LATITUDE: 32 deg N
WATER TEMP: 19 deg C winter
FLIGHT TIME/COST: 3 hours from London, return from £150.
BUDGET: Euro but cheaper than Europe! Weekly budget of £250 should do you fine.
WAVES: 7
WEATHER: 8
CROWDS: 4
WOW-FACTOR: 4

A short hop south for northern fringe surfers stricken alongside chilly, sloppy, gruel hued winter lineups, the appeal of the Canary Island archipelago relates chiefly to its latitude. Situated a few degrees north of the Tropic of Cancer, the chain of volcanic islands is located off the coast of Africa near the border of Morocco and Western Sahara, and is fully exposed to swells generated in the north Atlantic, which most famously break with power over steep shallow reefs mainly of the north and west coasts.

Alongside an abundance of hollow reefbreaks, the various coasts around the islands also offer points and beaches, often set in to a kind of desert/lunar/lava landscape that definitely lets you know you’re far from home. With a variety of spots on offer in terms of technique an accessibility, the one constant is the year round sunshine and mild water temperatures.

Apart from all that, the best part is probably drying out the snot. You know how, in winter, like say by late February, you’re just sick and tired of having a snotty nose and ears? Well the Canaries will dry that stuff out. Your 3/2 will feel mighty alrighty compared to the straight jacket feel of the hooded 5/4 and bootless feet will sing the tooties electric. You will get an awesome farmer tan as if you duct taped your neck hands and feet, and you will feel better when you leave, than when you arrived.

That was the idea, wasn’t it?