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You know, writing a blog about the adventure, expedition and outdoor world is fun. I get to write and report on some of the most awesome and exciting sporting and outdoor events going on anywhere in the world. When I first started writing I was obsessed with updating daily if I could. For a while I did. Then it became harder and harder to find time to report in between my own training, sponsorship commitments and getting outdoors myself. I realised, who cares? I realised, this is a good thing! Who better to report on the activities and happenings in the adventure world than someone who lives and breathes it? Do a search and you will soon see who is who in the online adventure world. Those who live the world strapped to their desktop and those, that if they are lucky can find a connection for their laptop while out and about and getting an adrenalin fix. Then, decide who holds their finger on the real pulse of this world!

In that vein, my absence over the last week or so was due to escaping big ol’ London town and heading 4 hours south to Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands off Africa. The Canary Islands are a group of islands that are a part of Spain. Most commonly thought of (and rightfully so from what I saw) as package tourist central for Brit, German and Spanish families. Hotels dot the coast (on most islands) along with “Genuine” English pubs showing the latest Big Brother and East Enders! Certainly a stoke killer!

The redeeming feature of the Canarys are it’s awesome kiting and surfing. Fuerteventura is recognised as one of the leading kiting centres in the world. For 5 days last week I got to check it out.

We headed over with Extreme Holidays for a week of all inclusive kiting and the weather did not disappoint! Our first day on the water was at a beach called Collito. A popular beach for both kiting and in winter, surfing. Unfortunately, the wind was charging just off the charts! Pushing over 30 knots at times. Just a little too much for our skill level, so after getting the kites up in the air, it was decided to call it a day. Chilling on the beach with a cool drink was not a bad consolation prize.

Over the next few days we managed a few good runs but it was a tough road back to find any of the sort of form that we had developed almost a year previous in Tunisia. A good reminder of the need that you must stay on the water to keep improving. Trying everything from 9m to 12m to combat the gusty winds just got us through.

While on the island up North, in the South a PKRA World Cup event took place. It would have been great to drive down and check it out, but can you believe, we did not bring our driver’s license! So, no car hire. I consoled myself by getting in a great surf on a little point break past Flag Beach. It’s like a total rehab for you soul. Just sitting out the back on a board puts a smile on my face, let alone getting some nice little waves.

I would definitely recommend Fuerteventura as a kite and surf destination. Nowhere near as developed as some of the other islands in the group. Massive stretches of pristine beach with clean breaks, others with top wind and small numbers on the water. The usual animosity between windsurfers and kiters is evident but not so bad.

Plenty of kite schools and gear shops mean you can turn up with a pair of boardies and a rashie and you’re away. If you bring your own kit, you really ought to get a car and hunt down the best wind or waves. The roads are smooth and straight, just keep your foot off the pedal as there are plenty of police about ready to pounce.

All sorts of accommodation abounds. Everything from budget self-catering (watch the cockroaches and live electrical wires!) to 5-star resorts. Plenty of places to eat, catering for picky tourists who might as well have stayed at home apart from getting some much needed sun on their pasty skin, as well as those a bit more open to new ideas.

The trick for us now is to actually get on the water and a kite in the air in the next few weeks or so. Otherwise all the time spent just getting back up to previous skills levels will be for nought!