My notes show sailing as follows.
| Mon 14 | 5.8 | |
| Tue 15 | 5.0 | 5.4 |
| Wed 16 | 5.4 | |
| Thu 17 | 5.0 | 5.4 |
| Fri 18 | 4.7 | |
| Sun 20 | 5.4 | 5.8 |
I sailed a total of 6 days. In addition, I could have sailed on Saturday 19 January, when conditions would have suited a 5.0m² or 5.4m² sail.
My notes show sailing as follows.
| Wed 6 | 4.7 | 5.0 | ||
| Thu 7 | 4.7 | 5.0 | 5.4 | |
| Fri 8 | Light Wind | |||
| Sat 9 | 5.4 | 6.5 | ||
| Tue 12 | 4.5 | Westerly | ||
| Fri 15 | 5.0 | 5.4 | Westerly | |
| Sat 16 | Light Wind | |||
| Mon 18 | 5.0 | 5.4 | ||
I had good sailing on 6 days. There was some wind for a time on 16 March, but a 5.4m² sail was not enough.
The wind went Westerly for a few days. In these conditions, the water is flat, the wind is very gusty and there is a danger of being washed out to sea. Windsurfers stay in the corner of the bay by the South Bay hire centre. Kite surfers go to Téjita bay.
I recall I could have sailed another day, maybe two, in Westerly conditions, if I had wished.
We saw several very small Portuguese man-of-war jellyfish washed up on the beach.
We were back in El Medano again from 20 October 2002 to 3 November.
I got 9 days windsurfing in 13 days. Most of this was in unspectacular conditions, typically with a 5.4 sail. Just 2 days had more demanding conditions, sailing a 4.2 on a small wave board. The day I returned home also had strong winds, though I decided not to sail that day.
I was surprised we had several days with gentle winds suitable for complete beginners.
Tenerife was a lot hotter than I had previously experienced. On two days I went windsurfing in just shorts and T-shirt. Jumping waves without a wetsuit makes quite a change from home.
On days when there was not enough wind to windsurf, we were happy just to relax by the sea, rather than attempt walks or excursions in the heat.
There were a lot more English voices in town than previously, and a lot fewer German windsurfers. This may be just the time of year though a general decrease in German tourism has been reported, due to the state of their economy.
Sails are new since May 2002, but are also getting tatty and in need of replacement. Smaller sails are Naish Session, and are very nice sails. These are rigged with a lot of outhaul. Moving the boom also requires moving the harness lines.
Larger sails of 6.0m and above are Naish Sprint. The 6.6m sails have light-weight masts. So the 6.6m may be a better choice than the 6.0m.
North Bay were offering new 2003 kit for hire.
They seem to have very good relations with the kiters. One day, when I was sailing a 6.6m sail off the harbour wall, one of the kites dropped onto the water. Other kiters tried to help, and the coastguard came out to assist!
On another day, a kite was seen moving across the bay. The coastguard chased after it, and recovered the kite, entangled in a fishing net attached to two turtles. The kite surfer is reported safe.
We had two power cuts. One disrupted our evening meal. Our apartment had an emergency generator, so the lift and water supply worked during the cuts. The airport is cut regularly, and they use emergency power. There was a power cut when we were booking in for our return flight.
If you take your own equipment, be sure to pack it well, as I have heard reports of damage during transit.
There are several free English language newspapers available from the information centre in the main square.