Varzinha (Patos Lagoon)

Varzinha (Lagoa dos Patos) is a shallow, flat-water lagoon spot near Viamão/Porto Alegre, with cloudy water and generally easy on-the-beach entry conditions depending on lagoon level. The best sessions are described as long, flat stretches suitable for progression—especially for learning and freestyle/freeride-style riding—while the shallow shelf near shore can make deeper-foiling maneuvers more challenging. Wind is most associated with the Northeast (Nordestão) flow, with additional reported southerly influence (NE and S as best directions). Thermal reinforcement strengthens the dominant flow on sunny afternoons, often kicking in around early afternoon and running until later in the day. Reliability is reported as moderate overall due to potential wind drops in rainy periods (noted as when dunes are wet), but becomes very high in spring and summer when the Northeast flow is consistent. Safety considerations are mainly depth- and debris-related: shallow sandbars/mud, occasional submerged branches/logs/rocks near the shore, and slippery muddy patches can all affect landing and self-rescue. Wind-driven water level changes are also noted (South winds can raise level, while Northeast flow can lower it), and South fronts may bring colder air with short, steep chop. Additionally, it’s emphasized that riders should verify whether kitesurfing is permitted at this exact spot; special permits or local kite organization membership may be required. On-site facilities are limited and the spot is described as rustic. Parking is available near the launch area, but there may not be a dedicated paved lot, and there are reports of little-to-no on-site food, water, gear storage, or repair services. Because emergency and recovery support is not sport-specific on-site, riders should plan to be self-sufficient and check lagoon level and conditions before launching.