More details to follow.

There’s a buzz around the beach at Las Cucharas as the summer trade winds lift the rainbow sails of Lanzarote windsurfing and send them riding across the waves. It’s a little over two weeks until the start of the 2011 PWA Windsurf World Tour and everyone’s looking forward to seeing some spectacular freestyle sailing.

Like everything else, the PWA (Professional Windsurfers Association) World Tour has been affected by the world economic crisis with the result that this year, it’s only the freestyle men who will get to compete in the Costa Teguise event. But that won’t dampen the spirits of the sailors and spectators who will crowd the beautiful bay over the four days of the event to enjoy the sun and the spectacle. Costa Teguise is hoping that the weather puts in a better performance than at last year’s competition and musters its trademark constant 15 – 20 knots with good waves to produce some world class moves.

The PWA rankings currently have last year’s winner, Jose ‘Gollito’ Estredo, sitting in second position to Kiri Thode who stood in second place on the podium last year. But with Kiri currently sitting in pole position at Bonaire and Gollito in fourth as I write, it’s likely to be another exciting battle of the waves between the topped ranked players when they set sail in Lanzarote. With valuable points and prize money of 30,000 euros at stake, there’s plenty to play for.

For spectators, Playa Cucharas is a perfect crescent-shaped bay backed by shops, bars and restaurants where days usually slip by in sun-filled hours of golden beach, clear waters, finger-licking lunches and chilled beers. But when the PWA Tour comes to town, the adrenalin is notched up and everyone gets carried away on the tide of excitement and the party atmosphere. If you’re lucky enough to be staying at Sands Beach Resort, an idyllic coastal stroll takes you to the action within minutes and later in the day, back to the Mai Tai for a chill out and a sundowner.

Fact file:
PWA Freestyle Windsurf  Tour; June 30th – July 3rd 2011; Playa Las Cucharas, Costa Teguise; the Championships move to Gran Canaria (July 5th – July 10th), Tenerife (July 14th – 20th) and Fuerteventura (July 22nd – August 1st)

Photos from PWA World Tour gallery

It’s one of the highlights of the Professional Windsurfers calendar, the annual round in Lanzarote, and for 2010 Costa Teguise proved to be a worthy testing ground for champions. It was the first week of July and the island was buzzing with World Cup fever but the all action crew soon showed that they had plenty of thrills and spills to offer.
Sands Beach Resort Hotel was once again home from home for many of the competitors and the many poolside bars and restaurants were a great setting for the thriving social scene that follows the tour. Las Chucharas beach teased the sports stars with a slow wind less start but made up for it with some classy waves during the 4 day event.
Freestyle windsurfing was pushed to the limits with bold new moves and keen young riders. The winners were familiar names, setting the standard high for those trying to claim their crowns during the world tour. Jose Estredo, three times world champion, was the mens winner and Sarah Quita Offringa, twice world champion, swept in for the ladies title.
Lanzarote relished the visit of these young sports stars and their acrobatics will have inspired a new generation of wind surfers. The competitors went away with fond memories of great waves and lots of new friends.

Homework was never so good for Birte Christiansen, studying Tourism Management in Germany, she took a 6 month internship with the Water Sports Centres Lanzarote, and set out to test every active sport to the limit. Based in Costa Teguise, she had the perfect setting to take on everything.

Amazingly Birte found time to write her blog site and if you dip in, you will see it was quite a whirl as she took to the Atlantic to try high adreneline challenges like wind surfing. The waves, wind and great training facilities around Costa Teguise combined to ensure she had plenty of practical experience to go with her academic studies. Wind surfing could be just the sport for you, try it soon in Lanzarote, you will keep coming back for more.