24 HOURS IN TARIFA!
Nestled on the very southern tip of Europe, strategically positioned between the Mediterranean and Atlantic, Tarifa’s wild coastline is without doubt one of the Meccas of windsurfing. Since the first sailors discovered the crazy winds that funnel both ways down the Gibraltar Straights, Tarifa soon became famous worldwide as word spread about its incredibly consistent conditions. Faced by the first heat wave of the British summer, Timo Mullen was desperately scouring the weather maps for wind and waves anywhere across Europe when he spotted a small window of nuclear Levante winds forecast in Tarifa. A quick check on the internet showed one flight from Bristol to Malaga which would give just enough time to get a windsurfing fix if everything went to plan. In theory, this could be a perfect type of hit and run mission for any wind starved UK sailor. Ever keen to test theories and push the boundaries of science and disaster windsurfing trips at Windsurf towers, we dispatched Cameraman in Chief and senior poorly qualified wind scientist, Dr John Carter, to research the highs and lows of 24 hours in Tarifa !
Words & Photos JOHN CARTER
(This feature originally appeared in the June 2015 issue of Windsurf Magazine. To read more features like this first, Print and Digital subscriptions are available. Prices include delivery globally for 10 x issues a year!)
BRISTOL TO MALAGA