Boards Windsurfing » el tur Windsurfing

Progressing Your Skills

Amy Carter - Editor — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 14:47:11 +0000

Top Tips on how to from RYA Chief Windsurfing Instructor Amanda Van Santen.

Taking that initial step to learn a new sport can, for some people, be the biggest hurdle, for others it’s the learning curve that follows. If most advanced windsurfers think back to their biggest hurdle, I bet for the large majority of us it’s either the infamous ‘Carve Gybe’ or getting in the footstraps. I have vivid memories of getting to this stage as if it was just last week, but I know I wasn’t alone. I recall a friend, offering some encouragement……..don’t worry, learning to forward loop is harder than learning the Carve Gybe!…. I’m not entirely sure that made me feel any better, but when I finally cracked it I was glad I persisted.

So what can you do if you are trying to progress your windsurfing skills and don’t want to spend too much time with that testing friend of ours ‘Mr Plateau’?

The RYA Windsurfing Scheme has courses and clinics that provide a variety of tuition covering skills from Start to Advanced windsurfing. These are flexible in design and range from two day courses to an hour long clinic, taught by specifically trained and qualified instructors. The great thing about taking further coaching at an RYA Training Centre is all equipment is provided and the instructors have been specially trained. If you are the type of person that also likes to research and consolidate your learning, or watching DVD’s, why not check out the RYA Web shop for some great ideas to help you.

I caught up with Bray Lake Windsurfing Club members Candice, Lyn and Mark, to find out what top tips they had for people progressing their windsurfing skills…….. here’s what they had to say.

AVS: Tell me a little bit about how you guys first got into windsurfing…….did you take an RYA course or did a friend teach you?

BLCM (AKA: Bray Lake Club Members!!):

I’d always advise people to take a course at an RYA Training centre; it definitely takes the pain out of learning to windsurf and helps you to progress quicker!

The supporting material they produce really helps too, with the RYA Intermediate and Advanced Handbook and various DVD’s available, providing a really good reference and reinforcement to progressing skills and techniques along the way.

AVS: Now you have all been windsurfing for a few years, how regularly do you try and get on the water?

BLCM: As often as we can, but not often enough! Aiming for about 3-4 times a month at a minimum if conditions allow

AVS: Having just come back from a club trip to Dahab, I’m feeling I don’t need to ask this question, but what’s your favorite location?

BLCM: Candice’s like her creature comforts nearby, so can be regularly found at Bray’s club, but all three of us are still raving about the recent club trip to the warmer waters of Dahab Bay – Sunny and a force 3, what more could we ask for to progress our skills.

AVS: What you feel have been the biggest benefit(s) to your progression?

BLCM: It has to be regular sailing at the club. The club has pay and play, which makes getting on the water really easy and the kit we get to use is up to date. The Instructors at Bray are brilliant and always on hand and happy to help with top tips whenever you need them!

The club environment is really beneficial to [progressing skills and I would recommend it to anyone; you've always got enthusiastic people around with regular feedback and pointers.

Taking an improvers course was a real benefit as was the club trip to Dahab – Just being able to spend every day on the water makes such a difference.

Other benefits the group thought had help their progression, were having your own kit as it gives you the freedom to get out whenever you want and enables you try new venues, go on a windsurfing holiday and taking an RYA course or clinics.

AVS: You mention taking an RYA course; do you feel this has been helpful in your progression?

BLCM: The basics are consistent so it makes progression simple, the structure of the schemes levels and clinics are really good, with a framework that ensures that all RYA instructors are talking the same language - sounds strange, but it makes a really big difference when you understand what they are asking you to do and it is consistent with all instructors.

AVS: Progressing at any sport can be difficult and needs determination, what do you feel have been your biggest hurdles and how have you overcome them?

BLCM: C - Myself! I'm no adrenalin junkie - I take things in my own stride and will get to each goal in time when I'm good and ready. But time on the water and support from the others at the club definitely help!

M - Lack of money to buy new kit was a big hurdle for me, but I finally managed to raid my piggy bank and took the plunge by buying some second hand kit, this now means I get more time on the on the water in windy condition, combine with the club trip away, have helped me to jump over my hurdle of getting into the footstraps!

AVS: What would be your 5 Top Tips for others looking to progress their skills?

BLCM:

Don't be too hard on yourself, this stuff takes time!
Pack up early on a bad day and look forward to another good one
Go on holiday somewhere warm and windy, and man up, don't stop sailing when it gets cold and sail as often as you can!
Take some further coaching or tuition, such as an RYA course, clinic or 1:1 session
Join a club, practice and just spend time on the water whatever the condition!

AVS: Any final, comments…….?

I've met many great people over the years and so many with passion and enthusiasm to help me along, I think we would all like to credit the staff, guest instructors and other members at Bray Lake Watersports for keeping us on track and Neilson Dahab for the great holiday!!

To find out more about Bray Lake Windsurfing Club, check out their website on: http://www.braylake.com/club-news.html, or find them on Facebook, Twitter, and via RYA Project Windsurf: http://www.projectwindsurfuk.org.uk/. The club offers turn up, pay and play for members as well as non-members (there is an increased fee to a non-member), so if you find yourself near Maidenhead, why don’t you pop in!

RYA Publications

Check out the RYA Website for other clubs or a training centre near you, as well as the courses on offer: www.rya.org.uk, and while you’re waiting for your course to start, why not swat up on the latest windsurfing handbooks to consolidate your learning, depending on your ability, either the RYA Intermediate or Advanced Handbook may be just the reading material you need: RYA Webshop

El Tur, Egypt

Letitia Hristodorescu — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:01:39 +0000

El Tur is on the south Sinai Peninsula, approximately one hour from Sharm El Sheikh airport.

It boasts reliable winds all-year round with flat water, swell and waves on offer.

It has also been a venue for several magazine test teams and clinics due to the varied conditions on offer.

Clinics

El Tur offers a broad range of clinics brought to you by Jem Hall, Jim Collis, Simon Bornhoft,Ant Baker, John Skye and Nayra Alonso. Please visit www.oceansource.net for further information.

Fact File

Windy Season	All year round thermal wind (April to Nov is best)
Air Temp In Summer	30 degrees in heat of day, 24 degrees at night
Wet Suit?	Shorty/Summer steamer in early spring/late autumn. Shorts & rashies in the summer
Flight Time (From UK)	5 hours

How To Get There

There are many charter & schedule flights to Sharm el Sheikh. From there the transfer is about one hour by transfer bus which can also transport your kit if required.

The centre has since 2007 been taken over and completely updated by Oceansource.net who can be contacted direct on 1243 374615 for all-inclusive ground packages. Flight-only prices vary between £250 – £500 and can be booked direct with the following airlines:

Easyjet - www.easyjet.com
First Choice – www.firstchoice.co.uk
Thomson – www.thomsonfly.com
Thomas Cook – www.thomascook.com
Air France – www.airfrance.com
Alitalia – www.alitalia.com
British Airways – www.ba.com

How The Wind Works

The wind is thermal and the peak windy times are between May and November, but the wind stats show that this is a good all-year-round venue.

The wind is cross-off where you launch from the windsurf centre. It increases during late morning, with early afternoon being the strongest and then it decreases a force or two by mid/late afternoon.

The Sailing Spots

There is not much tide and the launch is from a sandy beach. With the wind being cross-off the water is very flat inside the bay. If you want more bump & jump then you can sail out to the swell outside the bay. However, please note that the wind can be slightly different strength outside the bay, sometimes stronger, sometimes a little less, but generally a lot more stable. It will take you a couple of upwind runs to get back to the centre from the bump & jump area.

The Wave Beach

You can get a taxi (ie. a pick up truck) which will drive you 1-2km up the road to the wave beach. Again it is a sandy launch with the waves cross-on, starboard tack rather like the south coast of the UK (think West Wittering). The waves build with the wind, so later in the day they can be better although its worth noting the wind is usually at its best between 10am-3pm, so you don’t want to wait too late! You can either sail back to the centre or get the taxi back. Be sure to get the correct route out if you’re sailing back as there is a reef following the shoreline on the way back to the centre, easy when you know where it is but for first timers always get local advice before you go.

Instruction And Kit Hire

There are two windsurf centres (one British, one Russian) and one kitesurfing school attached to the Russian centre. The British centre has RRD boards, covering a range of Wave, freestyle wave, freestyle and freeride boards The sails are Severne, Ezzy and Tushingham, with sizes from 3.5- 8m, all rigged on skinny’s or 75% carbon SDM’s. There is rescue cover and a look out at all times. Instruction is from Centre Managers Phil, Danielle and the other European staff. You can also go on a clinic in El Tur, with many of the pro coaches choosing it as a location to run their courses.

Taking your own kit

The centre is well stocked so there really isn’t any need to bring your own gear. However, should you feel the need to do so, then we would recommend boards between 85-110 ltr and sail sizes between 4.0-6.0m.

Accommodation

This is at the Moses Bay Hotel. The windsurf centre is located within the grounds.

The hotel is basic but all 56 rooms have air conditioning, satellite TV, showers and fridges, for those cold beers!!

A new hotel is set to open shortly at the wave beach which is expected to be of a higher standard and consist of 24 detached suites (photo left of work in progress). This hotel sits right on the wave beach and will suit more advanced windsurfers and kitesurfers.

We were on half board; breakfasts consist of authentic Egyptian and Continental, evening meals are a buffet with selection of various Egyptian & European dishes.

Lunch can be ordered from the beach bar at the windsurf centre for around £4. There are no other restaurants in the area. other than in town

Nightlife

Make your own! However, if there are any Polish staying in the hotel you are assured of a party! If you do want some organised night life, head to Sharm el Sheikh, an hour away.

Alternatively, El Tur town centre offers a true Egyptian experience untouched my tourism where you can eat delicious fresh seafood, kebabs, falafils all rinsed down with a local cup of tea and a shisha without ever feeling intimidated or short-changed.

Bored Of Windsurfing

The centre has some SUPs for rent and there is good snorkeling available on the surprisingly impressive local reefs (no wind days only).

Activities further afield include sunrise at Mount Sinai, a Bedouin dinner in the desert, an evening or diving in Sharm el Sheikh or a visit to Egypt’s stunning National Park, Ras Mohammed.

All can be arranged through the Moses Bay Hotel.

Conclusion

A laid-back, bohemian windsurfing experience for those wanting to get away from mass tourism. Most of the windsurfers stay inside the harbour and close to the centre so it is rarely crowded. The wave beach is a great place to practice your onshore wave riding and jumps with very little tide and rip to worry about so staying upwind was not a problem.

This is fantastic venue offering so many various water states, with the conditions being on offer most of the year.

Out With the Old…

Duncan — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 10:21:50 +0000

Watch Out With the Old, In With the New, the latest movie from the Blacklab Collective. Filmed and cut by Josh Willmot, with action from Max Rowe and Adam Sims along with Phil Richards and Dave Williams sending it in Egypt. Massive thanks to: Steve Thorne & getwindsurfing.com

Habibi Wave Beach with Ant Baker

Duncan — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 12:45:32 +0000

Check out this GoPro footage of Ant Baker in action at El Tur’s awesome Habibi wave beach, Egypt, June 2011

Ant Baker’s Good Call!

Duncan — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 06:23:18 +0000

Are you familiar with a series of ‘comic’ TV ads and bumpers from a certain Aussie lager? We hope so because, as it’s Friday, here from his recent El Tur clinic Ant Baker and his cobber Tim council a distraught customer… More at www.baker-academy.com

Baker Academy Habibi Wave Clinic

Duncan — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 15:05:04 +0000

Ant Baker at Habibi Beach, El Tur, June 2011

Due to the phenomenal success of Ant’s June Wave Clinic at Habibi Beach, Egypt, Oceansource are pleased to announce he will be returning to the Windhaven Hotel in September.

Ant’s unique coaching style combines years of wavesailing at a professional level with an element of fitness training and stretching. These two elements are key to taking your windsurfing to the next level as you improve your physique to help you develop a more aggressive windsurfing style. As always, his coaching will be supported with video technology on and off the water whilst every booking will include a FREE* 2-hour voucher for one-to-one coaching in the UK.

If you’re looking to get into wavesailing, want to start jumping or even looping then this is not to be missed. This clinic will be held at the new Windhaven hotel, Habibi Beach which offers a high level of comfort and luxury and is a mere one hour travel from Sharm El Sheikh airport.

June clinic photos: www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150207832297914.312890.268776317913

For details, or to place a booking, please visit www.oceansource.net/bakeracademy

* Free voucher valid until 6 months after the clinic date. Extra costs may apply for travel.

GetWindsurfing’s 2011 Egyptian Courses

Duncan — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 15:58:40 +0000

Phil Richards and Danielle Lucas say cheese!

Out on the Sinai Peninsula, while everyone has been enjoying the windy weather at home Danielle Lucas and Phil Richards from Getwindsurfing.com have been busy finalising the dates for their coaching weeks in windy Egypt later this year.

They will be offering coaching weeks in Dahab, El Tur and Moon Beach, during September, and also two weeks in Dahab during December.

Dahab – 28th August to 4th September Intermediates to Advanced, Carving and Freestyle.

El Tur – 4-11th September Intermediates to Advanced, Carving, Freestyle, Bump and Jump/Waves.

Moon Beach – 11-18th September Intermediates and Advanced, Carving and Freestyle. (bookings can be made direct with schlep@moonbeachholidays.com)

Dahab – 28th November to 5th December Intermediates

Dahab – 5-12th December Advanced.

A coaching week with Phil and Danielle will involve five full days’ coaching, with video and photo coaching where suitable. They will have a maximum of 12 people so 6:1 student:coach ratio to help you get the best from your sessions. Their local knowledge means they know how to make the most of each location for your learning needs, as well as being able, in the evenings, to offer various options for entertainment if you wish.

Contact them with any questions, for prices and of course for bookings via getwindsurfing.danielle@gmail.com / getwindsurfing.phil@gmail.com and www.getwindsurfing.com

Sinai Road Trip Teaser

Duncan — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 09:38:59 +0000

Watch GetWindsurfing’s trailer for their forthcoming Sanai Road Trip – Moonbeach, El Tur, Dahab, plus the amazing Blue Lagoon at Ras Abu Galum, May 2011. Professional coaching and photography from Phil Richards and Danielle Lucas at www.getwindsurfing.com

Phil Richards’ Egypt Freestyle – March 2011

Duncan — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 06:39:29 +0000

Watch this killer freestyle windsurfing clip, shot over the month of March 2011 in El Tur and Dahab, Egypt. And remember, if this looks tempting Danielle Lucas and Phil Richards are organising a 3-week long tour of the Sinai Peninsular – check out their Get Windsurfing Road Trip…

Get Windsurfing Sinai Road Trip!

Duncan — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 17:06:35 +0000

Get Windsurfing Sinai road trip!

As you have seen in recent press Egypt is the place to go now, with centres quieter than ever and so loads of space on the water to enjoy the wind, which is currently full power! With this in mind and the recent announcement of the Dahab Festival in May, Danielle Lucas and Phil Richards, www.getwindsurfing.com, have organised a Sinai Road Trip, to incorporate 4 of the great locations on offer over there, as well as the joining the festival along the way.

So what does it entail?

A 3-week trip which can be joined along the way if you can’t do it all, 3rd May – 24th May 2011

Moon Beach 3rd-8th

El Tur, Moses Bay Hotel, 8th-13th

Dahab, Hilton Hotel, 13th-24th

Including: Coaching to advance plus levels • Local evening activities in different resorts (some may require small additional costs)•In Dahab for Dahab Festival 14th- 21st•Blue Lagoon Trip during the time in Dahab, camping in Bedouin Tents, windsurf all day in beautiful isolated lagoon. (As seen in the Feb 2011 issue of BOARDS magazine)

Prices are low and can be received by emailing Danielle on getwindsurfing.danielle@gmail.com, and include half board hotel all round (except the lagoon trip where camping will take place), coaching, transfers and kit storage (hiring is an option also). Danielle can quote for all or part of the journey too dependant on your dates!

Flights currently £215 from Easyjet London Gatwick or Luton for these dates!

Booking required asap, prices may change due to hotel rates fluctuating… Right now is a good time to get great prices in Egypt! Why not?!?

Steven Van Broeckhoven freestyle in El Tur

Duncan — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 23:46:30 +0000

Check out this short clip of Steven Van Broeckhoven freestyling in El Tur, Egypt by Katalka.ru.

Habibi Beach Hotel, El Tur, opens

Duncan — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 15:32:32 +0000

Ed Texier of Oceansource (finally!) brings us the great news that the hotel at El Tur’s famous Egyptian wave beach is now completed…

Habibi Beach Hotel

Following years of delays the long-awaited and much anticipated wave beach hotel in El Tur, Egypt, officially named The Windhaven has now opened its doors to windsurfers and kitesurfers alike. Now you can sample a spot of luxury in El Tur at a unique location like no other. El Tur is largely untouched by tourism meaning you can enjoy a no-news-no-shoes style watersports holiday whilst enjoying the widest variety of windsurfing and kitesurfing conditions available anywhere in Egypt.

Please view our official blog for a full update including video and photography: http://oceansource.wordpress.com/

Call +44 (0)1243 374615 or email bookings@oceansource.net for all enquiries.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Send It In El Tur

Duncan — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 10:22:00 +0000

Watch some great new cutting-edge freestyle action from Dave Williams and Will Hooker in El Tur, Egypt.

Oceansource El Tur October sale now on

Duncan — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 13:30:49 +0000

Oceansource are offering a sale on holidays to their El Tur resort throughout the month of october.

The El Tur resort

Book a week in El Tur, Egypt and receive up to £100 off our listed prices throughout October. That’s one week at the Moses Bay Hotel from £316/€383 pp sharing including transfers, half-board accommodation and equipment rental. Flight prices from £266 return with British Airways (BA offer ends Sept 15).

More info on our website:

http://www.oceansource.net/windsurfing_in_el_tur_egypt.asp

We’re also running a clinic with Phil and Danielle Oct 13-18, details here:

http://www.oceansource.net/centre/clinics_getwindsurfing.asp

Call +44 (0)1243 374615 or email ed@oceansource.net for all booking enquiries. Direct bookings only.

See you on the water!

El Tornament 2010

Duncan — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 13:30:31 +0000

The 2nd freestyle competition organised in El Tur by Phil RIchards and Danielle Lucas. Although the wind was light a great day was had by all.

For more information contact Phil or Danielle

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=108269209223401&ref;=ts