Gran Canaria Windsurf Guide - Gran Canaria - Bahia Feliz, Canary Islands

Sportif guide to the windsurfing sailing spots & conditions in Bahia Feliz, Gran Canaria.

Gran Canaria - Sailing Areas
Rows of wind turbines are visible from the autoroute when coming from the airport, a sure indication of predictable winds. The wind effects these windsurfing spots in a similar way, but because of geographic differences, makes for very different sailing conditions. In the winter strong thermal winds sweep across the south eastern edge of the island, creating an acceleration zone, where intermediates and advanced will enjoy sailing. During summer, the winds are lighter at Bahia Feliz, but very powerful in local areas to the north.
High-wind trips and windsurfing safaris 6 times a week in summer(mid May and September depending on demand/ June till August Monday till Saturday). In the winter depending on demand and on condititions.

Gran Canaria is one of the windiest of the Canary islands and offers year round windsurfing holidays. Trade winds are deflected and accelarated off each of the neighbouring islands. With the inland mountains reaching 2000m their can be a 'crash barrier effect' causing winds to accelerate in Pozo and other areas to between 30 and 40 knots in the summers.

Wind and Waves
Our windsurf centre is based in Bahia Feliz where the winds is less strong, blows mainly sideshore from the left (north-east), and creates choppy water conditions and, on some days, real waves. From the centre, in the bay, there are calmer conditions, so good for intermediates to train. Further out the swell can reach 1 to 1.5 metres, so good for jumping, gybes or other manoeuvres. for the first 100 – 200 metres from the centre launch spot, the wind can be a little variable.

From the centre to the launch spot there is a narrow beach of sand and stones.

During low tide the water in front of the station is flatter and during high tide there is choppy water and sometimes a small shore break. The tide table at the centre shows when the conditions will be flatter. For beginners and early intermediates, we would recommend taking some instructions. Due to the sometimes challenging conditions, there are only 3 to 4 pupils per course, so you learn intensively and progress with speed!

Summer to Winter Wind Patterns
The spot has different wind in winter and summer. From October to April the wind is strong enough for planing conditions 60% of the time (4-7 bft). Mainly in wintertime higher waves can reach Bahia Feliz, which can complicate the entry through the shorebreak. During these days our instructors are there to help you and show you how to cross the breaking waves. In the case of a low pressure area, there is wind from the south west bringing waves of 1-2 metres (& sometimes clouds & rain).

In summer (May to September) the trade winds are stronger (6-8 bft) and more constant but also more northerly which means that Bahia Feliz can be in the wind shadow. For this reason, the centre organizes high wind excursions to the flat water spot of Salinas de Arinaga - a perfect spot for all surfers, who can waterstart without problems.

Windsurfing at the centre from May to September is ideal for beginners and intermediates. If the trade wind reaches Bahia Feliz there is no reason to leave - stay at the centre and go windsurfing there! Therefore in the summer months Bahia Feliz offers the perfect holiday - even if all your friends or the members of your family don’t all sail on the same level. Arinaga is also a very good spot for learning, because of the wide shallow water area in the front good for learning waterstarts or other moves.

High Wind Excursions
Accompanied by an experienced surf instructor, the excursions to Salinas de Arinaga are designed for windsurfers who are competent water-starters and have high wind experience. Here there is flat water and wind between 6 and 8 bft! Arinaga is a perfect spot for all classic manoeuvres as well as for new school freestyle. In summer therare are excursions up to six times per week, which guarantees nearly 100% of windsurfing days.

Pozo Izquierdo This high wind action venue is not for the faint hearted. If you want extreme conditions found in few other venues worldwide, this is for you. Pozo is located about 25kms north of Bahia Feliz and approximately 30 minutes from the airport. The small town is perched at the windward end of a semi-circular bay that ends in a rocky point where the water can get very shallow. It is world renowned for the incessant wind and this notoriously windy spot is the chosen venue for the World Cup. The sailing conditions are at times awesome according to the strength of the prevailing wind and sea conditions which sweep across this edge of the island. Pozo is a windsurf destination dedicated to full on adrenaline pumping wave sailing and is not suitable for intermediate or recreational sailors.

In the winter season, most high wind excursions are arranged on the day, depending on the local conditions. A local fee of  approximately 10€ per day or 35€ a week is chargeable locally. For experienced wave freaks there is also the possibility (for a small fee) to take the gear to other spots like Vargas or Pozo Izquierdo and go windsurfing there (at your own risk).

Kids
In winter time, the spot at Bahia Feliz is good for older children who are confident in the water. The conditions can vary so sometimes a little challenging and windsurfing lessons are usually with only 2 to 4 students at a time so they have excellent teaching ratios. In summer, the spot in front of the centre is good for all ages. When not windsurfing,it is possible to use the body boards and kayaks.