Kite surfing at Tarifa

Tarifa is regarded as the world's third wind surfing capital. It's also increasingly a mecca for kite surfers. Well to be accurate, our favourite place is just outside Tarifa at Valdevaqueros - the venue for the bwin Kitesurf Pro Competition 2006 were Aaron Hadlow won the mens freestyle Kite Surf competition to confirm his place as the 2006 PKRA world champion.

Valdevaqueros is the sister establishment to the Club Mistral windsurfing school at the Hurricane Hotel a little further down the coast - about 5Km from Tarifa itself.

It doesn't just cater for the experts. At Valdevaqueros you'll find world class tuition for absolute beginner onwards in a perfect and safe setting. There's plenty of on-shore wind courtesy of the Poniente during the Spring, Autumn and Summer, and rescue boats if you do get into difficulty. The Levante is the other wind - side off-shore and stronger - not as ideal but it's still possible to learn in it.

All equipment is provided - including a wetsuit - and all of it the latest gear. If you're not taking lessons then it's advisable to take your own harness and wetsuit.

When we went for a short, two-day course over a long weekend we found that the class sizes were small enough to ensure you got plenty of one-on-one feedback from an English speaking instructor (French, German and Spanish also spoken).

We also found that two days wasn't quite enough. Although simpler to master than windsurfing, it's a steeper learning curve to begin with and the school recommends three days minimum and a week preferably for absolute beginners before you're flying solo.

The excellent lunchtime fare at the Hurricane is repeated here at Valdevaqueros. So after you've worked up an appetite on the water you only have to haul yourself up a few steps from the beach to recharge your engine.


Club Mistral - Valdevaqueros is open from March 15th till November 2nd, daily 10:30 am - 06:30 pm.