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

When fellow windsurfers get together and discuss going on a windsurfing holiday, a few locations generally seem to surface again and again.  Egypt, Tarifa and the Canaries are firm favourites, whilst occasionally someone might throw in somewhere exotic like the Caribbean just to make everyone start dreaming and saving.

There's great blasting locations all over the UK!

The point is though that rarely do you hear people talking half as dreamily about taking a windsurfing holiday in the UK. This is despite the fact that in the summer, and particularly the early autumn, the UK is capable of dishing up some spectacular windsurfing venues and, if you time it right, spectacular conditions. If you’re really lucky, you might even get some glorious weather.

This can often get overlooked, but given the tough times in which we live, perhaps it’s time for us to stop dreaming of far flung shores and knuckle down to the more rustic pleasures of a windsurfing holiday on your doorstep. The word ‘Staycation’ can apply to Windsurfers, too.

Advantages

To be fair, there are a number of fairly significant advantages to a windsurfing holiday in the UK even if you look beyond damage limitation to your wallet.

There is a lot of brilliant waves across the country too.

First up, let’s not forget that the UK has the most extensive selection of RYA training centres in the world, so you’re spoilt for choice in that department, and that means good facilities and excellent training programmes if you’re looking to progress. In addition to this, if you have a family to bring along then they can also benefit from RYA instruction leaving you free to get on with the important matter of windsurfing guilt free.

There is also that all important element of flexibility that a holiday in the UK can provide you with.  Plan to head abroad and once you’ve booked your tickets, the whole trip is set in stone, leaving you to sweat it out on Windguru and the like to find out whether there will be any wind on your trip. With any luck, if you’re planning a UK based trip, there is a bit more freedom to reschedule or change the venue if the breeze is looking awful.

Beyond that, a trip to a UK windsurfing location can often uncover a hidden gem and the beauty is that many of the UK’s most spectacular surfing venues are, well, spectacular. Areas such as Tiree, Isle of Wight and the north coasts of Cornwall and Wales are all known as top class windsurf spots with RYA Training Centres nearby, yet they’re also known as top class holiday destinations in their own right, so even if the wind falls light, it’s not as if there won’t be plenty of other attractions around to keep you entertained.

Get the rest of the family into windsurfing on your staycation too!

The next question is where to stay?

There is a shortlist of suggested destinations below but there are hundreds more to choose from. Whether you fancy roughing it really is your shout and depends on your budget and hardiness. There are plenty of us out there who are pretty content to simply sleep in a van or tent and dedicate ourselves to hard-core windsurfing. This is certainly hugely economical, but perhaps a little too rugged for the tastes of some (or possibly their partners?)

A sound alternative is the good old B&B, but a third hugely tempting option is to go for an RYA training centre, which has accommodation, attached. Tiree and Derwent Water (listed below) are two such training centres. This has the added advantage of meaning that they’ll be geared up to deal with windsurfers and won’t mind you bringing your stinking wetsuit into the shower!

Food for thought

Dear old blighty is often overlooked when it comes to planning a holiday, but anyone who has witnessed the majesty of Tiree or Corverack Bay with the magnificent rugged Cornish coast in the background will attest that when it comes to a windsurfing holiday, the UK still has a lot to offer.

So here is just a small sample of where you could go:

South West: Coverack, Cornwall

Coverack Windsurfing Centre is RYA recognised and provides training for all levels of windsurfing. Call 01326 280939.

South: Poole Harbour, Lepe beach in the Solent, Hayling beach, Hayling Island, the whole of the Isle of Wight, Portland Harbour, home of the Olympics and Weymouth Speed Week.

Central: Rutland Water

Rutland Watersports provide a range of kit and training. Call 01780 460154.

Wales; Plas Menai, Welsh National Watersports Centre. Call 01248 670964. Rhosneigr Bay, the Gower peninsular, Pwllheli and the Llyn peninsula

North West: Derwent Water Marina

Derwent Water Marina offers training, kit and also accommodation in the heart of the Lake District. See if you can master those wind shifts! Call: 01768 772912.

Scotland: Tiree

Wild Diamond Watersports provide training and camping facilities. Call: 01879 220399.

To find your nearest RYA Training Centre and more information about RYA training courses visit www.rya.org.uk

Running his Intermediate ‘Progress and Perfect’ clinic in Dahab, Sam’s students were treated to some fantastic conditions and coaching in Egypt. They had so much fun that they just had to make a music video! Check out the gang having a whale of a time at the Neilson centre…

You can see the full story on the Tushingham website HERE.

Sam has uploaded some pictures from the first part of the week to his Facebook page. He also has plenty more clinics running throughout the summer, head to his website for further details.

Based in Vassiliki for the summer, Jay Haysey from Globalshots captures all the action on the water and up on the bike trails. This is one of the videos that gets played at the infamours end of week BBQ. Have a look for yourself and see what a typical week at Club Vass looks like!

Catering for windsurfers, kitesurfers, scuba divers and many more, the week-long event has something for everybody. With this year’s Dahab Festival fast approaching, we take a look at what’s in store for the windurfers.

Starting the festivities with a bang will be a tow-in windsurf competition on Saturday night. Launching from the Neilson centre from 8.30pm, competitors will be towed behind a ski boat before flying into some massive tricks in front of the crowd-lined beach. Last year saw World Champion Gollito Estredo grace the water as he launched into some awesome freestyle trickery. Gollito isn’t joining the proceedings this year, but word has it the local sailors have been putting in the practise and have some amazing moves up their sleeves. It’s a sure fire way to get the week off to a good start!

Night tow-in action at last year's event

Following on from the night tow-in, 5 days have been set aside for the Freestyle competition to allow the competitors to get the best from the conditions. Last year saw 18 competitors take to the water for everything from 4.2 to 5.3 weather. Phil Richards from GetWindsurfing.com won the single elimination and finished 2nd overall.

This year there are many of the top PWA freestylers training in Dahab, so the freestyle event should see a great turnout. Visitors such as Jamie Drummond from the UK, Maarten van Ochten, Laure Treboux, Alex Seyss and Loick Spicher, as well as many of the local sailors are all expected to compete next week, so the level should be very high.

Phil Richards in action

So, it is set to be a week full of action and the forecast is already looking good for the earlier part of next week. If you are heading out to Egypt be sure to check out all the goings on.

You can find out more info on the other events at the Dahab Festival by heading to the official website HERE.

Dahab Holidays have this to add:

“Don’t miss your opportunity to be part of the second Dahab festival of Culture and Water sports. Great windsurfing events, live music and big parties.  

Here is a sneak preview of what is happening:

Saturday 14th April – The opening party hosted by the Coralia hotel with the tow-in winsurfing spectacle. Plus Radio Sinai live and various DJ’s will get the beach rocking!  

Sunday 15th April – Start of the 5 day freestyle competition with local rippers and imported talent doing amazing stunts.

Friday 20th April – The biggest party and prize giving, with Radio Sinai live and special guests. Followed by a 48 hour desert dance party.

This year the festival will be even bigger than last year. Other events happening throughout the week include diving and free diving competitions, an underwater photo competition, a kite surfing long distance race and jumping competition plus free tasters. Free banana or inflatable rides, art workshops and live music from local and international bands to round off the day perfectly.
 
The festival is lovely for the whole family with the circus, face painting, baking and a kite making competition. There will be taster sessions in yoga, reki, zumba fitness, modern dance, belly dancing and massage. Plus  Bedouin dinners, culture exhibitions and a daily market.  The raft and camel race are great fun – not to be missed.  

Its not to late to book flights and accommodation.  E-mail: info@DahabHolidays.com for more details and quote ‘festival’ to receive 20% discount off your stay at the Lagoon Villa Apartments.
www.dahabholidays.com“

For 2012, Sportif have clinics lined with some of the best windsurf coaches in the world. Simon Bornhoft, Peter Hart and Jem Hall are running clinics in windsurf hotpsots all over the world, offering a huge range of conditions and something for everyone.  Mauritius, Brazil, Greece and Egypt are all on the destination list for 2012. Ability wise, the clinics cater for anyone who is at the intermediate stage, right up to those wanting to wave sail and freestyle. Read on to see where Simon, Peter and Jem are heading to this year…
PETER HART
IALYSSOS, RHODES 13-20 June 2012.  4 spaces left.
This NEW clinic from Peter Hart located at the world class JP Pro Centre. A very comfortable hotel, coupled with excellent sailing conditions. Everything is provided for the perfect mix of holiday and a week’s windsurfing.

MAURITIUS 18-28 November 2012. Open for bookings.
Peter’s 9 day Masterclass covers everything from waterstarts to wavesailing in the idyllic spot at Le Morne. It’s NOT an ‘experts only’ clinic! The minimum standard is planing in the straps and harness on a 120ltr board.

Join Peter for some waves in Mauritius

JERICOACOARA, BRAZIL – 08-19 January 2013. 10 nights. 4 spaces left.
Peter’s 5th clinic in Jeri. For entry level wave sailing, plus general skills for intermediates to advanced. January offers the perfect ‘introduction to wave-sailing’ conditions.

JEM HALL
Join Jem during one of his annual pilgrimages to Prasonisi on the southern shores of Rhodes or for an early season adventure on his combo Twin centre Brazil trip .

Rhodes 13-20 June 2012.   2 spaces left.
INTERMEDIATES WINDSURFING Stance, gybing, tacking, feasible freestyle.

Rhodes offers great flat water, allowing you to make the most of Jem's inimitable coaching

Rhodes 27 June – 4 July 2012.  3 spaces left.
ADVANCED WINDSURFING Gybing, freestyle, waves, looping and full speed.

Rhodes 12-19 September 2012. 4 spaces left.
INTERMEDIATES / ADVANCED Achieve your personal goals. From stance to gybing, styling and looping if you like!

Brazil Combo Clinic 23 Nov – 4 Dec 2012. On Sale and Filling Fast!
The 2nd year the Combo TWIN CENTRE Brazil clinic to Icaraizinho and Jericoacoara.  Join either part of the clinic with 5 days in each and options to freesail in either centre.

SIMON BORNHOFT
Marsa Alam, 19-26. September 2012.
EARLY/ADVANCED INTERMEDIATES – ADVANCED. Last 2 spaces
Join Simon Bornhoft in this superb, flat, shallow water that is accompanied with extremely reliable wind. It’s the perfect place for early to advance intermediates and higher level sailors wanting a training ground to advance their level.

Flat water heaven in Egypt with Simon

Alacati, Turkey 9-16 June & 16-23. June 2012.
IMPROVERS – INTERMEDIATES COURSE Last 3 spaces (9th) & 1 space (16th)
Easy, safe, shallow flat water, Freeride paradise for improvers and intermediates. Wonderful apres windsurfing meals and atmosphere.

Mauritius 10-20 October 2012 (9 nights)
FREEWAVE CLINIC Limited space.
Join SB for a windsurfing trip of a life time at Le Morne in Mauritius. Shallow flat water blasting inside the huge beautiful lagoon and the option to enjoy and  the varying size waves on the outer reefs.

Unsure where to head to? Click HERE to check out which clinic may be best for you…

Sportif have some crazy prices for bookings for April and May for an early spring tune up, both close to home, and further afield. With destinations in Greec, Turkey, the Canaries as well as the Caribbean, Sportif have a location to suit every ability and style of sailing. A week’s holiday starts at just £379 including flights, so read on to check out the different centres on offer…

First up is the newest addition to the Sportif brochure, Boa Vista on Cape Verde.

BOA VISTA
Ideally suited for intermediate + windsurfers and beginner to advanced kitesurfers. If you’re looking for an uncrowded sailing and a traditional feel with local restaurants & bars walking distance in Sal Rei town, Boa Vista is for you. The centre in on the only beach launch with no shore break and has access to wave sail areas.
Hotel Estoril Dep 19 April 12 from £499pp Manchester including visa. 5 minutes walk to the only professional VDWS windsurf & IKO accredited centre on the island.

ALACATI, TURKEY
Almost landlocked Alacati Bay, home to the PWA with choice of luxury and all inclusive hotels just a short stroll to the beach, windsurf centre will chill out area and great beach bar and restaurant scene. At night head in to cobbled streets of Alacati town.
All Inclusive Alkoclar Hotel 7 nights ALL INCLUSIVE From £379pp– Depart 02 May 2012 With private sand beach & kid’s club.
Luxury Solto Hotel 7 nights HALF BOARD From £389pp. Depart 02 May 2012. Very rarely available later in the summer & much more expensive.

IALYSSOS, NORTHERN RHODES
With a JP/Neil Pryde and F2 centres to choose from with the latest equipment, wide, uncrowded beach just 3km north of Ialyssos centre.
Surfers Studio Apartments 7 nights BB from £399pp. Depart 05 May 2012.

LANZAROTE, CANARY ISLANDS
Great value, self catering apartments with pool. Short 5-10 minute walk to the PWA location at Las Curcharas beach – perfect for beginners, flat water & wave sailing.
2* Celeste Apartments 7 nights self catering from £399pp inc flights & transfers. Depart 13 May 2012. Limited seats.

TENERIFE, CANARY ISLANDS
Our quality hotel accommodation minutes from excellent centre and beach launch. Good for intermediates + level and  great wave conditions, plus mountain biking.
3* Hotel Medano 7 nights Half Board from £399pp, Dep 12 May 2012. A quality, contemporary hotel overlooking the beach.

TOBAGO, CARIBBEAN
Choose from budget self catering apartments to luxury hotels on the beach. The best value to the Caribbean. Departures available from 02 May to 20 June 2012.
Rainbow Resort Apartments SC Apartment with pool from £599pp 7 nights Self Catering, from £759pp – 14 nights Self Catering based on 4 share in 2 bed apartment.

Join the Sportif team somewhere warm for your early summer windsurf fix

All prices are subject to availability. For details call 01273 844 919 or email info@sportif.travel.

Check out the locations in full at www.sportif.travel

Determined to make your holiday the best yet, the team at Club Vassiliki have an amazing offer. If you are travelling in May or June and book before Friday 13th April, you can get a FREE half board meal plan included in your holiday. 7 continental breakfasts and 5 evening meals with a choice of a starter and main course, or main course and dessert.

Delicious Greek food: the perfect end to a day in Vassiliki

With great wind, kit and instruction, finish off your holiday in Vass with some delicious local cuisine. So, to get the meal deal included in your holiday, head to the Club Vass website www.clubvass.com or give them a ring on 0844 463 0191

Please note; only one offer per guest can be booked!

As summer approaches, it’s time to think about getting out on the water and perhaps getting some top tips from windsurf guru, Sam Ross.

The next clinic from Sam will be held at West Wittering on the 7th April.  The ‘Get Freestyle’ course isn’t just for the ‘rubberised youth’, but is a great introduction to aerial freestyle for everyone.

“If there’s a freestyle move you are already stuck on, or you’re fed up of flying out the front, side or backdoor every time you try that illusive Vulcan, Spock or Flaka then it’s time to get some input.

These two days are aimed at adults that really want to get stuck into freestyle and add something different to their sailing. We will use land and water based sessions as well as video analysis to improve your skills on the course as well as take away the knowledge you need to keep progressing.”

Trying to crack the Flaka? Let Sam show you how it's done

Later in the month Sam will be jetting off to Dahab in Egypt to run back-to-back coaching weeks. From April 22nd, anyone happy sailing around upwind, downwind and using a harness can join Sam for his Intermediate clinic. Better planing, footstraps and  waterstarts will ensure you have your best windsurfing year yet. From the 29th April, any Advanced sailors who would like to improve their gybes, learn gybe variations, improve their top speed, jumping and anything beyond will be in for a great week. Offering lots of personal coaching with some top ideas, Sam will get you tuned up and flying across the waters of the Red Sea.

Dahab - flat water blasting paradise

To learn more or book any of the clinics, follow the links below and check out Sam’s website HERE.

Freestyle weekend at West Wittering.

Dahab intermediate and advanced weeks.

Renowned as a world-class windsurfing hotspot, Vassiliki’s Club Vass is the perfect getaway for any avid windsurfer. But what can your non-windsurfing friends and family get up to whilst you’re out enjoying the great wind and excellent kit?

Mountain Biking

Our specialist MTB centre is fully equipped with over 20 of the latest Marin hard-tails, FREE for guided and unguided rides.

Vassiliki offers challenging trails and gentle cruises to suit every level of rider

Stand Up Paddleboarding

We have an entire fleet of JP SUPs FREE for your use throughout your stay; for sport, recreation, alone or on safari.

Scuba Diving and Snorkelling

Vassiliki offers fantastic diving and snorkeling in amazing conditions. PADI courses at all levels are available at Club Vassiliki.

Zen Club

Introduced in Summer 2011. Our top terrace has shaded class and self practice areas, for yoga and fitness, with inspirational views over Vassiliki bay. Massage also available for specific  injury therapy or well deserved ‘me-time’.

Relax with some Yoga in the Zen zone

So, with all that on offer to keep your loved ones busy (and, heaven forbid, you on a lightwind day), Club Vass really does have all the boxes ticked. Head to ClubVass.com to check out the latest offers…

Oceansource.net release details of their latest clinic – this time to Hood River. The Gorge is world-famous for it’s strong winds, but as Chris Murray discovered, it is also a haven for snowsports, mountain biking and much, much more! Billed by Oceansource as a trip for the adrenaline junkie, check out Muzza’s short video with some of the highlights from his last trip.

Lasting 7 nights, the trip starts on the 22nd June and promises to include windsurfing, mountain biking and snowboarding – perhaps all in the same day! Muzza will use his local knowledge and experience to make the best plan depending on the weather conditions. The package includes B+B, all transfers, guiding and coaching from Chris Murray and equipment rental. Head to Oceansource.net for more details…

As one of the finest wavesailors in the world, Swifty spends a large amount of time in Hawaii. However, he is part of the growing sect of PWA sailors to take up residence in Chile, along with the likes of Klaas Voget and former world-champion Victor Fernandez. In this video Robby takes us on a tour of his pad before heading onto the water for some epic surf and windsurf action. It’s a tough old life, but someone has to do it…

Robby is currently running a wave clinic at Chilean break Matanzas, so head over to the Oceansource website soon to see how it went (oceansource.net)

Our very own coach, Jem Hall, has now kicked off his 2012 Clinic tour with his current trip to Marsa Alam, Egypt. He has let us know that if you want to get on his next available performance boost then you should consider some of the last places available on ‘Reliable Rhodes‘  this coming June & September. The Rhodes clinic is for all levels from Intermediate to Advanced. Rhodes is kissed by warm and consistent Meltemi winds and Prasonisi offers both flat water and a cross onshore wave beach.

Join Jem for some world-class coaching in Rhodes

The ‘Sigri Surf’ windsurf centre opens in mid-May and will be fully stocked with brand new Simmer sails and F2 boards. The west coast of Lesvos offers a huge range of conditions, from light winds and flat water in the mornings to strong winds (F6+) and waves as the day progresses. As the wind is funneled through the nearby headlands, both waves and flatwater are on offer for any aspiring waveriders and freestylers alike.

With the European Freestyle Pro Tour running a competition here and Michael Rossmeier organising one of his excellent ‘Trickademy’ coaching weeks, Sportif are glad to announce how the summer is lining up on beautiful Lesvos;

“The European Freestyle Pro Tour will be arriving between 10 and 12 August 2012. The EFPT is hosted at the Sigri Surf Centre where the  3 Style Area Cup will showcase the best European freestylers including UK freestyle windsurfer Jamie Drummond (Starboard/Tushingham) and top Austrian PWA freestyle competitor and coach, Michael ‘Rossi’ Rossmeier

Waves in Sigri bay.

Immediately after, EFPT competitor Michael Rossmeier will hold a Trickademy freestyle tuition week 15 to 22 August 2012. This Freestyle Clinic offers the chance to learn and perfect everything from Chop hops to Spocks and Flakas. There’s a good 5 hours of tuition to be had each day plus off water theory, video analysis and evening programme with BBQ. Price for the camp is £253.

The beautiful seaside town of Sigri.

For beginners and intermediates who are looking to progress to the next level,  Sigri Surf are holding a Go Fast Week 06 – 13 June 2012 . This intensive tuition week will focus on getting you into the footstraps, harness and properly planning. The price of £240 includes 2 hours tuition per day for 5 days including board hire for the week. It will be a fun, focused week that will let you progress at your own level and with group meals and other activities organised by the centre.

Michael Rossmeier enjoying some flatwater freestyle in Sigri

Conditions in Sigri Bay start gently around 2-4Bft in the morning and build to 4-7Bft from midday. At the height of the season in August the conditions can read up to 8-9Bft, with 70-90% days F4+ from June to end of September and 60-65% days in May and October there’s no shortage of wind. The centre is a short walk outside the village or hire some bikes and head up into the surrounding hills.

The Sigri Surf Centre on Lesvos

For May departures Sportif are offers 7 nights self catering apartment in Sigri, including flights and car hire for £549pp saving £100. Also there is a special price of £130 for 1 week windsurf board hire including a FREE Mountain bike hire.

For further information contact Sportif on 01273 844919 or see the Sportif website HERE.

With the year’s most romantic day done and dusted, Club Vass are keen to keep feeling the love and as such, they have released a great new offer. Read on to find out more…

Share the Love
Bring a beginner and get £100 off both your holiday and theirs!

We love windsurfing and we want more people to love it too, so we’re offering a Newcomer’s Special Deal at Club Vassiliki w/c 10th and w/c 17th June, 2012. Get thinking – who amongst your friends would just love to get into this amazing sport, with just a nudge from you and this great incentive from us? Alongside our normal full tuition program we’ll be running some dedicated entry-level clinics during these special weeks. Check out exactly how we can help get newcomers going.

Loving it… 2012 Kit
At Club Vass we love our kit and our amazing 2012 range for Club Vassiliki is live on our website. This year we’ve got even more choice than ever, with the best from the best brands; sails from Severne, Gaastra and Neil Pryde and boards from Starboard, Tabou and JP. As ever, EVERYTHING will be brand new for summer ’12 and expertly rigged on 100% carbon masts with lightweight booms. Check out our full range of kit HERE.

Club Vass Instructor Max Rowe playing on some shiny 2012 gear...