Surf's always up at Canary Island board sport-paradise

By Manuel Meyer Nov 3, 2011, 3:06 GMT

Sotavento, the Canaries - The pristine beaches of the sickle-shaped Jandia peninsula in Fuerteventura rank among the best strips of sand in the entire Mediterranean region and not just in the Canary Islands.

Naturally, the fine golden sands in the southern resort of Sotavento are dotted with beach umbrellas and sandcastles yet the real attraction hereabouts are the reliable trade-winds, warm climate and the laidback Canarian pace of life the whole year around.

Located on the outskirts of Costa Calma, Sotavento is considered as one of Europe's best and most consistent windsurfing and kitesurfing hotspots.

Kite and board surfers can be seen skimming across the waves to the north of the lagoon which measures three kilometres from one end to the other. In the southern part the colourful kites glint in the sun as they stand ready for action.

'Sotavento is simply the perfect place for kitesurfing and windsurfing,' explains surf teacher Enrico D'Inecco who works at the Egli Surf Centre. The dazzling beach offers amply space to practice starts and landings and there are no hazardous riffs or rocks to worry about. Not only that, wind conditions at the southern end of Fuerteventura are optimal, enthuses the 25-year-old Italian.

He points to a range of peaks behind the beach which act as a kind of turbocharger for the consistent trade-winds. This is a wind acceleration zone. 'We're talking here about a kind of double jet effect,' he says.

The remarkable acceleration effect has the few scattered sunbathers and many a surf rookie gaping with amazement as kiters and windsurfers skim the waves at a breath-taking pace. Experts brave waves of up to two metres high which break on an offshore sandbank. Conditions in Sotavento are so good that in summer it hosts the annual Professional Windsurfing World Cup.

Sotavento is also an ideal place to learn how to become a self-sufficient windsurfer, says Enrico. The winds blow consistently and there is plenty of space for everyone. The ocean and lagoon are shallow enough to stand up in. These are just a few of the reasons why Swiss national Rene Egli decided to open two clubs here, combining to create what is billed the world's largest windsurfing centre. There are around 600 boards to choose from and every year some 50,000 novices receive instruction in how to master wind and waves.

Germans Carolin and her boyfriend Bjoern came to Fuerteventura to embark on a windsurfing course. 'Put one foot on the mast and the other one set back a bit on the other side of the board,' Enrico tells them. 'Otherwise you won't be able to balance properly on the waves.' His students wobble around unsteadily on their boards and Enrico is kept busy adjusting their stance and explaining technique as he stands chest-deep in the water.

The Costa Calma usually lives up to its name but for the fledgling windsurfers the swell in the bay can seem daunting. For Isabel though the waves on the western coast of the Jandia peninsula cannot be tall enough. The French student lies prostrate on her surfboard and waits for the perfect wave. Together with her partner she is taking part in a wave-riding course on El Viejo Rey (the beach of the old king) close to the pretty little town of La Pared. Thanks to its unique location, this beach counts itself as being among the best surfing spots in the Canaries.

A series of giant waves crash into the coast where Isabel is waiting. 'Hold on a bit - now, go, go, go - get on the board,' cries teacher Francis Suber. The power of the massed water is considerable and she nearly loses her balance.

'Move your weight a little to the left and bend your knees a bit more,' cries Francis. Isabel keeps falling off but eventually gains her equilibrium before falling into the water again. A few seconds later she emerges from the turbulent sea, smiling from ear to ear and paddles off again for another try.

Today the beach is the preserve of beginners and intermediate would-be surfers. The experts have decamped to Cofete farther to the south where the waves are mightier and the thrill is all the greater for it. It is one of Fuerteventura's best beaches with a range of steep mountains as a backdrop.