Tiree Winter Windsurfing

February 24, 2009 on 6:35 pm | In Windsurfing |

Having just got back from 10 weeks in South Africa it is hard not to be cynical of the watersports conditions in Scotland…. Or is it? 

Tiree in February equals air temperatures in single figures, occasionally touching 10 degrees and water temperature that requires all of the 6mm of your wetsuit to be doing its job.  However I can’t get away from the feeling that I am desperate to get back in the water…. 

Cape Town has 20 degrees plus on a daily basis and certainly more consistant wind and waves generally over our winter (their summer) but there is something missing. Maybe it is the sense of achievement felt by braving the elements in one of the most remote parts of Scotland and being warm and active while most of the other inhabitants of the island are freezing in their houses but there is definitely something magnetic about the windsurfing on Tiree at this inhospitable time of year.   

We have been back for two weeks now and the lack of wind throughout that period has only made my withdrawal symptoms worse and left me vowing to ‘ get in no matter what the temperature the next windy day’. 

We will see if I put my money where my mouth is the next day we have force 5!

William MacLean
http://www.tireewatersports.co.uk
Windsurfer/Kitesurfer running Wild Diamond Watersports in Tiree