Certainly that's not the case in Gran Canaria. Here, each season, more and more girls take to the boards - surfing, windsurfing and bodyboarding.

Here, there's no sex discrimination: in Gran Canaria, the girls are in the front line alongside the guys, all looking to find "the wave". Just take a look at some of the local champions: the Taylor sisters, who run their own school, are probably the best example: Marina is a former World Champion in bodyboarding, and Adelina, European Surf Champion.

Are you looking for a little adrenaline release? An escape from boredom? You have a choice: surfing, windsurfing, bodyboarding (better known on the island as 'boogie') or kitesurfing. As for suitable conditions - the wind, beaches, waves, water temperature and good weather - the island will take care of that: along its 236 miles of coastline, the water temperature ranges from 18 degrees in winter to 22 for the rest of the year, and all the variables combine to provide ideal conditions for the four sports.

The waves here are strong. The ground is mostly volcanic, so there is no great movement of sand and the waves focus at one point. In addition, the good weather means there's no need to be decked out in neoprene from head to toe, and a number of local surf schools headed by experts offer courses at all levels.

Each weekend, the young locals pop their boards and sails in the car and head round the island in search of the right winds. There are around fifty areas with suitable waves spread along the coast, which makes it easy to find one near your home or hotel; wherever you are based, there's bound to be a good spot to watch the experts, or maybe take the plunge yourself.