A day of adventure and practice

The annual trip along the Tambre River was scheduled for 29 August 2026, but, due to an unfavorable weather forecast, everyone involved quickly agreed to postpone it until the following day, which, in retrospect, turned out to be a very good decision. The week before, we had already transported the boats to Ribeira de Freixo, from where we set off on Sunday together with our companions from AC Serra de Outes.

The plan was to sail with the rising tide to the end of the estuary and then head up the Tambre River; the wind, from the southwest, was favorable for the outward journey. However, the water level was so low —because of a spring tide— that we ran aground on a sandbank, for the first time, before reaching Noia. As a result, all the new crew members learned that day how to remove and refit the rudder blade, since it has the greatest draft on our Buceta. We were able to sail most of the way there, but, at the Pontenafonso bridge, the rigging had to be completely lowered to pass underneath. With very little water under the bridge, large rocks in the river and a strong following current, the journey became a bit adventurous for a short stretch. After that, the situation gradually improved and, the closer we got to our planned picnic at the old power station, the more our spirits lifted. The forest on both sides of the river became increasingly dense, offering us views of the landscape impossible to see from land.

Once we arrived at our destination, we were able to share our experiences and the food we had brought with our companions from Outes and Noia. We knew, however, that a long return journey awaited us, especially because the wind was now head-on, forcing us to row diligently. Before every bend in the river we hoped for a decisive change in the wind, but only after passing under the last large bridge were we finally able to sail again. We had to beat against the wind, but, thanks to the fresh breeze, we made good progress and were even able to decline the generous offer of a tow, returning to Freixo without using the engine. In the end, it was a long and exciting day, and one or two of us may have felt a bit of muscle soreness the next day.