| In addition to being a perfect winter holiday getaway | | | | Warm weather training camps are the preserve of |
| destination, Tenerife is also a favourite location for | | | | any serious athlete who finds their off season months |
| many specialist holiday providers. This group of holiday | | | | spoilt by cold wet weather. Sportsmen from the UK |
| packagers focus on niche market sectors and provide | | | | and other northern european countries have long |
| specialist holidays to cater for certain types of people | | | | appreciated the warmer winter climate of the |
| or people with special interests. These holidays are | | | | Canaries. Lanzarote is the first location that springs to |
| often based around characteristics of the people | | | | mind when you think of athletes, triathletes and cyclists |
| themselves, perhaps their age or religious beliefs for | | | | looking for early season training facilities, but Tenerife |
| example, but more normally they are created to cater | | | | also has plenty to offer. Los Cristianos in the south of |
| for particular hobbies or the special areas of interest | | | | the island boasts an Olympic sized swimming pool for |
| of those people. | | | | swim camps and a modern synthetic athletics track |
| Cookery holidays, walking holidays, photography | | | | for both track and field athletes. |
| holidays, birdwatching holidays and painting holidays are | | | | Tenerife also provides a fine winter base for cyclists, |
| all examples of specialist holidays that now use | | | | both amateur and professional alike. The resort was |
| Tenerife as their base. Holidays of this type are usually | | | | made famous recently by the visit of Lance |
| provided for smaller groups of people and feature | | | | Armstrong and his Astana team, who used the island |
| either a guide or tutor as part of the package. | | | | as part of their preparations for the season ahead. |
| Birdwatching holidays are a popular type of specialist | | | | Mountainous roads, pine forests and warm weather |
| with English visitors to Tenerife. The island, likes others | | | | make Tenerife a perfect choice for cyclists looking to |
| in the Canaries, provides opportunities to spot seabirds | | | | train in the months of December and January. The |
| and native species that are not found in the UK. | | | | mountainous regions, high altitude routes and forests |
| Endemic varieties include the Blue Chaffinch which is a | | | | also make the island great for off-road cycling and |
| common sight and the more elusive Bolle's Pigeon and | | | | several companies provide MTB ( Mountain Bike ) |
| Laurel Pigeon. Another obvious native is the Tenerife | | | | tours and holidays. |
| Goldcrest which is non-migratory and so is only found | | | | For the true adventurer one company is now providing |
| on Tenerife and the nearby island of La Gomera. | | | | the ultimate sporting challenge on Tenerife. The four |
| Tenerife is famous for its warm winter climate and | | | | day challenge involves travelling from sea level using a |
| watersports enthusiasts can take advantage of this | | | | combination of canoeing, walking, mountain biking, rope |
| weather to extend their season. Ample accessible | | | | descents, overnight camps in the company of |
| coastline and spectacular Atlantic surf make it a | | | | experienced guides, culminating near the 3800m peak |
| favourite destination for surfers, windsurfers and kite | | | | of Teide Volcano. Participants are limited in numbers |
| surfers. | | | | and are expected to be both fit and flexible. |
| Scuba diving is also a popular activity on Tenerife. | | | | So you see Tenerife has a wealth of options and |
| There are several scuba training schools which take | | | | opportunities for the specialist holiday maker. Travel to |
| advantage of the underwater volcanic rock formations | | | | the island is made easier by a wealth of low cost flight |
| and the abundance of sealife. For around 500 euros, | | | | providers who fly to the island's two airports on a |
| which covers tuition and accommodation, novices can | | | | year-round basis. Tenerife Airport South, or Reina |
| undergo an intensive week long course leading to the | | | | Sofia, is the larger of the two airports and is the one |
| PADI Open Water Scuba certificate. Comfortable | | | | most frequently used by flight providers. The other |
| average sea and air temperatures, which make diving | | | | smaller airport is called Los Rodeos, is located in the |
| a year-round sport in Tenerife, has led to several | | | | north of the island and is used more as an inter-island |
| specialist Dive Schools setting up base on the island. | | | | hub. |