The HOT STICK KITE SURFINGTARIFA is one of the most popular schools in Tarifa. It started as a windsurfing shop but has transformed to Kitesurfing to follow the popular trend. The instructors will take you to the best place should the conditions not be ideal. The owner Rodiles was one of the first shapers to open a shop in Tarifa and has opened several shops in Spain.

The shop is on the Batalla del Salado which is the main shopping street and where all the local kitesurf shops are.
Just as Kitesurfing was a combination between sailing and surfing, kite surfing is a combination between power kite flying and surfing. The sport has completely exploded in Tarifa over the past 3 or 4 years. In good wind conditions in summer, it isn't unusual to count over 250 kites in the sea and on the beach……an amazing sight!

It is easy to understand why this sport is so popular - it looks deceptively easy, the jumps and tricks look spectacular and it requires much less wind than Kitesurfing.The sport is open to everyone of all ages; you need to be in good health and relatively fit (no back, neck or shoulder problems).

Grit determination will also be an asset, because although kite surfing is easier to master than wind surfing, coordinating all those skills at the beginning can be a challenge!

Within the sport of Kite Surfing there are two main learning curves that a new participant will move through. These can conveniently be broken down into power kite flying skills and board skills. Within each of the learning curves are a series of skill areas that go to form the overall activity. It is unlikely that many people will be able to combine these two areas from the word go, without some prior experience in one or the other.

There will be short cuts for people who have either good board skills from a related sport or a high level of power kite flying skills.
Learning Kitesurf

How to Learn

So, if you fancy a go yourself……go for it - Tarifa is one of the best places to learn with its abundance of long and wide sandy beaches. It is essential to take a course with one of the many schools available. Avoid the temptation to ‘have a go’ with your friend's 12m kite….it could be a painful mistake for you and anyone in your path. This will take a while to learn!

Booking a course will teach you all you need to know about the equipment, the theory, safety and the wind. Schools will teach you basic kite skills with 2 line kites between 2 and 6.5 square metres (depending on wind conditions). Courses are usually between 6 and 8 hours over two days (also depending on wind conditions).

Day 1 - Mainly beach based. Introduction to material and how to rig it. Exercises to show you where the kite will fly, how to fly and control the kite with safety, how to harness power and the board start. Depending on your control and general level of safety awareness (!), the first day usually finished with exercises in the water.

Day 2 - Recap of skills from previous day. Practice with board in the sea. Be persistent!!!!!
Tips
? If you lose control of your kite……let go of the bar. Sounds simple enough, but learners are often to be seen flying down the beach, head first in the sand, holding on to an out of control kite. Just let go!
? Wait your turn - remember that your kite is attached to approx. 25 metres of line. If there is someone within that distance and you attempt another go on your board and……crash! The other person will not be pleased.
? The lines are the most dangerous part of your equipment. Never attempt to hold onto the kite by it's lines. Always avoid the lines if you crash the kite in the sea. If the kite suddenly takes off (as they do) the velocity will make the lines very dangerous - they will cut like a knife.
? After your course, try to find someone to team up with so you can practice together. Much safer to have someone watching you and saves a lot of time as each time you drop your kite in sea someone will be there to give you a hand.
? Wear shoes for practicing on beach and don’t forget your hat, sunscreen and water.
? Make sure your school provides you with a wetsuit, buoyancy jacket and a helmet.
? Respect the elements!! Know your limits!!

Kitesurf in Tarifa is as good as it gets. Kitesurf in Tarifa is the destination for many Kitesurfers. Kitesurf in Tarifa can be quite challenging at times. Kitesurf in Tarifa is for all levels. Kitesurf in Tarifa is known for its wind force and reliability. Kitesurf in Tarifa is ideal for beginners, because the wind is not too strong and the water very flat specially in the mornings. Kitesurf in Tarifa is great for expert surfers who enjoy strong winds. Kitesurf in Tarifa does not offer big waves unless after or during storms or strong poniente, westerly winds and during the equinoxes. Kitesurf in Tarifa only needs to deal with two winds, the Levante, easterly and the poniente easterly. Kitesurf in Tarifa could not be more serviced with its 7 schools, centers (centres) on the beach and over 20 surf shops. Kitesurf in Tarifa can be an occasion to get your boards and sails and kites repaired in the many over night repair shops.
Kitesurf in Tarifa is varied in conditions of both beach and wind intensity find you ideal location in the many spots. Kitesurf in Tarifa is the place chose for the best events and Kitesurf competitions, Speed and slalom world cup are held here. Kitesurf in Tarifa is where the open sea speed record is held.
These are some of the popular spots for Kitesurf and kitesurfing in Tarifa. Please remember that, especially in Summer, some beaches are restricted to either Kitesurfers, kitesurfers or neither, these may even change from year to year and ask locally for confirmation. You may become very unpopular apart from risking a fine if you surf in the wrong area.
How will you know which spot to go to? Hang out at Valdevaqueros Chiringuito and listen to where the locals are going. They always phone ahead to someone who lives at one of the alternative spots to find out the wind conditions. Or…… pop into one of the schools and ask! Remember that the kite zones are strictly enforced during the summer months of July, August and September and there is little tolerance for kitesurfing outside these zones. The beach is completely packed in summer and people should be able to swim in the swimming zone without endangering their lives! Outside of the summer season you will often see kiters everywhere...
Popular Spots in Tarifa:
Kitesurf in Tarifa Playa Chica
Kitesurf in Tarifa Los Lances
Kitesurf in Tarifa Rio Jara
Kitesurf in Tarifa Dos Mares
Kitesurf in Tarifa Arte y Vida
Kitesurf in Tarifa Hurricane
Kitesurf in Tarifa Bunquer
Kitesurf in Tarifa Valdevaqueros
Kitesurf in Tarifa Spinout
Kitesurf in Tarifa Casa de Porros
Kitesurf in Tarifa Las Dunas
Kitesurf in Tarifa Punta Paloma
Kitesurf in Tarifa Spot scereto
Close to Tarifa
Kitesurf in Tarifa Caños de Meca
Kitesurf in Tarifa Getares
Kitesurf in Tarifa Palmones
Kitesurf in Tarifa Sottogrande

Kitesurfing schools, where you can have kitesurfing lessons to complete courses for beginners to avarage kiters up to advanced courses. The lessons will be held on the beach and most kitesurf centers which are located in Tarifa will take you to the best beach depending on the conditions, wind direction and how crowded the beaches might be.

Kitesurfing schools in Tarifa

LA CABAñA (only windsurf) BOLONIA (b)

Tarifa has become known as 'the Wind Capital' for many different reasons. Its wind reliability probably tops them all.It is very difficult to have two consecutive non windy days, as the detailed comparative chart shows.

However conditions are not always constant. It is wise to bring your full range of sails (renting locally is any easy option with the many schools spread along the beach). Here it is just as common to sail with your 3.5 m² as it is with your 6.5 m², even if I personally consider the 4.5 m² as the ideal sail. The new trend is to use a wave board in strong winds and kitesurf when winds are weaker.

Apart from rare occasions (during equinoxes and storms) the water is pretty flat, which make it ideal for beginners and slalom sailors. The most radical often make the trip to Caños de Meca which is only 50 km away. This is best after a few days of strong levante.
The Wind
Tarifa has two prevailing winds, the south easterly known as the Levante and the westerly known as the Poniente. This is because of the mountain ranges on either side of the straits which not only bends other winds but also acts as a funnel, intensifying it.