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WIND SURFING in Sal Cabo Verde
For those of you who have hung on to this incredible sport and have not completely crossed over to the kite side, than Sal is your mecca and Surf Zone your guide. There are so many spots to play in, each with its own set of conditions, that one can get a little confused as to where to windsurf each day!
All the windsurfing here is in the Big Blue Ocean with turtles, dolpins and a handfull of other windsurfers. There are no crowds on the water slowing you down or blocking your way. The water is warm, so you can wear a shortie or board shorts (depending on what water temps you are used to). At both of our windsurfing schools, there are NO Rocks, No Reefs, and No Stress, in the windsurfing area. Unless you count the occasional african man trying to sell you a wooden turtle or some sun glasses as you enter the water.
The South Side of the island (Bay of Santa Maria) has two waves spots at either point, and a whole lot of ocean between them for those not ready for the waves. The wind is a little gusty in the bay, so you have to go out a little further in the Bay, where the wind is much stronger, if it is strong you are seeking. The condtions in this area can range from flat to a litttle wavey to nice rolling waves. Closer in the Bay the water is softer flater and much more easy for beginners.
On the West Coast in front of the Riu the water is more flat, strong and constant. It is perfect for speed sailing and free styling. When the wind turns more side shore, the ocean become a little more choppy, but you never really have larger chop or rolling waves on this side. Further up the west coast there are several wave spots offering all different levels of wave riding. On the East coast there is kite beach, for those wanting to practise jumps off the reef. The options are endless.
If you are a beginner the area in front of the Surf Zone in the Bay of Santa Maria is perfect, as it is protected. However when this is not ideal, the bay in front of Riu school will be. Because the schools are on two different coasts, when the ocean in front of one is wavey, the ocean in front of the other will be more flat and visa versa.
Note because the length of shallow water when entering the ocean is very small, Cape Verde does have a beach break. The height of this varies daily. Some weeks there is no break and others there are. All schools here offer a beach break service, where some one will help you put your material in the water past the break and someone will help you take it out when you are done.
To top it all off, the Cape Verdian is a friendly human breed. They live by the moto NO STRESS, which can traslate into just about anything laid back. There is maybe a total of 8 rain days in a year, no snow days, some cloudy days and many sunny and windy days.
The best time to come windsurf if you are more intermediate to advanced is November until the end of May.Oct and Nov is the beginning of the windy season. Jan, feb and March are the strongest wind and wave months. Apr and May are the most consistent wind months. June to Sept are our summer months and great for beginner windsurfers. Note because of the protected bay in Santa Maria, beginners can come and learn all year around, though there will be some days or weeks when there will be to much wind or waves for beginners.
From Nov until the end of April we recommend wearing a shortie wet suite. Bring loads of sunscreen!
Hours: 9am to 5pm, 7 days a week. We are open all year around, except for the month of September.
