Excursion to the south of Spain – Part 2: Tarifa

Approaching Tarifa, kitesurf mecca for its constant windiness, the landscape became again mountainous, with the promise of rock climbing. And the quantity of wind turbines bespoke of its reputation for wind. I thought I was in for a great time!

Arriving at the coast, there were only a couple of kites up, and not enough wind to get me excited. Strange, as the forecast that drew me here was most promising. So I drove on the town, past a guy with his kite gear who was hitchhiking, through the town with its innumerable kite shops, to the windward shores. But I could find no evidence of beaches in this direction.

So I decided to head back and see if the hitcher was still there. He was, so I piled him and all the gear in the trusty van and offered a ride as we started to chat. He was a novice and new to the town, but confirmed that the first beaches I passed was the entire extent. So we went to visit and saw a stunning site: so may kites pumped up and waiting; truly as far as the eye could see. But no wind.

The windlessness continued for a few days so I did some other side-trips instead, but on my last day I had gone to inspect the local climbing – discovering I hadn’t packed my shoes, so I just played around at the base of some wonderful (and difficult) looking climbs – when I noticed the wind build.

Down again to the beach and still not enough. But later it built enough to use my biggest kite for 2 hours before dying again. And even in that short time, it was very busy. I can’t imagine when it’s enough wind for everyone who had only brought small kites. It was an uninspired session, but fun, and now I can say I’ve kited Tarifa. But would I go back; not necessarily. Maybe in the winter when the storms brew up big waves.