The European Freestyle Windsurfing Championships splash down in Costa Teguise today, running though until July 7th.

32 of Europe’s top freestyle riders will be showcasing their skills this week at Playa Cucharas in Cosa Teguise, as they battle it out for the top prize of 10,000 euros.

The competitors are drawn from no less than 18 nationalities and include some of the sports leading exponents, such as the Argentinian rider Tongo Frans and the Belgians the Belgians Yentel Caers and Steven Van Broeckhoven.

As well as high octane board-based action the event also embraces a raft of other activities, with DJ’s, a skate ramp and beach sports all forming part of the program.

The event is now in its fifth year and organisers and tourism chiefs view it as an important platform for promoting Lanzarote as a sports tourism destination.