The Mediterranean offers windsurfers illustrious names with legendary reputations. Sardinia, Corsica, Rhodes and many more spring to mind for all those who crave strong winds, especially in summer, and want to race across the water with small sails or do their loops in the surf. The non-surfing crowd hides away somewhere in the lee at these spots or accepts the sandblaster as a natural exfoliation for the sake of love. Cyprus certainly does not belong in this category in the minds of the vast majority of windsurfers. Yet the island in the eastern Mediterranean is supplied with reliable and powerful thermals, especially in summer. Particularly on the south coast of the third largest island in the Mediterranean after Sicily and Sardinia, the prevailing southerly wind is even stronger during the course of the day in summer. The ROBINSON CYPRUS is located exactly in this favoured zone, half an hour's drive from the international airport in Larnaca. The resort is located at the foot of the gentle hills directly on the sandy beach and offers the wide range of sports and wellness facilities typical of ROBINSON as well as a very well-equipped water sports centre.
Thermals ensure good wind
Windsurfing legend Bernd Flessner has also long recognised the advantages of the club and is part of the water sports festival that takes place at the club every year. "Hardly anyone realises the qualities of the area," reports Flessi. "Many windsurfers and centre operators on the island have told me that they have the problem that the usual wind forecasts don't take into account the thermals in summer and therefore can't predict the actual wind speeds."
The wind conditions at the club are underestimated - the thermals are good in summer!" (Bernd Flessner)
It does indeed get very warm in Cyprus between June and September - the average temperature at Larnaca Airport during this time is between 28 and 31 degrees. Combined with the slightly cooler Mediterranean water, these are the best conditions for strong thermals. "There's usually still a very light wind in the morning," says Bernd. "This is ideal for beginners, as the sandy beach slopes gently into the water and the artificial breakwaters ensure smooth water. From eleven o'clock onwards, the thermals usually kick in and the wind picks up to 20 to 25, sometimes even 30 knots almost every day. It comes almost directly from the side or slightly onshore. This means that you can head out from the water sports centre directly into the sideshore wind. The offshore breakwaters ensure smooth water, and further out you have the typical gentle swell waves."
Borrow Duotone material free of charge
The water sports centre is equipped with 40 Duotone boards and plenty of Duotone sails. As usual at ROBINSON, you pay nothing extra for the equipment. If you would like to access the exclusive equipment or complete a full course, you can book this for a fee. In addition to the windsurfing equipment, SUP boards, Hobie Cats and Optimists as well as kite and wing equipment are also available for club guests at the centre.
"Thomas Haupt, known as 'Tomate', is the centre manager and an incredibly experienced instructor. He was a member of the VDWS teaching team and knows his stuff very well, so beginners and intermediates are optimally looked after. You can learn beach and water starts in particular at the club," reports Flessi. "You can also practise foiling very well in the area, and I had a lot of fun foiling up and down the coast. The breakwaters don't get in the way at all, as the passage is big enough."
Water sports festival with Bernd Flessner
In addition to water sports, the ROBINSON CYPRUS naturally offers a large sports and wellness programme, for example nine tennis courts, guided mountain bike and hiking tours in the surrounding area, yoga, fitness and golf.
The big water sports festival will take place at the club from 9 to 16 June 2024. Then you can book an exclusive windsurfing camp with Bernd Flessner for 380 euros. In addition to individual lessons, Bernd will give you a very entertaining insight into his professional career and talk about his life as a windsurfer.
- You can find all information about the ROBINSON CYPRUS at robinson.com
Competition: Stay for two at the ROBINSON CYPRUS - how you can win!
Are you ready for the most beautiful bike rides? Or a game on the tennis court? Windsurfers, sailors and kiters will also find ideal conditions for water sports at the ROBINSON CYPRUS. Exclusively for readers of surf magazine, we are giving away a week's dream holiday for 2 people at the ROBINSON CYPRUS:
7 nights in a double room incl. full board made by ROBINSON, without flight and transfer.
- Take part here: www.robinson.com/gewinnspiel-surf-magazin
Stay subject to availability in summer 24 The competition runs until 23 May 2024.