Windsurf World Championship

For the last seven days 57 'riders' have been battling it out to be the king / queen of the waves in the second round of the Windsurf World Championship. The event was organised by the PWA, Professional Windsurfers Association.

Riding the waves

It's being held in El Médano, on the south side of the island of Tenerife. It's quite mesmerizing watching the coloured sails of the windsurfers zipping backwards and forwards across the waves. And they've got it all set up - part of the beach to leave the board and sail and the rest for the bars, stalls and chill-out areas!

The only thing that I thought wasn't very well organised was when the tests were actually going to be held. There was no schedule, or at least none that I could see. I understand that it depends largely on the wind, but there could at least have been some sort of general list of what was supposed to be happening and when.

I didn't mind seeing them practice but it would have been nice to catch some of the competition. I couldn't spend the whole day down on the beach so I went when I thought that there would be something to see, and I'd missed it. But there was nothing posted for the next day either - I did enjoy a nice cool beer to compensate though!

Hasta pronto!

On the beach: IV

If watersports are your thing then the coastal town of El Médano is the place to go. It boasts the longest natural beach in Tenerife with about 2 km of fine sand. Generally the wind here is stronger than anywhere else and this has converted it into the main place to practice windsurf and kitesurf. Competitions are held here every year; last August (2010) one of the heats of the World Kitesurf Championship took place here.

There is plenty of space to sunbathe too without getting tangled in any of the lines from the kites. But when the wind is strong enough to surf, lying on the beach is not the most pleasant - unless you don't mind being covered in sand! The sand is firm, however, and good for walking or there is always the option of sitting at one of the terraces which back onto the sand and enjoying the view with a cool drink.

El Médano, Tenerife

The town itself has hotels and holiday appartments but not the feeling of an over-run tourist destination. It still manages to retain some of its small fishing port character. And even if the watersports on offer are not to your taste, it's always fun to sit and watch them for a while.

Kitesurfers and windsurfers comparing notes.

Kitesurfers, El Médano

Do you like to spend time at the beach doing watersports? Or do you prefer to watch and enjoy?

Hasta pronto!