THE LURE No big hotels, tourist resorts, beer bellies and pub crawling here. Kiteboarders heading to Lanzarote will head to Caleta de Famara, a small fishing village and declared nature reserve on the northwest coast.
THE SET UP: The predominant winds in the Canaries are the northeast trades. The summer is windiest with the trades occasionally starting as early as March and hanging around until late September, after which they tend to head south. Lanzarote and La Graciosa benefit from an acceleration effect. Due to their position, the wind is funnelled between the Los Riscos mountain range of Lanzarote and La Graciosa itself. The result can sometimes be cross-shore or cross-onshore winds up to force eight or even nine! Famara in the northwest of Lanzarote is a five kilometre long beach that receives swell from three directions. On big days you can find demanding swell over 3.5 metres. On flat days it can be an excellent spot for beginners, but do watch for the strong currents and rips on big days. There are plenty of flat water spots for beginners and improvers on the island too, like Matagorda, Playa Honda and Los Pocillos on the east coast.
Also, if you're into surfing, it would be a crime not to bring your surfboard to this island!
CENTRES: The Costa N-Oeste Surf & Kiteboarding School offers programs for beginner to advanced surfers. Whether you have never surfed or kitesurfed before and have always dreamed of learning, or if you just want to improve your existing skills, their coaches will help you realise your goals.
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WIND & WEATHER: The Passat trade winds rule in the summertime and are best between May and August. In winter, low pressure kicks in and the whole picture changes, bringing waves and frontal winds. The Canaries enjoy a subtropical climate with temperatures in winter averaging 14 to 22°C, and 22 to 28°C in the summer.
WATER: A lot of the spots in these islands are greatly affected by the tide. The waters are cool thanks to the Canary current from the north, but still comfortable at 18°C in winter, and 24°C in summer, from July to October.
ACCOMMODATION: All self-catering apartments and bungalows in the Famara area.
OUT & ABOUT: Eating out is cheap and seafood is a great speciality. Not too much nightlife, but there are chilled out bars and restaurants, some of which have live music. The clubs of the Costa Teguise are a 20 minute drive away.
AIRPORTS: Arrecife (ACE): 30 minute drive from Famara.
