Country and Location

The Canary Islands are a Spanish archipelago which, in turn, forms one of the Spanish Autonomous Communities and an Outermost Region of the European Union. The archipelago is located just off the northwest coast of mainland Africa, 100km west of the disputed border between Morocco and the Western Sahara. The sea currents which depart from Canary's coasts used to lead ships away to America. The islands highest to lowest are: Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro, Alegranza, La Graciosa and Montana Clara.

Gran Canaria is an island of the Canary Islands. Located in the Atlantic Ocean about 150 kilometers off the northwestern coast of the Africa and about 1350km from Europe. Gran Canaria is the second most populous island of the Canary Islands after Tenerife. Kiting is not aloud in Pozo Izquierdo beach, but there is a better place 200m downwind near the second bunker, also called Kite Beach. The wind is side-shore there (better than Pozo which is side-onshore).

The seasons and Accommodation info

The best months to visit Gran Canaria are May-September. Gran Canaria is a populair island so there is enough accommodation.

Possibilities besides kiting

Besides kitesurfing you can:
-Enjoy other watersports
-Camel and horse riding
-Go to the Aqua Sur water park at Maspalomas
-Visit the botanical gardens
-Enjoy the nightlive in Maspalomas
-Check out the museums or cultural events

Climate

Gran Canaria's average daytime highs range from 20°C in winter, to 26°C in summer. Some cool nights occur in winter, but lows below 10°C are unknown near the coast. Inland the climate is still mild but mountains areas see the occasional frost or snow. Hot southeasterly winds from the Sahara can push temperatures above 38°C on rare occasions, but these conditions don't normally last long. Annual rainfall averages 228mm, most of this falling in the cooler months, with July, August and September normally rainless. Rainfall is unevenly distributed through the island with some areas being much drier than others. Cloud cover and sunshine is often quite variable during the cooler months, and in fact there can be several rather cloudy days at times in winter. Summers are generally quite sunny however, with the south of the island being most favoured.

Spot conditions:
The beach

This beach is small full of big pebbles and stones. Launching and landing can be tricky here, so it is not a beginner spot.

The water conditions

The crystal clear water is choppy with small and medium sized waves. The water temperature is not very warm, so you need a normal wetsuit (3mm) all year round. Watch out for the strong current and sea urchins.

The wind conditions

The trade wind is the best from May-September. During the summer the wind can be 30knots and gusty. The rest of the year the wind blows not that often but it is 15-25knots and less gustier. The best and main direction is northeast, which is sideshore.

Facilities

There are showers and toilets. You can park you car at the spot and eat something if you are hungry.

Downwinder and trip possibilites

Other kitespots in the area are:
Arinaga (3,5 km north of Pozo, Medium sized beach with pebbles and stones, flat to choppy water)
Ketchup (4 km south of Pozo, Narrow beach with rocks, choppy waters)
Vargas (8,5km north of Pozo, big beach with rocks and pebbles, choppy water with nice waves)
Playa del Aguila (11,5 km south of Pozo, medium sized beach with plebbles and rocks, flat to choppy water)
Maspalomas (17km south of Pozo, very big sandy beach, shallo coppy water with small waves)


Travel info

The nearest town is Pozo Izquierdo. The nearest big city and airport is Las Palmas.

Links

Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canary_islands
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gran_Canaria

Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KA2GzsphWNk

Schools:
http://www.surfcampholidays.com/canary.php

Info:
http://www.gran-canaria-info.com
http://www.cutre.com/v2/index.php/en/kite
http://www.indigoguide.com/spain/gran-canaria-day-trips.htm