“At 5 am we would hit the road…when we arrive, half asleep, we put the wetsuit on and jump into the refreshing water. Suddenly we are awake, full of adrenaline and on the peak of energy. We catch one wave, the next one and the next one. We are no pro’s, but we love it.”
– Martha Mroz
Ask a local about life in Puglia, and they’ll point out many unique aspects to southern livelihood. Alongside heartful cuisine, family unity, charming towns and easygoing lifestyle, Puglia’s two coastlines offer hidden grottoes, calas and expanse white shores and plenty of ways to engage with the sea, including watersports around 800 kilometres of sandy and rocky beaches.
If surfing is on your wish list, you’ll appreciate the winds that embrace the coasts at a couple of strategic locations; Gargano in the north, and Salento’s two coasts on both ends of the Ionian Sea where winds from the west conspire with the sea to raise the tide. While nothing is comparable to open sea conditions, there are definitely some spots to explore in Puglia.
Up in the north end is Garganosurf, the largest water sports centre in southern Italy. Its location right on the beach makes it an ideal spot to combine a day’s worth of relaxation and sports. On location is a kite, windsurfing, surfing & SUP school with qualified teachers in all sports. There’s a great wind yield in the months of July and August with great activities including ‘Full Moon Kiting’. The school is open until 15 October.
At the tip of Salento, the last point before the Apulian heel merges with the deep waters of the Mediterranean, the Locals Crew surf school offers equipment and lessons for all levels and ages at the most beautiful spots. The sports association has a team of instructors certified by the IKO (International Kiteboarding Organization), FIV and VDWS, and offers kitesurf, windsurf, wakeboard, SUP classes and catamaran experiences. In Salento, surfers will find two principal windy seasons. Between the months of May and September, winds from the North-West up to 20 knots per hour between 10:00-15:00 (on the Adriatic, those winds can rise to 20 knots per hour, growing up to 6 knots stronger in the afternoon). Then, during the winter, from October to April, winds from the South and South-East rise up to 30 knots with high waves along the Ionian Coast, perfect for surfing. Keep in mind that the Adriatic coast is especially good for experienced surfers as the winds are strong and swell the waves. Off-season, the Locals Crew organizes special trips around the world, all centred on the love of surfing.
Tel: +39 328 4260226
Book: info@localsalentokitesurf.com
On the west coast of Puglia is COOEE (“Come Here” in Australian aboriginal dialect), a surfing centre near the Ionian Sea. Travellers will find great locations to surf from September to May when the southern swells hit the Gulf of Taranto with world-class waves. Set on one hectare of private land, complete with a 450m² Surf House villa surrounded by olive tree and eucalyptus, the centre offers a host of classes for beginners, intermediate and advanced surfers with wetsuit and accessory rental services. Onsite, the Surf House villa offers eco-friendly, sustainable accommodations for visitors who would like to resort in this part of Puglia – additional services include taiji classes, therapeutic massages and organized excursions and boat trips. Which reminds us, you might want to go dolphin watching, too.
Tel: +39 3478192846
Book: cooeesurfhouse@gmail.com
