Since surfing at Teapuho’o expanded what waves are makeable, surfers around the world have been searching out heavier and heavier waves to play with. With the wind to power them into these mutants, windsurfers can have great rides and wave powered aerials. Alex Mussolini has found a sick wave spot close to home and enjoyed a few sessions there this winter. Here are some cool photos and a slideshow courtesy of Windsurfing Tenerife and local lens man Chavito with a few choice words from the man himself…

When was this session?
‘These pics were taken a little while ago during a small swell and proper wind for the north of Tenerife. It was the windsurfing dream: perfect waves with steady wind for my Tabou Da Curve Quad and my Vandal 4,8 Riot. It was the third time I sailed this spot and the second time at this peak.’

Where exactly is that spot?
‘Somewhere along the North shore of Tenerife… Only some know exactly where it is and for now we like to keep it like that! The guys who know about it get some great sessions on these slabs perfectly shaped by mother nature.’

How do you launch?
‘The entry into the water is hard. If you have experience with rock launching it’s easier, but the problem really is not to get in the water, the problem is to get out! The rock is not flat, its full of high and low rocks so you have to be careful where you step. Luckily so far I have only had good experiences there.’

Was there anyone else out there?
‘I went with a friend of mine, he lives here in Tenerife and he hasn’t sailed it that often either. Not so many people have sailed it, so I am fortunate to be one of them! Mostly there are just surfers there. Everyone is very nice up there, if you respect them, they respect you back. But of course a lot goes with your standard of sailing… it is no beginner spot, you need to know what you are doing. When we got out of the water they were impressed by the sailing, they had never seen a windsurfer sailing such a heavy waves.’

What’s so special about that wave?
‘The wave breaks onto a nice slab so usually there is always a wave breaking. When the swell is not too big it looks like the ocean folds over on top of the slab and when the swell is big the wave can be massive with a perfect walling shape. During this session the wave was sucking below the sea level so you can imagine how much power it delivers. When you have the perfect timing the aerials are huge and you usually land on the flats!’

What was this session like?
‘The day started with some strange wind in El Cabezo, so I decided to make a trip to the north, and when I got there it was perfect! I took at least twenty waves, but many broke too close to the rocks, or they were close out. One wave I made the bottom turn too much on the flats, so when I went to hit it I thought I was too late but I thought, just go for it! So I did, the timing was perfect so I flew to the flats but the wave is so heavy that as I was going to land the wave ate me! A pretty good washing, but of course there are heavier waves than this one! When the swell is big, the wave can get really dangerous.’

Do you mentally prepare for such waves or just go in and trust your experience?
‘Actually I get out there so stoked to be the only one in the water that I forget about the danger! But once you are in the wave you concentrate because it’s not a wave that you just go for it, you go for it when the wave is shaping in a perfect way!’

What kind of moves can you do on these waves?
‘None really haha! You can do a lot of aerials though. You have to choose the right waves to do moves on because the wave is really hollow so it depends how the wave shapes. I only sailed there a couple of times so far, you always try to sail carefully, most of the times you never know what the wave is going to do! But I am sure that soon I will be able to sail it better than now.’

If you want to see some more photos, check out the Windsurfing Tenerife website. They have a bunch of photos of Musso from this session and the other locals ripping up the different spots around the island.

© photos by windsurfingtenerife.com and Chavito. umi 2010

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