SPANIEN & PORTUGAL
Kitesurfing at Tarifa – Los Lances
Europe's wind capital. Two winds take turns: the Poniente from the west is onshore and steadier (10–25 kn), the Levante from the east is offshore and stronger (20–40 kn). Seven kilometres of beach, for every level except beginners in strong wind.
At a glance
| Water | waves |
| Wind quality | steady enough |
| Typical wind | 20 kn |
| Usable directions | Levante (east) and Poniente (west) (60–120° and 250–300°) |
| Season | April to October, around 300 windy days |
| Tide | small tidal range |
| Depth | deep |
| School | several schools on site |
Which kite size does this spot call for?
The table below is not copied from a chart. It is the same calculation the calculator on the front page runs, applied to this spot: waves and steady enough wind both shift the size, and so does your body weight. The rule of thumb everyone quotes is calibrated to a 75 kg rider – above roughly 100 kg it drifts, which is why the table goes to 140.
| Rider | 15 kn | 20 kn | 26 kn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60 kg | 8–9 m² | 6–7 m² | 4–5 m² |
| 75 kg | 10–11 m² | 7–8 m² | 5–6 m² |
| 90 kg | 12–13 m² | 9–10 m² | 6–7 m² |
| 105 kg | 13–14 m² | 10–11 m² | 7–8 m² |
| 120 kg | 15–17 m² | 11–12 m² | 8–9 m² |
| 140 kg | 17 m² | 13–14 m² | 10–11 m² |
Work this spot out with my own numbers
What is it doing right now?
Forecast wind for this spot, and – in Germany – the value actually measured at the nearest DWD station Where the tidal range matters, the current gauge reading from the federal waterways administration is shown too – a measured level with its direction of travel, not a tide prediction.. Nothing is fetched until you ask for it: press the button and your browser contacts the services, not before.
How often does it actually work here?
A wind statistic tells you how often the wind blows. That is not the same question. What matters is how many days your own kites carry you here – between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., for at least two hours, and only from the directions this spot can actually use (60–120° and 250–300°). The calculator works that out from five years of recorded hourly wind and tells you which size is missing from your quiver.
Count the rideable days for my quiver
What to watch out for
The Levante is offshore – in a strong Levante use the official rescue zone. Strict zoning in summer.
All figures are researched regular conditions, not a forecast, and no substitute for a local briefing. Wind and water can look different here on any given day.