Initiation into this sport is not difficult, but it is advisable to do it under the guide of a qualified tutor to guarantee one’s own safety while practicing the sport. The main abilities taught begin by understanding how to control the kite. Its behavior with the wind will be assimilated first on firm ground. Then, sliding over the water with it without a surfboard, and finally, this last element is added. In two or three days we will be prepared to do some “laps”.

The sensations, as with all sports of this kind, are so addictive that anytime the wind blows and there is any free time to practice, you find kite surfers running to the sea with their equipment in tow. There are three styles of kite surfing: slalom, waves and tricks. The kites have different dimensions, according to the wind strength and the kite surfer’s level. The existing boards are adapted to these styles.

Where to learn kite surfing in Lanzarote

- Surfkitelanzarote. kitesurf Initiation and Advanced Courses. Single lesson: 30 euros. Two people: 25 euros cada persona. Groups: More information: 669 207 213, e-mail surfkitelanzarote@gmail.com or directly in its website.

- VolcanoKite School: kitesurf Initiation Courses, Advanced Courses, and Wave Kitesurfing. Ask about Accommodation (apartments or KiteCamp). More info: www.volcanokite.com and in the phone 629712770.

- Lanzarote Kite: Beginners and advanced courses. Prices, hours and information: +34 928 821 086, +34 678 380 014, +34 646 856 300, http://www.lanzarotekite.com/contacto.html and lanzarotekite.com.

- Calima Surf: Beginners and advanced courses. Prices, hours and information: +34 928 528 528, +34 626 913 369, info@calimasurf.com and calimasurf.com.

- Hotstick Kite School Lanzarote: Beginners and advanced courses. Information: +34 928 826 100, +34 647 155 516 and on the web page of the sports school.

Lanzarote on horseback is the only place on the island where you can learn horseback riding. One hour class cost 45 euros, but more affordable is to get a bonus of 10 hours at 300 euros.

Lanzarote is riding on the road from Arrecife to Yaiza, km 17 (between the roundabouts of Puerto Calero and Playa Quemada). Hours: Winter: 10:00 to 18:00 hours Summer: From 09:00 to 19:00. Information and reservations: 928 830 038.

In Lanzarote the best areas for windsurfing can be found in Jameos (Punta Mujeres, in the northwest of the island), the beaches of Las Cucharas and Los Charcos of Costa Teguise (in the east center of Lanzarote) and the Guacimeta beach of Playa Honda (also in the east center of the island). The strong winds that are predominant in these places guarantee a dynamic and attractive windsurfing session. Their enviable conditions have made Lanzarote one of the locations for the world championship competitions of the Professional Windsurfing Association (PWA) for the past three years. For this 2008 championship, the men’s freestyle and slalom tests will be held from June 21st to 28th in Costa Teguise.

Where to learn windsurfing in Lanzarote

- Windsurf Paradise Lanzarote. Calle La Corvina, 8, Playa de las Cucharas, Costa Teguise, Lanzarote. Beginner’s and advanced courses. Prices: Five one-hour-and-a-half sessions, € 140/session for beginners. Four one-and-a-half-hour sessions, € 140/session for the advanced course. Other services: Windsurfing, surfing materials and kayak rentals. Information and reservations: +34 928 590 862 and +34 928 346 022.

- Centro Insular de Deportes Náuticos [Island Nautical Sports Center]. Urbanización El Cable, Arrecife, Lanzarote. Beginner’s courses: Two possibilities: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.; Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00. Prices Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays course, € 30 per month; Saturdays course, € 20 per month. Information and reservations: +34 928 801 209.

- Windsurfing Club Nathalie Simon. Calle De las Olas, local 18, Costa Teguise, Lanzarote. Beginner’s courses: Offer for island residents: 10 classes and 20 sea excursions, € 300 in two installments; Beginners non-residents of Lanzarote: Three classes, € 90; five classes, € 132. Advanced courses for residents: 50 hours, € 277. Information and reservations: +34 928 590 731.

Scuba diving is a risky sport, but its practice is safe if the basic premises of how to behave under water with the heavy breathing equipment are learned. Good beginner courses consist of four immersions in pools or enclosed beaches and another four dives in a real situation. You learn how to breathe, to equalize your ears, to solve the potential problems that might arise under water and, above all, to feel safe in the medium. It is advisable to avoid mass classes and to seek quality in the instruction with small groups of four or five classmates or even individual or couple sessions. The teaching process is complemented by five theory modules that are mainly related to physiology and the marine environment.

According to those who practice scuba diving, it can be a little complex in the beginning, but the abilities that allow us to introduce ourselves into a new world are acquired little by little. The sensation of peace and relaxation is extreme. On the other hand, the contemplative leisure inherent to the practice of scuba diving makes this sport different from any other. There is no price to swimming next to a grouper, accompanying a yellowtail, watching the somniferous movement of rays or gazing at the explosion of colors of the vegetation, seahorses and sea stars.

More pictures of scuba diving in Lanzarote, here.

Where to learn and practice scuba diving in Lanzarote

— Squalo diving. Modern scuba diving center of the Iberostar Hotel of Costa Calero in the urban area of Puerto Calero. 8-session beginner’s courses and five theory modules, material included, for € 390. Information: +34 928 849 578, info@squalodiving.com and squalodiving.com.

— Timanfaya sub. Scuba diving center of the tourist center of Puerto del Carmen, a few yards from spectacular beaches and coves. Beginner’s course, tarifas. Information: +34 928 510 098 – +34 609 867 741, info@timanfayasub.com and timanfayasub.com

— Bahianus Club Lanzarote. Diving center of the tourist center of Puerto del Carmen, located at the La Geria Hotel. Tarifas. Information: +34 928 944 030, info@barakudaclub.com and www.barakudaclub.com.

— Calipso diving. Diving center of the tourist nucleus of Costa Teguise. The prices for the beginner’s course are around € 300. Information: +34 928 590 879 and calipso@arrakis.es.

— Cala Blanca. Diving center of the tourist center of Playa Blanca. The prices for the beginner’s course are around € 300. Information: +34 928 519 040 and dive@calablanca.com.

— La Santa diving. Diving center of the town of La Santa. The prices for the beginner’s course are around € 300. Information: +34 928 840 208 and info@lasantadiving.com.

Lanzarote is known in the surfing world because of the waves in La Santa and El Quemao in the northwest part of the island. Other very favorable coves for surfing are Montaña Amarilla, Playa Francesa, El Corral and La Alhambra on the island of La Graciosa (to the north of Lanzarote), the beach under the cliffs of Famara, San Juan and the Muelle de Famara, Caleta Caballo, Caletón Blanco, Jameo, Punta Mujeres, and the coast of Castillo del Águila in Playa Blanca, and, among others, the waves of the village of El Golfo.

Where to learn to surf in Lanzarote

- Franito Surfing Sports Club: Four-hour beginner’s courses or in groups of five people maximum. Prices: Individual classes, € 50 in a group, € 35 per person (all equipment included). Hours are customized to the individual taking the course. Information: franitosaenz@hotmail.com, +34 669 075 970 (Ask for Fran Sáenz) and on the sports school website.

- Lanzarote Kite: Beginners and advanced courses. Prices, hours and information: +34 928 821 086, +34 678 380 014, +34 646 856 300, http://www.lanzarotekite.com/contacto.html and lanzarotekite.com.

- Calima Surf: Beginners and advanced courses. Prices, hours and information: +34 626 913 369 and calimasurf.com.

Canoeing is a good sport that develops the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, increases the whole body’s muscular tone, particularly the upper body. Besides, it is a sport that reduces stress and allows the enjoyment of nature. Lanzarote, surrounded by tranquil waters, especially on its southeast side, is an ideal place for pleasant aquatic excursions around its whole geography.

In Puerto Calero there is a specialized company that organizes beginner’s courses and excursions in the Lanzarote marine area. It is called Kayak del Mar.