Volleyball, running, football & other sports gangs in Ericeira

The Running Gang

We are at 467 running members on Strava, and with quite a good mix of guys and girls - yes, running clubs are the new Tinder.

While the Sunday 9 am run is the most social run (because 5K only and almost always coffee (and ocean dip) afterwards), the gang runs together almost every day.

Lots of these runners also:
- occasionally do pool parties (and costume parties) all together
- fight through the Lisbon marathon together
- have been searching a lost dog all together for dayzzz
- do professional running training together
- magically transform into The Cycling Gang when they're done running

The Board Beauties Gang

Funny, funny thing, but the most non-existent gang in Ericeira is a general surf gang. Going surfing seems to be something you just most likely do with your housemates/2 friendz right when the forecast looks goooood.

However, that's not entirely correct - giiirls did manage. There is The Board Beauties Gang specifically for surfer girls, which I can add you to. I've heard a few times from women that they are done going into the water with their “pro” surf boyfriend.

Which in the end makes them surf alone, because bf is paddling like a wild animal, and gf is just happy overcoming the white water, chills, enjoys the meditative state, and catches an occasional wave.

At the same time, I know several guys, who basically feel guilty not going surfing as often as intended while in the heads of their home country friends “they're living the surf life in Ericeira”. Worst they feel when they return home for Christmas and everyone asks them how the surferboiii life in Ericeira is: äääh, didn't manage to build a surf habit.

While I joke a lot about being annoyed by all the surf talk, I had some of my highest highs after a surf. Especially when it's combined with a flowy lunch afterwards, and then blends into a fuuuull flowy whatever Sunday with your little mini gang. The salt water and sun do something to you, so that you can enjoy normal stuff even moooore.

The Surf Skate Gang

The next most Ericeira-thing is of course surf skating. Who not wants to fly down this cute little ramp at 58 with their friendzzz during sunset?

The verrrry first step to feel this highhh is to join Filippo's & Júlia's surf skate gang. They're meeting every second Sunday roughly - and they're a cute little active gang.

The 2 Football Gangs

The Non-Existent Ping-Pong Gang

I do have an Erichat with people who would be up for ping pong, and can add you, but it's just not happening every week for now. However, if you're reaaaalllly into ping pong, there is a ping pong meetup gang in Lisbon which plays every Saturday morning. I am 99 % sure they're gonna smash you, and not play easy-peasy round-the-table fun.

For round-the-table fun, you need to be tHe oNe in Eri, who initiates a regular day for ping pong :) Or use ping pong as your always-available side chick. Play it with someone when you can't be bothered to have “just another coffee”, but want to do something more active. There are 2 main ping pong tables in town:

1. At the WOT Hostel - just turn up, ring the bell, ask if you can play some ping pong and have 1 drink. Deal. You'll always find people who want to join. That's what I used to do every Friday with a friend for a while :)

2. At the camping site - this one is a bit trickier, because it's an adventure whether they will let you in. I discovered that table when I stayed on the camping site with a van. Then they allowed me to bring visitors for €2 each.

In fact, in 2022 I celebrated my birthday around that ping pong table and sneaked in the entire crowd. Which was super fun, because everyone can more or less play it, you can have music on and just annoy each other before going for dinner. Try your charm to get in :)

PS: Some gangs get active again in spring, so I’ll write about a few more when I find time. Nooooow take action, join or create yaaa gang, and everything else will fall into place <3