The next 5-star event took place on the neighbouring island of Tenerife, in the picturesque town of El Médano. The conditions at the reef of El Cabezo are usually port tack, side-onshore, with medium-strength winds. Unfortunately, throughout the ten contest days, the wind was almost non-existent and the waves had to be searched for with great effort.

By the time Tenerife came around, I was finally recovered from my Pozo injury and ready to give it my all. Because the wind in El Médano was so poor, I had stayed longer in Pozo, where I was at last able to get some proper training in. So although I had only managed one single session at El Médano before the contest and had never actually wave sailed there before, I still felt prepared. I had even landed a new move back in Gran Canaria which gave me extra confidence going in.

When my first heat came on day five, my lack of spot knowledge showed. I positioned myself in the wrong place and missed the best waves. Still, it was enough to advance, and I managed to improve my positioning for the next day’s heat. From there, I fought my way through several rounds, almost reaching the quarter-finals of the single elimination. In the end, I secured 13th place – definitely a step up from Pozo, though not yet where I want to be.

Throughout the entire event, there wasn’t a single session or heat where I wasn’t sailing on my biggest gear: a 5.0 sail and 82-litre wave board. In stark contrast to the extreme winds of Gran Canaria, it felt like riding something heavy and slow instead of light and agile. No jumps were scored, and during my heats it was impossible even to plane.

My takeaway from Tenerife: I need to spend more time learning the local specifics of this spot for next season. Many of my competitors in the Top 15 have been training here for years and know El Cabezo inside out. I still have some catching up to do, but I am proud that I was able to battle my way through several heats regardless and show clear improvement. Next year, I’ve definitely got unfinished business here. Tenerife – see you soon!