Boards Windsurfing » fuerteventura Windsurfing

Steve Gibson Winter Sessions

Amy Carter - Editor — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 14:54:37 +0000

Steve Gibson takes to the water in Fuerteventura and it looks like they’ve been having some pretty good conditions this winter. Both tacks, big waves and plenty of jumping, this video has it all.

Video: Lucy Robson Fuerte Winter Training

Amy Carter - Editor — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 09:43:29 +0000

Lucy Robson, one of the top competitors on the BWA tour, has now settled into live in Fuerte and as you can seen from this short video has been making the most of the conditions. We wonder where we will see Lucy competing this year? Will she come back for the BWA, or set her sights on the PWA?

Lucy Robson January 2013 training Fuerteventura from Lucy Robson on Vimeo.

Video: 1 Minute At Punta

co.editor — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 09:15:40 +0000

It may be slightly messy, but it’s definitely warm and windy out in Fuerte at the moment – as this short vid from Stephen Gibson highlights.

Puravida/Gibson Coaching – Fuerte 2013

co.editor — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 15:15:29 +0000

Jim from Puravida has been in touch with an update regarding the Gibson Coaching Dates in 2013.

With the end of 2012 in sight it’s time to book your flights and get a good deal if you can make the 2013 Easter Clinic with Stephen Gibson.

As well as the usual thrills, fellow North/Fanatic/Puravida Teamrider Lucy Robson will be helping to organise things before the week and on the island once you get there. And will be on hand to help with coaching, especially if any ladies would like some one-on-one time with an experienced UK competitor.

Lucy will be picking up my role on the organising side as myself and Tanya are taking a few weeks away this year with Sonny a little further afield in Maui – a trip I’ve been trying to make for quite a few years. Later in the season we’ll be back in Fuerte though, and if anyone fancies a Christmas/New Years getaway we will all be there and Gibson is on hand for a few days coaching too.

Please look out for more news and information from Lucy, and do give her a shout with any questions. If you use Facebook, it’s useful to join the group below for updates/videos/images leading up to the clinic.

http://www.facebook.com/groups/214075415328998/

The dates for 2013 Easter Clinic are 23rd to 30th march! Book your flights now…..reseve those dates!

I do hope you can make the trip, and look forward to getting to Fuerte myself over the new year, and please pass on the contact details of anyone else that might be keen to go!

Cheers, Jim

jim@puravidaboardriders.co.uk

For more info on Gibbo then check his blog here

Gibbo In Action

Ian Ross Fuerte ‘Training’

Amy Carter - Editor — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 10:07:16 +0000

Or should that be the Ross and Gibson comedy show???

BWA Judge, and top amateur competitor, Ian Ross has recently taken a break from a hectic work schedule to get in some training in Fuerteventura. With Stephen Gibson showing him the way, Ross looks like he could be unstoppable in Tiree and Gwithian, if he’s allowed out of the judging truck that is!

Check out more Fuerte training on our sister site Boardseeker, this time it’s Lucy Robson who joins Stephen to tune up for the future competitions.

Chucky´s “training camp”, Fuerte 2012. from Stephen Gibson on Vimeo.

Top News This Week plus Juice Demo

co.editor — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 14:23:25 +0000

The biggest story this week is the Olympics and the fact that our two competitors, Nick Dempsey and Bryony Shaw, are getting set to take to the stage in the biggest event of their lives to date.

See how things pan out next week with our onsite live commentary from Boards’ very own roving reporter/Editor – Amy Carter.

Elsewhere the return of the popular Walvis Bay Speed Week was confirmed, as was the 2012 La Reunion Wave Classic.

Both of these competitions should see a high level of action so stay tuned to Boards and Boardseeker to see how things pan out.

The conclusion of the PWA Fueretevnetura Slalom saw Finian Maynard take the top podium spot with Ben Van Der Steen in second and Antoine Albeau down in third. Check out what AA had to say here and the PWA’s round-up here

Don’t forget there is a new Boardseeker vid for your viewing pleasure which features some hot Tenerife action and speaking of this particular Canary Island – the Test Team are currently putting a bunch of wave kit through it’s paces out on ‘the rock’.

Keep your eyes peeled for the test later on in the year.

For now though, we will leave you with the news that the guys from Juice Watersports are heading to Grimwith Reservoir with a van laden with kit for your demoing pleasure. If you’re in the area then go and check out all the windsurf and SUP toys they have for you to play with.

Whatever you’re doing this weekend – have a good one and pray for wind!

Juice Demo Van

AA Reflects

co.editor — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 07:33:58 +0000

Former World Slalom Champion Antoine Albeau reflects on the last day of competition in Fuerteventura.

“A long day of nerves. The wind came and disappeared again! So bit sad for my result but it is all my fault. I had really good speed here, my sails and boards were working well but I managed to do 2 big mistakes that break my ranking and make me lose the overall ranking as well.

I am still in Fuerte for some test and then I might go to Weymouth to watch the Olympics.

I will train a lot harder for the event in Turkey so see you there…”

For the full slalom report, check out the Sean O’Brien column here

Antoine Albeau Power Gybe

Video: Freestyle VS. Waves with Stephen Gibson

editor — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 17:19:03 +0000

Stephen Gibson catching some waves at Majanicho…but what’s under his feet?

This GoPro footage was shot in January on Fuerteventura and shows Brit ex-pat Stephen Gibson enjoying a good wave session at Majanicho. However, due to light winds, Stephen opted for his 100 litre Skate freestyle board over the latest quad, twin, single fin or thruster waveboard and it certainly doesn’t seem to hold him back.

What do you think – could this be a future option for light wind wave sailing?

Video – Stephen Gibson in Fuerte

editor — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 09:42:59 +0000

Pura Vida team rider and Fuerte ‘local’ Stephen Gibson has been enjoying some winter waves on Fuerteventura…

“It’s been freezing over here this past month (down to 17 deg!!!), but I have been braving the elements and have in fact just put together a bit of video from a couple of days earlier this month on the North Shore…”

Despite the ‘severe’ cold, Stephen is still ripping and enjoying the wave conditions in the Canaries – check him out below.

The North, Fuerteventura

Letitia Hristodorescu — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 09:06:08 +0000

Fuerteventura translates as “Strong Winds” and is the closest you can get to the conditions of Maui on a cheap charter flight. The north of the island has less wind than the south, but picks up a swell with some great surfing and windsurfing to be had. There is a very high local standard of windsurfing so you won’t be alone on a mast-and-a-half day, nor will you be short of inspiration when it comes to freestyle. However, on our trip we saw all levels and certainly progressed ourselves.

Fact File

Windy Season	All year round but more wind in summer, more swell in winter.
Average Wind Speed	15-25Knots
Flight Time (From UK)	4 hours

How To Get There

Europeans love their two week package to the Canaries and consequently there are dozens of charter companies offering flights from national and regional airports. We travelled from Birmingham with MyTravel Airways. Our flights cost £150 each and we booked about 2 weeks in advance. However beware, they don’t have a clear cut policy on windsurfing kit and initially tried to charge us £150 each. In the end we paid £30 each a double board bag and a quiver bag and explained that one bag was the boards and the other the sails. Make sure each bag weighs UNDER 32kg. (This is very important!)

Possible Flight Companies:

Note: Do check the policy of the airline on windsurfing kit before buying your ticket.

PACKAGE DEALS

Sportif have been sending clients to Sotavento for 23 years! They currently send 25 sailors every week. Their prices start from £477 staying at the 4 star Sol Gorriones for 7 nights, half board, flights AND car hire as there is no transfer available from the airport www.sportif.travel Tel. 01273 844919

CAR HIRE

You will need a car. The cheapest way is to book is online before you get there.www.holidayautos.co.uk is a cheap company with cars available from £99 for the week. We rented a car without a roof-rack. It was a VW Polo and the roof held the weight of 4 boards and 2 quiver bags for the week without denting the roof at all. But to be on the safer side we found that you can get a roof rack with these companies: www.cicar.com Tel. + (34) 928511126

www.flagbeach.com (They can also act as your holiday agent and organize everything for you other than flights, but we are not sure how cheap it would work out)

You will load/unload the car many times, and will have to commit the whole afternoon to going windsurfing in order to get the best conditions. But with the effort comes the reward of absolutely amazing conditions.

How The Wind Works

The trade wind blows from the north or north-east. It is most reliable from in June/July but is predominant from May till late August.

The wind normally kicks in at lunchtime, but there is sometimes stronger wind as late as 8pm. The wind splits in its route around Fuerte. This means that there are two different wind directions at the east and west sides of the island. If the wind is dropping on the east side of the island, it’s probably due to a stronger wind on the west side so get that kit in the car and off you go! The wind does ‘switch off’ come September and the autumn months are great for swell but not so for wind; however, it can get good. Best to go for a couple of weeks to guarantee some sailing. February has been known to be windy every day. Simply said, you chance it in the winter and autumn with wind.

The Sailing Spots

Flag Beach

How to get there?				Head south for 3km from Corralejo towards the airport. You will see the Flag Beach Centre just before two large hotels on the left. Parking is on the side of the road. You must walk to the beach.

Beach faces:				East

Best wind direction:				North/North-west

Worst wind direction:				Easterly as this gives choppy bump and jump and onshore waves.

Tide:				Fair tidal range, but sailable at all states of the tide.High to mid tide is best.

What’s on the bottom?:				Sand with occasional rocks

Any hazards:				Parking in the sand on the side of the road and getting run over.

Other water users:				Kite surfers, some swimmers.

Suitability/levels:				All levels.If easterly it’s lumpy and hard to learn, but very safe.Very good jumping if northerly (cross-shore from the left).

Wipeout factor:				3/10. A reef 400 yards off the beach at high tide reduces the shore break and rescue cover is available.

Glass Beach

How to get there?				Continue past Flag beach until the road runs parallel to the beach about 150m from the water. There are two beach shacks and car parking on the left.

Beach faces:				East/South-east

Best wind direction:				Northerly

Worst wind direction:				Easterly

Tide:				High tide is much easier for launching but it works at all states.

What’s on the bottom?:				Sand on the beach, but the waves break over sharp rock.

Any hazards:				The possibility of wind dropping at the end of the day makes for a tricky return to the beach.Again, unloading kit on the side of a main road.

Other water users:				Surfers.

Suitability/levels:				Intermediates to Advanced.

Wipeout factor:				8/10. The average waves on the reef are boom-to-logo high and break onto sharp rock. The rip will eventually take you off the rocks into the deep channel but no chances your kit will survive intact. The beach break is no problem.

Punta de Blanca

How to get there?				At main roundabout outside Corralejo, follow signs to the Harbour. On your left there is a hotel and a bus depot. Turn left onto a dusty track where the trucks and buses are parked. Follow the track along the coast. The ocean is always in sight and the track gets progressively worse. Continue until you see windsurfers parked up. On your first day ensure someone else is there by arriving around 3pm .

Beach faces:				North-west

Best wind direction:				North-east, starboard tack

Worst wind direction:				North/North-westerly (onshore)

Tide:				High tide means launching from a sandy beach with no beach break.Mid tide has the biggest waves.Low Tide means launching off a rocky outcrop which is very sharp but there are no waves as the deep channel runs along a rocky outcrop. Wetsuit shoes are advisable!(Watch the locals launch first or ask for advice as everyone is v. friendly.)

What’s on the bottom?:				Rocks

Any hazards:				Stay well clear of rocks on the far side of the bay as the waves break hard here.

Other water users:				Quite a secluded beach making for an uncrowded break except at the weekend.

Suitability/levels:				Advanced

Wipeout factor:				8/10. This spot picks up the most swell on the island. Pick your days carefully if you’re not an expert wave sailor.

El Cotillo

How to get there?				Drive to El Cotillo, stay on the straight road as you drive in passing the British Supermarket on the left. Turn left after the supermarket and you will come to a view point and old fortress. From here you have to navigate your way on the best used dirt tracks along the top of the cliff until you are further down the beach. You can either rig up on the cliff or the beach, but carrying it complete can be tricky in the wind.

Beach faces:				West

Best wind direction:				North-east, 5m weather should give you head high waves

Worst wind direction:				Easterly

Tide:				High tide produces less of a shore dump.

What’s on the bottom?:				Mainly sand.

Any hazards:				The shore dump. This can be very hazardous if the waves are big. You will have time for a bottom turn and aerial before hitting the sand.

Other water users:				Too many windsurfers. This place can get very crowded due to ease of access.

Suitability/levels:				Intermediates to Advanced. Also good for photos.

Wipeout factor:				2/10 to 9/10 depending on the shore-break! Either very close in riding and beachstart jumping, or excellent slalom, bump and jump conditions further out.

Water State

In the summer months most of the swell is trade-wind driven. Thus, after a week of no wind, the waves are smaller. The average wave size produced by the trade winds is boom-to-logo high. During the winter the swell is almost always driven by Atlantic storms, so you only need to look for a low pressure system to ensure you will have wind. A good option is to phone up Witchcraft Boards, based on the island and ask what the conditions are going to be. Tel. + (34) 660382646 or email:info@witchcraft.nu.

Instruction And Kit Hire

The only place we found to get instruction and rent decent kit once you’re out there iswww.flagbeach.com (which is literally on the beach!). They stock North Sails and Fanatic Boards from 3.3m to 7.8m. Prices: 45 euro a day, 185 euro a week. They do allow you to take their kit to other beaches if you have the means to do it but they wouldn’t provide sail/board bags for the kit, straps or roof pads which we found a bit strange.

Instruction:

3 day Beginner Course (12hours): 120 euro
2 day Improver Course (8hours): 90 euro

Advanced Courses are 30 euro per hour and can cover anything you want from vulcans to spocks to looping. Coaches include local Pros Will Ward and Steve Gibson.

Accommodation

We stayed at a hostel; it was cheap and basic, but did the job. The hostel atmosphere gave us instant local knowledge of the local spots and lots of folk to go partying with who all speak English.

Here are some options:

Sol y mar Hostal: Contact www.flagbeach.com. Costs 15 euro/night including breakfast.

Ineika surf Hostal: Another surfing hostel in Corralejo.

Corralejo Hotel: In front of Corky’s bar and frequented by the Pros during July.

Go to www.fuerteventura.com which provides details of all of the above + many more apartments and villas on the island.

Also try www.corkysbar.com for accommodation info.

PrimaSol Self-catering apartments and hotel .

www.primasol.com or email las.res@itc-spain.com

Talk to Angela Saffino for a deal if staying for more than a week. A two person apartment, self-catering costs 40 euro per night. A four person apartment, self catering costs 60 euro/night. This is based on prices for June and will increase slightly for July/August. Rate for a two person apartment for the month of June is 500 euro so definitely ask for a deal by email. The apartments are really nice and the location is good, if a bit far from the town. Tel. + (34) 928535097

Food

EATING OUT

Thai Salsa is on the Harbour Front, next to a crap restaurant called Sotavento. The Thai restaurant plays quiet dance/trance music which is quite amusing. The service is very good and in typical Thai style, they are very polite. The portions were large and tasted good. Prices were as low as 8 euros per meal, so if you could eat without buying a drink then it worked out at about £5 each.

Gibson’s Restaurant and Bar is run by Steve and his wife. They produce some amazing food for a good price, with portions big enough to fill the hungriest windsurfer after a long days sailing. The menu has some very English dishes, e.g. lasagne, cottage pie etc. We decided on “turf and surf”(scampi and steak). It cost 12 euros and was absolutely massive and a mission to finish. Meals here are slightly more expensive but are of a much higher quality. The restaurant is situated further up the high street, away from the harbour and up a side street on the right.

Paneho Villa Mexican Restaurant is a little more out of town near Sol y Mar hostel. It has really nice food at a very reasonable price. It is found on the road, “Calle Pizariez.”

During our stay we found that most of the restaurants on the Harbour were overpriced and did not have the greatest portion sizes. The best restaurants were more tucked away down side streets or further up the high street. The three restaurants above were the most reasonably priced and had the best portion sizes for a hungry windsurfer.

EATING IN

All the hostels have good self-catering kitchens.

Supermarkets: We used the HyperDino in Corralejo at the Harbour end of town. This seemed to be very reasonable priced. There is also a British Foods Supermarket on the way in to El Cotillo, which sells fruit squash and other British essentials. This is more expensive.

Nightlife

Corralejo has plenty of nightlife action but you must remember nothing starts happening until late!

Corky’s Bar (closes 2.30am): This is a true windsurfer’s bar with the latest DVD’s being played, a forecast on the wall and plenty of pool tables. Corky is always around and he will always know where the best break will be for the following day.www.corkysbar.com

Kiwi Bar (closes 2.30am): Found in the same complex as Corky’s. Loaded with hot South American girls who just love English windsurfers. (At least this was the case when we were there!) This is a much quieter bar than Corky’s.

Mafasca Club (kick out 6am if you’re man enough!!!): After Corky’s the best place to go is straight upstairs to The Mafasca Club which doesn’t really get going until 3 or 4am . There is another club but it’s very expensive and has a lot of attitude which I would avoid.

Local beer: 3.50 euro/pint. You can also get most English beers.

Check out Corky’s for some wicked cocktails that will get you nailed.

Bored Of Windsurfing

1. Vulcano Biking: Tel: 928 535706. Trek Mountain Bikes from 6 euro/day to 12 euro/day for a full suspension. You can also hire Inline Skates at 3 euro/day. This is located in the Corralejo town centre.

2. Dolphin Safari: A guided safari on a 40ft yacht to Lobos Island marine national park. Snorkel and swim in the famous waters. Buffet provided on board with unlimited wine beer and soft drinks.

3. British Dive School: www.abyssdivers.com, 1:1 ratio in training, 1:2 during dive

Two dives all included costs 60 euro. Open water padi course costs 335 euro. They also run snorkel dolphin trips and game fishing trips. Tel. 928537297 Mobile : 661731414. Padi Dive school with English instructors. Tel. 686725327, Mobile : 928863207

4. JEEP Safari day excursion, including lunch. Adult 48 euro, child 42 euro. Tel: 928771740, Mobile : 696083598

5. Quad adventure: Runs every day at 10am for a 4.5hrs, 42miles trip and at 4pm for a 2.5hrs, 30miles trip. Sundays only: full day special tour including 75 miles on untouched territory. Tel: 928866552 Mobile : 660099694 or 637239229

6. Ferry to Lanzarote for the day. Corralejo to Puerto del Carmen 10:15 16:45. Puerto del Carmen TO Corralejo 08:45 15:15. Boarding 15 mins before departure. Trip takes one hour. Booking Tel: 928516113, Mobile : 629731293

7. Helicopter tour of island: 50mins trip costs 266 euro per person. 30mins trip costs 166 euro per person. Tel. 676701693

Hot Tips

OFF THE WATER:

Take lots of food/snacks with you and plenty of water when you go to the beach.

Be prepared to wait for the wind and take rests in between sessions so that you can sail for 4 hours plus per day. It is too slow to drive back to Corralejo on the North road and not great for the car either, so stay all day.

If you need to get online while you’re away there is a really cheap quick internet café on the high street (see pic) that also do really good ice creams.

Do watch out at Glass & Flag with parking in the sand by the roadside. Cars get stuck every day. The road is also very dangerous with fast traffic so be careful!

ON THE WATER:

If there are no windsurfers at the beach, you’re at the wrong one. Wait with the guys who know what is going on. DO NOT drive around from beach to beach all day. Corky’s Bar provides quality info and forecasts on the best spots and is happy to advise so best to pop in the night before for a quiet one!

If the trade wind is north-easterly, the wind splits around the island producing an onshore easterly at Flag Beach, but a north-easterly at Punta and a northerly at El Cotillo.

If there is no wind or an easterly at Flag, then go to Punta or El Cotillo. Cotillo seemed to have 5+knots more than Punta when both were working.

The North-east trade wind blows all summer but sometimes not strong enough in the north so head down south to Sotavento to mix it with the slalom boys! See Sotavento Travel Feature.

Conclusion

This venue has a huge amount to offer all year around but the wind is more consistent in the summer. However if you’re a surfer as well, an autumn or even Christmas break is better than the cold seas around Northern Europe. It is a great place to learn new moves due to the reliability of conditions and has just the right range of windsurfers to help you progress.

Tourist

Name: Oli Woodcock
Local beach in UK: Avon Beach, Christchurch .
How many years sailing: 11years
Last windsurf move you cracked: Loop and Vulcan.
What you’re working on now: Back Loop and Spock.
Other: RYA National Junior Squad Coach.
Sponsors: www.spotonwater.com, www.604distribution.com, North Sails and Mistral Boards.

Name: Hugh Sims Williams
Local beach in UK: Weston-Super-Mare, Bristol.
How many years sailing: 11years.
Last windsurf move you nailed: Loop
What you’re working on now: Flat water loops, vulcans.
Other: 1st National Formula fleet (<11m), 2005
Sponsors: www.windsurfersworld.com, www.star-board.com,www.tushingham.com, O’Neill wetsuits.

Sotavento, Fuerteventura

Letitia Hristodorescu — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:23:31 +0000

Home to the PWA World Cup, Sotavento is a resort known for its wind! It can howl during the summer months guaranteeing hours and hours of blasting for the huge number of European windsurfers that go there. It can be gusty and is certainly choppy but the wind stats bring people back year after year.

Fact File

Windy Season	All year round
Average Wind Speed	15-35 Knots
Flight Time (From UK)	4 hours

How To Get There

Fly

Dial a Flight have great flight only deals. This summer (2004) you could fly from Gatwick to Fuerteventura with British Airways for £100. They also do charter flight bookings. www.dialaflight.comTel. 0870 333 4488

Monarch Airways also go to Fuerteventura and charge £60 per windsurfer. Flights cost between £150 and £250 depending on the time of year.

www.flymonarch.com

Tel. 0870 458 2861

Car & Ferry

If you want to drive then you can travel from Portsmouth to Bilbao every Tues and Sat with P&O Ferries. The journey takes 32hrs. Tel. 08705 20 20 20

Then drive across Spain to Cadiz to get the 48hr ferry to Gran Canaria which in a van costs around £600. Then get an inter island ferry to Morro Jable on Fuerteventura which is only 20mins from Sotavento by car! If we haven’t put you off then check out

www.trasmediterranea.es for ferry details.

Transfer from airport

Quite surprisingly, the hotels or centres don’t pick up guests from the airport for the hour and a half journey to Sotavento. However there are plenty of airport taxis or you can rent a car which you will need during the week if you are staying anywhere but the Sol Gorriones Hotel.

Car rental

We booked an economy car at £99 for the week plus insurance through www.holidayautos.co.ukwhich is part of the Lastminute.com group. They assigned us a car from Hertz which we picked up at the airport.

Tip: if you are travelling with windsurf kit, don’t tell them and don’t load the kit on the car in view of the car hire desk. They don’t like windsurf kit on the roof and have been known to refuse to rent you the car. Also don’t order roof racks as this makes them suspicion! The Sportif package includes car rental.

PACKAGE DEALS

www.sportif.travel

Email: info@sportif.travel

Tel: 01273 844919

Planet Windsurf also go to the 4 star Sol Gorriones right on the beach. 2004 prices start from £415 for 7 nights including flights and half board. www.planetwindsurf.com Tel. 0870 749 1959

How The Wind Works

he island of Fuerteventura has a prevailing NE trade wind which is more consistent in the summer. This NE wind blows over the land between two mountain peaks at the narrowest part of the island. As it does this the wind backs giving a very localised, cross offshore breeze at Sotavento. Coupled with a sea breeze as the day heats up, the resort is consistently windy with most of July and August spent on a 4m or less.

But the wind is always cross off shore and therefore will ALWAYS be gusty.

Outside of summer the wind can also blow from the east and south which is generally onshore and is not as reliable.

The Sailing Spots

THE BEACH

Beach face: east
Best wind direction: north east
Worst wind direction: west
Tide: not a lot and it doesn’t affect the windsurfing area
What’s on the bottom?: sand
Any hazards: other windsurfers. It can get busy but head upwind and the bay will be all yours.
Other water users: kitesurfers have their own area downwind of the windsurfers

SUITABILITY/LEVELS

Beginners and maybe even intermediates should go to the Pro Centre II with the flat water lagoon that is tide dependant. Those getting into the footstraps and learning to waterstart will struggle in the choppy and gusty conditions at Pro Centre I. For those beyond the carve gybe, it depends what you are working on.

For blasting/speed, sail downwind from the Pro Centre I but watch out for the kitesurfers.

For aerial freestyle, go upwind of Pro Centre I where it is quieter and look for the small, flattish patches closer to the shore to pop the board out.

For non-aerial freestyle (monkey gybes, 360’s etc) go some where else!! It is not the place to learn carving tricks.

For wave sailing go to Pro Centre II where shoulder to head high waves can break on the sand bar. But if you want proper wave riding, head north.

WIPEOUT FACTOR

Your only issue is if you break your kit and slowly drift offshore back to Spain. But rescue cover and look outs are maintained throughout the day. Even if you’re not using the Rene Egli Centre, their rescue services will help you out. Just buy them a beer once you’re shore side!

Water State

You can get a real mixture at Sotavento even in one summer week. You can get up to head high waves from random Atlantic swell or if it’s been strong NE winds for a few days. Most of the time it is described as flat but this is rubbish!! It is choppy and during our week it was awful death chop, making gybing a bouncy experience with the only “flat” water a few feet from the shore line. However, during our week we had a lot of north in the wind, which made it more gusty and offshore.

Down the road at the Pro Center Rene-Egli II, there is a proper flat water lagoon but it is mainly used by beginners.

Outside of summer, the NE trade wind is less consistent although you can get a good week. You also get onshore winds producing “home from home” chop and mush conditions, but at least it will be warmer than the UK.

Sea Temp

We went in June and you can sail in just your swimwear. But if it’s 4.5m weather and less it can get a bit chilly in a bikini. In the summer take a shortie, and at all other times take a 3mm/2mm summer suit.

Instruction And Kit Hire

Firstly, let’s make one thing clear. Sotavento is the Rene Egli Centre and the Rene Egli centre is Sotavento. There is no other alternative to hiring kit or getting a lesson and knowing the politics in the Canaries, there never will be!

He has two centres: Pro Centre I and Pro Centre II, five minutes drive apart.

If you are a beginner then go to Pro Centre II with its shallow lagoon. Carve gybers and beyond tend to sail at Pro Centre I. You can sail and reserve a board at both. I don’t think they will take your own kit in the shuttle bus so unless you have transport you are stuck at one. Don’t even think about sailing down as you will never get back.

Kit Hire

Rene Egli Centre stocks JP boards (full range), F2 boards (Eliminators, Styles, Stokes, SX110 Slalom boards and Power Glides) and Neilpryde sails (3.3m to 7.9m Cores, Zones, Search, Jets and Sabers).

Daily rental: 60 euro for F2/Neilpryde kit, 67 euro for JP/Neilpryde kit

They will also hire you a wetsuit and harness for the day at 20 euro.

Just turn up at the centre on the beach.

6 days rental (pre booked): £160 for F2/Neilpryde £180 for JP/Neilpryde
14 days rental (pre booked): £259 for F2/Neilpryde £305 for JP/Neilpryde

On all of the above, you choose a board and that becomes yours for the hire period BUT you can change it or try other boards if they are available. You help yourself to whatever sails you require from the rig pool. No one was short of a sail when we were there.

Note: you can’t take the kit away from the centre for a quick wave sail up north.

Bringing your own kit

The Centre charges for storage of personal kit but this includes use of all their facilities like showers, toilets and rescue boats!

7 day storage: 59 euro 14 day storage: 105 euro

Instruction

This can be pre booked, or for a one off lesson you can book once you are there.

10hrs Beginner Package over 7 days (pre booked): £119
6 hrs Refresher course (waterstart, footstraps etc, pre booked): £95
Individual 1 hour lesson booked when you get there: 51 euro

For all of the above contact Rene Egli centre direct: info@rene-egli.com Tel . 0034 9 28 54 74 83 (They speak good English)

Or book through Sportif (01273 844919) or Planet Windsurf (0870 749 1959)

Accommodation

For swanky accommodation then stay on the beach at the Sol Gorriones near Pro Centre I. All other accommodation is in Costa Calma, a fine German resort 2 mins drive away with plenty of hotels and apartments for rent.

Sol Gorriones 2004 hotelprices for guests using the Rene Egli Centre and booking directly with the hotel:

12th April to 12th July: 37 euro + 5% local tax (per person per night plus breakfast)
13th July to 9 th Dec: 45 euro + 5% local tax

sol.gorriones@solmelia.com Tel. 0034 928 547025

Or book through Sportif or Planet Windsurf (prices above in Package Deals section)

Apartments in Costa Calma: Sergio Becker is an English speaking local who seems to know everybody and everything that’s going on in Costa Calma. He has some apartments to rent but if they are full or you want a hotel, he will help you out.

His apartments sleep 4/5 and cost 30 euro a night for the whole place. He can also arrange car hire for 25 euro per day.

roby77@mixmail.com Tel. 0034 655 474494

Top Tip: you can get good discounts if you say you are a World Cup sailor training for the PWA event in July. It may not work in every hotel but give it a go!

Costa Calma accommodation websites

Food

If you like German cuisine you’re in for a treat as Costa Calma is more German then Spanish. Lots of cheap cafes and restaurants in the town and the supermarkets are small but well stocked. There are also McDonalds and Burger King’s but obviously as healthy, fit windsurfers you won’t be eating in those establishments!

Nightlife

Costa Calma is a lot quieter than the resort of Corralejo in the north but it still has plenty of cheesy nightclubs playing the latest in German pop music. The Sol Gorriones Hotel has its own nightclub which apparently gets quite busy.

Bored Of Windsurfing

If you don’t have a car then it’s sunbathing and massages on the beach (sounds perfect!). If you do have a car then after buying some tacky souvenirs in Costa Calma you will become bored with the town and want to explore elsewhere.

Here are a few ideas:

Visit the famous British resort of Corralejo with its tacky shops and British pubs.
On the way you can have a look at Glass and Flag beach. The journey takes just under 2 hours.
Have a diving lesson: apparently the north coastline has some of the best diving sites in the world. Try Abyss Divers (PADI recognised): 0034 928 537 297
Take a catamaran cruise from Corralejo. Ocean Cat: 0034 928 163 084

Go to Lanzarote! The Fred Olsen Express takes 12mins to travel from Corralejo to Playa Blanca on Lanzarote. www.fredolsen.es

Hot Tips

Off the water:

Early to mid June is a good time to come. The wind is consistent but the centre is not that busy, hence more room on the water. They also won’t have started building the World Cup facilities (see below).

Nadia Pfister does the best après sail massages right on the beach at Pro Centre I. She charges 30 euro for 40mins and they are well worth it after a knee jerking, back wrenching Sotavento sail.

Be ready for naked couples in their 60’s walking hand in hand down the beach. It’s enough to put you off your carve gybe.

On the water:

If the forecast wind is more N than NE than expect a gusty day at Sotavento as the wind is more offshore.

To avoid the crowds, sail upwind where you will have the bay to yourself or wait till after 4pm when everyone else has gone in. The centre stays open till 7pm.

PWA WORLD Cup

The PWA have been coming to Sotavento for 19 years. This year (2004) sees a Freestyle Cup, a Supercross event and a World Speed Championships.

The events in 2004 were held between the 17-25 July with Kitesurfing World Champs straight after from 26th July-8th Aug.

So do you come for a week’s holiday during this time?

Yes, if you want to mingle with the world’s best and party all night. However, the competition is held in the same place that you would sail, so the Centre moves the ‘guest area’ slightly downwind. BUT because of the kitesurfers downwind, you will not have as much space on the water. We suggest you sail at Pro Centre II down the road.

The Sol Gorriones Hotel gets very busy and loud during these times and with thousands of people from all over the Canaries there for the nightly parties and to watch the action, it may not be the relaxing and quiet break you were looking for.

During our stay in late June, they were erecting the massive tent ready for the competition. This was a noisy process and involved large lorries trundling feet away from our sun beds. You have been warned!

Conclusion: Well equipped centre, plenty of accommodation choice, warm, sunny and lots of wind BUT not the easiest place to sail. Awfully choppy and some days were so gusty that it was hard to enjoy yourself on the water. There are better places for flat water sailing, but the wind stats seem to convince people that this is the place to go
Tourist: Name: Chris Audsley, Richard Audsley and Louise Emery
Local beach in UK: Hill Head and West Shore, Llandudno
How many years sailing: 13 yrs & 6yrs
Last windsurf move you cracked: A ponch for Chris, a spock for Richard and a vulcan for Louise.
What you’re working on now: Switch stance grubbies for Chris, normal grubbies for Richard and more vulcans for Louise.

Oscar Carmichael – In Fuerteventura

editor — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 15:19:17 +0000

The young and very talented Oscar Carmichael shows that he has an incredible level of freestyle windsurfing skill at just 15 years old…

Oscar has just moved from RRD to Fanatic/North/Ion. You can check out more on his blog oscarcarmichael.blogspot.com. For now, sit back, relax and enjoy this BlackLab production of the 2011 UK Junior Freestyle Champion.

PuraVida Clinic Preview with Stephen Gibson

editor — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 22:44:37 +0000

PuraVida TV have put together this little preview clip of their 2012 clinic with Stephen Gibson on the Canary Island of Fuerteventura.

Fuerteventura Waves

editor — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 10:57:39 +0000

Watch as Blacklocal/Ezzy sponsored rider, Olivier, enjoys some of Fuerteventura’s finest and cleanest wave spots. As Europe settles in to the colder months, ‘Fuerte’ becomes a playground for wave sailors; with warm air/sea temperatures and big Atlantic swells.

Sam Conroy’s Summer 2011

Duncan — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 14:46:18 +0000

Check out young British freestyler Sam Conroy – UKWA Under-20 Freestyle vice-champion K-117 – in training at home in Hythe, Kent, and away at Sotavento, Fuerteventura. Sponsors: XO Sails, DaKine, Turfdog and Holiday Extras. Edited by Casper Hart. More at www.k-117.co.uk