Tarifa, Spain

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Zubby
Zubby
SA
896 posts
SA, 896 posts
5 Aug 2007 2:24pm
Has anyone been windsurfing in Tarifa? If so what are the conditions like? My wife and I are thinking of travelling over there this time next year.

Thanks
Ian K
Ian K
WA
4170 posts
WA, 4170 posts
5 Aug 2007 3:45pm
Not sure about Tarifa but been getting updates from Vassiliki. It's windy there this time of year - 3.3 m winds two days ago.
eric344
eric344
138 posts
138 posts
5 Aug 2007 5:09pm
hey dzub ;

You'll have fun in Tarifa, if you go in august you'll get mostly Levante (strong easterly winds,warm sunny weather), in tarifa it'll be flat water good for speed (take your GPS if you have one) or freestyle, when the wind gets really strong in tarifa then drive 45mn west to "canos de meca" and you'll probably have a good wave session


I've been there in january and march 2003 and i enjoyed it a lot, my brother went there in august 2004 and september 2005 and he was also stoked ;

And the good thing about Tarifa is that even if you don't get the most perfect down the line waveriding conditions, the area is nice that you won't regret the trip

Have fun,
eric
Zubby
Zubby
SA
896 posts
SA, 896 posts
5 Aug 2007 8:17pm
Cheers Guys for the reply!!

Eric344 is sounds like you had a great time over there, did you hire your gear over there e.g. Club Mistral
Alberto
Alberto
WA
213 posts
WA, 213 posts
5 Aug 2007 8:10pm
Hey Dzub
you are going to have a ball there! Bring your 3.3 and 3.7!!
Eric is right 100%, if you want also waves there is another spot called "Bologna". You need a car if you get accomodation in town, the spots are 3/4 km out but nightlife is great and lots to do during the day if your wife does not windsurf. I used to spend few months every year there, the place its become more commercial and turistic that what it was used to be, but I still have friends living there and they still love it. If you need sails repair (I hope not) search for our friend Tania in town she run her own loft www.tanjaemig.com/ she can help you out.
Re Mistral club, I think is between town and "la duna" on the strech of beach called "el porro". Anyway plenty of windsurfing gear there.
Best wind&waves and enjoy it!
Ciao
Alberto
NR
NR
WA
517 posts
NR NR
WA, 517 posts
6 Aug 2007 10:22am
Its an excellent place. Its mainly just bumpy seas. The wind can be ballistic. The night life, food and general feel around the town is what really makes it.
The Grinch
The Grinch
WA
733 posts
WA, 733 posts
7 Aug 2007 3:49pm

Don't bother going out in the night much before midnight, it kicks in after that.
Diablo bar is the place to be seen.
Keep away from the Guardia Civil
Zubby
Zubby
SA
896 posts
SA, 896 posts
7 Aug 2007 8:10pm
Cheers

Arlo
Arlo
SA
139 posts
SA, 139 posts
8 Aug 2007 11:02am
quote:
Originally posted by Ian K

Not sure about Tarifa but been getting updates from Vassiliki. It's windy there this time of year - 3.3 m winds two days ago.



Not been to Tarifa but I have been to Vass a few times; the biggest issue is that often the wind doesn't kick in until after 4 in the afternoon and so you have to fit all your windsurfing in about 3 hours, which is crap for a windsurfing holiday.

Not that I have been to all that many places (Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Margarita & Vass) by far the best place is Moon Beach near Ras Sudr on the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt; awesome conditions very hot and consistent winds especially in June; from the UK that is where I would have looked to go every year. The only draw backs are that it is in the middle of nowhere so not all that much else to do especially if there are any non-windsurfers (only sunbathing and yoga) and the night life is only what you and the other guests make of it; usually this means a few quiet beers cos you're so knackered from the windsurfing, with the occasional messy all nighter! I can't recommend it enough!
rgeerdink
rgeerdink
NSW
34 posts
NSW, 34 posts
9 Aug 2007 12:05am
Hey dzub,

Yeah Tarifa is the windiest place in Europe. Expect 30 - 55 knots of wind (Poniente or Levante). Used to live in London and Tarifa was the best bet when wanting to get away for a long weekend's windsurfing.

There are loads of windsurf rental places along the beach so you do not necessarily have to arrange equipment before you go. I think there are 2 club mistral centres if I am not mistaken. The Club Mistral I rented from was called Valde$%^&^ ... Valde-something.

Handy piece of advise - don't land in Spain. Fly to Gibraltar (also usually cheaper from the UK and its only 15 - 20 minutes drive from Tarifa). When you arrive walk across the border into Spain and pick up your rental car in Spain (the airport is on the border so if a 2 minute walk) and you don't have to worry about the traffic getting in and out of Gibraltar as you can end up waiting for hours during Summer.

If you are looking at accommodation would suggest trying to find an apartment in the Old City, otherwise Hotel 100% Fun was the one that a lot of sailors used to stay in.

Another interesting fact about Tarifa is that (according to certain locals) has the highest suicide rate in Europe (based on per capita) because the wind apparently drives people a bit mental.... So there you have it... it is pretty windy.

Hope this helps and have fun. I sure loved it...

Cheers,
Rob


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