A dream in the Atlantic Ocean

In the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, 1500 km south of the Canary Islands and 450 km off of the western coast of Senegal, is a small group of islands, the Cape Verdes. Although appearing almost insignificant, they are actually of great importance – and not only for us windsurfers! Long before we arrived, seamen used the favourable winds of the Cape Verdes to cross the Atlantic Ocean from there.

Well, we don’t want to travel that far away, and would rather stay on Sal. Although this barren island is characterised by a desert landscape, everyone who comes here is cast under its spell and plans to return. The Cape Verdeans call this phenomenon "Sodade", which means "yearning". The fun loving locals will shape your image of the Cape Verdes and their aim is to make you feel right at home. "You do not need much to be happy" - This saying could have originated on these islands. Apart from fishing, which is the locals main source of food and income, music also plays a decisive role in the Cape Verdean life.

All tastes are catered for here, from windsurfers interested in a wave taster course to full-fledged professionals. Apart from windsurfing and wave riding, kitesurfing is also big on Sal.

Although more and more hotels have been built on Sal in the last few years, the "desert island" has retained its charm and is still the ultimate wave paradise for windsurfers, kitesurfers and wave riders.

Our insider tips:

• Deep-sea fishing on a sailing boat or traditional fishing with the locals
• Buggy or squad tours across the island
• Professional surfing with world champions Josh Angulo and Björn Dunkerbeck in Ponta Preta
• Fantastic wave spots such as Ponta Sino, Ponta Preta, Rife, and Ponta Leme
• Catamaran trip to Boavista
• Beautiful African art at the Akuaba Shop
• First-rate tuna sashimi (raw fish steak) at the Atlantis Restaurant
• Typical local fare such as catchupa - and grogue drinks... but be careful!
• A sightseeing trip around the island

The bay is at the southern end of the island of Sal and the long, fine-grained sandy beach extends over more than 4 kilometers. Due to their position within the winter trade-wind belt, the Cape Verde Islands boast perfect windsurfing conditions from October to June.

Stretching for 4km, Santa Maria Bay (Sal) offers ideal kitesurfing conditions for beginners, advanced kiters and experts. The sideshore wind from the left, which blows with an average force of 4-5 bft every day, makes the spot an ideal instruction zone for kitesurfing.

The bay is devided in two zones, one for kitesurfers, and one for windsurfers. The windsurfing zone starts directly in front of the our centre. It is one minute on foot to the start of the kitesurfing zone, which is slightly downwind from the centre. Here kiters of all levels will find a sandy, deserted beach, ideally suited to safe kite launching and landing. This is also the spot where courses are held, from beginners' to advanced levels. In addition, advanced and expert kite surfers (from level 3) will have lots of fun at two further spots. The cross-offshore or sideshore wind from the left allows effortless upwind sailing to the various sections of the beach. From the Smart Extreme inc. centre, you can reach two fantastic wave spots directly from the flat-water section: Punta Leme upwind, and Punta Sino downwind. They offer every opportunity for you to let off steam in the waves. Punta Leme, is only one kilometre upwind of our centre and is famous for its crystal-clear, turquoise water and constant wind. Another spot, is Kitebeach, situated on the eastern shore of island, which can be reached in 10 minutes by pick-up.

We have by far the best location in the bay of Santa Maria, because it offers the finest of sandy beach and boundless space. You will find all kinds of amenities, ranging from lots of room, a boutique, to the Atlantis bar/restaurant and an internet cafe doubling as an ice-cream parlour.