The Trade Winds blow across the Canaries from April to August. And whilst they once powered Spanish galleons across the Atlantic to the New World in search of silver and gold today they fuel mariners of an altogether different stripe.
Surfing has been big in the Canaries ever since the 1960’s when the Beach Boys helped to fuel a worldwide boom in board riding. But the sport of course has much deeper roots than that and can trace its origins right back to 16th century Polynesia and pre-Columbian Peru. Either way the conditions for wave riding on Lanzarote are absolutely ideal, thanks to the presence of plenty of offshore reefs which help to create the all important breaks and the aforementioned Trade Winds which help to form the waves. Add in a great year round climate and it’s no surprise to find that the Canaries are often referred to as the Hawaii of Europe.
Famara is the epicentre of the surf scene on Lanzarote and the beautiful beach here is one of the most picturesque on the island, located around 25 minutes drive from Playa Blanca. Pay a visit here any day during the season and you’ll see plenty of surf schools in action on the beach. Usually the conditions here are pretty clement so it’s also a great spot for first timers to learn how to get up and standing on their boards. If you’re keen to have a try then just take a wander into the village of Famara, right next to the beach. It’s got a great atmosphere and it’s sandy streets are home to plenty of surf schools and hire shops.
There are plenty of other sweet spots on the North and West coasts for more experienced surfers to explore too but some riders report that localism can be a bit of an issue here, so take care if you’re thinking about dropping in on somebody else’s wave!
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