Tarifa - the land synonymous with the Levante and Poniente wind power machines that are hardly ever idle, which is initially the most important and generally well-known fact about this hotspot for wind sports enthusiasts in Europe. Tarifa is formerly a small fishing village which has developed into one of the wind sports Meccas of Europe over the years. The wind blows almost every day through the strait between the southernmost point of Spain and the coast of Africa/Morocco. For this spot check of Tarifa, we asked local girl, Nia Suardiaz, for the full lowdown on this magical place where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic.
YOUR LOCAL GUIDE
Nia Suardiaz was born and raised in Tarifa and the 17-year-old is the reigning world champion of wing-foiling in Freestyle and FreeFly Slalom, so it’s safe to say she knows a thing or two about one of Europe’s windiest locations.
WHERE TO WING-FOIL IN TARIFA?
Our family and friends mostly go to Valdevaqueros. We head to the TANGANA Beach Bar where they offer delicious food. In winter, I also go to Balneario or Playa Chica, which is a spot that is only open to locals during the winter months.
TYPICAL WIND AND WATER CONDITIONS?
The Levante is often a bit gusty and choppy, while the Poniente tends to blow constantly and can also bring waves. We experience the Poniente mainly during the winter months, and at this time of year, you can experience a real swell with it, while in the summer the water remains relatively flat. During the winter you may need a little while to get out on the wingfoil board, but the great thing about Valdevaqueros is that this spot works in all wind directions.
SKILL LEVEL FOR VALDEVAQUEROS?
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة Issue 434 - June 2024 من Windsurf.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة Issue 434 - June 2024 من Windsurf.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
New School
Slingshot’s windsurfing brand manager, Wyatt Miller, has noticed that kids are drawn to playing with wings and puts forward an interesting case as to why he thinks this could help entice them and others into windsurfing.
Changes
Wave sailor Flo Jung reflects on our changed world during his lockdown in Germany.
THE LAST WAVE
Lockdown stirred the creative juices of reader Björn Alfthan, who peers into the future to present a fictional story set in the wild waves of Norway, five years from now.
STILL IN THE GAME
After a horrific fracture in his leg from a crashed aerial in 2018, Alessio Stillrich is back! John Carter talks to the highflyer from Gran Canaria about his move to the Simmer team, recovering from injury and how he learned to windsurf in Gran Canaria!
MOVE ON UP - GET ON THE FRONT FOOT
This month we look at how our front foot weighting can affect and improve different aspects of our main windsurfing moves.
SOUTH' KIPA
Nik tweaking it over home waters.
A NEW NORMAL
On a trip to La Tranche-sur-Mer in France last year, Tris Best estimated over 80% of the windsurfers were foiling. This summer in Portland Harbour, foiling activity has increased dramatically too he reports. With the market offering plenty of choice to recreational windfoilers, our test team check out some of the latest foil offerings.
TACKING – THE SEQUEL
Having given you time to practice, Harty concludes his tacking series by critiquing various tacking options, including the carve tack, as well as offering solutions to common slip-ups.
‘NO VAPOUR TRAILS TO SCAR THE SKY' *
Realising we may be about to enter an extraordinary period in our lives, Harty decided to keep a windsurf-centric lockdown diary. Here are some of his choice excerpts.
REDEMPTION DAY!
Renowned for its windsurfing and variety of spots to sail at, Kimmerdige Bay is a wave sailing jewel on the south coast of England. Timo Mullen gives a guide to its shores while reflecting on why a recent session there was a reminder that there is no place like home!
