Kitesurfing in El Médano, Tenerife (the Canary Islands)

Kitesurfing in Spain

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Wind, sea, speed and flips in the air... kitesurfing gives you an adrenaline rush on the coast! Come and enjoy it in Spain, where the coast is lined with numerous beaches where you can practise or start learning this exciting sport.

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WHY SPAIN

Because there are beaches where the wind blows practically all year round. Plus, the temperature is mild most of the time. Here are two facts that prove that Spain is the ideal destination for kitesurfing: Tarifa, in Cádiz, has become a mecca for this sport, and is host to several world trials every year; also one the leading international figures of this sport, ten-time world champion Gisela Pulido, is Spanish and practises kitesurfing on our coast.

AREAS

The best places to go kitesurfing in Spain can be found mainly on the Atlantic coast in Andalusia, the Mediterranean Sea and Fuerteventura (Canary Islands). Tarifa, in Cadiz, near the Strait of Gibraltar, is probably the best-known beach in this sense because it is often very windy. Windy beaches can be found in the south of Andalusia: in Huelva, Malaga and Almería, mainly.The Region of Murcia, the Region of Valencia, Catalonia and the Balearic Islands are other great places on the Mediterranean coast. In any case, there are schools all along the Spanish coast that can help you to take your first steps in the sport.

Tips and recommendations

HANDY TIPS

The first thing you should bear in mind is that you should only practise kitesurfing at beaches that are suitable for water sports and properly marked with buoys, and that take into account the influx of swimmers. In this sense, many beaches do not allow the sport at the most crowded times, that is, at weekends and during the summer months. In any case, you should always practise kitesurfing away from people and with no obstacles within 150 metres.
If you are going to kitesurf for the first time, you must do it through a school or with an official instructor. Introductory courses usually last at least two days. Never go out to sea if you don't know how to control the kite perfectly.
Schools provide all the equipment you need.
Don't practise kitesurfing on your own. Always go with someone in case you have a problem or to warn from the coast if necessary. Don't forget the telephone number for emergencies: 112.
Never try to practise kitesurfing when the wind is strong, when it is raining or when there is a storm. Never trust offshore wind and always ride downwind away from piers, cliffs, breakwaters or boats, to avoid being dragged towards them.
Wear a helmet, suitable warm clothing and a personal flotation device. It is also advisable to take gloves and a safety hook knife to cut the lines in case of emergency. Never hold the kite lines with your hands.
It is highly advisable to have civil liability insurance if you are going to practise kitesurfing independently, i.e. not through a school. Given that the recommendations and regulations provided may change, we advise you always to check the requirements before starting out on your journey.