Surfing Waves

Hello, I'm planning to take my first out-of-UK surfing trip to Fuerteventura in January. I hear there are beginners breaks but that the waves can be quite big that time of year. Any experiences you can share? Just got my first non soft top board and I'm a bit sketchy on it so gentle waves wanted. Want to take my own board and have just read on another post about putting boards on planes securely- has anyone else taken their board abroad successfully?

Words of wisdom appreciated,

Katie

Hi, the breaks can be ok for beginers but there is only 1 in the north of the island which isn't a reef break - El Cotillo and its frustrating cos 90% of the time it closes out.
On any day when it gets really big you can usually find a much smaller and more mellow spot, albeit over sharp gnarly lava reef .
I would advise taking some thin booties just to save your feet as you will probably have to walk over reef at some time and its slippery and sharp.
I reckon you should check out Cotillo first and if its too big or you get sick of closeouts then go to the east of the island to Glass Beach or maybe Rocky Point.
But it will be fine, there are loads of beginners out there on foamies from the surf schools .

Whats brooster said... the skill level for the majority of breaks are high. unless your staying to the south of the island then your going to be driving alot. Somthing on the coast of portugal, spain or france would be more up your street realisticly.

Here's a shot of me gingerley getting into the water at Harbour Wall (wishing I had booties on - even tho it would look kooky in a shorty)



and another one



and another one!

Thanks for your replies.
So there would be some OK waves in the South then? - if so then I would consider staying down there.

Katie

Hey, I went to fuerte a couple of years ago with my family and also hoping to find good beginner waves, but ended up driving around for 3 days trying to find some less powerful waves with no luck. Then on the day we were leaving (after we had returned the hired boards) decided to drive to one of the beach brakes we found (making the most of the hire car ) and it was PERFECT 2-3ft glassy, never been so annoyed in my life! the day before it was real heavy! I would say i'f you're patient you should find wat your looking for, seemed like there was many dusty roads leading to secluded spots. But as said Take boots! foolishly went for a walk on the beach with no shoes on and theres razor sharp lava everywere! also beware of naked german tourists . Pretty cool surf shop in Correlejo called 'Home Grown', at least i think its in correlejo

Hi,

I travelled to Fuerte on the 8th of december this year (2005) and its a fantastic place. I attended a surf school for the first three days, to refresh myself as it had been sometime since I last surfed (the trouble with living in the centre of the U.K!)

I found that El Costillo was sweet, it all depends on your level; if your a novice then a long golden beach break that closes out isn't going to bother you as you'll be learning prodominantly in the white water and it's alway nicer to have an inspiring place to learn. It does close out a fair bit. If your patient you'll find some lefts in the November to January period.

Also if you decide to use surf schools then ask about a place called Tindaya its a cove a little further south from El Costillo this was perfect for Novice to intermidiate; 4ft with plenty of power in the wave to allow for a shorter than usual board. It had some good lefts and didn't close out.

After a week there, I had gone from remembering how to stand on a 8'4" to turning and riding greens on a 7'4" again in 3 days. then it was practise and progress from there!

I would recommend it to anyone novice to expert; there are some top class breaks for the experienced guys too; Lobos for example I won't go on any more as the pro will know all about it.


Surf Schools to get in touch with:

Home Grown - I didn't go with these, but went to their shop and they are all a buch of friendly guys and a great range of their own clothes! You will see them everywhere. They can definatley surf!

Quicksilver Surf School - You will pay a little over the odds with these guys and the can be territorial with their area of the beach. Essentially a few (good) local surfers with a nice little business and all Quicksilver gear but there instructors can really rip it up!

Island Boarders/ Flag Beach - Not the most punctual group i've ever used but certainly the most friendly and with some real good advice and pointers. Andy and Steve two british guys are absolutley ace and will get you going in whatever area you need to improve; both accomplished surfers. Andy is wetsuit on, get in and surf with you kind of guy, as is Steve but will give the most help to those who are struggling (don't lend Steve any money! ) try not to piss off Ben who is the owner can be stroppy! Berry is also very cool!

Also Check the following Restraunts and Bars: Maranda Al Sur, Blue Jean Steak House and La Mamma's for food. Corky's and Tattoos & booze for the beer!


I'm going back with some friends in March I might you guys there!

Keep Paddling

(quote)On_the_path
wrote:
After a week there, I had gone from remembering how to stand on a 8'4" to turning and riding greens on a 7'4" again in 3 days. then it was practise and progress from there!

lol thats some funny xxxxx !!!!!!!!!

Island Boarders/ Flag Beach - Not the most punctual group i've ever used but certainly the most friendly and with some real good advice and pointers. Andy and Steve two british guys are absolutley ace and will get you going in whatever area you need to improve; both accomplished surfers. Andy is wetsuit on, get in and surf with you kind of guy, as is Steve but will give the most help to those who are struggling (don't lend Steve any money! Laughing ) try not to piss off Ben who is the owner can be stroppy! Evil or Very Mad Berry is also very cool!

I actually became the first instructor (of windsurfing) here when we set it all up in 1988! It was just Ben and me then.

Has anybody used the Cowabunga surf school in La Pared further south? Any reviews would be welcome.

i was on fuerte with <a surf company> .it was nice and prices are super .

I was looking at Fuerte earlier this year but chose Lanzarote instead based on price...I had never surfed before and I LOVED IT.
we learnt a Lovely guy called Seb who ran lessons from Costa Teguise ...he took us to Famara to surf it was wonderful , a really special chilled beach.

Ive been to a few other beaches now but cant wait to return there, it was golden sand and very soft underfoot once you got passed the initial stones, it felt like a great place to safely learn under instruction.

just a thought if you are flexable with location.

Phill

I`m not exactly an expert but definately not a beginner, I was there in may, save you money its wont be particularly well suited to your skill level, mostly reef breaks, I can only really recommend hossegor area instead, but do some home work before you go, ever considered Ireland? I learned in croyed, saunton etc but back from 4 weeks in hossegor was nice headin there the weekend too as I move to toulouse south of france, i moved here last christmas, so its just 3 hours for me. its always croweded in the summer though, surfed there in feb it was 20 degree 5` and perfect barrels 6 of us in the water, the french dont like the cold
good luck wherever you decide
stomp