A South African YouTuber
Nick Robinson is a South African living in the Algarve who turned his passion for stand up paddle and the great outdoors into a YouTube lifestyle.
WHEREVER talks to him about life before, the ups and downs of living in Portugal and his wildest stand up trips to date!
What took you to Portugal?
Back in 1999 my cousin was visiting my hometown of Cape Town. We were chatting around the barbecue and he asked me to move to Portugal and manage his restaurant. I looked at him like he was crazy and we moved on to other subjects. A year later, I had landed up in a super well paid but really tough new job. My fiancée and I had just split up and summer was over. My cousin asked me again and it was the right time for me. I said yes, resigned and flew over to Carvoeiro in the Algarve. The plan was for six months and I’m still here over 20 years later!
How did Algarve Addicts come about?
I had been looking to do my own project in digital marketing / content creation for a long time as my clients were getting me down. I had started a blog called Outdoors in Portugal, a stand up paddle touring company, a stand up paddle podcast and a podcast about the Algarve which I called Algarve Addicts. I struggled to make any revenue and get any traction although I did start receiving a little bit of feedback from people who were really enjoying the podcast. At the point of giving up and getting a real job, a friend of mine said that I should make a video all about where to live in the Algarve. I did and it gathered a lot of attention very quickly. It was all the confirmation I needed and I jumped into creating videos and helping people relocate. Some one million views later and I’m really enjoying it!
Any favourite spots here in the Algarve?
Albandeira beach is a wonderful place. To be honest there aren’t many beaches here I don’t like, preferably viewed from a paddle board at sunrise. I prefer the authentic country restaurants inland but I also don’t say no to a raucous night down on the coast!
Were you a natural born adventurer?
Yes, I guess I was. After school I was conscripted into the South African army and maybe it was the freedom I experienced travelling around the world after that, that cemented my lust for adventure. Maybe my father’s adventures in pre-Zimbabwe Rhodesia, maybe I just didn’t want to be a 9 to 5 accountant living in traffic. I had a goal of being an interesting grandfather and I have worn many hats: river guide, safari guide, IT professional, small business owner, stand up paddle instructor and tour guide and now YouTuber!
What led you to make the jump to being a self-employed adventure seeker?
I actually remember sitting down in front of my desk after 15 years of digital marketing and working for clients. I was married, had a daughter and life was good. Then I felt a twinge in my coccyx and it turned out that it could have been something that would have got pretty bad, due to my sedentary workstyle. I googled the solution and was horrified. I pledged to change my life, stand up more and create an outdoor business. I got together with a friend, bought some paddle boards, did a few instructor courses and off we went exploring every little blue patch of the Algarve, gaining reams of experience every day. We paddled in all weathers, all conditions
“The thing that really drives me is being privileged enough to assist people on what can often be a hugely traumatic but exciting move”.
and at all times of the day. Eventually we had all our licensing in order and we opened for business. It went really well.
Any adventure highlights?
As a part of Algarve SUP, I wanted to publicise it and what better way to do that, than paddle across the Algarve? We did that… twice, 160kms across the breadth of Portugal in the Atlantic ocean. It was amazing and I often say those were two of the best holidays of my life. I have done two other SUP trips, one down the Zêzere and Tejo rivers to Lisbon. That one took nine days and the four of us covered 260kms, it was incredible!
Any words of wisdom?
Well, I don’t have any catchy Instagram slogans to sling about but if you’re feeling slightly out of sorts try and build some nature into your life. I try to spend as much time as possible outdoors but I know I can do better. The Algarve has such an incredible climate it makes it much easier to do that here, but often so many people don’t.
How is life in Portugal?
Life in Portugal is great. These days I’m trying my best to make as many videos as possible as the YouTube channel is growing rapidly. That means a lot of time editing in front of my computer, but it’s balanced with a day or two out shooting every week and meeting a tonne of really cool expats. It’s hugely exciting but the best part about it is helping all the people who want to move here. I have essentially become a relocation consultant but I’m not doing it from the slick corporate angle. I just want to help people and it’s hugely gratifying to see how thankful they all are.
I’m super grateful for my wonderful family. We all get together at the end of each day to check in with each other and that’s immensely gratifying. Coming back from a trip to hot food, a warm house and a loving family is priceless.
“If you’re feeling slightly out of sorts try and build some nature into your life.”