Our beaches are alive with personality. Their beauty and splendor have attracted many of us to live here, and let’s face it, we are all eminently proud to live by such treasures. But do we make the most of our riches year-round? Surfers most certainly do. From a peaceful sunset session to an invigorating November storm swell, we are capturing the ocean’s energy day after day, month after month…In this first ‘Surf article’ we’ll be checking out all our surfing breaks, from Roche to Caños de Meca, and revealing how to find optimum surf conditions in each spot.
Let me introduce myself. I’m Laura. Yes, I’m female and I’m a surfer but I also have my own Surf School – Trafalgar Surf Trip, along with my partner Ramon. I’m originally from Devon, England, where I simultaneously learnt to surf and endure cold water temperatures. Since then I’ve spent two years in Australia, where I qualified as a Surf Instructor and lifeguard. Five years ago I moved here to Conil. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for our beaches.
Our coast is dotted with surfable beaches, and to find each spot working at its best, it’s important to understand the conditions it needs to do so. When I say ‘conditions’ I’m mainly referring to the wave size, tide and wind strength and direction. If you want to get the most out of your surf session…. Longer waves…..glassy waves…..bigger waves (or smaller waves for those who are learning)…..read on!!
Roche: The popular surf zone is off Calle Francia in Urbanisacion Roche. The steep beach means it works best at low tide. Its orientation means it picks up any swell that is out there, so a fair bet on a small day. Its steep cliffs make it more sheltered with levante winds, but it’s exposed to the predominant W/SW winds. For a quieter surf head to the car park on the cliff top just north of the urbanization.
Fuente Del Gallo: One of Conil’s Northern beaches, also known as ‘Three Rocks’. The surrounding cliffs and Conil Port make the beach more sheltered, so generally less swell enters. A good choice on big days, or for learners looking for smaller waves. Waves are much gentler with a higher tide (good for beginners) but steeper and heavier with a lower tide. Protected somewhat from levante and from Northerly winds but exposed to poniente W/SW winds.
El Roqueo: Another of Conil’s beaches but closer to the town. Less sheltered from wind than Fuente Del Gallo, so best for early morning surfs. Normally smaller than Roche and El Palmar. Mellow waves at high tide, good for learners. The waves tend to have better form from mid to high tide.
El Palmar: Our coast’s most famous beach breaks, with a deserved reputation. With a very exposed orientation El Palmar will nearly always have a wave to surf. The drawbacks of its popularity are the crowds, especially at weekends. El Palmar works best at mid tide and with light Easterly/North Easterly winds.
Caños de Meca: Caños has various places to surf, but it’s most famous for it´s point break at Trafalgar. Popular with longboarders, it’s a long right-hander (waves break to the right when facing the beach from in the water) which provides us with some great surf under the right conditions. The beach faces south so being more protected needs a bigger swell for it to work. Best at low tide as the waves get fatter as the tide comes in. Best wind is Northerly for it to be offshore. This point break is for intermediates upwards, due to the rocks!
So get yourselves a good tide timetable, and use a good wave forecast website such as windguru or magicseaweed to get the most out of your next surf session!
If you’re still in need of some guidance, or some people to surf with, why not get in touch with us at Trafalgar Surf? We run Saturday morning group lessons at El Roqueo for children (from age 9 upwards) and at the same time and place we have an instructor doing a women’s surf group. These group lessons are aimed at locals who want regular tuition at an affordable price… At only 8Eu a class or 30Eu for 4 classes, surfing suddenly becomes a realistic pastime!!
For the aspiring male surfers, we are always pleased to have a chat. Let us know where you want to go with your surfing and we’ll get you there. We do reduced rate surf lessons for locals during the winter so why not grab a few mates and come along to see what all the fuss is about.
Check us out at www.trafalgarsurftrip.com
Or call us for more info: 657885665
Happy surfing!
