ACTIVE TOURISM

The Village of Los Realejos is an excellent paradise to practise alternative sports, dealing with adventure and in contact with nature. Because of the amount of natural places in the highlands besides the weather conditions of the northern side of the island, likewise the presence of groups, clubs and associations which are fond of those activities, arrange to guide all those persons interested in the practice of this type of sports, we find out an ideal destination which comprises in a short space, all the necessary elements to make the lovers of nature and adventure unforgettable experiences.

Among than, we have to stand out the important consideration paragliding has got. This alternative sport, associated to the lovers of nature and free hand – gliding makes Los Realejos a special place for its practice in the best weather conditions all over the year. The softness of the climate situation of the region, the characteristics of the setting and the orientation of the strong blowing winds take an important role for the activity of paragliding. In La Corona viewpoint, where a big slope situated at 750 metres over the sea level, the paragliders can flight during hours and play with the soft clouds of the alisio winds, enjoying a majestic view which goes from the Teno Hillside, in the municipality of Buenavista, till Anaga, in Santa Cruz of Tenerife.

Another type of sport, which has a large number of enthusiastic people of the practice of surfing, and thanks to them, the Socorro beach has got fame and prestige among the experts of Europe. With the formation of waves all over the year and nice temperatures, surfing and other activities make El Socorro beach an ideal place to enjoy.

El Socorro beach has four different seasons: two soft ones, between March and April with waves from 1 to 3 metres of height and another in June with an average height from 1 to 2 metres, other two strong ones, between September and the ending of November with waves from 2 to 3 metres and from December to March when the streams are frequent, with an average height from 2 to 5 metres, however, depending on the storms, these waves can get an average height of 8 metres, since they are not so common.

The characteristics of the beach swell is measured according to the height of the waves and the seasons, thus, in winter the drum waves come one after the other, in September, October and November and because of the effect of the winds and the large amount of sand, waves in a tube shape, and the rest of the year, the crest waves.

In that beach, several surfing, longboard and championships buggies take place every year. July, August and September are the habitual months chosen for these competitions, standing out among them the regional and national trials like the O`Neill award.

The Canarian Archipelago, nearby the Tropic of Cancer, allows the practice of diving all over the year, another type of sport, which has been growing in importance in that region. The clearness of water, with a very good visibility throughout the year (from 15 to 20 metres in Winter and over 40 or 50 metres in Summer) the variety of fish species, make the coastline of the Village, and the Guindaste area, a paradise to observe and take photos of the submarine lives.

With an average water temperature of 19º in February and the 23º in August, the activity of diving will always turn into a nice one. The most outstanding and famous one is the Baja of Los Realejos, a big basaltic rock under water, placed at 10 metres of the surface and it falls down till the 70 metres.

It is suitable place for all the divers and it is remarkable because of the large amount of caves, stone arches and tunnels, rock made steps and abysses which take the form of big sunken stone organs and when they mix with the floral and fauna varieties get on original shape which amazes those who look at them.

Besides the previous ones, there are other sport practices which are advisable to do in Los Realejos, such as tracking and horse riding, activities that allow go through the town enjoying the splendid surroundings, across the equipped roads for the passing of horses, or on foot through the wide network of footpaths which from the coastline to the mountains. Apnoea, mountain bike, sport fishing and other forms complete the large sport offer in the Village of Los Realejos.