Here are some of Sportif’s best picks for the summer with early booking offers available now for October half term and Christmas getaways:

If you’re wanting to introduce or progress your children’s windsurfing, Sportif recommend heading to a resort that has shallow water conditions such as Dahab or Safaga or in the Red Sea,  Alacati in Turkey. Rosas on the Spanish Costa Brava offers a mix of culture, superb dining options and many activities. All of the centres offer children specific equipment and classes by age and there are family discounted packages for rental and instruction.

The Dahab Hilton

Dahab – Red Sea
If you stay at the 4* Hilton Resort directly on Dahab Bay, the  shallow water sailing area is conveniently in front of the hotel. The lagoon is protected by a sand spit so even the youngest windsurfers can enjoy their lessons in complete safety. Lessons are organised with a maximum of 4 children (6-11 years) specifically for children with ‘kiddy’ and junior rigs.

There is also access to the whole of Baby Bay and fantastic slalom and freestyle conditions for intermediate and advanced windsurfers, The centre is right on the beach in front of the hotel with sun beds, beach bar and restaurant and pool conveniently next door. Also on the bay you can waterski, wakeboard or go scuba diving or book a Bedouin dinners. Sportif recommend a boat trip to the Blue Hole, snorkel on the amazing circular reef and see the free divers.

Family windsurfing in Safaga

Safaga – Red Sea
Safaga is an excellent choice in the southern Red Sea offering all inclusive and multi sport options for windsurfing, kitesurfing, SUP and diving. Choose from 3, 4 or 5* Hotels with centres and sailing directly off the beach. The Red Sea offers perfect weather – sunshine, warm water and, from now to October, at least 70% of windy days.  Safaga has a sheltered, shallow water area which is ideal for lessons and range of other activies from the centre including SUP paddle boarding, kitesurfing, snorkelling, diving plus camel rides galore!

Discounts are given for a combination of rental equipment and instruction for 2 sports.  Prices for a 1 week holiday at the 3* Sham Hotel all inclusive in Safaga starts at £499 including flights and transfer.

Culture and Cuisine
For the perfect mix of windsurfing, culture and cuisine, head to Alacati on the Turkish Riviera  or Rosas on the Costa Brava in Northern Spain . Both offer family friendly hotels or self catering accommodation

Alacati windsurf action

Alacati – Turkey
Alacati in Turkey is another PWA slalom location but also has very family friendly windsurfing facilities, quality hotel accommodation and great range of things to do and choice of restaurants to keep everyone happy.

Alacati Bay is almost landlocked making it super safe, with shallow water areas and super flat water. In the morning the winds are usually light, making it easy for even the smallest windsurfers to progress. The centre has chill out areas for relaxing, swimming off the beach, volleyball, fitness, WiFi and buzzing atmosphere at the waterside restaurants.
The small 5* Solto Hotel is around 10 minutes walk from the centre with a main and children’s pool, restaurant , pool bar, spa and a la carte dining. Alternatively, you can catch a taxi into Alacati town just 10 minutes away to explore the cobbled streets, browse the markets and enjoy a range of restaurants from traditional Turkish to Pizza, BBQ and steak houses to top of the range fine dining. When off the water, you can explore the local historic sites of Ephesus, Pamukkale, Troy, Assos with hot mud springs, local vineyards and markets to sample the best olive oils and local produce. Or just chill out by the pool and have a relaxing massage.

Golf de Rosas

Golf de Rosas – Spain

This PWA slalom venue also offers a great summer holiday spot with conditions to suit all levels, from flat to choppy  and very family friendly. The centre is set on the superb, 7km long sandy beach of Rosas with busy schedule of kids lessons for windsurfing all summer long.  There are 60% carbon Radz skinny masts in all junior sails up to 4.7m² and North sails from 1.0 to 4.7 m² – super light kit to make it easier!

When not on the water you can relax on the beach or explore some of the many attraction of the surround area including the Dali museum at Figueres or the Roman Ruins at Empuries. There are also great cycling routes around the pretty countryside or in the nearby Pyrenees and water parks.

Sportif offer a choice of self catering apartments and Catalan farmhouses or boutique hotel accommodation with spa, a la carte dining.  If you are a family with small or older children, self catering gives great flexibility when you need it, helps with the budget and then you can go out an sample some of the mouth watering menu a the many local bodegas and tapas bars. Delicious!

Sportif Family Packages:

Alacati, Turkey – Half Term Summer Holiday Family Specials
1 week at the 5* Solto Spa Hotel for a family of 4 starts at £699pp Half Board including flights and transfers in May half term where 1 child under 6 years goes FREE and 7-12 year old HALF PRICE.
7 nights in July starts at £759pp and 10 nights in August from £929pp.

Dahab, Red Sea – Family Specials
1 week at the 4* Hilton Hotel for a family of 4 starts at £799pp BB including flights and transfers
In May half term Sportif are offering  the following:
May Half Term Special Offer – Family of 4 Total Price £3,149.
4* Hilton Hotel – including return flights & transfers (2 adults, 2 children under 12)
Dep: 26 May 7 nights BB – 1 Bedroom Suite. Adults from £999pp, Child from £575pp
Dep: July  14 nights BB   – 1 Bedroom Suite. Total Price £3,999
Dep: August 14 nights BB   – 1 Bedroom Suite. Total Price £3,999

Golf de Rosas, Spain – Summer Holiday Family Specials
1 week at the Boutique Catalan Farmhouse for four sharing a self catering apartment with pool with onsite restaurant and bar. 7 nights self catering including flights from £449pp in June, July from £475 and August from £649 and September from £419pp.  2 weeks in June from £679pp.

Junior Instruction:  Prices start at £70 for 3 hours starter/refresher training including equipment or book a week’s course 5 hours. 1 hour per day recommended for younger children 11 and under so a week’s course would be £95 including all equipment. For older children, 12 to 16 years, choose from a 3 day (6 hour) course from £95 or 5 day (10 hour) course from £145, again including all equipment and a maximum of 6 students.

Surfing and SUP Paddleboard Instruction packages from £30 for 2 hour taster to £85 for a 6 hour course including all equipment.

Family Rental Discounts:
Adult Windsurf or Kitesurf Rental 1 week from £175pp.
Adult Rental – 4 out of 7 days from £130 or 10 out of 14 days from £240.
Kids and Youngsters – for children 50% discount on rental rate (6-15 years)
Double usuage – 1 adult and 1 child the child is free (6-15 years)

To book or for more information contact Sportif on +(0)1273 844919 or email info@sportif.travel
All Sportif holidays are fully ATOL protected and offer packages with and without flights.

Next time Boards will look at yet more family friendly locations that offer the total package for your windsurfing needs!

Club Vass Divas

Name: Bethany ‘Betty’ Mercer

Instructor level: Intermediate Planing, but taking my Advanced course this summer.

Years coaching: 4 years – this summer will be my 5^th!

My favourite level to coach has to be Intermediates; in a week you see such a transformation in ability! It’s wonderful to see a guest start their week of coaching non-planing in lighter winds and then by the end of the week absolutely loving the sport when they discover planing, speed and confidence. I love teaching the harness and footstrap techniques as I think once you have cracked these skills your attitude towards the sport changes massively – you become hooked!

Bethany Mercer

I have windsurfed from a young age, I think I first stepped on a board around the age of 6. My dad has windsurfed for years and introduced me to the sport, however learning the basics in a thick wetsuit with old school kit on the South Coast didn’t get me hooked straight away. It wasn’t until a watersports holiday in my teens that I thought I really want to give this a go. I decided to do my Flying Fish course in Vassiliki after I finished my A – levels. Then I discovered Vass and saw other girls windsurfing and decided I wanted to become just as good….Vass meant no thick wetsuits only boardies and bikinis, brand new kit and amazing like-minded people. I have been back every year!

I work in-between the UK and Greece. I spend my time working at Pendragon Productions – a Creative film agency in London as a Creative Producer, travelling and windsurfing and spending my summers teaching at Club Vass in Greece.

…and on the water!

I absolutely love teaching a sport that I am so passionate about as each day is as exciting as the next. I love meeting new people, encouraging and seeing people progress within a sport I love so much. It’s fun both teaching on and off the water. The Club Vass beach team are great fun to work with – there is never a dull moment!

Teaching new and old friendly faces, meeting new people, windsurfing everyday and developing my own skills (I have high hopes, need to crack the Vulcan and try a loop!) as well as teaching others, a well deserved mojito after a day on the water, my favourite tzatziki apple, walnut and avocado salad at Stellios and of course Diva week!

I have been involved in the Diva Clinics ever since my first summer working on the beach at Club Vass. The atmosphere that week is amazing – quite a lot of girl power around. Each year I seem to progress in the level I teach therefore am so excited for this summer!

This year I will be coaching alongside the wonderfully talented Amy Chambers, Emily HR, Maisie Squibb, Laura CH and Emily Smith.

Not only is Vassiliki the most incredible place for wind and improving your skills but Diva week is especially non intimidating for women – there is something comforting about having a female instructor who understands different problems women tend to have when learning. For instance we understand when it’s time to have an afternoon off to read your book or sunbathe after a full on morning of tuition!

It’s also a great opportunity to meet other likeminded women – we tend to swap email addresses and home windsurf spots at the end of each week, many women discover a windsurfing buddy for when they get back to the UK or a friend for life!

Also, if you have children or a keen bean windsurfer husband/friend it is fine to all come along for Diva week – we have childcare facilities; a kids club and crèche and our usual classes will also be running that week so there is something for everyone.

Club Vass Divas

Diva weeks are for any female whether you are a COMPLETE beginner, have dabbled in the sport a couple of times, or you are comfortable planing in the harness to absolute pro! We have female instructors teaching all levels.

The week is designed for women not only to improve their skills but also to meet and socialize with other like-minded female windsurfers. During the week you can windsurf as much or as little as you like but definitely expect to be sharing achievements and cross-shore stories over a mojito at the bar in the evening.

Expect windsurfing all day, optional fitness in the morning along the lines of Yoga, supping on the tranquil water in the morning, and then enjoying the Greek cuisine and cocktails in the evening. Everyday and evening there will be activities and partying to suit all including the legendary Club Vass BBQ with dressing up themes.

• Windsurfing is a sport you really have to pursue to begin with – it can be tough when first learning as it is a sport like no other but I promise after all the clambering on and off the beginner board and finding your balance it will suddenly click and you will learn to love it!
• Never be put off by thinking you have to be physically really strong to be able to go out in high winds – look at me: I’m 5’’2 and not the strongest looking and I love going out when it is howling. It’s not about strength it’s about believing you can do it and practicing your technique.
• Don’t be put off by thinking it is a male dominated sport – I mean there may be more guys that windsurf however come and join us for Diva week and you will realise how many other woman are passionate watersports lovers. However, it’s not all so bad windsurfing with tanned topless boys!

Club Vass Diva weeks will be taking place 2^nd – 9^th June and the 1^st – 7^th September. No extra charge for Divas! See the Club Vass website here for more details.

What’s happening?

World-renowned coach Jem Hall has organised a female-focused coaching clinic, which, with the help of female co-coach Rachel Tucker and his own hugely enthusiastic and passionate style, will see you improve and enjoy your windsurfing more in one week than you would in an entire season or two by yourself. More info here.

Perfect Prasonisi on the Southern tip of Reliable Rhodes. Blessed by warm water and the ever-present locally accelerated Meltemi winds, and with a choice of sailing on flat water or an onshore wave beach upwind, learning locations just don’t come much better than this.

12 – 19 June 2013.

The clinic is for intermediates to advanced, and you will get the most out of the week if you’re waterstarting (or very close to it) and in the straps and harness, or at least comfortable with planing and getting near the footstraps. Advanced sailors will be able to seriously improve their gybing and nail some other turns, and they’ll get the opportunity to get to grips with jumping and be introduced to some onshore wavesailing.

Caitie from New Zealand going for a duck gybe in Perfect Prasonisi

Windsurfing and improving at it is a big challenge for us all, from ‘Beginner to Winner’, and it’s easier to improve when someone is there to help guide, coach and enthuse you. Joining in on a coaching week means that you’re in a supportive environment, with help from both coaches and fellow students, which will help to nurture your development and get you focused on what you need to do to move on up in all areas of your sailing. Having a great coach demonstrate the best way to perform a skill and then coaching you through it is amazingly powerful and eye-opening. Lastly, Jem uses video coaching throughout the clinic, and his positive insights into to what you can do to improve have a very profound effect on your sailing and enjoyment of the sport.

Jem’s inimitable coaching style, which redefines the concepts of enthusiasm, passion and commitment, will really rub off on you and inspire you to take action to help you move forward. He helps you learn how to learn, or to put it another way, he assists you to become the pilot and not the passenger in your windsurfing. With help from his female co coach, Rachel Tucker, he will help you to find the key to unlock your potential, and this will also ensure that the knowledge and skills you have taken on board will continue upon your return home and during your future sessions.

This lot are looking very relaxed happy, and yes they have just finished a week in Reliable Rhodes

The main skills that will undergo the biggest development, and what we all use in windsurfing, are what Jem calls the holy trinity: plane early, sail fast, being upwind. These will improve the most on the clinic and will give you way more opportunities to improve in all areas and attempt more gybes, go into gybes faster, sail faster, make more turns, jump, etc, etc. The main achievements will be to enjoy your sailing more, go faster, be stronger and last longer in the water, and learn and develop in all moves much more quickly, be it water starting, blasting, turning or jumping, for example.

A sense of humour, heaps of excitement, and a willingness to learn. Oh, and a wetsuit, swimwear, a harness, hat and shades. And be ready to have a damn good time capped off with some cold refreshments to celebrate many fantastic days in the water!

Jem’s co-coach Rachel Tucker charging into a 360

Marian demonstarting a perfect stance and and a hint of a smile for the camera

More from Rachel…

I was really happy to get involved with this clinic, quite simply because I’m sure its going to be a lot of fun! Over the last few years I’ve been involved with teaching and promoting women’s windsurfing in various ways. I’ve benefited myself from women’s clinics and loved the camaraderie and the atmosphere of these trips. I also owe much of my windsurfing progress to Jem and his clinics, so I jumped at the chance to get involved, especially in the wonderful spot of Prasonisi. I’m really looking forward to sailing with a group of women in the sunshine and helping them to progress.

A Prasonisi clinic has all the ingredients of a great holiday and I would encourage anyone who loves windsurfing and who is looking to speed up the learning process to take part. I think the intermediate stage of windsurfing can be really frustrating and that women often benefit from focussed, tailored coaching to learn the key skills, rather than the trial and error and catapult approach. I think we often need to understand a move and break it down before we can learn it. This is where demos, one to one coaching, video feedback and Jem’s encouragement really helps! The learning does not end with the clinic as the coaching tips stay with you. This means your learning is accelerated when you get home too. Sailing fast, making way more waterstarts, overtaking the guys, jumping, gybing and throwing in a few tricks are such exciting achievements in windsurfing and if you are looking to get there then I can vouch that Jem can show you how!

Jem will be there to do demos and talk you through your moves

Contact Jem on jem@jemhall.com  or call him on 0044 (0)7762 664077 to discuss your ability or for details on Prasonisi, Rhodes as a venue.

Bookings are through Sportif Travel so please contact Phil on phil@sportif.travel, 0044 (0)1273 844919 and check out the Sportif website here for more details. 

International bookings are very welcome for English speakers, and you can book a land deal, which excludes flights and includes transfer, accommodation, kit hire and world class tuition.

Jem will get you flying into your gybes as you show the sail and feel the rail

We catch up with Toby and Fi (British couple) who offer tailor made holidays to Dahab. They are based in resort to offer advice and assistance before and during your holiday. Check out their website www.DahabHolidays.com to see the largest selection of accommodation options starting from £5 per person per night (based on two sharing).

Their holidays are fully flexible so you can arrive on any day and stay for any duration.

Dahab Holidays offers the following:

• Hand picked apartments and hotels to suit all budgets.
• Transfers from the airport in high quality minibuses with roof racks if you wish to bring your own kit.
• A selection of windsurf rental from three different launch sites to suit all abilities.
• Windsurfing lessons for all levels.
• Dive packages and snorkel trips.
• Kitesurfing rental and storage.
• Excursions and magical desert evenings in the Oasis, dining under the stars.

The Windsurfing

Dahab really is one of the best windsurfing spots in the world. With 300 days of wind above a force 4 and some of the flattest water you could ever imagine. Daytime temperatures average above 23 degrees all year, it rains on average three times a year and is one of the closest year round spots from the UK.

On the water it is perfect for everyone with different areas to choose from.

• There is a shallow area for beginners to learn and a sand spit to make the area as safe as a lake.

• There is an amazing flat-water speed strip (Speedy), where you will find the stronger constant winds so great for blasting and practicing those moves and Baby Bay, which is perfect for freestyle.

• Plus an area with bump and jump conditions (called Kamikaze).

Family friendly:

Dahab Holidays have a great selection of one to three bedroom apartments or hotel rooms so these are perfect for family holidays. Many of the hotels also run children’s clubs 6 days a week for 4-12 year olds. The cross-off shore winds mean your children can happily play on the sheltered beach while you are out blasting in speedy!

The Lagoon

Other activities:

• Horse riding
• Glass bottom boat trips
• Quad bike safari’s
• Waterskiing / wake boarding
• Ringo / inflatable fun
• Camel safari’s
• Yoga / relaxation
• Snorkeling
• Luxor, Petra, St Catherine’s Monastery, or hiking up Moses Mountain to watch the sunrise.

Dining and shopping:

The local town of Masbat is only 3kms away from the windsurfing Lagoon (£1 in a taxi) and offers a variety of nightlife. There are many colourful restaurants offering local and international dishes. Local delights include kofta (spiced meatballs), seafood, and oriental mezzes. Plus fantastic Thai, Indian and Italian restaurants.

You can eat out from 50p for local koshary or falafels up to £5 for a really authentic Thai meal. Dine on fish or steak for £10. A bottle of beer is 90p and the local rum can be bought for as little as £2 (beware of the hangover though!).

How to get there:

Getting to Egypt has become easier and cheaper due to the arrival of low cost airlines. You can fly to Sharm El Sheikh from Gatwick, Luton, Heathrow, Stanstead, Bournemouth, Manchester, East Midlands, Doncaster, Newcastle, Glasgow, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter.

Check out www.skyscanner.net or www.kayak.com which are great flight search engines. Simply put in your dates and preferred airport or simply write UK to SSH for all flight options. www.easyjet.com fly from LTN, LGW, STN and MAN from £140* each way (*Stansted 2^nd – 12^th Feb).

www.thomsonfly.com operates many regional flights to Sharm El Sheik or Taba.

www.monarch.co.uk fly from MAN, LGW, LTN and BHX.

You can also check out Toby and Fi’s sister company www.TarifaHolidays.com.  Tarifa is known as the ‘Wind Capital of Europe’ and is famous for its chilled vibe, beautiful 7-mile sandy beach and great nightlife.

You can stay in stylish apartments with communal swimming pools and gardens, plus storeroom for your kit.

It is also much warmer than the UK throughout the winter, and gets wavier so a great spot all year round. Sip cocktails on the beach or enjoy the café tapas culture in the old town.

Find out more about Dahab Holidays on their website here. 

So what is the attraction

Well the first and most obvious attraction is the tan you’ll come home with. Aside from this you get to be the star of the beach as guests come and go and see you, the instructor, as the blazing beach icon that is so typically stereotyped. You’ll be able to impress all day long with your smooth chat on the beach and awesome windsurf moves during lessons. On top of this you get a free place to stay, you get time off each day for your own activities and you even get a salary that is often split so that you can’t spend it all whilst there, which means you end up with a nice lump sum at the end of the season. Did we forget to mention the chance to work on your own windsurfing skills and perhaps become the next UK windsurfing star… If we just sold it to you then read on.

Where should you go

There are a large number of options, some more obvious than others the question really is what are your aims and targets. If you fancy getting to grips with windsurfing a bit more whilst teaching and maybe building up your experience and qualifications at the same time then a more chilled out location may suit you, a place that sees slightly more subdued wind strengths than that of say Vassiliki. Locations like Nidri offer the perfect chance to teach both windsurfing and dinghy sailing whilst enjoying the company of other instructors. More about this destination here – alpineelements.co.uk/beach-holidays/resort/nidri.html

However, if it is action, lifestyle and higher level windsurfing you are after, then Vassiliki really sits at the top of the food chain, offering the instructor quality on water time during peak season but at the same time a chance to mingle with guests who may be a little more experienced. Vass is really a place where many of the UK’s finest windsurfers have developed their routes so it has a strong history of raising the profiles of the young and driven individuals who work there. More on this location here - alpineelements.co.uk/beach-holidays/resort/activity-holidays-greece.html

What is on offer

Right now many of the jobs have already been snapped up, the London Boat Show is one of the best opportunities to sign up, take your C.V. and talk to the big dogs, you can really get your foot into the right door by doing this. However, all is not lost there is still time to speak to the holiday companies, and one such company is that of Ocean Elements, sister company to Alpine Elements. They have two opportunities available, the first is for an Advanced Windsurfing Instructor, where you will find yourself on the water everyday, the second is for a Mountain Bike Guide who will lead groups off into the trails for a break from the water. Read on to find out more and send your applications in to jobs@alpineelements.co.uk.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Job Title:

Advanced Windsurf Instructor

Activities Manager

To work under the supervision of the Beach Senior, delivering safe and fun Windsurf  tuition and equipment use for adults and children.  Ensuring that all practices meet RYA and BCU governing body criteria.

Duties and Responsibilities: (this list is not exhaustive)

• Attending daily staff meeting to discuss lesson plans and duties for the day
• Opening and securing all beach equipment, including lifting and  moving equipment and security cages
• Tidying and preparing communal areas ready for guests arrivals
• Preparing teaching areas, teaching aids and simulators
• Preparing equipment for tuition, including lifting and moving equipment ready for launching
• Routine maintenance checks on all equipment and completion of maintenance records
• Preventative and as necessary maintenance including board repair and GRP repair
• Assisting guests with the rigging, carrying, launching and landing of equipment
• Taking bookings for activities
• Interacting with all guests in a professional yet relaxed fashion
• Creating a welcoming and encouraging environment for guests to learn new skills
• Carrying out first aid and completing accident forms as necessary
• Providing safety cover for water users from a power boat
• Providing safety cover for water users by surveying the area  from a tower vantage point
• Teaching groups of adults new skills in line with the governing body syllabus
• Teaching groups of children new skills in line with the governing body syllabus
• Providing private watersports tuition if  requested ( commission based )
• Being responsible for all safety aspects of your session whilst you are afloat, including considerations for ability, weather conditions and suitable craft to use.
• Socialising with guests in the evenings,  including handing out awards on their last night
• Carrying out monthly stock takes
• Showing guests to their rooms and helping with their luggage
• Assisting other departments as per operational needs

Experience / Qualifications required:

Experience working on an RYA beach, preferably with BCU knowledge also.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Job Title:

Bike Guide

Reporting to:

Activities Manager

To ensure that all bike guiding and free riding is offered in a safe, professional and enjoyable manor. To be solely responsible for the maintenance of the fleet.  In addition to the role of bike guide you will assist with beach operations when required.

Duties and Responsibilities: (this list is not exhaustive)

• Attending weekly staff meetings to discuss bike feedback and duties for the week
• Ensuing maintenance, cleaning and any other bike duties are carried out in a timely fashion
• Responsible for the opening and set up of all bike equipment at the start of the day, inc manual  labour
• Responsible for ensuring all bike equipment is securely locked and stored properly at the end of the day
• Ensure all bike storage areas are ready for guests arrivals
• Ensure helmets in safe working order and safety packs are kept stocked up
• Complete essential weekly maintenance checklists for each bike
• Give each bike a full service at once a month
• Ensure accurate maintenance records are kept
• Archive all bike maintenance records
• Complete the weekly H&S audit
• Plan a varied weekly program of guided rides to suit all abilities
• Produce route cards for guests to use when free riding
• Advertise rides and update daily
• Train colleagues in basic bike maintenance and guiding techniques
• Creating a welcoming and encouraging environment for guests of all abilities to enjoy biking
• Carrying out first aid and completing accident forms as necessary
• Being responsible for the overall safety aspects of all biking program
• Writing risk assessments for bike activities
• Provide a bike Welcome Speech to all guests at the start of their holiday
• Ensure a full safety briefing is given before every guided ride
• Obtain any relevant medical information from all guests before departing on a guided ride
• Socialising with guests in the evenings,  including handing out awards on their last night
• Carry out monthly stock takes
• Showing guests to their rooms and helping with their luggage
• Assisting other departments as per operational needs, in particular you will spend a portion time at the beach each day: see job description for instructor.

Experience / Qualifications required:
Strong maintenance knowledge, able to build a new bike and maintain it with weekly servicing. Instructor or Teaching qualifications in any discipline an advantage. Trail leader Award. First Aid.

Sportif report the season has just started in Golf de Rosas on the northern mediterranean Spanish coast. This top PWA windsurf venue is set in the stunning Catalan region of Empuria Brava. A short distance from Gerona and Barcelona, it offers a superb culture break with wide sand beaches. Windy conditions are ideal for windsurfing with a host of other sports and activitiesm such as kitesurfing with SUP, cycling even rafing, canyoning or parachuting in the nearby Pyrenees, on offer. Explore the many tapas bas and bodegas to sample local Catalan dishes and superb wines. For a quick culture fix, nearby Figueres is home to the Dali Museum or combine your stay in Rosas with a few days in Barcelona and see the sights. Accommodation starts at £399pp including flights for 7 nights BB in an authentic catalan farmhouse  with pool. Alternatively pamper yourself with a week at the boutique spa hotel Can Cristofor with luxury spa and a la carte restaurant from £699pp including flights.

Tarifa is open for business year round but temperatures moving up the scale from May onwards. Tarifa is the perfect location to explore the surround region including Cadiz, Seville and Rhonda with day trips possible to Gibralta and Tangiers. Tarifa old town has it’s own myriad of winding streets and shops and restaurants to explore with a surfers vibe in many of the sports bars and coffee shops. Sportif recommend Tarifa for intermediate and above windsurfers, although say the Valdevaqueros beach has a sheltered area that can introduce beginners to windsurfing in less strong conditions. One of the original windsurfing meccas, you can enjoy the comfort of a luxury, boutique hotel minutes from the beach. There are two excellent centres for all your rental or instruction requirements plus options to try surfing, SUP and kitesurfing. The local hills provide excellent hiking, cycling and horseriding tracks. This is an ideal location for a short break spa weekend or family holiday. Short breaks of 4 nights BB start at £459 inc car with 1 week BB at a boutique hotel inc flights from £519pp.

For more details or to book call Sportif on 01273 844919 or see online www.sportif.travel

EXTERIOR

INTERIOR

With one complete interior and exterior the boys hit the road for their first major trip, the long drive down to Tarifa. On arrival their clinic awaited and then it was photo shoot time. These pictures were taken just yesterday and show the final finished beast. If you fancy taking on your own project then Colin is certainly worth chatting to as he will point you in the right direction and offer some sound advice.

A final word from Colin – “A really big thanks to everyone that made it happen, we are stoked to be on the road and she is behaving beautifully”.

More here – windsurfcoaching.com/blogs/news

It’s been a long hard 3 months but getting some good feedback and every one loves the van. Finally just finished an unreal week clinic in Tarifa so nice to have a nice van with everything we need!

FINAL SHOTS

Opens: 31^st June – 13^th October

Capacity: 30 guests

Hotel Delfini, 3 Star

Prices from £399; including flights, transfers, accommodation, breakfast, equipment and tuition.

Nidri, windsurfing boards ready to go!

Equipment:

40 Sails and boards from Tushingham and Starboard – beginner and intermediate kit with plenty of freeride boards and big sails for lightwind blasting.

Starboard SUPs

A range of 26 dinghies (nearly one each!) from Laser, Topper and RS.

Kayaks

Specialised and Kona bikes

Blasting!

Tuition:

The calmer conditions in Nidri mean it is a haven for beginner/intermediate windsurfers and all levels of dinghy sailors.

Windsurfing tuition will cover the Start and Intermediate Non Planing courses (Level One and Two), with Levels One, Two, Three and Seamanship Skills being taught on the Dinghy side of things.

The stunning waters of Nidri are full of islands just waiting to be explored. We will be taking full advantage of this fact and running plenty of day sails throughout your week. Coupled with the three weekly regattas, you’ll be spoilt for choice!

There are two daily guided bike rides, ranging from tough morning ascents into the mountains coupled with technical downhill, right through to flat cruises into town to grab an ice cream.

Of course, if you don’t want to join in any tuition and just fancy a blast, you are more than welcome to grab a board or boat and go freesailing. We will be on hand to help get you rigged and keep an eye on you from the safety boat.

Children’s Clubs

For any keen kids under 13, our awesome Youth Squad is even better this year. The Squad will now spend a full day on the water, perfecting their skills in dinghy sailing, windsurfing and kayaking. Not everybody is watersports mad, so for the little ones who want to take it a bit easier, the inclusive Sea Tigers and Sea Urchins have them covered. More info on the Kids Clubs can be found here.

EXTRAS

Alongside the extensive and inclusive watersports tuition groups, you can also opt for some extra private tuition in your chosen sport. Whether it be perfecting your harness technique or working on your gybes, pick your instructor and enjoy an hour of one-on-one coaching.

For those who’d rather feel the throb of an engine instead of the wind in their sails, we offer RYA Powerboating courses too! The perfect introduction to driving a boat, the Level One and Two courses will provide you with all you need to know as well as an internationally recognised qualification.

Any high-intermediate or advanced windsurfers would be better suited to our centre down the road in Vassiliki. Vass offers stronger wind conditions and a much wider range of kit, with a great selection of freeride, slalom, freestyle and wave boards down to 82 litres. The Vass sail rack boasts 100+ sails from 1.5 kids rigs to 8.5 cammed slalom machines! Everything up to 5.7 is rigged on RDMs and the tuition extends right up to carve gybes, jumping, loops and beyond…

Check out more about Nidri and Vassiliki Ocean Elements centres here. 

Over the winter many of the UK’s windsurfers head to sunnier climes, but who’s going where and why? In this feature we will regularly catch up with a variety of windsurfers who are seeking some winter sun and wind.

Next up Quatro and Goya rider, Tanya Saleh has been on some incredible trips of late and she now reports from Puerto Rico.

Tanya Saleh

Where are you? 

Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. This place is insane! Like a cross between Mexico, South America, and the Carribean with sick waves and really friendly people.

What conditions have you had recently? 

The main spot to sail here is called Shacks and it’s usually float out and ride in wave sailing. It’s not the most consistent place which is probably why PR isn’t famous for windsurfing, but we’ve had it pretty good and been on the water about 60% of the time. The waves have ranged from small knee high to well over mast high close out bombs.

The best days have been those somewhere in between when it’s cleaned up nicely. Shacks can’t handle a big swell so it just resulted in giant closeouts everywhere. Getting out with the flukey wind on the huge days was like the gauntlet. Shacks is on our doorstep but if you want flat water you could drive to Dorado (two hours) which has a big lagoon inside the reef. The only way to drive here is just like the Puerto Ricans; break lights and indicating are not necessary and if in doubt, floor it!

I’m really loving getting into surfing these days and there are some great waves around the north west of the island. Because of the inconsistent wind, this is probably a better destination for windsurfers who also like surfing, kitesurfing, or island exploring. If you are expecting to be windsurfing every single day then this definitely isn’t the place for you.

Tanya Saleh

Who have you been sailing with?  

Darin unfortunately broke a rib during the first week so he’s been beach bound with the camera for a few days

Tanya Saleh

What equipment have you been using most of the time? 

I’ve been using my Quatro 78 litre quad LS and a 4.7 Banzai. I am in love with this combination; 78 litres is usually a pretty big board for me but this one is something else. It gives me the extra volume to get out easily in light winds, but I don’t feel over-boarded at all on the way in. It always used to be a sacrifice on the wave if I went out on a larger board; I knew it would feel like too much on the wave, but not anymore. This board is awesome, and the Banzai’s are super light and really responsive. Thanks Zero Gravity!

What’s in store for you next?

We leave here at the end of this week and then back to Bristol. In a couple of weeks I’m heading to San Diego for a little surf and hopefully by the time I get back to the UK again it will be warming up. To be honest I’m then planning on staying put in the UK for a while, I’ve finally gotten to know some of the South Wales windsurfing crew (who are awesome) and getting the spots dialed so I’m looking forward to some sailing around home over spring. In the pipeline for summer could be a revisit to Baja; I miss it so much after having left San Diego, and we might try to time that around the AWT.

Colin Dixon

Who is behind WindsurfCoaching.com?

Founded by Colin Whippy Dixon with Marco Welde, we’re committed to using the latest technology combined with a friendly fun attitude to improve your windsurfing technique. To get in your head on the water, we use Gopro cameras, mics and headphones to get the most of your time with the dream team.

How did the team come about?

We wanted to start a dream team of the best instructors in the world, so people can get the best out of us.

Windsurf Coaching online!

How does the website support what you do on the water?

The website was built by Charlie Ellington from Speech Bubble Marketing. He sat down with us to find out how the website and the marketing around it could help us sell the GoPro DVD and promote our clinics.

Charlie is an expert in online marketing, he started Speech Bubble to fuse his love of windsurfing and any action sport with a solid degree in marketing. After designing the site, he still works hard to promote the Windsurf Coaching brand.

What useful info can someone expect to see now, and in the future, on the website?

You can now find all the information you need, book the deposit on a course, or pay in full now and get a 10% discount.

We are currently updating the website with the mega van blog, we’re on a mission to build the ultimate windsurfing van. In the future you’ll see photos from the clinics and more coming in the future! You can register your interest now for UK clinics in Autumn.

What is next for the Windsurf Coaching team? 

We have some exciting things going on with a Euro tour stopping at a few of are favourite spots, including Greece to work at Club Vass for three months and then we will be back to the UK to tour for another three months.

Marco Wedele

To book a clinic with Colin and Marco head to windsurfcoaching.com - pay full price now and get a 10% discount. Places are limited so early booking is recommended.

To find out more about Charlie and Speech Bubble Marketing head to speechbubblemarketing.com

Next up is the freestyler, also making waves on the BWA tour, Andy ‘Bubble’ Chambers.

Aerial! Image credit Line Wittrup.

Where are you? 

Cape Town, South Africa.

What conditions have you had recently?  

The first month we had awesome waves and good wind but sometimes a bit lighter.  This month it has been super mental windy and not much swell so mainly jumping and freestyle.  I’ve done a couple of trips both for freestyle and waves. Luckily over here the furthest you have to drive is about two hours and even that feels like a long way!  Most places are with 10 minutes!

Backie at Sunset, image credit Line Wittrup.

Who have you been sailing with?  

Been sailing with the Euro boys and girls! The Dutch Amanda Beenan, Austrians Max Matissek and Manu Grafenauer and Danish Kenneth Danielsen, also Sam Neal and a couple of other UK guys in the beginning and then the main English contingent of Muzza, Max Rowe and Jem Hall turned up at the start of January.  I’m sharing a car with Max which is pretty easy as he’s getting into his wavesailing a bit more now as well.  Muzza is in our house as well which is always entertaining!! Speaking of entertaining, I never realised that Jem Hall was such a disco diva!!

Goiter. Image credit Line Wittrup.

What equipment have you been using most of the time? 

I’ve been using my 2013 JP Quads with the K4 Fins set up.  Depending on if it’s float and ride on bigger days I have been using the more grippy flexies and then on the smaller wndier days I have been using the looser stubbies. Also the new asymetric side fins have been working pretty well.

For sails I have been using the 2013 Neil Pryde Combats in the waves and the Wizard for freestyle.  It’s been so nice having the different sets of sails with me.

Kono at the lake, image credit Lizzie Smith.

What’s in store for you next, how long out you out in SA and where will you be off to next? 

I am staying here until the 12th of Feb and then heading off to Dahab to do some photo and video shooting for JP.  Then also Maui for the main JP and NeilPryde product photo and video shoot.  Events start soon after that in the UK and PWA Tour. Looks like it’s gonna be a busy (and sunny) few months haha!!

Follow more about Bubble on Boards here. 

So it’s over to PWA commentator and one of the top Brits on the PWA tour, Ben Proffitt.

Proffitt in Aus. Image credit Colin Leonhardt www.windsurfingaustralia.com

Where are you? 

Just packing up and recovering from the Lancelin Classic…  I finished 2nd in the waves and 13th in the race, so the other night was a pretty messy affair! Especially with prize money in cash!! haha!

Ben Proffitt. Image credit Colin Leonhardt www.windsurfingaustralia.com

What conditions have you had recently?

We’ve had a mix of every thing but have done a lot of driving to get them..  just to give you an idea:

We went from Perth to Margaret River three and a half hours of driving.. Mostly riding and heli shoot…

Then to Gero (Geraldton), which is eight hours away for a bit of jumping…

Next was up to Gnaraloo, seven hours along the road for some more awesome riding…

Then the big one…  Esperance, TWENTY HOURS (2000km) for mostly riding and a new years party…

After that it was back to Gero and another thirteen hours of driving for some jumping and now we are in Lancelin!!  Think we need some new tyres!

Ben Proffitt. Image credit Colin Leonhardt www.windsurfingaustralia.com

Who have you been sailing with?

All the local crew.. Ben Severne, Si Hurrey etc but also Adam Lewis and Graham Woods are out here, so it’s been good to catch up with those guys..  oh yeah and the entire windsurfing population of Switzerland is also here!!

What equipment have you been using most of the time?

I have a 75 Quantum and a Flywave 85 with me and have used both of them equally. I’m hoping to also get a 75 Flywave out here, but at the moment it’s not possible. Most used sails have been 5.0 Blacktip and 4.7 Icon.

Ben Proffitt. Image credit Colin Leonhardt www.windsurfingaustralia.com

What’s in store for you next, how long out you out in WA and where will you be off to next?

I’m here until the end of Feb, I think back home for a week or two, and then off to Maui. It’s a tough job but someone has to do it!!

Follow more news and features with Ben Proffitt on Boards here.

Also check out:

“Having wrapped up the UK windsurfing series at the end of October I wasn’t hanging around long before heading off in search of more wind and waves..

With the UK tour and the PWA tour all coming to a head around September and October I spent all but a few days either on the road or waiting around for conditions at contests, pretty frustrating! We were pretty unlucky this year with Denmark, Sylt, Tiree and Cornwall all getting less than classic conditions, sure there was a day here or there but it wasn’t really stoking the fires of that windsurfing fix I was hankering after.

Within 3 days of Cornwall ending I was on a plane and off, Chile bound!!

This is my second visit to the region and there’s a reason i felt drawn back to check it was all still there, the waves, pure and simple.. yes it’s windy, not as often as places like South Africa, but, when you get good days, they are really good! totally uncrowded, long left handers, what more do you need!

The region itself is pretty unspoilt, the scenery is stunning and everyone’s really friendly.

One of the best places you can go to get your stoke!

The wind is between side off to side on, depending on the beach you’re at, and generally between 5.3 and 4.2 wind with waves from waist high up to over mast high, the water is around 14 degrees.

I’ve been here for 6 weeks now and i’m heading home in a few days time, back to the UK for Xmas and i’m fully looking forward to it…  I know it’s going to be cold, short days, with sessions few and far between, but i’m ready for it, the fires are stoked and that’ll keep me going long through the winter time…

I hope you like the video, it’s pretty much a no frills edit done over 24hrs, there’s enough footage for a part 2  and 3 but for now this is the best I could do! It’s getting windy and there’s only a few days left so I need to get back out there and cram it in!”

Over the winter many of the UK’s windsurfers head to sunnier climes, but who’s going where and why? In this feature we will regularly catch up with a variety of windsurfers who are seeking some summer sun and wind.

Phil Horrocks in Chile

Phil Horrocks in Chile

First up BWA vice champion, Phil Horrocks, is currently over in Chile…

Where are you?

I’m in Chile with a gang of folk from Rhosneigr and we’re staying in Klaas and Victor’s house in Matanzas.

What conditions have you had?

So far we’ve had a mix of conditions, it started off really good, a few big swells and some good wind, then the wind went funny for a while. It was on and off with a few days of wind and small swell. Since then we’ve had swell and not much wind for a week now, we’re all gagging to get the combo of big swell and wind again

SUPing in some light winds

What equipment have you been using mostly?

Most of the windy times it’s been 4.2, that sort of thing, but I’ve used every sail from 4.0 to 5.3 on my trip. When there’s not been any breeze I’ve been hitting the water on the SUP, so it’s all good.

Phil Horrocks

What have you been working on?

It’s more of a wave riding place, although I have had to do a few jumps when it’s been smallish.

Want to find out more about travelling to Chile? Check out the Boards location guide right here.  

Plus, check out all the features about Chile on Boards here.

Andy King at Gwithian. Image credit Matthew Burridge.

It’s been a fair while since I had to dig out my 3.7m but on one Thursday in mid November there was no doubting what to rig…the smallest sail you had!

This became apparent on the drive down to the Gwithian as my van was being buffeted and side swiped by invisible surges of airborne rage.  Having just finished a night shift I set off early and arrived at Gwithian beach as day broke.

The hazy morning light revealed a surprisingly tempting set of conditions; the waves were around head high with logo high sets. These sets were fighting their way ashore against an unrelenting cross offshore wind, which was frantically tearing endless plumes of spray off every wave that dared show itself.

Andy King. Image credit Matthew Burridge.

Although clearly strong, the direction of the wind somehow made it look manageable from the relative shelter of the car park.  Having slipped and slid my way down a saturated donkey trail with a broken toe from a classic Monday sail here and then battled with the whirl winds at the cliff base I was finally rigged with my 3.7m Goya Banzai, ready for its maiden voyage.

You know it is properly windy when walking to the waters edge involves imitating a drunken crab, yet finally at the waters edge I stepped aboard my Goya Quad 78l and was off.

Timo Mullen.

Steve King.

Heading out at Gwithian

Andy King jumping. All images credit Matthew Burridge.

No need to sheet in, in fact probably no need for even a sail at all as the mast and boom would have had enough surface area to have got me planing. This was full power, full on survival sailing. Thankfully the waves weren’t too big, as trying to wave ride with any element of control meant praying for a lull; and these were few and far between.

With an early forecast having finally delivered the goods, a lot of people were at the beach so there was no shortage of sailors willing to give it a bash, quite literally for some.

Jamie Hancock. Image credit Matthew Burridge.

Newly crowned British Champion Jamie Hancock had made the treck down from Southborne and was handling the conditions exceptionally well especially given his slighter stature.  The local boys never fail to put on a good show and there were still some radical jumps and slick wave rides seen in amongst the carnage.  Many, like myself, looked to be pretty over powered and if wasn’t long before the incoming tide forced those remaining on the water upwind to Peter’s point.

Here the waves were a little smaller but they were breaking even harder as the ever increasing wind speed would literally hold them open until gravity and the sheer weight of water in the lip finally brought it crashing down like a man trap looking to ensnare a victim and shatter carbon like bone!

Andy King bail out! Image credit Matthew Burridge.

The wind picked up so much at this point that you could see patches of sea that appeared to be boiling. As these furious gusts hit you would be elevated upwards despite every effort to keep the gear pinned to the water.

After three hours fueled only on Mc Donald’s caffeine I was done and having derigged in the sand storm that was once a beach I started the climb up to the cliff path.  Halfway up I stopped and looked down at Ian Black now sailing all alone as he tacked on to a nice looking swell.  Using his size and strength to his advantage he fought through a super powered up bottom turn and positioned himself perfectly for a sick top turn throwing bath loads of spray about a 100 metres off downwind.  He repeated this feet for the next ten minutes as I watched on from the cliff. Classic Blackie in his element out alone excelling in extreme conditions at his home spot.  

Ian Black. Image credit Matthew Burridge.

On reaching the grassy comfort of the cliff path I assumed my ordeal was now over but no. The wind had got so strong that it physically blew me back to the car park faster than my tired legs could carry me. Not the most elegant of sights but no doubt highly entertaining to a fool hardy dog walker I rocketed past. Delighted to find my van still upright as I slid my way across the car park I managed to reach shelter just as the heavens open and the flood waters that would plague Cornwall for the next week began, but that’s another story…

Andy King is sponsored by:

Goya Boards and Sails

Mormaii Wetsuits

bigsalty.co.uk

Amex rigging solutions

Pat love Accessories

Flymount Camera Accessories

MFC Fins

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Follow all the news and features from Andy King here.