Year Round Surfing in Lanzarote

"We're waxing down our surfboards, we can't wait for June" sang the Beach Boys on one of their hit songs, well there's no need to wait for June on Lanzarote as the surfing season continues all year round. Even though the big surf beaches may be fairly quiet at the moment, there are still a few hardy surfers who go out every day. However, plenty of surf fans will be planning their surf holidays for next summer and booking their flights to this popular island in the Canaries.

A few of the surf schools on the island have been in business for over 10 years now and have well established bases, teaching surfers from all over Europe throughout the year. Famara is the best known spot on Lanzarote for surfing, for a number of reasons. It's location is key, being in the ideal spot to receive those ideal Atlantic swells that roll in continuously, sometimes quite ferociously, sometimes more serenely for beginners. Famara also has a lovely beach, to keep the spectators happy and, being quite remote from the typical tourist beaches, there's no problem with sun seekers getting in the way. An added benefit is the area's beauty, with no lack of wonderful scenery to provide a perfect backdrop to a day's surfing the waves.

Now and again surfers experience the huge waves that non-surfers conjure up in their minds when they think about the typical Hawaiian surfers shown in advertisements and magazine shoots, but for most of the surfers that visit Lanzarote, such huge waves would only mean most people having to sit out the day on the beach, watching just a few highly skilled experts getting their kicks. No, for most people the usual gentle waves of Lanzarote's surf beaches are plenty big enough. In addition to the favoured beach at Famara, the tiny island of La Graciosa, which lies off the north west coast of Lanzarote, provides a different surf spot just south of the beach at Playa de las Conchas. South of Famara is another area around the La Santa Sports Club, with a choice of 4 locations, but advised for more experienced surfers due to the speed of the waves and the rocky sea bed.

Finally on the southern end of Lanzarote's western coast are El Golfo and Janubio beach, both suitable for surfers of intermediate ability. Lanzarote has also gained a great reputation as one of the best places to host surf competitions in Europe and regularly hosts the European legs of the world's top international surfing competitions. In early November 2009 the Santa Pro surf competition was held at Famara beach, although organisers were forced to shift beaches south to la Santa for a couple of days due to the conditions. A total of 93 competitors competed for the prizes and huge twelve foot waves provided exciting conditions. Australian professional Drew Courtney overcame Brazilian Bernardo Miranda in the final.

Earlier in the year, during July, Spain held its national kitesurfing championships in Lanzarote at Playa de Famara, when 84 competitors visited the island to compete for the national titles. Professional windsurfing also came to Lanzarote during July when the PWA championship event was held at the Playa Las Cucharas in Costa Teguise. In 2010, professional surfing returns to the Canary Islands when the ASP Junior Surf Tour comes to Realejos in Tenerife during September.

For people new to surfing, who are not sure where to start, then the beginner's version of wave boarding or "boogie" boarding is the ideal way to get going and Lanzarote's beaches are the perfect place to. With some cheap equipment and a little instruction, complete beginners can be out in the waves having fun almost straight away. You just need a board and some optional flippers and you'll be away. The waters are not cold like the UK and you won't even need a wetsuit during the summer months. Its probably best to start with a lesson or two at one of the many surf schools, if only to pick up some tips beach etiquette (how to avoid upsetting everyone else out there) and to understand the safety aspects of rip tides and danger areas. Apart from than that it's a great surf sport for young and old.

Surfing in Lanzarote, Canary Islands

Lanzarote is a volcanic island in the Canary Islands located fifty miles off the coast to the west of the Sahara desert. It is known to many surfer as the Hawaii of Europe. The Canary Islands mark the southern tip of Europe and enjoy a very good climate.

Like Hawaii, Lanzarote was formed by volcanic activity along a fault line in the ocean floor. Along the fault line the Canary Islands were formed. Lanzarote is the furthest North East of all the Canary Islands and gets the best surf.

The ocean floor drops off very quickly from the shores of Lanzarote thus allowing the full force of any waves to unload directly on its coast. Storms that follow the Gulf Stream North East across the Atlantic ocean create powerful swells. These swells travel hundreds of miles across the deep ocean losing very little energy. When they arrive at the beaches and reefs of Lanzarote high quality surf is created.

Winter is the time of year when Lanzarote gets its best waves. The trade winds that blow for most of summer die down and the Winter swells roll in. The surf in Lanzarote is suitable for all levels of surfer. For beginners there is Famara beach and for advanced surfers there are a number of great reef breaks. On occasion the waves can get very big and several people are now even doing tow in surf. This is when a wave is too big to paddle into so the surfer is pulled behind a jet ski and onto the wave.

Different surf spots in Lanzarote:

Famara Beach - If you want to learn to surf this is the place to come. The bottom is sand and the waves are not too powerful. The beach can be surfed on all tides. When the swell is big the waves tend to break all at once or close out and surfing is not advisable.

Orzola beach - The is another beach break which can get some nice waves. Take a left turn before you get to the town of Orzola and follow the track to the beach. Works best around high tide.

La Santa Right - This is the most popular surf spot for experienced surfers. This wave is very consistent and is also sheltered from the prevailing winds. The wave is a hollow right hander with different sections. On a good day with the right swell direction it will break evenly all the way through. The wave breaks from as small as about head high to ten times over head. Depending on swell direction changes the tide level it breaks best at. Getting in and out the sea here is tricky as you have to get yourself over some very slippery and urchin filled rocks.

San Juan - The left and short right reef break is located along the headland to the west of Famara. At low tide it gets too hollow and dangerous. On its day it is a real classic wave with a steep take off. Half way along the wave there is another section that is perfect for getting barreled. Easy dry hair paddle out.

El Quemao - This is the pipeline of Lanzarote. It is a very powerful left and right hand reef break. Paddle out of the harbor. Best at around mid tide. Is normally bigger than it looks. When conditions are right you get a barrel almost every wave.

The Lanzarote North East Coast - Up past Arrieta on the east coast of Lanzarote there are a number of amazing surf spots. These normally break when it is either very big on the west coast or when the swell direction is from the North. Spots like Spiders, Jameos del Agua, Cartel and many more are to be found with a keen eye and a little exploration.

Other waves - There are many other classic surf spots to be found on Lanzarote and its neighboring island of La Graciosa. Studying the conditions, swell direction and a map can give great rewards.

Learning to surf - If you are new to the sport the best way to get involved is to start with some surf lessons. The town of Famara has several surf shops that offer lessons. They will hire you all the equipment you need, transfer you to the beach and give you instruction on this exhilarating sport.

Holiday accommodation - Probably the best place to stay for both the surf and social life in a holiday apartment in Famara. You can either stay in the town or best of all get a Famara bungalow to rent