Most beaches on this island are windy and blanketed with fine sand and most feature well-equipped facilities for all kinds of water sports. On this famous snow-white Cyclades island of Paros all is possible in the sea.
Beach soccer; beach volleyball; diving; pedalo riding; sailing; water slides; water skiing, underwater fishing, kayaking and surfing: these are the most popular activities that will put your stamina to the test and keep your adrenalin surge up all day long!
The island of Paros and its windy sea is widely considered to be a surfer’s paradise, a top choice for Greek and foreign athletes alike. The wind speed and direction on the island’s southeastern side in combination with the sea waves create a worldwide known surfing area ideal for international windsurfing games. So, it is no surprise that the PWA (Professional Windsurfers Association) World Championship used to take place on the island for many years with the first surfer appearing sometime in the early 80s. Today Paros is windsurfers mecca offering training as well as high performance gear to meet all types of surfers demands.
Chryssi Akti, named after the golden sand it is covered with, is the most popular beach for windsurfing; in this area, schools take advantage of the shallow crystal clear waters and offer even to beginners the opportunity to test their abilities safely.
Néa Chryssí Aktí beach (Tserdakia) offers countless thrills to those who are “advanced” as this area is where the winds of the greatest duration and strength are recorded. Wind direction (left side-shore) combined with the angle created by sea waves lift windsurfers up creating the ideal conditions for jumps.
Finally, the “hot spot” list for windsurfing fans would never be complete without the addition of the “sport-oriented” and noisy beaches of Santa Maria and Pounta noted for the prevailing high winds. As a matter of fact don’t be surprised if you see “flying swimmers” as you approach the weathered Pounta bay! These are daring kite surfers who manipulate the ropes of their kites gliding on the waves spume with an ever growing speed until they literally take off 20 to 30 meters up in the air.
So if you think of combining your summertime holiday leisure time with practicing your favorite water sports, Paros island is definitely to be considered as an option.
article originally published on the Greek Tourism’s website http://gnto.org