The Kitesurfing
The Kitesurfing
The kitesurfing in Sotavento is from La Barca, a huge golden sandy beach directly in front of the Sol Melia Gorriones hotel. Many will know La Barca, better known as Sotavento, for its huge lagoon that fills in at high tide. Here some of the biggest kitesurfing events take place including the PKRA and the PWA.
La Barca has a small shore break as the beach shelves into deeper water very quickly; the lagoon is nearly 4 kms long when filled in, and is a great spot. The wind here can be very strong!
The northerly winds get pushed along the mountain range that runs pretty much from Cotillo, right at the top of the island, all the way to Jandia where there is a huge gap. The wind gets hugely accelerated as it travels through the gap and over the desert landscape of Jandia, so by the time it hits La Barca Sotavento it can be a good 30 knots plus and cross off-shore – it’s a good job there is full rescue support from the team at Rene Egli centre!
 | |
|---|---|
| Beginners | 9/10 |
| Intermediates | 10/10 |
| Advanced | 9/10 |
| Waveriders | 2/10 |
 | |
|---|---|
| Best months: | Apr - Sep |
| Flat water: | Yes |
| Choppy water: | Yes |
| Shallow water: | Yes |
| Waves: | Some |
| Tidal: | Yes |
Centre, Courses & Kit
The Centre
Our well established partner centre is the only one in Sotavento and is ideally located nearby to the Melia Gorriones hotel. Franco and his team of English-speaking IKO / VDWS instructors run a full training programme to teach you everything from the fundamentals to advanced freestyle moves.
The prices in this centre are seasonal, so July and August will vary. Please call us for details.
To discuss which course best suits you,
please call 01273 224 069 or request a quotation.
| Tuition | Price |
|---|---|
| 6 Hour Beginner Course
The option for complete beginners. Covers safety, kit set up, kite flying skills, body dragging, culminating in getting up and riding on the board. Maximum of 2 students per instructor. |
£240 |
| 6 Hour Intermediate Course
For those who have completed the beginners course - this focuses on perfecting the basic waterstart and riding more consistently, with the aim of kiting upwind. Maximum of 2 students per instructor. |
£240 |
| Private Tuition per hour
Without doubt the best way to improve your riding - excellent instructors will be able to teach you anything you want to know from the very basics right through advanced freestyle. |
£90 |
| Rental | Price |
|---|---|
| Kit: Cabrinha Kiteboarding | |
| 7 day Equipment Rental | £260 |
| 14 day Equipment Rental | £439 |
| Storage | Price |
|---|---|
| Includes secure overnight storage. | |
| 7 day Equipment Storage | £80 |
| 14 day Equipment Storage | £149 |
NB. The above prices are based on the currency rate applicable at the time of writing and may be subject to fluctuation.
