WINDSURFING IN POZO IZQUIERDO: 10 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Whenever we talk about windsurfing, the first place that comes to mind is Tarifa. But what about our islands? Given their nature, the Canary Islands are one of the best environments we have in Spain to practice wave sports and especially wind sports. The geographical conditions of the archipelago are idyllic for lovers of windsurfing: warm temperatures; wind coming from land, strong, constant... Bathed by the Atlantic Ocean, each one of the islands offers incredible spots for surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing. It is hard to choose just one, but today we want to dedicate this post to Gran Canaria, specifically to Pozo Izquierdo.
Gran Canaria, we could define it as 12 months of good temperatures and better sea. It is one of the most visited destinations by lovers of water sports. Did you know that 34% of all cetacean species inhabit the waters of the Canary Islands? Diving on this island means immersing yourself in a museum of animal diversity. But let's not beat around the bush. Today we have come to talk about windsurfing, and to talk about windsurfing we have to travel to the Canary Islands paradise for riders: Pozo Izquierdo. We want to tell you several things you should know before organizing your "windsurfer" trip. These are the 10 keys!
1. POZQUIERDO: THE SECRET PARADISE OF WINDSURFING
Pozo Izquierdo is a coastal city located in the southeast of Gran Canaria, in the municipality of Santa Lucía de Tirajana. This entire area has different beaches where you can enjoy windsurfing such as Vargas, Ojos de Garza, Playa de Águila... Although the windsurfing beach par excellence is undoubtedly El Arenal, normally called Pozo Izquierdo beach. Right next to the beach is a large well, which gives its name to this town. Why is it the big favourite? It has it all: 1,280 meters of beach, trade winds, sea currents, powerful waves, unbeatable weather…
2. WINDSURF CAMPS AND SCHOOLS
Whether it's your first time windsurfing or if you already have experience, you have excellent schools at your disposal that will teach you the best tricks, the peculiarities of the area and how to improve your technique. These are just a few, but the list is endless: Pozowinds, CUTRE Windsurf, Lpwindsurf, Pozowinds… All of them are located right on the beach and will offer you the best sessions. Do you need to rent or buy equipment? They offer it to you too. If you come with friends, the most fun thing is to book a week in a windsurf camp. The experience will be hilarious: you will stay in the best facilities, you will do many activities and you will be in a multicultural environment. We recommend you book at Lpwindsurf, you will not regret it.
3. CAREFUL! THE BACKGROUND IS ROCK
In many areas of Pozo Izquierdo the bottom is rock. What does that mean? That you have to be careful. When the tide is high, the waves break on the shore, so you have to be careful not to get scared. We recommend you always use socks and helmet, especially if you are just starting out. If the material collides with a rock it can be damaged, but we could cut ourselves or get a nasty blow, so better safe than sorry.
4. WATER TEMPERATURE
When we think of the Canary Islands, we immediately imagine sun, sand and warm water. However, let's not forget that the waters of Pozo Izquierdo are bathed by the Atlantic, an ocean that cools them down a lot. Thanks to the Gulf Stream that warms them a bit, the temperature is not very cold. In winter it rarely falls below 18°C and in summer it is usually above 25°C. If you are thinking about which neoprene suit to bring you, we make it very easy for you. In winter, a 3/2 mm will suffice, and if there is a very cold day and a very strong wind, a 4/3 mm. In summer, take advantage of the good weather and wear a short suit.
5. LEFT WELL: WORLD WINDSURFING MECA
That Pozo Izquierdo is the world capital of windsurfing we do not say it, the PWA (Professional Windsurfer Association) says it. Every year it is the scene of one of the events of the Windsurfing World Championship, the PWA World Tour. This summer 2022 the 32nd edition of the championship will be held, after two years of being canceled due to the pandemic. Whether you're addicted to windsurfing or just curious, book your first week of July. Jumps that reach 10 meters, aerial turns... You will be able to enjoy watching the best international windsurfers, quite a spectacle. Sports and leisure, it is an appointment that you cannot miss.
6. PAY ATTENTION TO THE WEBCAM
We know that doing a sea sport can be quite an odyssey. It is not limited only to the practice of the activity itself, but to the previous preparation. To plan our windsurfing session it is essential to check the weather forecast: the wind that will be there, the swell, the size of the waves, if the tide is rising or falling... We know that nature is very unpredictable and all preparation is little, but in Pozo Izquierdo we are very lucky! In the center of Pozowinds there is a webcam, just 50 meters from the sand, from which you can see a panoramic view of the entire beach. You can't make it easier for us.
7. GASTRONOMY
In addition to sports, the islands have a lot to offer: culture, gastronomy, leisure... It is true that after a few hours training in the sea, one comes out of the water wanting to regain strength (and with a hole in the stomach). So we are going to recommend the top restaurant in the entire area, where you can enjoy a relaxing moment with the best views and savoring the freshest products. It is the Terraza El Viento restaurant, located on the beach itself. Gourmets and gourmets, adventurers, hippies... this place welcomes thousands of travelers and locals, and we are not surprised. Delicious dishes of international origin, live music, a first-class atmosphere... At El Viento everything tastes better.
8. RUANO SISTERS: WINDSURFING AMBASSADORS
That the best windsurfers in Spain were born in Pozo Izquierdo is not something that surprises us. The windsurfer lifestyle makes children suck that love for the sea and the wind from a very young age. This is the case of the twins Daida and Iballa Ruano, the Márquez sisters of windsurfing. They began trying windsurfing as children, when a board was stolen from their neighbor. Today they already have 28 world titles, being an example in women's sports.
9. COMFORT
Pozo Izquierdo beach makes it very easy for you, as it is the most comfortable beach for windsurfing in Gran Canaria. It measures 1,280 meters and offers all kinds of services: showers, cleaning service, sports area, surfing area... The best? If you have a car, this is of interest to you: about 20 minutes away is Pasito Blanco, the best marina on the entire island. This port accommodates up to 388 boats of up to 40 meters in length and is surrounded by restaurants, a beach club called La Punta Yacht Club and a beach. It offers many water activities, such as diving, sailing, kayaking, parasailing... A great plan to do with friends.
10. LEFT WELL: SUN MAGNET
If something characterizes Pozo Izquierdo, it is two things: the sun and the wind. In Pozo Izquierdo it is sunny most of the year and the rays hit with great force. Therefore, it is essential to be protected at all times, both in and out of the water. In the water we cannot recommend much, unless you always apply sun protection cream (the best for sports in the water are creams in stick format). However, for the moments when you get out of the water, we are going to offer you two products that you will not be able to resist. First up, your next favorite cap: the
These are the 10 things you need to know before going to Pozo Izquierdo, the capital of windsurfing. What are you waiting for? If you are a true free spirit we are looking forward to seeing you enjoying yourself in the water. Do not wait any longer and reserve a week of your summer to discover this wonder in Gran Canaria, you will fall in love.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
- WHERE TO DO WINDSURFING IN GRAN CANARIA?
Gran Canaria offers incredible spots all over the island, from north to south. However, the windsurfing mecca is located in the southeast of the island, in Pozo Izquierdo.
- WHERE TO STAY IN POZO IZQUIERDO?
If you come to windsurf in Pozo Izquierdo, we recommend that you book a windsurf camp. The experience will be hilarious: you will stay in the best facilities, you will do many activities and you will be in a multicultural environment. We advise you Lpwindsurf, you will not regret it.
- WHICH WETSUIT TO BRING TO POZO IZQUIERDO?
In winter, a 3/2 mm will suffice, and if there is a very cold day and a very strong wind, a 4/3 mm. In summer, take advantage of the good weather and wear a short suit.
- WHO ARE THE RUANO SISTERS?
The twins Daida and Iballa Ruano began trying windsurfing as children, when a board was stolen from their neighbor. Today they already have 28 world titles, they are an example in women's sports.
- IS IT NEEDED TO BRING PROTECTION IN THE LEFT HOLE?
In many areas of Pozo Izquierdo the bottom is rock, so be careful when you're in the water. We recommend you always use socks and helmet, especially if you are just starting out. If the material collides with a rock it can be damaged, but we could cut ourselves or give us an ugly blow
- WHAT WINSURFING CHAMPIONSHIP IS HELD IN POZO IZQUIERDO?
Every summer Pozo Izquierdo is the scene of one of the events of the Windsurfing World Championship, the PWA World Tour. This summer 2022 the 32nd edition of the championship is already being held, after two years of being canceled due to the pandemic.
