[Surfing] [Windsurfing] [Air-sports]

The Canary Islands are known all over the world for having excellent surfing and windsurfing conditions. The trade winds blow a good proportion of the year with strong winds ideal for short board sailing. There are many top class competitions held each year and the world champion Bjorn Dunkerbeck hails from Gran Canaria. Some of the reefs can compare to Hawaii with double mast high days but there are also many flat water spots where tuition is available for beginners. The main areas in Lanzarote are Las Cucharas beach at Costa Teguise where there are many windsurf outlets and schools. Jameos del Agua which is purely for expert sailors where the reef can throw up large waves. Famara is excellent but there are no rescue facilities and with big waves and strong currents is not a place for the inexperienced.

Fuerteventura is a mecca for windsurfing especially around Corralejo and El Cotillo in the north and at Sotovento in the south of the island. Flag beach is the main area in Corralejo where the Flag Beach Windsurf centre is located. The centre has a good range of Fanatic equipment and also offers tuition. El Cotillo on the north west coast is a gear wrecker as are the many classic reef breaks on the north track.

A place not to be missed is Corkies Bar in Corralejo run by a windsurfer for windsurfers. Boards and sails as well as non stop surf vids are the décor. Outside is a black board saying where the best places to surf and sail is going to be. Sotovento is where the yearly speed trials are held but beware the wind is strong offshore. Gran Canaria has many sailing locations with Bahia Felize the most famous due to the World windsurfing competitions. Its not the best place for the average sailor though because of the launch over boulders and the rubbish dump just behind the contest site. Stay in Playa del Ingles or Maspalomas and check out the east coast for various conditions.

Tenerife is famous for El Medano on the south east corner where it is windy most of the year. There are two bays separated by a headland giving different conditions in each. The Fun Factory rents boards and arranges tuition. El Medano is a good place to hang out with several bars and restaurants close by.