TRAVEL – REASONS TO VISIT SPAIN & THE CANARY ISLANDS
Reasons? Are you kidding, you really need reasons? OK, well we’ll spell it out for you …
1. It’s warm: 300 days a year of sunshine
2. Wind: Loads of it. Thermal breeze in the med, reliable trades in the Canaries. Get to know your inner Poniente or Levante. (Google those.)
3. Beaches: Pick from exposed Atlantic beach breaks or calm, flat, freeride friendly coves and bays. Clean sand, clear water. What more do you want?
4. Food: Come on. An abundance of seafood, world famous cuisine or laid-back local tapas with a glass of local wine. It’s all good, everywhere. And good value too! (You can even get a good old fashioned full English breakfast …)
5. It’s close: You’ll have barely finished reading a copy of windsurf on the two-hour flight before you’re touching down on the mainland. For the Canaries you can read the mag and then spend the next two hours daydreaming about the technique section moves you’ll master on the trip.
6. Fun for everyone: We might be wind bores, but our nearest and dearest need more and Spain’s about as geared-up towards general tourist activities as you can get. You won’t know about that because you only care about wind and waves, which is fair enough. Now, Vamos!
Windsurfing in Tarifa
Tarifa is one of Europe’s most popular windsurfing destination often referred to as the “Wind Capital of Europe.” With its constant strong winds, over seven miles of white sandy beaches, a really cool vibe, short flights from the UK and three thousand hours of sunlight per year, it makes a great all year round destination.
Windsurfing put Tarifa on the map many years ago. Bring your own kit to make use of the different spots, or hire from one of the windsurfing centres based at Valdevaqueros (Las Dunas). Hiring a car is recommended to make the most of all the spots. There are two prevailing winds; the ‘Levante’ (Easterly), blows
cross-offshore creating flatter water conditions. The ‘Poniente’ blows cross on shore producing waves and is more predominant in Autumn and Spring.
Valdevaqueros is a popular windsurfing location (10 minutes from Tarifa). It has a large sweeping bay with a beautiful 5km sandy beach, meaning it’s a safer spot. This works really well in a Levante. Bump and jump conditions can be found further out to sea.
Los Lances stretches for 3 kms from Isla La Paloma. This is a great spot in a ‘Poniente’, which produces some waves to play on. Best not to go here in a Levante as the buildings make the wind a little gusty, when the wind is directly off shore. Windsurfing is restricted in July and August due to the swimmers/beach users.
The town beach (Playa Chica) sees some good waves, especially in the Winter and is popular with locals. Restricted use June to September. In the middle of the beach is a good spot after the Rio Jara (river Jara). There is a car park here and a beach bar. This is perfect for beginners as the water can be flatter. July and August are extremely popular, the other months are better value and have superb conditions.
Tarifa Holidays: Apartment holidays in Tarifa
Stay:
Need accommodation in Tarifa? Check out the stylish Dos Mares apartment owned by Tarifa Holidays. Book your flight and choose your windsurf centre to suit you and tailor make your trip. Great place for families, couples or solo travelers.
Relax:
• On the large balcony with wonderful views to the sea, pool and National Park.
• The apartment is perfectly situated in a quiet location just a few minutes away from the white sandy beach and cosmopolitan town of Tarifa.
• The apartment has two-bedrooms which sleeps 4 people comfortably.
Facilities:
• The Dos Mares apartment has complimentary WiFi.
• Outdoor pool and gardens.
• Secure off street private parking with a lockable store-room for kit.
• Satellite TV, DVD, surround sound, dishwasher, microwave, toaster, kettle, washing machine, large fridge/freezer.
Contact British couple Toby & Fi for local advice and more information:
www.tarifaholidays.com // [email protected]
Windsurfing & Kiteboarding World Cup 2014
Sotavento, Fuerteventura
René Egli is organizing the Windsurfing & Kiteboarding World Cup at the Playa Sotavento for the 29th consecutive time in 2014. Come join us watch the windsurfing & kiteboarding elite perform their spectacular moves on the water right in front of the René Egli Center from July 18 to August 2 to celebrate the new champions. There’s nowhere like the High Wind Spot in Fuerteventura for experiencing the stars up close and personal. Watch breathtaking manoeuvres and exciting races on the sea and enjoy delicious specialties from local restaurants, live music and an exciting programme for the whole family in the day marquee. Nightlife enthusiasts are sure to have a blast at the legendary World Cup party events.
Thanks to the enlargement of the windsurfing and kite- zones, there will be no impairment throughout the event – neither for René Egli customers nor for privates.
www.rene-egli.com
CENTRES DIRECTORY
Flag Beach
Corralejo, Fuerteventura, Canary Islands
Season: All Year Round. Best time March-Nov.
Why Go?: Corralejo offers something for everyone
Wind Factor: The windiest season is the summer when a big high pressure stays over the Atlantic and a low over the Sahara.
Riding on offer: Corralejo offer good cross-shore (from the left) conditions from March/April through to Aug/Sept. Winter sees waves and summer more freeride conditions. Although Flag Beach suits intermediates/advanced, just 20 minutes drive away at El Cotillo theres an ideal lagoon for beginners.
Flight Factor: A 4 hour flight from mainland Europe
Where to Stay: A Variety of options available in Corralejo.
Tuition and Equipment: The Flag Beach Centre has a team of excellent multilingual, fully VDWS-qualified watersports instructors that offer a wide range of tuition, from beginner to advance. Equipment from Fanatic boards and North Sails.
Flat Day Fun: Fuerteventura offers a wide range of activities for non-windsurfers as it’s a major holiday destination.
Contact: www.flagbeach.com
Rene Egli
Sotavento, Fuerteventura, Canary Islands
Season: All year round.
Why Go?: The Rene Egli centre is located in the south of the island on one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe.
Riding on offer: Beginners can practice in the sheltered, tidal lagoon, which is easy to reach with the René Egli lagoon shuttle. They can also surf on the open sea with plenty of space for intermediate and advanced riders.
Flight Factor: A 4 hour flight-time to the Fuerteventura airport. The centres are 45 minutes away.
Where to Stay: The 4 Star Hotel Meliã Gorriones invites its guests to unheard-of garden and pool scenery and offers first-class SPA areas for relaxing. Two excellent restaurants and an in-house pub is the perfect place to end the action-filled surfing day.
Tuition and Equipment: The rental package includes the latest equipment from our partners JP, Starboard and NeilPryde. Our licensed instructors always respond to the individuals needs to guarantee fun and progress for anyone.
Flat Day Fun: The use of Stand Up Paddling Boards is included free of charge. New this season, we offer beach sailing on the dry lagoon.
Contact: www.rene-egli.com
Tenerife Windsurf Solution (TWS)
Tenerife, Canary Islands
Season: All year round, more then 65% planing winds. Windiest months are June-September.
Why Go?: The small town has a very nice atmosphere and is not spoiled by mass tourism.
Wind Factor: Tradewind varies from 15 till 50 knots delivers more then 250 days of windsurfing each year.
Riding on offer: Mainly three spots;
South Bay: bump and jump, freeriding and slalom racing.
Harbour Wall: wave riding of all levels
El Cabezo: PWA waveriding spot, good for jumping.
Flight Factor: Just a 4 hours flight from the UK
Where to Stay: Various options for staying; from hostels, apartments to hotels. TWS offers a service for selecting a good place to stay.
Tuition and Equipment: The Tenerife Windsurf Solution offers more the 8 board- and 7 sailbrands suited for al winds. Lessons and clinics offered with top level pwa-riders.
Flat Day Fun: Mountain- and roadbiking, SUP, wavesurfing, Island tours and many more.
Contact: www.tws-windsurf.com
SPORTIF DIRECTORY
Sportif Canary Island Holidays // UK Tour Operator, Sportif Travel, offer over 50 worldwide windsurfing holiday locations including 4 Canary Islands Resorts and 11 Mediterranean resorts.
Gran Canaria Bahia Feliz
Season: Bahia Feliz year round. Pozo, Vargars and Arinaga for waves May-October.
Why Go: Bahia Feliz is a self contained resort, ideal for Learn to windsurf or mixed ability groups plus SUP with windsurf centre on the spot.
Wind Factor: Sideshore from the left (NE trade winds & thermals). Often blasting at Pozo.
Riding on Offer: with flat water bay, shallow area, side shore wind and waves further out. High wind/wave excusions to Pozo & other spolts for advanced wave sailors 25km north.
Flight Factor: Choice of 3 flights a week from regional UK airports. Duration 4 hours.
Where to Stay: Choice of self catering apartments & 3* Hotel with shared facilities.
Tuition & Equipment: Beginner, Intermediate, Advance & expert group or private lessons. Latest 2013/14 Fanatic Boards and North rigs including junior equipment.
Flat Day Fun: video clinic, volley ball, boogie boards, wave kayaks , mountain biking, SUP, surf boards, centre welcome drinks & excursions.
Lanzarote Costa Teguise
Season: Year Round.
Why Go: Buzzy, lively resort with sandy beach and many bars & restaurants in walking distance. Picturesque, volcanic island with lots to see and do.
Wind Factor: Cross/Cross offshore from the left (NE trade winds)
Riding on Offer: Sheltered training area for 100m ideal for beginners. Further out flat water, swell and waves ideal for freestyle. Swell/Waves from 0.5-3m with easy wave sailing.
Flight Factor: 4 flights per week from regional UK airports. Duration 4.5 hours.
Where to Stay: Choice of SC apartments & 3/4/5* Hotels 5-10 minutes walk to the beach.
Tuition & Equipment: Beginner, Intermediate, Advance & expert group or private lessons. Latest 2013/14 Fanatic Boards and North rigs including junior kit. Free use of surf boards & kayaks in bay.
Clinics: Fanatic Windsurf Clinics 4-9 June 2014 (Carve & Ride), 11-16 June 2014 (Jump & Freestyle), 11-26 June 2014 (All In One).
Flat Day Fun: Surfing and mountain biking courses and excursions, SUP with beach bar at the centre.
Fuerteventura Sotavento
Season: Year Round.
Why Go: Long, sandy beaches with huge, shallow water lagoons at high tide, choice of budget to luxury hotels and centres on the spot. World Cup destinations suitable for all levels.
Wind Factor: Cross/Cross offshore from the left (NE Trade) with unique double venturi creates exceptional winds.
Riding on Offer: Tidal lagoons offer perfect conditions for leaning and progressing right on the beach next to the centres. Choice of sailing areas with zones for swimmers, windsurfers and kitesurfers.
Flight Factor: Twice weekly from regional UK airports. Duration 4 hours.
Where to Stay: Choice of SC apartments & 3/4/5* Hotels 5-10 minutes walk to the beach centres.
Tuition & Equipment: Beginner, Intermediate, Advance & expert group or private lessons. Latest 2013/14 Fanatic Boards and North rigs including junior kit. Kids lessons (under 11 & teens).
Clinics: Simon Bornhoft Windwise week 5-12 July for intermediates +.
Flat Day Fun: Beach sailing, scuba diving, SUP, golf, tennis, squash, cycling, exploring local beaches & historic towns.
Tenerife El Medano
Season: Year Round.
Why Go: Wide, sandy bay with exceptional conditions for experienced windsurfers with centre offering the latest board for testing.
Wind Factor: Mainly thermals and trades, cross onshore from left.
Riding on Offer: Sandy beach, slowly shelves into deep water with white water to 50m. Moderate shore break at spring tide. Swell and waves from 0.8m to 2m with wind chop.
Flight Factor: 5 flights per week from regional UK airports. Duration 4 hours.
Where to Stay: Choice of SC apartments & 3/4/5* Hotels 5-10 minutes walk to the beach centres.
Tuition & Equipment: Tuition for all levels. Latest test equipment from leading manufacturers including Severn, Severne, Fanatic, F2, Starboard, Tabou, Nove Nove, RRD, Quatro, Goya, JP, NeilPryde, Ezzy, Gaastra, North Sails. Every sail is rigged with the recommended carbon mast and AL360 full carbon booms. Test and rate different boards on the Centres own database.
Flat Day Fun: Surfing and SUP, road and mountain bikes, movie nights and dinners.
Contact
Sportif offer accommodation, flights, transfers & sports packages including pre-booked rental and instruction all ATOL guaranteed. Discounts for groups available.
Contact Details: www.sportif.travel // Tel: +44 (0)1273 844919 email: [email protected]
