Text: Andre Ludewig
The trade winds typical of the Canary Islands regularly ventilate the well-known windsurfing spots on Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura. Low pressure areas moving eastwards to the north of the Canary Islands disrupt this system. Then you will find great windsurfing conditions on Tenerife with waves up to mast-high, for example in Las Americas. The Fitenia spot works perfectly, with the flanks of the Teno mountains acting as a catalyst. If it gets too onshore here, this acceleration does not materialise due to windward pressure effects.
Access via rocky cliffs
Back in 2007, Dany Bruch and a few friends were looking for surfable alternatives in the north. Some spots were already known, such as Punta del Hidalgo. The rocky coast makes it impossible to have a relaxed start from a beach anywhere. The equipment is usually thrown into the water from a height of a few metres, jumped in after and then overcome the danger zone with a few strong strokes. Beforehand, you have to wait for the right moment between two sets.
Iban 'The Man' Hernández showed me the secret spots in the north of Tenerife over 20 years ago."
At the time, Dany chose a spot whose waves had never seen a windsurfer before. As the wind there has no acceleration whatsoever, he was the only one to reach the impact zone with a 100-litre board and 5.8 square metres of sail. At the time, spectacular photos and video sequences with double-mast-high waves caused a stir in the scene. Low pressure areas rarely develop into real tropical storms, but when they do, a handful of windsurfers with big wave experience always make a pilgrimage to the north of Tenerife.
Tenerife's best surfers at the start
One of these days was to be 3 April 2025. The weather services issued storm warnings and euphorically jet skis were checked, waterproof camera housings prepared and batteries charged. This time, nothing was to be left to chance. As soon as we crossed the mountains with the first view of the north coast, very large waves could be seen. There were whitecaps everywhere, so it was also going to be windy.
The waves at this spot aren't the best, fastest or cleanest, but they get better the bigger they get."
Once on site, final checks of windsurfing equipment and the final decision on sail size. The wind was diagonally offshore and therefore very difficult to assess. Martin Ovsik opted for a 4.0 and Jochen Stolz played it safe with a 5. After slalom world champion Matteo Iachino, Iban Hernández (a local with many years of experience on the north coast) and Nikodem Merlak had also decided on the presumably correct material, the race could begin. Dany Bruch was still having problems after a foot injury and steered one of the two jet skis. The other was driven by Martin Ovsik and his friend Pelda. Their main purpose was to ensure safety and to take photos and films from the perspective of the wave trough.
Heavy wipeouts and fear for the drone
I walked the three kilometres to Point Break to take photos from the land and from the air. As forecast, the weather created a dramatic backdrop: heavy rain showers, stormy gusts, black skies and sun alternated by the minute. On the spot, I was greeted by high spray and sea spray.
Jochen was already there on the water and tested the first waves. One by one, the other guys arrived and delivered spectacular wave rides in walls that were sometimes over twice the height of the mast. In fact, it was extremely gusty - everyone was either flying or balancing. The timing and wave selection were super tricky. Martin got in too high once, bottom turned too low and got washed over rocks by a bigger set. He and his undamaged equipment were rescued by a jet ski - all went well! There were other wipeouts, which fortunately all went off without a hitch. There was only one problem for the drone, which reported that a return to the starting point was not possible despite its possible 70 km/h and 30 per cent remaining battery. In fact, a strong gust of wind almost prevented us from making the 450 metres to the coast. With a lot of adrenaline, I was able to pick her up again with eight per cent battery. At the end, when everyone was already back on land, Dany didn't want to leave it at supporting the jet - here's his full story:
Dany Bruch in bad luck
"The forecast that day was mega, I was so hot! Still not fit after my wipeout at the World Cup in the summer, I rode my Zodiac jetski to finally take the photos I'd been dreaming of of the barrels - guys, you could fit a bus in there!
The forecast for the day was mega. The barrels were so big - guys, you could fit a bus in there!"
The day was incredible! It was big and windy. I had Simona Alessandri, marketing boss of Bruch Boards and the Wind Centre, on board. She took the best photos I've seen of the spot so far. The guys really stepped on the gas: Jochen had the biggest sets under control, Martin ripped properly but disappeared for 20 seconds in a monster washing machine, Matteo showed that he is an experienced windsurfer, Nikodem had his first big wave experience and Iban - The Man!!!! Together with Peter Huhn, he showed me their secret spots in the north of the island 20 years ago. So hooked on the action, I wanted to catch a few waves in the evening, but when setting up from the jet ski, I lost the extension - okay, next time!"
The other guys have also made statements ...
Nikodem Merlak
"Super gusty winds and increasing waves demanded full concentration. The wave selection was very difficult and the wind changed with every cloud. But it was incredible and this day will be remembered forever."
Matteo Iachino
"It was a fantastic day with great waves and great riders. I surfed the biggest waves of my life. It was difficult to be in the right place at the right moment to catch the perfect wave. It was definitely scary at times, but it was incredibly fun - just an unforgettable session!"
Jochen Stolz
"Years ago, it was Dany who motivated me to look for remote spots in the north that also offer waves as big as the ones I already knew from Brittany. In the meantime, we've surfed almost every wave here and we know this spot from many sessions. The waves here aren't the best, fastest or cleanest, but the higher the swell, the better it works - like today. I was fully focussed, we certainly have the most dangerous conditions on the island here. In the end, I was able to score good waves and had a lot of fun with a handful of friends and the most intense nature experiences."
Martin Ovsik
"I come from the Czech Republic - the country without the sea - and have always dreamed of windsurfing in these conditions. Thanks to Dany and Jochen, this is now a reality for me. After an hour of working my way closer and closer to the critical section, there it was - the house wall! I was fully determined and threw myself under it - and it was too deep - damn! The whole length of the thing closed! It was super heavy, the masses of water tore at me, where is up - where is down? But I kept calm and ignited the CO2 cartridge in my lifejacket. As soon as I reached the top and caught my breath, the white water roller of the next set caught me and washed me over a group of rocks near the steep wall on the bank. Miraculously, nothing had happened to me, Pelda's jet ski arrived quickly and together we found my undamaged stuff 100 metres downwind. I was able to surf a few more waves, now with more respect - what a day!"
Big wave surfing - what you should bear in mind!
For all those who also want to surf the big waves in the north of Tenerife, there are a few important things to bear in mind: The local surfer and tow-in scene is a homogeneous group - everyone knows everyone else. Any confrontation should be avoided. There are treacherous and strongly tide-dependent currents everywhere. Depending on the tide, invisible rocks lurk. Places that used to be easy to get to off-road are now mostly closed off - it's often hundreds of metres on foot from the lucky car park. Safety: A lifejacket with a CO2 cartridge is mandatory. Furthermore, there should always be friends on land with constant eye contact (binoculars) to be able to call for help. It is best to contact Jochen Stolz or Dany Bruch in advance!
