RETURN TO FLAG BEACH
33
ESCAPING
WINTER
TO OCEAN BLUES
WORDS AND PICS: WINDSURFING UK
WE'RE A FUNNY BUNCH US WINDSURFERS. FOR A SEEMINGLY
OPEN MINDED TRIBE, FULL OF BRIMMING OPTIMISM (YOU KIND
OF HAVE TO BE WHEN YOUR CHOSEN HOBBY REVOLVES AROUND
MOTHER NATURE'S EVER CHANGING MOODS), CHOOSING WHERE
TO SPEND OUR HARD EARNED FREE TIME CAN BE HEADACHE
INDUCING. CHECKLIST AS FOLLOWS (FOR THE P FAMILY AT LEAST).
A. WIND = ESSENTIAL.
B. WAVES = YES PLEASE (BUT FLAT WATER OK).
C. SUNSHINE AND WARMTH = BADLY NEEDED.
D. TODDLER BEACHES AND WARM WATER = DEFINITELY!
Seasonality then comes into play - it's no good wanting a Greek
wind odyssey when (in general) Med locations are summer
destinations only. So, when the chance arises to escape the tail
end of UK winter where do you head? For us it was an easy
choice…
Tried and tested
The Canary Islands have been a winter windy bolthole for years. Many a wave warrior
has seen fit to up sticks and bomb off to the island of ‘Great Adventure' –
Fuerteventura (literally translated from the corrupted French term). Fuerteventura can
also be translated as ‘Strong Wind’ by some – we’ll take the latter!
All the islands receive a healthy amount of juice during the off season - it's very rare
for the Canaries to be flat at this time of year. Unfortunately most spots carry a health
warning making them 'no go' for the majority. If it's not the risk of being pummelled by
super hollow, cylindrical surf then there’s real danger of being dragged
unceremoniously across sharp lava reef – equally unappealing. For sure, there are a
handful of 'beachies' available but even these can wallop given half the chance. With
windy kit in the mix it becomes even less inviting, especially if you’re a sailor still
progressing through the ranks.
uk
WIND
SURFING