7. Windsurfing

7Tenerife No Limits map page 83 Windsurfing

Will it be windy tomorrow? In El Médano, you can enjoy about 300 days of wind a year. The water is warm both in winter and in summer. In this area in the South of the island, sportsmen from all over the world come together. National and international championships are held here. And there is an atmosphere of calm and passion for windsurfing, which makes it completely unique.

When? Where?

You can do windsurfing all year round. Winds are usually easterly and north-easterly.

Depending on how strong the wind is, there are two seasons for windsurfing:

Winter (October - April): from 10 to 25 knots approximately. Summer (May to September): from 15 to 30 knots approximately. The most well-known place in Tenerife for windsurfing is El Médano. It is world-famous due to all of the national, international and world championships held there. Plus, for decades, it has been the meeting point for the top windsurfers from all over Europe.

5 beaches for windsurfing

El Médano It enjoys favourable winds from the East and North-east (side and side-on). It is a sandy beach - ideal for intermediate or advanced. Not suitable for beginners without an instructor. There are windsurfing schools and rental centres nearby, and parking about 100 metres from the windsurfing area.

El Cabezo Favourable winds are from the East and North-east (side and side-on). It is a sandy beach with rocks. Access is complicated. Ideal for advanced windsurfers, it has a wave peak nearby. It is not suitable for beginners. There are windsurfing schools and rental centres nearby, and a car park about 200 metres from the windsurfing area.

La Tejita Favourable winds are from the South-east and South-west (side and side-on). It is a sandy beach and the best access is through the area to the right. It is ideal for all levels, although beginning without an instructor is not recommended. There are no windsurfing rental centres or schools nearby. The car park is about 500 metres from the windsurfing area.a

Playa de Las Américas (Conquistador and Las Palmeras) Favourable winds are north-westerly, south-westerly and south-easterly (side and side-on). It is a rocky beach. The most comfortable access is opposite the hotel Conquistador or opposite the hotel Las Palmeras. Ideal for high-level windsurfers, it has a car park about 50 metres from the windsurfing area.

Playa de Las Américas (Fitenia) Favourable winds are north-westerly/south-westerly (side and side-on). It is a rocky beach and the most comfortable access is opposite the Mare Nostrum resort; ideal for those with a high level. There is a wave peak on the left and another on the right. It has a car park about 100 metres from the windsurfing area.

Who can help me?

Sport and adventure companies

Sports Club Tenerife Tel. 00 34 922 787 245 info@sctenerife.es www.sctenerife.es

Surf Center Playa Sur Tel. 00 34 922 176 688 mail@surfcenter.eu www.surfcenter.eu

Specialist Travel Agencies

CanariasViaja.com Tel. 00 34 922 248 161 clientes@canariasviaja.com www.canariasviaja.com

El Cardón NaturExperience Tel. 00 34 922 127 938 direccion@elcardon.com www.elcardon.com

What do I need?

You have windsurf centres available to you in different areas in the South of the island, where you can hire all the equipment you need and get training classes.

Practical tips

· Check all of your sports equipment before entering the water. · Find out about weather conditions before windsurfing. · Make sure you know the areas indicated for windsurfing. · Try not to windsurf on your own and, if you do, make sure that someone knows. · Respect other users of the beach. · Respect safety measures when windsurfing.

What about permits?

You don’t need a special licence for windsurfing.