More spot tips for autumn trips:
Tenerife, the largest and highest of the Canary Islands, is not really one of the windsurfing secret spots. Back in the early 1990s, El Médano in the south-east of the island hosted the big surf magazine test, which scrutinised all categories from beginner to wave boards. This shows just how diverse the area is - even today.
Summer temperatures and trade winds
And if you want to windsurf in summer temperatures in October and November and are looking for a very good windsurfing infrastructure, Tenerife should be on your shortlist. Although the north-east trade wind is no longer as reliable in autumn as it is in midsummer, it is still more than good compared to many other European spots. In addition, the best-known windsurfing location on Tenerife, El Médano, offers a wide variety of conditions in a very small area.
Tenerife is also a very popular holiday island in winter, and not just for windsurfing. Accordingly, there are many direct flight connections from numerous German airports. Condor, for example, flies from up to twelve locations in Germany to the south of Tenerife. From there, it is only a few kilometres to El Médano, so the transfer is very quick and you don't necessarily need a hire car. Another advantage of flying with Condor is the favourable conditions for taking equipment with you. So if you don't want to do without your well-worn board and sails, take a look at condor.com/en under "Prepare flight/ Sports baggage".
El Medano offers a large selection of windsurfing centres
However, there are also some well-equipped rental centres with the latest equipment in El Médano. At the end of El Médano Bay, you will find the Playa Surf windsurfing centre at the newly renovated Hotel Playa Surf, which is run by windsurfers (hotelplayasurf.es). Starboard and Severne equipment can now be hired there. The TWS centre (Tenerife Windsurf Solution) is right next door, tws-windsurf.com/en), which regularly organises slalom training camps for professionals and amateur racers in spring. At TWS you can hire boards and sails from numerous brands. There is also a Duotone Pro Centre (dpc-tenerife.com). All the centres are located close together on the promenade in Médano Bay.
There are numerous bars and restaurants in El Médano. It is often very crowded here during the holiday season. This is another reason why autumn is an ideal time to visit: it is a little quieter and more relaxed. There are a few hotels, but significantly more flats, some with equipment storage. The German windsurfer Jochen Stolz arranges holidays at medano4you.com numerous accommodations in a wide range of price categories.
Versatile spots from freeride to wave
The El Médano area is divided into two completely different spots. The large Médano Bay is favoured above all by freeriders and racers. The conditions are moderate and the bay is protected from larger waves. Further out, you can surf in the Atlantic swell, which can get a few metres high, but does not run into the bay and break there. Nevertheless, only experienced freeriders should surf outside the bay. Close to the beach and towards the town of El Médano, the spot is also suitable for intermediates and there are beginner lessons when there is less wind. At the harbour pier, after a few strokes upwind, you will find a moderate wave that breaks over a fairly safe reef. It should not be forgotten that El Médano is also a very popular kitesurfing spot.
The second spot in El Médano, Playa del Cabezo, is located north-east of the town centre and offers completely different conditions. It is no coincidence that the PWA Wave World Cup has been held here for many years. Depending on the swell, the waves can be as high as a mast and allow for wave rides to leeward and spectacular jumps. However, the spot is not for beginners. One of the most famous rocks, "Godzilla", lurks voraciously for its victims, especially at low tide, and snatches their fins. For advanced surfers, however, the spot is a delight.
