Ironman 2010 Calendar
A World of activity in the Canaries
For a group of islands in the Atlantic Ocean would be expected to feature highly in water activities Leisure islands. There are numerous ports and marinas around the coast of the different islands, but sailing is not the main sport of water in the Canary Islands. But the Canaries are quite remote and quite a drive from the popular sailing locations in Europe such as southern France and the Balearic Islands. Any sailor sailing to the Canary Islands need to be confident in their skills, experienced and very happy to deal with systems of time that the Atlantic can play with them once in a while. These conditions prevent leisure sailors, for the majority of cruises and motor yachts in the Canaries are there permanently.
Much more suitable for the islands are the sports of surfing, windsurfing and the newer sport kite. The strongest winds of the Atlantic can create perfect conditions for surfers of all abilities, all islands have the surf spots but both Fuerteventura and Lanzarote in particular thriving local surf.
Famura in Lanzarote is a place that is often missed by many tourists who come to the island and keep the core features, but the surfers know very well this point. The beaches are wide and impressive, not only for surfing, but for those who like an element a bit more dramatic for their holidays. There's nothing like the larger resort facilities here, but what makes it even more attractive in terms of landscape. Coast Teguise is another place to windsurf in Lanzarote and another point that attracts high-level competitive events, with the beach of San Juan have been used for the world surfing championships. The wind and waves around this part of the coast make it suitable for freestyle events, instead of racing course. This type of windsurfing is not a straight run as you can see in the Olympics, but sees the competitors performing jumps and tricks to impress the judges who view from shore. Surfers try to complete as possible number of moves in his time, with judges award points for difficulty, creativity and style. Gran Canaria is another of the islands to attract more high level of windsurfing competition with professional caliber Confital using the beaches in the north of the island.
Canoeing and sea kayaking is also a favorite sport here. There are several places around the islands that can be explored by kayak with several companies offering travel day. One popular choice is set from Corralejo in Fuerteventura to explore the beautiful beaches to the south and to travel across the small island of Lobos protected. There are also tours that take paddlers right around an island, stopping at local different every night. Again Fuerteventura is an island ideal for such an adventure and every year about 30 kayakers undertake the journey of 300 km of the island that takes eight days to complete.
Triathlon is a sport synonymous with the other Canary Islands and Lanzarote in the annual Ironman race is one of the most known events in the calendar of the sport. The climate in Canary Islands, the islands make the perfect location to train throughout the year and competition are so many athletes come to Lanzarote during winter was only a matter of time before one of the many competitive events has increased its international status. The event takes place at Ironman Lanzarote in May of each year and will celebrate XIX in its 2010 edition. A maximum of 1,500 competitors are now allowed and the event is always fully subscribed. Even though the event next year is still eight months away he is already fully subscribed. Triathletes of all standards will compete, but there is always a large number of top professionals in the world at the starting line. Thought 3.8 km of swimming in the sea, 180 km cycling race and a marathon would be beyond the capabilities of most people, but these elite athletes revel in the challenge and faster competitors complete the task in less than nine hours.
Car racing is another activity that makes good use of the geography of the Canary Islands. They all have a volcanic origin who provided them and varied terrain that offers several options for evidence of off-road rally. La Oliva in Fuerteventura Car Rally in May attracts around 50, mostly amateurs, teams. The Rally of Lanzarote is a new event which took place along its 1000 km route for the third time in 2009 and is part of the Spanish Rally Tierra four racing series. On Tenerife a series of rally events will take place every year with various events running up hill and three multi-stage, the Rally Adeje, Tenerife Rally and Rally Granadilla.
There are many sports that have found popularity in the islands, including swimming, tennis and golf, just for sports participants from all types of Canary Islands have something to offer.
About the Author
The Canary Islands are ideal for winter sun holidays but also perfect for sport. Tourism writer Mark Bartley looks at sporting opportunities there and finding cheap flights to Lanzarote for sporting competition and training holidays.
Scarlett Johansson in Iron Man 2