Hi all,

Just back from 6 days kitesurfing in Tarifa. Started toward the end of last summer and did bugger all over the winter. Decided to get out there and get some lessons in preparation for a what I'm sure will be an excellent summer in the North East. Went out with good kite control and an ability to get up and going most of the time. Wasn't riding up wind at all or turning. Came back going upwind in lots of variable conditions, doing sliding turns and contemplating my first jumps. Had a great time. Used Tantrum kite surfing school (link below). Was expecting to pay about £550 for the 6 days kit hire, tuition and transport around and about. I took my own kit too (1 kite and board) and used this whenever suitable. As I was soon up and riding my instructor let me just ride very independently, giving me coaching tips when I came back in or blasting out to join me to give me some demos of the next progression. Only charged me £250 at the end of the week as I'd used my kit a fair bit and required only occasional coaching input. One of the best features of the school is the guarantee to keep going as long as the wind is there and you've got the energy. Didn't finish some days til 8pm! Cannot recommend them enough. Good kit, great local knowledge and just thoroughly nice people.

http://www.tantrumkitesurf.com/?ref_ema ... mail.co.uk

Winds in April were a bit variable but out of my 8 days out there I got in 6 days kiting.The old town area of Tarifa is stunning and very chilled out. Can't wait to get back there. Out tomorrow for the first time since I got back! Going to be odd having so much space without 50+ kites and people to work around to get out on the water...

Colin.

Excellent stuff!

I reckon that holiday will have saved you approx 6 months, maybe even longer on our coast if you work a regular 9-5, Mon - Fri so money and time very well spent.

Now you can just enjoy the local spots, flat water and waves!

Hi
I was in tarifa around the same time, I took my 12m and 9m, but the wind was crazy so i was not able to use none of those. Before the trip i was on waterstart and not very confident to ride, I was recommended obsession for school (http://www.kiteobsession.com/) and they were great. Me and my friend wanted to rent a small kite but they needed to see our level before so we decided to book a lesson 80e each and lasted around 6 hrs with winds of 35knots no one on the beach and made us feel really safe. After that, they saw we could handle our kites and agreed that the instructors would take spare kites for us to the beach in case the wind was too strong and we needed them, (charging 50e per day). They were always giving us advice even when we were using our kit and very friendly, one of the instructors is a bartender in a local club and gave us free drinks!!!!
The main guy of the school is called Nacho and is like a legend in Tarifa and Brasil, i would also recommend anyone to contact them if you are planing a holiday in tarifa.