Flag Beach organises a barbecue. The night afterwards is long, weird and unhealthy. The wind finally comes on Saturday, but I don’t get out of bed all day. Sunday the name finally fits: Fuerteventura @ Flag Beach. The wind has finally shifted and is blowing stubbornly with 15-30 knots sideshore from the south.
Many stay on the beach today. Wrong kite sizes or fear of the gusts. They should all be sent to the Brombachsee for a cure. The gusts are pretty rough, but compared to the Brombachsee they’re still pretty nice. I still sometimes ride my 12s hanging on the last end of the depower.
I launch a small Dutchman with 6m². It easily jumps 10 metres. “PKRA pro” says a Belgian afterwards. On my second ride I get so ripped up a few times that I’m about to stop. A few good jumps and switch sprayers. Out again. Suddenly the wind stops completely. All 20 kites fall into the water at the same time.
I run 200 metres off the beach. Then a killer gust pulls me completely depowered out of the water. The wind has shifted 60 degrees to almost full offshore. Quickly back on land, kite down. Some riders drift far off. Fortunately, the lifeboat is finally back on the water. It’s going on a few missions today.
Many travellers are stuck on Fuerteventura because of the air traffic controller strikes. Some for up to a week. The hostel is full of stranded travellers. Thanks to Nina for the pictures!
Frank Woelky, born in 1973. Kitesurfer since 1998. Since 2006, I have been combining kitesurfing and web design on trips lasting several months off the beaten track.