Gecko Windsurf Days

Thread your downhaul correctly!

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 08:33:29 GMT

Stop threading the downhaul wrong!

Have you ever wondered how to thread the downhaul? Or just thread the rope from first pulley to the last?

As we have to rig sails on daily basis, i see many of my students are not aware of the right threading of the ropes on the downhaul.

What is the major problem - the pulleys on the extention and the ones on the sail are at 90 degrees angle. So if we do from first to the list (down to up) by putting tension, the pulleys tend to be parallel, as they follow the rope thread. That is all right, but makes the strap that holds the block of pulleys on the sail to twist. Nothing will happen in the beginning, but in a long term, that constant twist will either brake the strap, or the block with the pulleys on the sail will brake.

To avoid that, simply follow the right threading set up. This way you prevent the sail from damage, and actually it is a lot easier to trip the sail

Here a short video, provided by Goya Windsurfing shows the correct way to thread the rope through the pulleys

Enjoy and stay safe

Shadow - the windsurfing dog!

geckowindsurf@gmail.com (Martin Bayryamov) — Sat, 20 Jul 2024 09:54:07 GMT

Shadow is the windsurf school mascot, and he really does it well!

Today I would like to introduce Shadow to all of you. He is the Gecko Windsurf School mascot, and he is really doing it well! He came to our family in the spring of 2023. We rescued him from the dog shelter. Eline saw him on some social media page and talked me into adopting him. I wasn't really eager to have a dog, but in the end, there were 2 kids and Eline against me, so I had to accept it.

He was 7 years old back then and he came with his name. All we know is that he was left behind from his previous owner ,who left the island. Shadow stayed a couple of months with the flat mate of the owner, until the flatmate figured out that he couldn't take care of Shadow anymore and left it in the perreira in La Oliva.

You will see Shadow often in your windsurf classes. He would be wandering around, checking all the BBQs that are going on, chasing little crabs under the rocks when the tide is low.

Yes, he is into windsurfing as well...i was not less surprised when he decided to jump on my board for a first time and since then he ofter acompanies me in the class, standing on the bow and looking to the horizon. Capitain Shadow :)

He loves the water, he would just go for a random swim, whenever he feels like. And you will see him later rolling onto the sand to dry himself (i recently learned that dogs are rolling like that, to dry their fur)

He is a super chill, calm and friendly dude. He loves cuddles and food. Any food. Or anything that smells like food. Please don't feed him anything. He has enough food back home and on top not everything is healthy for him.

Get your Windsurfing Gecko T-shirt or the Hat!

geckowindsurf@gmail.com (Martin Bayryamov) — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 21:24:17 GMT

This is a subtitle for your new post

I had that as idea for long time, and here it is. Organic cotton T-shirts with vinyl print of the Windsurfing Gecko in colours on the back and one color on the chests.

And the snap back hat with the Gecko Windsurf logo on the front.

We have pritned them with a local business in Puerto del Rosario

They are coming in 4 different colours. Sizes from XS till XL.

It is a try out and maybe we will spice them up for the next year

Ask Martin for yours!!! :)

DIY After Sun Lotion

geckowindsurf@gmail.com (Martin Bayryamov) — Wed, 28 Jun 2023 05:09:43 GMT

RECIPE FOR HOME MADE DIY AFTER SUN LOTION

You know the feeling of crisp sun baked salty touch, suncream oily but dry skin.

A good day outside in Fuerteventura, especially during the summer will take its toll on your skin.

Using a high solar protection is a must, if you are windsurfing, it must be waterproof, water resistant and long lasting.

Still our skin can use a little help and the best way is by giving it extra liquid, veg oil and vitamins.

Cooling it as if you burned will help your skin stay fresh and hydrating from the inside is KEY to a healthy happy skin!

You can find all these ingredients very easy on the island!

Set up a big or deep bowl, a ciff and a sharp knife and spoon.

Ingredients:

AloëVera, preferably the green thick leaves from the bottom till the tip

Coconut oil, the one you can eat.

Optionally: herbs or scrub

We love the power of calendula, we use it a lot, its healing, anti bacterial and powerfull..

Some days we add the tiniest bit of dried grounded, used coffee (preferably not in your morning cream), to scrub and energize the skin with.

BEcareful with the Aloë, it makes stains and has poisonous parts.

We take the jelly part from the inside and rinse it for a few minutes in a bowl of clean water, i keep it in the ciff while soaking it in the water.

Add a few good spoons of coconut oil with the Aloe Vera in a deep bowl (hand mixer) or blender and mix till soft and smooth.

store it in your fridge for a few days while using it.

Enjoy!!

Want to read more DIY tips let us know!!

Summer Days

geckowindsurf@gmail.com (Martin Bayryamov) — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 05:09:44 GMT

The Summer is coming and that means a few things:

The quiet before the storm season
When people ask us, When is high season, we often reply December, and the months around it.

Low season we could say, May & June, perfect time to enjoy the island ourself, take a break, travel, spend quality time with the family and fix our gear. If you enjoy low season, this is your moment ;).

Longer days
Hanging out on the beach till 8p.m. , these are the summer days they sing about! The feeling of never ending summer when you can windsurf, wing, surf and chill in 1 day and still have time to do your choirs (cause we aren't living in a holiday)

More Windsurf, Less Surf

More windy days, some windswell, less ground swell and lots of blown out waves, you notice the weather has changed, as if we have only 2 seasons, we move from winter into summer within a few weeks, spring doesn't last long here.

You know it's Summer

and just like that, suddenly every day its windyyyy, not our daily 15 knots of fun wind, no its WINDY, you wake up and see clouds, you think ooh a grey day, get your breakfast do you morning routines and there is blue sky and wind. THIS is SUMMER in Fuerteventura.

The water temperature is comfortable enough to surf in shorts or bikinis. All sweathers can move to the back of the wardrobe, maybe a light jacket for these chill nights out, its still a desert place, hot in the day and less hot at night.

Happy longest day of the year, Happy international Yoga day and Happy Summer.

21st June, Summer has arrived.

Put the aloë in your fridge cause the long, windy , sunny days ask for extra skin and hair care, see our After Sun DIY blog for our tested and best home made after sun body lotion!