Kitesurfing Tarifa : Kitesurfing centers, schools, rentals, lessons, courses, secondhand boards & Kites, spots and surfing areas

Tarifa kitesurfing

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 Kitesurfing

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!!

Kitesurfing in Tarifa is as good as it gets. Kitesurfing in Tarifa is the destination for many Kitesurfingers. Kitesurfing in Tarifa can be quite challenging at times. Kitesurfing in Tarifa is for all levels. Kitesurfing in Tarifa is known for its wind force and reliability. Kitesurfing in Tarifa is ideal for beginners, because the wind is not too strong and the water very flat specially in the mornings. Kitesurfing in Tarifa is great for expert surfers who enjoy strong winds. Kitesurfing in Tarifa does not offer big waves unless after or during storms or strong poniente, westerly winds and during the equinoxes. Kitesurfing in Tarifa only needs to deal with two winds, the Levante, easterly and the poniente easterly. Kitesurfing in Tarifa could not be more serviced with its 7 schools, centers (centres) on the beach and over 20 surf shops. Kitesurfing in Tarifa can be an occasion to get your boards and sails and kites repaired in the many over night repair shops.
Kitesurfing in Tarifa is varied in conditions of both beach and wind intensity find you ideal location in the many spots. Kitesurfing in Tarifa is the place chose for the best events and Kitesurfing competitions, Speed and slalom world cup are held here. Kitesurfing in Tarifa is where the open sea speed record is held.
These are some of the popular spots for Kitesurfing and Kitesurfing in Tarifa. Please remember that, especially in Summer, some beaches are restricted to either Kitesurfingers, Kitesurfingers 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 Kitesurfinging 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:
Kitesurfing in Tarifa Playa Chica
Kitesurfing in Tarifa Los Lances
Kitesurfing in Tarifa Rio Jara
Kitesurfing in Tarifa Dos Mares
Kitesurfing in Tarifa Arte y Vida
Kitesurfing in Tarifa Hurricane
Kitesurfing in Tarifa Bunquer
Kitesurfing in Tarifa Valdevaqueros
Kitesurfing in Tarifa Spinout
Kitesurfing in Tarifa Casa de Porros
Kitesurfing in Tarifa Las Dunas
Kitesurfing in Tarifa Punta Paloma
Kitesurfing in Tarifa Spot scereto
Close to Tarifa
Kitesurfing in Tarifa Caños de Meca
Kitesurfing in Tarifa Getares
Kitesurfing in Tarifa Palmones
Kitesurfing in Tarifa Sottogrande

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 Kitesurfing 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.

However strong winds are also the result of other conditions such as the temperature difference between the Atlantic and Mediterranean and the high and low pressure zones that place themselves on either side of it's coast. The wind, and the weather in general, can change very quickly here and even the most accurate weather forecasts are not always reliable.

In areas such as Casa de Porro it is further accelerated due to thermal differences between the sea and land. This also explains why the winds are strongest between 14:00 and 18:00hr.

SHOP ADDRESS TELEPHONE
100% FUN C.N. 340. Km. 76 +34 956 68 00 13
RICK SHAPES Batalla del Salado +34 956 68 08 77
9X9 El Recreo, local +34 956 68 08 77
HOTSTICK Batalla del Salado, 43 +34 956 68 04 14
TRANKILO Batalla del Salado 2 +34 956 68 21 37
INDICO Batalla del Salado, 23 +34 956 68 05 33
BIG FISH Batalla del Salado +34 956 681 247
ART OF Kitesurfing Batalla del Salado, 47 +34 956 68 52 04
X-TREM Batalla del Salado, 46 +34 956 68 16 89
FUN WORKS c/ Tinto, 1 +34 956 68 43 60
WAX c/ San Sebastián, 15 +34 956 68 49 52
LIFESTYLE Batalla del Salado, 48 +34 956 68 12 47
BULL SAILS C/ Braille 5 +34 956 680459
SOUTH SHOP C/ Trafalgar, 1 +34 956 68 04 65
INDIAN El Recreo +34 956 68 18 81
VENTILADOR José Ma Peman, 6 +34 627 45 45 19

Great for Kitesurfingers who want to both sail and stay out late at night. (yeah!!!) Harder for the beginners who normally have to start their courses at 10:00. (sigh :-()
Schools & Rentals
SPIN OUT SURFBASE TARIFA (b)
ART OF KITING TARIFA
CLUB MISTRAL TARIFA (b)
FUNWORKS KITESURF SCHOOL TARIFA
HOT STICK KITE SURFING TARIFA
KITE SCHOOL MAMOLA (VENTILADOR) TARIFA
KITESURFING PROCENTER TARIFA
KTS. KITE TARIFA SCHOOL TARIFA
O.T.B. TARIFA (b)
MAX KITE SCHOOL CENTRE TARIFA
SHARKITE KITE SCHOOL TARIFA PILOTS
SURFCENTER DOS MARES TARIFA (b)
TARIFA KITEBOARDING COMPANY
UCPA TARIFA (b)
X-TREM TARIFA
Highlighted have website link
(b) on beach
So many windy days have made Tarifa one of the prime testing spots for all sail makers. Some have decided to move their design and testing team to Tarifa. Others have set up the whole company here. This high concentration of Kitesurfing and Kitesurfing equipment production, and low prices of the Spanish economy, make Tarifa also the right and convenient place to repair your sails. Over night repairs and new sails will be found at these links.

Sails
Most sail brands, as well as custom made sails, are found in Tarifa, but possibly only the smaller sizes. Recently big sail use has declined drastically due to sailors preference to Kitesurfing or nothing at all in average wind conditions. Personally I would suggest to bring all your small sails, even smaller than 3m² and find that you will be using your 3-5m²sails