A large group of companies satisfy the wishes of water sports lovers. The sea that bathes the shores of the Canary Islands, affected by a cold current from the Caribbean and benefiting from the warm temperatures, has favoured the creation of an unbeatable range of maritime leisure activities throughout the year. Surfing, sailing, windsurfing, diving, water skiing, canoeing ...all possible in the Canary Islands thanks to the excellent conditions, together with a complete range of accommodation and modern infrastructure that attracts thousands every year in search of the best waves, crystal clear waters or the most beautiful pictures of some of the Atlantic's leading marine reserves.

And the Canary Islands, the birthplace of Olympic sailing champions, is a genuine paradise for lovers of the sea and water sports. Unlike the rest of Europe, the eternal spring of the Islands means you can enjoy your favourite water sports all year round. Almost anywhere along the Canary coasts, you will find a company, club or association willing to give enthusiasts a rush of adrenaline. The range of possibilities is enormous: boat trips, treasure hunting in the depths of the ocean, feeding rays and moray eels, canoeing, wet biking, trailing behind a speed boat in a parachute, riding the waves on an inflatable sausage, or a host of alternatives. Marine treasures . The Canaries offer a unique and irresistible variety of attractions for divers, with schools and centres to choose from.

The sea beds are unique due to the incredible diversity of fish. More than three hundred species, five of which are native, more than a thousand types of invertebrates and nearly six hundred catalogued algae all live together on this side of the Atlantic. Diving in the Islands has experienced a spectacular boom over the last four years, making the Archipelago one of the most popular sites in Europe. Although you need official qualifications to dive, looking down through crystal clear waters at the volcanic sea beds full of life is such an impressive natural spectacle that more and more people are being converted every day.

The sea beds of the Canary Islands offer all the special features that are common to volcanic islands in the Atlantic. The leading attractions are the cliffs of the bright, clear beds of Fuerteventura, home to enormous fish, the great submarine canyons of La Palma, the beautiful rock walls full of sessile life of Gran Canaria, Tenerife and La Gomera, the formidable Lanzarote groupers and the depths of El Hierro, with its peculiar tropical fauna. Under full sail. The Canaries have been the venue for major sailing championships, as high speeds attainable in these waters contribute to the enjoyment of both skipper and crew. There is one form of sailing, however, that is unique: Vela Latina, a kind of gaff rigged lighter. This is a spectacle that is held from April to October, the months of the summer trade winds. Its origins date back to the last century in Gran Canaria, although it is a deep-rooted tradition throughout the Islands. Handmade wooden boats accommodate a crew of twelve to handle the large sail.

All the Canary Islands have also become one of the best places in the world for surfers, who usually meet at the La Cícera beach in Gran Canaria, and on the north coast of Lanzarote. However, for windsurfing, the meccas are the beaches of Sotavento in Fuerteventura, Pozo Izquierdo in Gran Canaria, and El Medano in Tenerife. Both these sports benefit from the fresh, moist trade winds and the continual arrival of rough seas.

Paddle strokes. Another way to discover the Islands from the sea is by canoeing or kayaking. Despite the fact that these are really river sports, enthusiasts will have just as good a time as if they were picking their way through the wildest rapids. With only the help of the paddles, riding a craft that requires skill and balance, you can follow the coastline and enjoy the good weather and the sea at the same time But the possibilities of the sea are endless. A succession of fine sand beaches and clear waters overlooked by majestic volcanic cliffs is also an invitation to try your hand at water skiing, for which there are many enthusiasts in Tenerife and Gran Canaria.

GUIDE PRACTICE Temperatures: Minimum, 18ºC in January. Maximum, 24.5ºC in July Canary Underwater Activities Federation: C/ San Sebastián, 76. 2º Floor Santa Cruz de Tenerife Tel: 922 22 67 71 Fax: 922 22 04 85 Canary Underwater Activities Delegation: Apdo. de Correos 1339. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Tel-fax: 928 23 49 45 Canary Water-Skiing Federation: C/ Pérez Reyes. Pabellón de Deportes de Tacoronte 38350 Tacoronte. Santa Cruz de Tenerife Tel-fax: 922 57 28 13 Canary Sailing Federation: Muelle Deportivo, s/n. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Tel: 928 23 47 69 Fax: 928 24 24 68 Vela Latina Federation (local sport): Explanada Muelle Deportivo, s/n. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Tel: 928 23 06 16 Fax: 928 29 33 56 Canary Canoeing Federation: C/ Alemania, 62. Bajo. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Tel: 928 29 07 16 Fax: 928 24 0l 94 Tenerife Inter-Island Council Sailing School: Vía Auxiliar Paso Alto, s/n. Valleseco 38150 S/C de Tenerife Tel: 922 59 72 58 Canary Speed Boating Federation: C/ San Sebastián, 74. 1ºD. 38005 Santa Cruz de Tenerife Tel: 922 20 48 07 Sea Sports School in San Sebastián de La Gomera: Plaza de Las Américas, 4. 38800 San Sebastián de La Gomera Tel: 922 14 10 72

WHERE TO PRACTICE Windsurf. El Médano, La Jaquita, in Tenerife. Las Cucharas, Famara, in Lanzarote. Pozo Izquierdo, Playa del Inglés, in Gran Canaria. Playa de Tazacorte, in La Palma. Sotavento, Corralejo, in Fuerteventura. Surf El Médano, in Tenerife. La Cícer, in Gran Canaria. Corralejo, in Fuerteventura. Famara, in Lanzarote. Scuba Diving Mar de Las Calmas (Marine Reserve in El Hierro). El Roque del Este (Marine Reserve in Lanzarote). Sailing Mogán, Arguineguín, in Gran Canaria. Los Cristianos (Arona), in Tenerife.

KEY EVENTS Regata Príncipe de Asturias (national sailing race) Placer: Gran Canaria Date: October Regata Infanta Cristina (national sailing race) Place: Tenerife Date: December Regata Isla de Tenerife (local sailing race) Place: Tenerife Date: summer Atlantíc Rally for Cruisers (ARC) Place: Gran Canaria Windsurf World Cup (qualifying heats) Place: Pozo Izquierdo, in Gran Canaria Date: July Windsurf World Cup Place: Sotavento, Fuerteventura Date: summer Open Fotosub Isla de El Hierro (underwater photography competition) Place: El Hierro Date: May El Hierro Inter-Island Council Surf and Body Board World Cup Place : Maspalomas, Gran Canaria

Special thanks to The Consejería de Turismo y Transportes del Gobierno de Canarias