VIC
130 posts
Hi people
I am on the tail end of a kiting trip (hawaii, carribean, brazil) and am now in Europe....
I plan to kite in tarifa south of spain in the near future.
Has anyone got any tips on Tarifa or other locations such as greek islands....
I shipped home my 12m and now have 6 and 9 only.... too much to lug around on the eurail....
any tips would be great
SA
501 posts
It's been a while since I was in Tarifa, like almost 5 years but I'm sure the wind hasn't changed much. Kiting wasn't happening there at that time so I don't know about the locations and such. What I can say though was the conditions during their summer are super gusty and normally off the richter. It was gusting to 45 knots when I was there windsurfing. You might still get a bit of that now despite going into their Autumn. From memory their winter winds are more consistent. Anyway I don't think you'll miss your 12m that much.
QLD
460 posts
With a 6 and 9 stay in Tarifa. The wind there around this time should be way stronger than Greek islands. Haven't been to any Greek islands but lived in euro for most of my life and for serious kiting or windsurfing Tarifa is the place to be.
Beauduc in France is recommendable around this time as well, you will need a car as it is a 30min drive from the next town, but then again there are plenty of places to go around the Mediterranean. If you can go to Corsica an island off the coast of South France.
VIC
12 posts
Hi,
Tarifa is one of the best spots in Europe. I was there in November 06 and April this year. That was autmn and spring (off season), absolutely uncrowded and 6 days out of 8 with more than 4bft. During that season you usually have Poniente (westerly) and you can kite on the large beach direct in Tarifa (around 10km). Tarifa offers great lifestyle, everything there is about kiting and windsurfing. Bars, Caf?s, Lounges, Clubs, everything you want! Very nice beaches, most of the time very good swell. Flat water only if a storm presses water in the lagoones (approx 8-12 days a month)
BUT....
In summer (June-September) it gets very crowded and usually you have the strong Levante (easterly) with 30-45kn. Then you can kite only around the Dune (10km away) or in Getares (30min) and some other bays around where the wind is weaker.
Just looked it up: At the moment are 60kn (!!!!!) http://www.club-mistral.com/en/destinations/weather/13/
I used to stay at www.dengs-funsport.de (Website in German, but the owner speaks English) for very cheap accomodation and cars. He can give you heaps of information.
My recommendation: If travelling now, better go to other destinations.
Good for September: Kos (one of the best Greece Island for kiting) or Corsica (French Island, beautiful!!!!), Leucate (strong wind, but not very beautiful), Beauduc (strong wind and as mentioned 3omin away from the next village, 4WD!). I know lots of others.... Depends if you have a car and what else do you want to do except kitesurfing..
If you travel in October or later: Go to Tarifa! But then you probably need more than 9m for some days...
Cheers!
Andi
QLD
2800 posts
there are still great spots to kite around tarifa in the levante wind. go to canos de meca for wave riding or bologna for flat water kiting. you will have a ball on your 6.
the crowds should be easing off a bit now too.
VIC
130 posts
thanks all much appreciated
