleyball on the beach or kite/wind surf across the ocean.

I cannot help but smile at the ease in which Cape Verdeans move through life, amidst the obstacles that confront them. Although each island is different, each offering something different, there is this common spirit that connects them to each other and to their country. “No Stress” is a way of life.

The shimmering reflections of the ocean are enticing to all those who love to play in the water. Whether it is wind surfing, kiting surfing, or surfing, the island of Sal has something to offer every surfer off every level. It is heaven on water.

Nowhere in the world are there such a variety of locations at which to surf, kite surf and wind surf, all within 10-30min range. Each spot has a unique quality, allowing for a spectrum of sensations for the most beginner to the most advanced of all surfers, kite surfers and windsurfers. Contrary to popular belief, Sal is not only for the advanced. The Bay of Santa Maria and the Surf School at the Riu hotel on the west coast, offers perfect conditions for those just entering the surfing (wind, kite and surf) world as well as for those more at the intermediate and advanced level.

The months of June to October, are for those wanting to learn to windsurf. The water in the main bay of Santa Maria and often in front of the Riu hotel is flat, warm, and wind ranges between 9 and 15 knots. For new and intermediate surfers, the area beside the main pier in Santa Maria is perfect, when that south swell arrives.

From November to May, the trade winds shift and it start to blow across the island, great for learning to kite surf as well as for seasoned wind surfers and kite surfers.
The only down side of these months is the water gets a little cooler and you have to wear a wetsuit (shortie or long depending on your preference). More specifically, for those wanting the sensation of wave riding, January and February, normally deliver some gob smacking waves at Punta Preta that even the most experienced of surfers, feel a little tremble.

If anyone were to ask me, “What is 1 good reason to come to Cabo Verde?” I would have to say the water sports. But I admit I am biased. We have 2 windsurf, kite surf, and surf schools on the island. However, we have them, because we love all 3 surf sports, and could not think of a better place in the world to merge work and pleasure, 365 days a year.

Trust me, try out the island, you will not be disappointed!

Sheena
Surf Zone Cabo Verde
surfcaboverde.com

Small amounts of subsistence hunting of turtles may have been sustainable in the past but with modern fishing causing massive bycatch loss and rapid beachfront development a stable population can suddenly go into a steep and irreversible decline.

There are seven species of marine turtles – all of them endangered and the sea around Cabo Verde is visited by five of these species – Green, Leatherback, Olive Ridley, Hawksbill and Loggerhead.

There are records of four species nesting in Cabo Verde, but three of these have been hunted to extinction and now it is only the Loggerhead that nests here. It is only recently that the world has become aware of how significant this population is and now Cabo Verde is thought to be the third largest Loggerhead nesting area in the world and one of the least studied.

With that recent understanding comes the realisation that they are under serious threats and that without urgent action Loggerheads could also become extinct here in as little as eight years.

The threats are many and varied and although brutal and bloody hunting is the headline grabber, probably the most serious threat to turtles in Cabo Verde is the massive amount of coastal development and the building of marinas.

Unsympathetic development causes degradation to nesting beaches as well as acting as a deterrent for turtles to come ashore because of light pollution and obstructions such as fences and beach furniture. In addition, development inevitably brings an increase in marine pollution and debris.

Other problems include the illegal mining of sand for building, egg predation and destruction of nests by vehicles. In Sal it is calculated that in 2007 70% of nests were destroyed by quad bikes and cars breaking the law by driving on the beach.

Loggerhead turtles spend the majority of their time at sea and cover vast distances over a lifespan that could be as long as 50 years. The first few years, in common with all turtles, are a mystery to scientists and are known as ‘the lost years’. It takes a long time for them to reach maturity – breeding only occurs at around 20 years of age and although they are essentially marine animals they are still compelled to return to land when it is time to give birth. Males may never be on dry land again once they have left as hatchlings.

When they are ready to lay their eggs female turtles use their incredible navigational ability to return to the beaches where they were born. They will spend two or more hours ashore as they labouriously chose the right spot, dig a pit and release an average of 80 white ping-pong ball size eggs. They will then spend time carefully replacing the sand in an effort to disguise the nest. The hatchlings will emerge after 56-70 days depending on temperature and other factors. The sex of the hatchlings also depends on temperature – the lower the nest temperature, the more males are born

The main nesting areas in Cabo Verde are found on Boa Vista, Maio and Sal and the nesting and hatching season lasts from June to December.

Any activity that harms or disturbs turtles in Cabo Verde is illegal but unfortunately, so far, there have been insufficient resources available to fully protect them.

2008 however seems to have been a turning point and government has published the first ever national plan to protect marine turtles. In addition, various departments along with NGOs (Non Governmental Organisations) such as SOS Tartarugas implemented a number of strategies designed to safeguard the beaches and the turtles.

SOS Tartarugas operated on Sal during 2008 and one of the priorities for the season was to prevent the killing of turtles for meat. Activities included the training of Wildlife Rangers, the designation and signage of official quad trails, an educational programme, information boards on beaches and in towns, research, turtle walks, the relocation of nests from high-risk areas to a hatchery, beach clean-ups and a volunteer programme.

The programme was very successful and resulted in an overall reduction in dead turtles of 72%. That means from 1 in 9 turtles killed to 1 in 62. Many of those were saved through direct intervention by Rangers or police. In addition, 5,517 baby turtles were released from the hatchery.

Only by making it totally unacceptable to harm or disturb turtles and demonstrating how valuable they are can we ensure the continued presence of these amazing and enigmatic animals in Cabo Verde. As a visitor or a resident you too can do something to help.

• Never buy or consume any turtle products and report anybody who tries to sell you products or live turtles.

• Do not support captive turtle ‘attractions’ they are illegal and detrimental to the turtles.

• Go on a turtle walk with an authorised guide and visit the hatchery (June to December) then talk to everyone about your experience!

• If you own property install turtle friendly lighting, you won’t notice the difference but it is invisible to turtles.

• Choose a turtle friendly developer, hotel or excursion provider

• Never drive cars or quads on nesting beaches. If you visit the beach at night do not use lights or make excessive noise. Obtain information about how to watch turtles without disturbing them. Preferably only go turtle watching with a qualified guide.

• Get involved – sign up as a volunteer to patrol beaches, help in the hatchery or clean the beaches. If you live here you could become a ranger. See the website for more opportunities.

• Make a donation of money or materials.

For more information visit www.sostartarugas.org email info@sostartarugas.org or phone 974 5020.

SOS Tartaurugas 2008 End of year Statistics
Total number of turtle emergences : 1,238
Beach with the most activities : Black Sand Beach (Algodoeiro/West Coast in front of Cotton Bay)
The beach with the most nests was Ponta Jelonga with 47 (just north of Igrijinha)
Most surprising area was to the east of Santa Maria (beyond Leme Bedje) where 36 turtles came ashore among all the rocks and rubbish (oh yes, the turtles are crazy)
Total number of turtles killed was 39, the majority at Mont Leao (13)
The number of turtles saved by direct action by Rangers or police was 19
The total number of turtles tagged was 101.
Total number of nests 346
Total number of nests in the hatchery 89 (26% of nests relocated)
The largest nest recorded had 153 eggs, the smallest had 15 eggs (average 81 eggs).
The first nest hatched on the 12th August and the last on Christmas Day, December 25th
The average incubation time in the hatchery was 59 days.
The average incubation time for nests on the beach was 56 days.
Babies born in the hatchery 5,517

Click on the image of Titik Lopes to view the final top 10 event standings for the 2009 competition.

Titik Lopes

This exclusive event based at the jewel of the Atlantic “Ponta Preta” has become renowned for its big waves, big air and big action. Ponta Preta has gained a reputation worldwide as the absolute best location for wave riding and has quickly developed as a must visit location for windsurfers worldwide. Ponta Pretas natural stadium was created in a way that the waves break perfectly down the rocky point only meters from spectators and journalists, making for one of the most exciting shows on the planet.

Josh Angulo Flying High

Fans get the chance to be within shouting distance of competitors flying 30 feet above the waves, massive wipeouts, and glorious moments in windsurfing’s history which have been generated by this natural amphitheatre feel that only Ponta Preta can provide… 2007 Champion and 2008 runner-up, Josh Angulo comments on this close proximity to the crowd“ In the finals in 2007, I could hear the crowd yelling on every wave, I got such an uplifting power from my home crowd that it gave me extra strength to win the event that year, as well in 2008, although I got second, I can still remember hearing the voice of my wife and son and family and friends that were only meters away from where we were riding the waves, once again that gave me the strength to lift up my game and do my very best… Ponta Preta is like no place in the world.”
Schedule

Defending Champion Kauli Seadi

February 13
20:00 Ceremonia de abertura. Dj and festa “flippado”

February 14
Dia de Enamoradas | Valentines day
10:00 Competition start
14:00 Football Championship (Group A)
15:00 Football Championship (Group B)
20:00 Group Musical de “Peso”

February 15
10:00 Competition start
14:00 Campeonato de Futebol (Group C)
15:00 Campeonato de Futebol (Group D)
20:00 Party Starts. DJs & Live Musix

February 16Harmony
10:00 Competition start
16:00 Live music
21:00 Djs start

February 17
10:00 Competition start
16:00 Football Championship quarter finals
17:00 Quartas finais

February 18
10:00 Competition start
20:00 Beach Party Birimbau na Starts. Live music… djs de “peso”

February 19
10:00 Competition start
16:00 Football Championship Semi-finals

Ladies, ladies, ladies…February 20
10:00 Competition start
20:00 Party “so bomba”

February 21
10:00 Competition start
11:00 Football Champioship 3rd / 4th place Drummers on Sal
12:00 Football Championship Final
21:00 Closing Ceremony

About the Event
The Cabo Verde Windsurfing World Championships was born as a dream by windsurf legend, Josh Angulo, who fell in Love with Cabo Verde, Ponta Preta and the people of Cabo Verde in his first visit in January of 1998. Josh’s love affair of riding the perfect waves at Ponta Preta, many times alone, formed into a dream of realizing and winning a World Championship event in Cabo Verde. As Josh was and currently is a full time professional windsurfer, he had yet to share with his new found friends and family that extent of what this windsurfing was about and dreamed of showing Cabo Verde to the world and bringing the world to Cabo Verde. His dreams of competing against the best windsurfers in the world at the best spot in the world finally became a reality in 2007.

Images Courtesy: PWA/John Carter