Schlink Attack: Stand Up Paddle Boarding in Recife

Sunday, October 25, 2015

Stand Up Paddle Boarding in Recife

Going on a social cue, the kids and I crashed someones birthday party that was held at a vaguely described restaurant "just past Barria de Jangada but before the Paiva toll" on the right hand side. Already 2 hours late due to an unpredictable nap, my timely anal self I doubted I could find the place, let alone enjoy it. But fun doesn't make itself, so I ignored my stress sweat and set about. Thirty minutes later and a 100 feet before the toll I was desperate to avoid, I found the 'secret' dirt road leading to the place I was looking for. Relieved and a little embarrassed about how easy it was to get here, I met my friends at a restaurant located right next to the Paiva Bridge, on a calm inlet of water which eventually splits into two rivers. It makes you feel so far away from the city.

Upon returning the next week to go paddle boarding, I learned the name of the dock/restaurant is called Imporio de Sabor- and there are two others squished together on the dead end road. Each has a swimming pool, plenty of dance space, and opportunities to rent boats, jet skis, and paddle boards. All three are popular places for parties. In fact, a lucky couple got hitched on an overlooking patio that same day, starting their future just as I drifted by, half squatting on stand up paddle board. Lucky couple.

The Escola de Stand Up Paddle is based out of Imporio de Sabor. While people can make reservations, we just showed up. The instructor, like any water-based sport junkie I've met, was laid back and happy to help. We received a quick how-to and got on our boards. I enjoyed the scenery: birds, trees, and clouds, a very buff man doing yoga on his board... I considered trying some briefly, but then a fat old man nearly "drove" his wooden boat into us. I say "drove" because was actually taking photos of either himself, or his roaring engine. I couldn't tell, but with danger averted we continued our fun. In the end customer service was top-notch and the school offers up great package deals- it's something I'm excited to do again and again. Plus I know what do to when my in-laws visit.

In between paddling, we enjoyed the classics: shared bombers of ice cold beer, hot soups, tuna steaks and fried macaxeira (manioc or disconcertingly bright sour-nutty flavor. It is, after all a legume so I shouldn't have been surprised but it's times like this I realize how little I know about the world. My friends determined that I was in desperate need of trying more Brazilian street food and later that night introduced me to acarajé: a giant ball of deep fried bean paste cut in half, stuffed with spicy shrimp, cashew and peanut paste, and topped with green tomatoes. They said "you have to get through the first one, and after that you'll be hooked." Verdict is still out on that one, but I ate my bean ball with enthusiasm.