Spain from A to Z

Sports & leisure A mild climate, its seven thousand kilometres of coastline and its many mountains provide Spain with optimum conditions for exciting sports challenges. Many sporting activities, including golf, cycling or hiking, can be practised year round.

WATER SPORTS The water sports offered in

The best wind conditions are in Tarifa in Cádiz and the area of the Strait of Gibraltar. The south of Andalusia, Huelva, Cádiz, Málaga and Almería are particularly popular for this exhilarating sport. Murcia, the region of Valencia, Catalonia and the Balearic Islands complete the possibilities on the Spanish Mediterranean. CANOEING AND KAYAKING Whitewater canoeing is one of the most exciting forms of canoeing. The Noguera Pallaresa in the Pyrenees offers the most famous rapids for this version of the sport. Other rivers and navigable areas in Spain include the Ulla River (Galicia): rapids alternating with calm waters. Bidasoa (Navarre): a short river with spectacular landscapes. Tajo-Headwaters (Guadalajara): 100 km of pristine river landscape with many passable sections and a whitewater area. Declared as a Natural Park. Gállego River (Aragón): the water volume is very stable so canoeing is

possible year round. Northern Spain: downriver runs are possible in the upper reaches of the Ebro, on the Navia and the Eo. Central Spain: Burguillo Reservoir, Tiétar (Ávila), Tormes (Salamanca) and the gorge in the Hoces del Río Duratón Natural Park (Segovia). SURFING The world’s top surfers come to the coasts of Spain for its spectacular beaches, its multiple species of sea creatures and the perfect waves, winds and currents. In addition to traditional surfing you can practise bodyboarding, kneeboarding, skimboarding, stand up paddle boarding and longboarding. Cantabria is a pioneer for surfing in Spain. Recommended beaches in this area are Los Locos (Suances): located on the central coast of Cantabria and surrounded by cliffs. Canallave and Valdearenas (Liencres-Pielagos): both are located in the Liencres Dunes Nature Reserve and are areas of great natural beauty.

Spain cover all bases: sailing, snorkelling, water aerobics, water-skiing, water polo, diving, windsurfing/surfing, parasailing, kite surfing, kayaking, cruises, charter boats, catamarans and whale watching. Visitors will find centres across the country that organise water sports and activities, such as the Santa Susanna Water Sports Centre on the Costa del Maresme in the province of Barcelona. DIVING Every diving fan should visit the spectacular underwater world off the Spanish coast. Divers can explore worlds under the ice, have a look around shipwrecks and caves, experience a night dive or simply snorkel on the water’s surface. KITESURFING The top kitesurfing areas in Spain lie mainly on the Atlantic coast of Andalusia, the Mediterranean and in Fuerteventura (Canary Islands).