Golfers visiting Costa Brava this summer can combine the unforgettable experience of playing Spain’s No.1 course*, PGA Catalunya Resort’s Stadium Course, with the slightly more athletic pursuit of windsurfing off the region’s iconic ‘rugged coast’.
Over the past 14 years, Costa Brava has hosted numerous PWA (Professional Windsurfers Association) World Cup events, including Freestyle, Slalom and Super Cross male and female competitions. This year, it saw Bjorn Dunkerbeck (Starboard / Severne / Mystic / Dunkerbeck Eyewear / Chris Benz) dominated the proceedings and win the coveted 2012 PWA Catalunya World Cup, becoming the most decorated sailor in windsurfing history.
The picturesque town of Sant Pere Pescador, located 150km north east of Barcelona, offers the perfect recipe for a slalom sailor’s paradise, with 7kms of stunning white sand beaches, with the blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea and steady thermal winds. At times however, these idyllic thermal winds can be replaced by the roaring Tramuntana wind, which ferociously whistles down the Pyrenees mountain range, with enough power to test the mettle of any of the world’s best surfers.
“Costa Brava has long been known as one of Spain’s world-class golfing destinations,” said Ramón Ramos, Director at Costa Brava Girona Tourist Board. “Possibly a bit less known is the fact that the region is also a favoured training ground for top surfing professionals - and that we have hosted the PWA World Cup here since 1998.”
Beginners and less competitive surfers usually flock to the north of Cap de Creus, Port de la Selva - just under a two-hour drive from Barcelona - where weather conditions are ideal for all surfing sports, from wind and kite surfing to fun and sailboarding. Annual regattas, attracting thousands of supporters to the Costa Brava every February, have also made this region very popular among the surfing crowds.
Further south, in the Alt Empordà region, the town of L'Escala is another favourite for surfers, while in the Baix Empordà area, from L’Estartit along the beach of Pals to the Gulf of Roses, conditions for kite and windsurfing are perfect.
“For those wanting to tie in a round of golf on their trip, Club de Golf Peralada, with its environmentally friendly design and natural surroundings, is just 30 minutes from Port de la Selva,” continued Ramón Ramos. “While Costa Brava’s critically acclaimed Empordà Golf, a Continental European Top 100 Course, and the region’s oldest course, Golf Platja de Pals, are less than 30 minutes away from Pals beach.”
Slightly more inland and offering spectacular vistas from its 300m above sea-level perch is Club Golf d’Aro Mas Nou that is a must-visit, not to mention PGA Golf Catalunya Resort, Spain’s best golf course and World Top 100 venue that has hosted two Spanish Opens.
Ramón Ramos added: “Costa Brava has such a diverse geography that it can offer visitors a wide range of activities, from world-class surfing to unforgettable golf courses - and all in an area of 5.885 square kilometres.”
Located just an hour north of Barcelona and easily accessible thanks to Girona-Costa Brava Airport - an important Ryanair hub - the region’s geographical diversity offers a variety of summer activities, from golf, cycling and trecking to snorkeling, windsurfing and scuba diving, as well as winter pursuits thanks to its proximity to the Pyrenees, offering world-class ski resorts.
Activities available in the region:
Costa Brava provides a multitude of water activities, marinas and sailing clubs. Visitors can try:
- Sailing
- Water skiing
- Windsurfing
- Kayaking
- Snorkelling
- Scuba diving
Other outdoor sporting activities include:
- Rock climbing
- Trekking and hiking
- Parachuting
- Canyoning
- Paragliding
Additional information on Costa Brava can be found at www.costabrava.org and www.golf.costabrava.org.
