| The sport of kitesurfing has undergone a remarkably | | | | locations in North America that attracts high numbers |
| fast emergeance as one of the world's fastest | | | | of surfers, but in Europe now the sport is already |
| growing watersports. Kitesurfing can trace it's origins | | | | well-established and in the warmer waters of |
| back to various attempts to harness the power of | | | | southern Europe you will find several world-class |
| the wind as a form of propulsion across water but it | | | | resorts. |
| is only really in the last ten years that the sport | | | | Perhaps surprisingly, The Netherlands has a high |
| suddenly became popular on the back of a functional | | | | number of kitesurfing resorts, as does the UK |
| and affordable design of equipment. That equipment | | | | despite its variable weather. But Spain has the |
| consists of a bi-directional board, effectively a | | | | advantage of both climate and thousands of miles of |
| lightweight surfboard, a harness and lines attached to | | | | coastline, allowing it to provide a wide choice of great |
| a large kite that is easily controlled. Once the | | | | kitesurfing locations. |
| equipment hurdles were overcome the sport rapidly | | | | The resort of Famara on Lanzarote is one of those |
| blossomed into the craze it is today. | | | | locations that attracts thousands of surfers |
| A key element to the success of kitesurfing is the | | | | year-round. A 5 kilometre long beach that shelves |
| availability of suitable locations where the sport can | | | | through shallow water until around 50 meters |
| be practised. Unlike surfing, kitesurfing does not rely | | | | offshore provides a perfect environment for the |
| on a particular sea state. As long as there is sufficient | | | | sport. Famara village is off the beaten track for the |
| wind and it's in a suitable direction, ideally side | | | | typical tourist so is normally a haven for kitesurfers |
| onshore, then the activity can be carried out. | | | | only. The kitesurfing centre in the village provides |
| Offshore winds are dangerous for obvious reasons | | | | equipment hire, instruction and transfer to the beach |
| while a direct onshore wind direction also carries an | | | | which lies just 5 minutes away. As such it has a laid |
| element of risk should the surfer be driven onto | | | | back and welcoming feel. Flights to Lanzarote are |
| rocks or other beach obstacles. | | | | available from all over Europe with a wide choice of |
| Having said that, many locations lend themselves to | | | | airlines operating frequent flights to the island's airport |
| the sport; there are some that are unable to | | | | at Arrecife. |
| accommodate kitesurfers and there are others that | | | | Operators like FlyThomasCook offer low cost flights |
| have quickly found fame as favourite locations. The | | | | to Fuerteventura which also has a kitesurfing beach |
| main reasons why a location would be unsuitable for | | | | called Flag Beach just outside the village of Corralejo, |
| the sport lie in prevailing wind directions but also with | | | | however surfers seem to rate the beach at Famara |
| the hazardous nature of the sport for other beach | | | | on Lanzarote as better. |
| users. Several beach resorts already ban kitesurfing | | | | Many flight operators are now used to travellers |
| for that reason. | | | | wanting to carry sporting equipment. Some accept |
| Weather places only a small part in kitesurfing. | | | | sporting gear on a 'space and weight permitting' |
| Obviously very strong winds or storms would make | | | | policy which is not entirely helpful, because what are |
| the sport more dangerous than it already is, but air | | | | you supposed to do with your kiteboard once you've |
| and water temperature matter very little. You often | | | | already arrived at the airport and they don't accept it |
| see surfers on the water during winter months | | | | onboard? If they are able to carry your kiteboard, |
| wearing thick wetsuits, but the most popular | | | | FlyThomasCook will charge around 40 pounds return |
| kitesurfing destinations usually boast warmer climates | | | | for short haul flights and 60 pounds for long haul. |
| making the sport very enjoyable. | | | | That compares favourably to Thomson and Britannia |
| Having developed in the US there are hundreds of | | | | who currently charge 100 pounds for long haul. |