As the weather warms up, many of us load up our cars with kites, boards, wetsuits, and harnesses and set off towards new coastal destinations. However, before venturing into the unknown, it is advisable to plan our spot itinerary. If you’re interested, here’s a small guide to the best spots for kitesurfing in Tarifa.
Before hitting the water at an unfamiliar spot, we need to consider several essential factors, and for that, we must gather information. The first thing we’ll do is search online, consult the relevant authorities, or ask the locals in the area.
Is kitesurfing allowed here?
Sometimes, due to seasonal restrictions, protected areas, or delimited zones, kitesurfing may not be permitted. This is quite common in reservoirs and lakes or on most beaches during the summer season. More and more municipalities include in their annual coastal plans designated areas for water sports. We all must respect these areas to ensure a harmonious coexistence among kitesurfers, windsurfers, and other beach users.
We should also avoid entering natural parks, as there may be protected species that we could disturb. Normally, there are no restrictions in winter, but it doesn’t hurt to gather proper information to avoid problems.
Local conditions
- We need to ensure that the weather conditions are suitable for safe navigation. The basic rule that everyone knows is not to kitesurf with offshore winds (wind blowing from land to sea) because if we encounter problems, the wind will carry us out to open sea.
- We have to be familiar with the local conditions. Each spot is different and has its peculiarities. We need to find out at what times of the day the wind tends to blow stronger and when it usually subsides.
- Tides are also something to consider. The seabed is diverse, and even if we are sure it is sandy, there could always be a hidden rock beneath the water, which could be problematic during low tide.
Other
- We should look for a wide and obstacle-free area on the beach to set up our equipment and launch and land our kite safely.
- Common sense is crucial. For example, if we see a group of kites in one area and the other completely empty, there’s likely a reason for that. We should not try to be brave and attempt that area as we might encounter issues.
- Another important aspect to be clear about before going kitesurfing this summer, is the right of way rules in kitesurfing, to ensure your safety and that of others.