Tarifa 2009

20 to 22 de February

Report of travel

As has been usually, we went there in search of wind as the season does not come to Portugal. This time Spain, more precisely Tarifa was our destination. Where will the Tarifa, is a date that has one or two stuck with the holiday weekend, so that we can sail at least 3 days to justify the movement. This year the date was chosen as the Carnival.

 

 
 
Tarifa from Miguel Mendes on Vimeo.

 

With a week before we started to monitor weather forecasts and statistics on the spot for the trip was not made in vain. The closer we were the day of departure, the forecast was more unstable, to the point of the journey is about to be canceled. But being that it was good for Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and decided to risk leaving earlier than planned anticipating the trip a day. The return could also be earlier, unless the wind is justified by day 24, which did not happen.

 

 

On the first day, the first group had arrived at dawn which allowed some rest, but little regeneration. The second group that was also from Lisbon by night also hastened to arrive, so count into the water near the premises 12 hours.

 

 

The wind measured on the beach in Valdevaqueros, which is one of two clubs Mistral Tarifa, we ran with 18 and gusts reached 28 knots. In this area there were also some waves at that size does not allow that all could sail there in safety. So we decided to go to the dune, where the wind was steady and the waves were small and easy to enter.

 

 

On the second day the forecast was not so good, in fact, was less wind. Even so we were a good 18 allowing planar throughout the day with candles between 6 and 5 meters depending on the weight of the boater.

Decided to test the new board of the school, the JP X-CITE RIDE 120 ES, which came to replace the Tabou Rocket 125. The sail was used Gaastra Remedy 6.4 2009. The sea and wind Mareta quite excessive for something that would sail to understand the behavior of the board under estremas.

 

 

My first impression, taking into account the position of a start, I realized immediately that the board is not as easy as Tabou. With one and a half centimeters wide and 5 more in length, is it a board a little more technical. This model is considered a legend, is the best seller of JP, designed to be easy but at the same time fast and comfortable sport combining the look of smooth, even in the most estremas Mareta not to hinder the provision of the board. The speed and control is evident, however for less experienced requires a little more experience since the speed and power so that we feel will take off at any time without losing control.

 

 

The last day was definitely perfect. The forecasts for Sunday were not the best, in fact, in spite of wind, there was not very "famous" at least at the Mecca of windsurfing in Europe. Meet the board "and decided to seek the best place to satisfy our" needs. " We believe in going to PalmOne, but the wind was only 10 of us. Luckily one of our sailors, forget about buying the restaurant where dinner normally, it allowed the town to realize that the wind easily exceeded the 20 us, which contrasted with the wind on the beach in Valdevaqueros should about 14 knots. We then look to the port of Tarifa and there are 6 on the wind from the Mediterranean to train Freestyle. Side of the Atlantic a few perfect waves were the delights of Kiter's. A show worthy of watching. Still we sail there, but common sense told us to look elsewhere and in good time we did because we found the perfect place.

 

 

A 2 km from Tarifa in direction of Valdevaqueros, find a beach where the wind was blowing in at 18 knots. The waves that were forming were perfect and some left-side off of them was a pleasant temptation. Not very convinced, however we come by. From 5.8 to 4.2 was a total fun. For those who came will remember this day as one of the best days of wind in their lives. The waves of medium size but with perfect walls were easy meter to meter and a half where it was easily 4 to 5 beats per wave. For me personally it was the best day ever on Tarifa.

 

Until the next and ...

 

Good winds,

Elisiário Carvalho