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Just got back on the weekend from my last minute trip to the OTC in Tenerife. For those that don't know the OTC is a windsurf centre (not a dodgy American soap opera) stocking uniquely a huge range of equipment from F2, Fanatic, RRD, Starboard, Tabou, Mistral, Goya, Hifly, JP, Ezzy, Gaastra, Maui Sails, Neil Pryde, North Sails, Severne, Simmer and Tushingham.
The centre, still operating in its first year, is based on the main beach in El Medano, and is situated less than 20 minutes from the airport so you can literally be on the water 30 minutes after you land. The guys (Tris Best, Ben Wood, Sparky, Stitch the dog, Adam Lewis and Graham Woods) will have you looking your best in no time giving out top information on technique as well as offering a top notch level of customer service. For prices and availability of equipment (the centre will book up fast as word spreads) contact the guys through the website on www.otc-windsurf.com
The sailing area is actually four areas, covering everything from waves to flat water. Starting with South Bay, which is right in front of the centre, this is mainly bump and jump but does attract a really fun little wave when a good swell is running. This area is suitable for intermediates upwards, and super safe as the cross on wind will gently dispose of you down the beach! Heading upwind towards the harbour wall you'll find a break called... harbour wall! This is a really fun wave and can provide hours of amusement in once again safe conditions. This break has loads of sections and is a great place to learn how to wave ride proper! This break never got above head high when I was there, but can get pretty pokey on its day. The great thing with Harbour Wall is that if it all goes a bit wrong, you'll get gently washed into the channel where you can sort yourself out and give it another bash. Heading further upwind still, you'll discover a break called Cabezo, a cross on spot with a rocky launch and a not so forgiving environment. The standard here from some of the locals is super high, and with rocky outcrops with names like Godzilla, you'll need confidence to play here. Finally La Tejita is further south and has a flat water freestyle quality to the place, that apparently can funnel the wind to give it an extra boost. Graham Woods told me that if its 5.7 in South Bay, its probably 4.7 here. The spot offers super flat conditions for all the tricksters, but with the quality of the sailing available elsewhere you probably won't make it this far.
I had 7 days of wind out of 7 ranging from 3.7-5.7 weather. We had good swell everyday, the sun shone, and the beer went down well in the Flashpoint Cafe next door to the centre after each day. The guys had had 37 straight days of wind up until I had left, and were sailing twice a day. The forecast looked really good for the next 6 days, and after that who knows?! Mark Shinn who operates a kite centre (TSC - offering the latest Nobile and Shinn products as well as a massive range of kites) from within the the OTC reckons you'll get 300 days a year wind. The temperature was a good 30C everyday, I sailed in shorts and rashie everyday, and even the Aussie contingent out there at the time (Scotty McKercher, Jaeger Stone, Hendrix Stone, and Ben Severne) rated the spot as "All Time!". High praise indeed.
I hoping to get back out there before the year end, and if anybody is thinking about a getaway for a week or two, the OTC is definately the place to be!
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). This is no soap box and we are not selling anything (although you can buy a T-Shirt) so get stuck in. 
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If anyone's up for a few days jolly over there then let me know! 
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