Tarifa Downwind Camp – Spain 🇪🇸

September 4th - 11th 2027

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Experience World-Class Downwind Paddling in Tarifa

Join us for an unforgettable week of downwind paddling in Tarifa, Spain—one of the world's premier wind sports destinations.

Located at the southern tip of Spain where the Mediterranean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean, Tarifa is famous for its reliable winds, warm water, and endless downwind opportunities.

For decades, windsurfers and kitesurfers have travelled here to chase the legendary winds. Now, surf ski paddlers are discovering why Tarifa is one of the best downwind locations on the planet.

Tarifa is a very windy place and this trip is suited for an intermediate - advanced ocean paddler. A paddler who is comfortable offshore and can downwind long distances with falling in or fatigue. 

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Why September?

September offers the perfect conditions:

• Consistent 20–30 knot winds
• Warm water and sunny weather
• Smaller crowds than peak European summer
• Excellent downwind conditions nearly every day

It's the ideal time to experience everything Tarifa has to offer.

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Learn from Two Expert Coaches

This camp combines two coaching styles to help you become a more complete downwind paddler.

Boyan Zlatarev

Owner of the Surf Ski Center Tarifa.

Boyan is internationally respected for teaching paddling efficiency—helping paddlers catch and connect runners using less effort and fewer strokes. His understanding of ocean movement makes him one of the world's leading downwind coaches.

Luke Horder

Luke's coaching focuses on wave positioning—understanding how the surf ski interacts with wind, swell and ocean energy so you can paddle faster, with more control and confidence.

Together, you'll learn how to:

• Read the ocean more effectively
• Position yourself for better runners
• Improve efficiency
• Increase speed
• Build confidence in stronger conditions

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A Typical Day

Imagine waking up to:

• 30°C sunshine
• Warm blue water
• Strong, consistent winds

Your day includes:

• Daily weather and safety briefing
• Transport to the best downwind location
• Two coached downwind runs (conditions permitting)
• Video analysis and coaching
• Relaxed evenings enjoying Spanish food with the group

Every day is planned around the latest forecast so we can make the most of the conditions.

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World-Class Downwind Runs

Tarifa offers a variety of spectacular runs depending on the wind direction. We have the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean side to use depending on the wind direction. The wind speeds increase as they squeeze through the Gibraltar Strait making for stronger winds than you will find anywhere else in the world. 

Typical course distances are 9km, 16km, 24km where perhaps a 9km and 16km is achieved in one day or a straight out long 24km downwind. 

Easy beach launches and long stretches of open coastline mean more time paddling and less time dealing with difficult access.

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More Than Just a Paddle Trip

This isn't simply a holiday.

It's an intensive week designed to accelerate your downwind skills.

Throughout the week you'll learn:

• Ocean reading
• Wind and swell interaction
• Wave positioning
• Efficient paddling
• Runner connection
• Downwind strategy
• Safety and communication

The experience you'll gain in one week can take years to develop through occasional paddling at home.

Learn a New Ocean

Every coastline behaves differently.

One of the biggest benefits of paddling overseas is learning how another ocean works.

You'll discover:

• How wind interacts with the coastline
• How swell wraps around headlands
• How tides influence conditions
• How to position yourself for maximum speed

These skills transfer to every downwind location you'll paddle in the future.

Safety First

Safety is central to everything we do.

Each morning includes a one-hour briefing covering:

• Weather forecast
• Route planning
• Safety procedures
• VHF radio communication
• Individual call signs

Every paddler is equipped with:

• VHF radio attached to their PFD
• GPS tracking device monitored by our land support team

With two coaches on the water and dedicated land support, you'll always be well looked after.

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Small Group Coaching

To ensure personalised coaching, the trip is limited to 12 paddlers.

This allows plenty of individual feedback both on and off the water.

Regardless of paddling speed, the group stays connected through:

• Staggered starts
• Regrouping points
• Flexible pacing
• Coach support throughout every run

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Local Knowledge

Having experienced local coaches makes a huge difference.

We'll take advantage of:

• Hidden launch sites
• Secret downwind runs
• The best daily conditions
• Years of local experience

Rather than guessing where to paddle, we'll always aim for the best run available each day.

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The Social Experience

Some of the best memories happen off the water.

Throughout the week we'll enjoy:

• Group breakfasts
• Team lunches
• Shared dinners
• Authentic Spanish cuisine
• Local wines
• Plenty of stories from each day's paddle

It's the perfect combination of hard training, adventure and European lifestyle.

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Partners Welcome

Partners and non-paddlers are welcome to join the trip at no extra cost.

Accommodation includes a shared double room, and partners are encouraged to join:

• Breakfasts
• Lunches
• Dinners
• Social activities

They're part of the adventure too, however, we are out paddling all day so there is plenty of local activities to join. 

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Our Motto

Safety. Progression. Adventure.

Payment Options

Pay in Full

• $5,500

4 Monthly Instalments

• $1,437.50/month
• Total: $5,750

24 Weekly Instalments

• $247.90/week
• Total: $5,950

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Important Information

Please do not book flights until:

• Your payment has been received
• The trip has been confirmed
• We have contacted the group to proceed with flight bookings

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Questions?

Email:
admin@sydneyharboursurfclub.com.au

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Surf Skis Available

Epic

• V8 Ultra (6)
• V9 Ultra (2)
• V8 Double Ultra (1)

Fenn

• Bluefin S Glass Vacuum (3)
• XT S Glass Vacuum (1)
• Swordfish S Glass Vacuum (1)
• Bonito Glass Vacuum (1)

Nelo

• 520 ML (1)
• 520 L (1)
• 520 XXL (1)
• 540 XXL (1)
• 550 ML (1)
• 600 Double (1)

NK

• Club 540 (4)
• Squall 580 (1)
• Excrize (1)

Other Nelo Variants can be transported from the Nelo factory in Portugal and delivered to Tarifa for our paddle trip. This will be at a slightly extra cost