anyone been to the canary islands? any info and advice on which is best island would be great, flat water or waves, combo, thanks
I went to Fuerteventura in 2010 and hit up Flag beach when it was windy, i wouldn't say it was a brilliant place to kite and it was always pretty choppy.
Only had two days out of the week on the water and never ventured anywhere other than flag since i was dragging the mrs with.
The west coast looks awesome but not sure how often it blows in that direction.
Been to Fuerteventura twice. Liked it. Summer time is the time to go catch some steady trade winds (July is better I believe). Flag beach near Corralejo is nice. Can get a bit choppy and you have some rolling blobs of water out in the open and biggish waves can get rolling in downwind of the beach. Safe sandy beach with a bit of a reef in the shallows.
El Cotillo on the west side is another option when east side is not perfect. Deeper water. El Cotillo is a really sleepy village.
The whole north shore of Fuerte is the wave spot but all are sharp volcanic rock so... be careful if you venture out there.
So Fuerte, if you want to kite, your best bet is north - Corralejo, a few shops, few bars and some life, quiet one with a few english bars full of brits. There are spots down south too but... Sotavento is super gusty, choppy, offshore wind and... no fun to be honest. It's your last resort. Maybe when the lagoon gets filled up with water but that really depends on the size of tide.
Lanzarote is another island you could visit. My mates live there and are running a kitesurf/surf/SUP house near (or in) Famara (www.waterman.si). From what I hear, it's a great place to spend some time indulging in what the Ocean and gods of wind have to offer.
I've been to fuerteventura in my youth and August last year. Love the culture, restaurants etc but compared to summer in wa from a wind and swell and beach perspective is miles ahead.
thanks for the info, have been looking at lanzarote at the place you mentioned famara and looks the better spot, not convinced yet of going there as will be coming from tarifa, still lots of planning to do may just hit portugal. thanks for the web site i'll give it a look at, cheers k
I've done the south and west Coast of Portugal on a kiting holiday too and imo a better choice than the canaries.
Enjoy tarifa!
Select to expand quoteDanWilson said..
I've done the south and west Coast of Portugal on a kiting holiday too and imo a better choice than the canaries.
Enjoy tarifa!
I tend to agree.
Try La Graciosa, a tiny island a couple km across from the northern tip of Lanzarote. It funnels the wind between the islands adding a few knots to the seabreeze. Has flat water and waves. Less crowded than the other islands.
I went to Tenerife in the south around August 2010. It blew 35 knots every day for the week. Had to buy a 7M out there as I had only brought my 10M. There are two spots both on the sea. One is offshore so you will need a rescue boat but the schools are there so this is not an issue. The other is in the main bay with shore break and big rollers. Popular with windsurfers. Not the most beautiful spot but wind was consistent and fun if you like that sort of thing.
Tarifa in August is crazy and fun. Unfortunately now lots of kiters and restricted kite spots from mid july to end of August. Usually the best seabreeze time unless a levante blows out from the Med...then it goes crazy 5-7M kites are needed
El Medano is 10 minutes drive from the Airport, but will be busy in August (more crowded than in this video). It should be hot and Trade Windy.
There are plenty of videos - this one shows Kite Beach in the South Bay at the start, then up at El Muelle (Harbour Wall) which gets the cleanest waves and ends with one kite out at Cabezo in the North Bay (which usually is almost a windsurf-only spot) with lots of rocks and heavy onshore waves.
Select to expand quotegokizza said...
thanks for the info, have been looking at lanzarote at the place you mentioned famara and looks the better spot, not convinced yet of going there as will be coming from tarifa, still lots of planning to do may just hit portugal. thanks for the web site i'll give it a look at, cheers k
