SPAIN PADDLE TRIP (L3/4) 2026 - SOLD OUT

Tarifa Downwind Camp – Spain 🇪🇸

Have you heard of Tarifa?

Located at the southern tip of Spain where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic, Tarifa is world-famous as one of the best wind sports destinations on the planet. For decades, windsurfers and kitesurfers have flocked here chasing the region’s legendary summer winds — and now surf ski paddlers are discovering why Tarifa is a true downwind paradise.

Throughout summer, consistent Westerly and Easterly winds regularly blow between 20–30 knots, creating endless opportunities for world-class downwind runs. Warm water, powerful wind, open ocean swell, and stunning European coastline combine to make Tarifa a bucket-list destination for any serious paddler.

September is the sweet spot.

The winds are at their most reliable, the water and weather are still beautifully warm, and the crowds of peak European summer have eased compared to July and August. It’s the perfect balance of elite conditions and relaxed atmosphere.

For this experience, we’re teaming up with renowned surf ski coach Boyan Zlatarev, owner of the Surf Ski Center Tarifa.

Boyan is known for his unique “paddling efficiency” philosophy — teaching paddlers how to connect ocean runners using the least amount of effort and strokes possible. His ability to read the ocean and glide efficiently across moving water has made him one of the most respected downwind coaches in the sport.

Alongside Boyan, Coach Luke Horder will focus on “wave positioning” — helping you understand and master the forces acting on the surf ski while going downwind. Together, these coaching styles create the ultimate combination of efficiency, speed, ocean awareness, and control.

Now picture yourself waking up in Spain to 30-degree sunshine, warm blue water, and another day of consistent strong winds.

After a morning yoga and mobility session with the group, we load up the passenger van and trailer before heading out in search of the best downwind conditions for the day.

With local knowledge, flexible logistics, and expert coaching support, we position you in the right place at the right time to maximise every run. Most days include two downwind sessions, giving you endless opportunities to improve your skills, build confidence, and experience the thrill of surfing ocean runners across the stunning coastline of Tarifa.

This isn’t just a paddling trip — it’s a complete immersion into downwind progression, ocean knowledge, fitness, and adventure in one of the windiest and most exciting paddling destinations in the world.

You’ll be paddling in a completely different environment — a new continent to tick off your surf ski bucket list and an opportunity to experience downwind paddling in one of the world’s most iconic wind destinations.

What makes this experience truly special is learning directly from expert local coaches who understand exactly how the ocean behaves in this unique part of the world. You’ll gain invaluable insight into how the wind, swell, and tides interact with the coastline, how the ocean energy wraps around headlands and contours, and how to position yourself to maximise speed, efficiency, and control on any given day.

This is more than just paddling in a new location — it’s learning how to read and master an entirely new ocean environment.

One of the many reasons Tarifa is such a world-class downwind destination is the simplicity of the ocean access. Easy beach launches and long open coastlines allow us to focus on what matters most — chasing runners and maximising time on the water.

Depending on the wind conditions, we have access to incredible downwind runs ranging from 9km, 16km, and up to 24km. Every day is carefully planned around the wind direction and strength so we can choose the ideal run to deliver the best possible downwind experience.

And when Tarifa turns the wind on… it really turns it on.

Safety and preparation are a huge part of the experience. Each morning begins with a one-hour classroom and briefing session where we go through the conditions, the route plan, safety procedures, VHF radio communication, and individual call signs that we’ll use out on the water. By the time we load into the vans and head off for the day, everyone knows exactly what to expect and feels confident and prepared.

But this trip is about far more than just paddling.

Breakfasts, lunches, and dinners are shared together as a team, creating an incredible social atmosphere throughout the week. Evenings in Tarifa are something special — relaxed restaurants, incredible Spanish cuisine, local wines, and stories from the day shared with a group of like-minded paddlers.

The combination of hard training, ocean adventure, and European lifestyle makes this trip unforgettable.

This holiday is designed to dramatically accelerate your downwind skills and ocean understanding. The amount you’ll learn in just 7 days could take years to develop back home in Sydney. With multiple sessions, expert coaching, and consistent conditions every day, progression happens fast.

And after burning thousands of calories on the water each day, you can fully enjoy the tapas, desserts, and glasses of Spanish wine guilt-free.

These international paddle trips also give you something incredibly valuable — time.

Time with experienced coaches. Time on the water. Time to ask questions, analyse conditions, and deeply understand how the ocean moves in different parts of the world.

Because one thing becomes very clear when you paddle internationally:
Every ocean has its own personality.

Learning how the wind, swell, and coastline interact in Tarifa will expand your overall ocean awareness and make you a more complete downwind paddler wherever you paddle in the future.

To ensure a high-quality coaching experience, this trip is capped at just 13 paddlers.

The stronger the wind, the bigger the adventure. On windy days we’ll aim for longer runs to maximise the conditions, while every session is strategically planned around the forecast to create the best opportunities for progression, safety, and enjoyment.

And the real advantage? Local knowledge.

With expert local coaches leading the way, you’ll gain access to secret runs, launch points, and downwind lines that have been developed through years of experience paddling Tarifa’s coastline.

No matter your speed in this Level 3/4 group, the structure of the trip ensures everyone stays connected and supported on the water. We can stagger starts, create regrouping points, and tailor pacing to suit the conditions and group dynamic.

With two coaches on the water and a dedicated land support team tracking the group, safety remains at the centre of everything we do. Every paddler is equipped with:

• A VHF radio clipped to their life jacket for live communication
• A tracking device inside their PFD so the land crew can monitor the entire journey in real time

And thanks to Tarifa’s unique geography — strong winds combined with long open beaches — you’ll often find yourself paddling relatively close to shore while still enjoying world-class downwind conditions.

Partners and non-paddlers are also welcome to join the trip at no extra cost. Your accommodation includes a shared double-bed room, and partners are encouraged to join the breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and social side of the experience so they feel just as much a part of the team and adventure.

Our moto is safety and progression!

Flexible Payment Options:

• Pay in full here on the website = $5,100 total
• 4 x monthly instalments: $1,326/mth = $5,304 total
• 24 x weekly instalments: $229.50/wk = $5,508 total

Any queries please email admin@sydneyharboursurfclub.com.au 

Please do not book any flights or anything else until we have received your payment, formulated/secured the group and then contacted you to then go ahead to book flights. 

Surf Skis available for Tarifa: 

• Epic V8 Ultra (6)
• Epic V9 Ultra (2)
• Epic V8 Double Ultra (1)
• Fenn Bluefin S Glass Vacuum (3)
• Fenn XT S Glass Vacuum (1)
• Fenn Swordfish S Glass Vacuum (1)
• Fenn Bonito Glass Vacuum (1)
• Nelo 540 XXL (1)
• Nelo 520 ML (1)
• Nelo 520 L (1)
• Nelo 520 XXL (1)
• Nelo 550 ML (1)
• Nelo 600 Double (1)
• NK Club 540 (4)
• NK Squall 580 (1)
• NK Excrize (1)