A fun packed, action packed week of activities for your kids to dip into and out of.

They also offer the popular Youth Squad programme for the more committed young sailors who really want to progress their watersport skills.

Click here for more info: http://www.alpineelements.co.uk/beach-holidays/family-beach-holidays.html

Kids in Vassiliki

Club Vass, windsurf action!

2. Of course we don’t just want sunshine, we want wind, and lots of it. Luckily the summer brings trade winds across much of Greece, Turkey, the Canaries and many more. The beauty of the summer is the pure abundance of windy locations, practically on our doorstep. Or at least within a couple of hours cheap flight. Make the most of the opportunity, after summer you will have to head even further away in search of warm water and wind.

Head to Mauritius with Sportif!

3. Bragging rights. Nothing beats an incredible windsurf session, well apart from a week of incredible windsurf sessions and then being able to gloat about nailing your carve gybes to your mates back at your local spot.

4. Keep the other half happy. Is your better half constantly moaning about the amount of time you’re spending at the beach without them? Combine your two loves and ‘treat’ the man/lady in your life to a week away. Pick your location wisely, whilst they may not be happy to lay on a very rocky Pozo beach with hurricane force winds blowing, there are plenty of holiday locations that will offer you great windsurfing and keep your partner happy too.

Ocean Elements, Vassiliki

Flag Beach, Fuerteventura

5. Incredible deals! Yup, most holiday companies offer very, very good deals on last minute packages. Boards recommends:

Club Vass

Sportif

Ocean Elements

Flag Beach

Vassiliki anyone?

Alpine Elements Ltd is a medium size tour operator specialising in summer and winter activity holidays. The Group takes over 20,000 clients away each year. The Company is seeking to expand their programme in Greece with current capacity of 3000 clients per summer over 3 hotels in Lefkada offering water sports at their RYA Training Centres.

The Head of Operations role reports directly to the Managing Director and will be responsible for the Company’s Beach programme development whilst ensuring the smooth running of all existing Beach Clubs and resorts with a current team of (approx.) 50 staff, managers and HOD’s in Greece.

A very varied role which has challenging duties one might expect of starting and running a business in its own right. Duties will range from operational set up to staff management, reporting, overseeing the finance department, supplier contracting, client relations, (customer service) and quality control.

You will be a natural leader and motivator who will take charge of a growing team and inspire them to have a passion for what they do, and in the delivery of a seamless service. You will be a good communicator and have a head for problems and business, be self-reliant, dependable and resourceful. You will be able to stand on your own two feet, take control of tricky situations and perform you tasks diligently at all times.

You will ensure that all problems within your resort are dealt with quickly and efficiently, display a good work ethic and not be shy of “putting in the hours” when required.

This is a very satisfying role, and one that will require a highly experienced, driven and organised person. It will come with career progression proportionate to the work put in.

• Hotel and Centre management
• Bar, restaurant management
• Staff Recruitment & Management
• Equipment procurement
• Budget control
• Quality control of holidays
• Customer Service, complaints handling
• Extras / Excursions sales and revenue streams

• Arranging Beach license and Boat paper work
• Management of RYA Training Centre Licenses and credentials
• Management of local Greek licenses and papers
• Management of Greek Company administration
• Overseeing RYA regulations and ensuring programme conformity to RYA and Port Police regulations
• Health and safety aspects of Beach Centre and instructional services
• Over seeing Finance department (1 resort/area accountant) and Banking
• Accounts and office admin (with resort accountant and our firm of accountants)
• Ensuring we maintain budgets and targets for in-resort revenue (spend per guest)

• Implementation of product and beach programme to include:

Sailing instruction (windsurf, dinghy)

Operation of support boat

Kit maintenance

Paddle boards and kayaks

Bike guiding and bike rentals

Vehicle back up and support

Kids Club for two age groups

• Involvement with marketing literature, brochures, website etc.
• Business developments, new Centres, set up and running

• Minimum 3 years’ experience in multi-site hospitality management
• Experience with Hotel Management
• Experience with running Beach Centres
• RYA qualifications to SI level or candidate must display a clear understanding of how a Beach Centre works with regard to RYA regulations and safety.
• Excellent people management skills
• Clear communicator, high organisational skills
• Extensive knowledge in Health & safety and food hygiene at kitchen / hotel level
• Strong problem solving skills & Excellent attention to detail
• Ability to meet deadlines, often under pressure
• Demonstrate ability to work effectively as a member of the team and proactively contribute to company goals

Package

Basic salary: £30,000 + £5,000 to 8,000 bonus potential (based on performance, revenues, budgets)

Car and accommodation (Greece), mobile phone, travel expenses (Greece) and insurance provided.

Greece and UK based role with extensive travel between both countries. Summer based in Greece: beginning April to mid-October. Winter based in UK: mid-October to end March. UK role is largely set down and set up, with work on financial reports and budget. Kit procurement, boat shows, staff recruitment and brochure work.

Initial six month contract followed by an appraisal leading to permanent position

Start date: Immediate

Please send your CV with a cover letter to sjobs@alpineelements.co.uk

Due to the high volume of applicants, only successful candidates will be contacted.

NO AGENCIES PLEASE

Vassiliki, want to be there enjoying unlimited water time?

Nidri fr £399

Vassiliki £449

What are you waiting for?

Call: 0203 642 78 84

Click: http://www.alpineelements.co.uk/beach-holidays.html

Or do you fancy a little longer than a week or two in windsurfing paradise?

Are you a Chef in need of a job with a difference this summer? Into Windsurfing, sailing, mountain biking or just fancy spending the whole summer on a Greek island? If not… are you daft?

Click on the link for more info.

Know someone who’d jump at the chance? Then Share it with them.

Experienced Chef – Greek Island

We are looking for an experienced chef to join our team in Greece, on the beautiful island of Lefkas. If you’re looking for a new challenge this summer and like hot weather don’t wait – apply now!

More info on this job:http://jobs.alpineelements.co.uk/job/155/chef-at-alpine-elements/

And other jobs with Alpine and Ocean Elements:

http://jobs.alpineelements.co.uk/

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.

“Cold conditions in the UK at the moment – winter just doesn’t want to relinquish its grip and there is even talk of snow at Easter! Luckily I won’t be around for that as I fly to Greece two weeks today. I’m really looking forward to getting back on the water in Vass, but in the meantime, here’s a few shots from a recent session at the Esso Garage on Hayling Island. It was absolutely freezing! I might have to invest in some winter boots :p”

All images courtesy of Mr. Josh Guard Eames Esq.

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. 

Ocean Elements

Alpine Element, a medium size tour operator specialising in summer and winter activity holidays is seeking to expand our Team in Greece.

The Head of Operations is instrumental in ensuring the smooth running of the Greek resort. You will be super organised and be able to easily multitask.

This is a very varied role which has duties ranging from the operational set up at the beginning of the season, employee management, overseeing the Beach Program to responding to questions and queries from the UK office.

You will be a natural leader and motivator who will take charge of the team and inspire them to have a passion for what they do and the delivery of a seamless service.

You will ensure that all problems within your resort are dealt with quickly and efficiently, and that nothing is ever too much trouble.

• Hotel management
• Operational staff recruitment
• Operational staff management
• Quality control (beach and hotel)
• Customer Service, complaints handling
• Extras / Excursions sales and revenue streams (commission led)
• Involvement with marketing literature, brochures, website etc.

• Arranging Beach license and Boat paper work
• Renewal of RYA Training Centre credentials
• Overseeing RYA regulations and ensuring program conforms to RYA and Port Police regulations
• Ensuring programme meets RYA Hotel & Beach programme set up to run to RYA standards
• Banking
• Accounts and office admin (with resort accountant and our firm of accountants)
• Local licensing, legal and administrative duties (with help from agent)
• Supervision of bars and tills
• Supervision of kitchen and food quality
• Ensuring we maintain budgets for in-resort revenue (spend per guest)

• Implementing full health and safety controls for hotel and beach
• Implementation of product and beach programme to include:

Sailing instruction (windsurf, dinghy)

Operation of support boat

Kit maintenance

Paddle boards and kayaks

Bike guiding and bike rentals

Vehicle back up and support

Kids Club for 2 age groups

• Ensuring upkeep and maintenance of hotel pool & grounds

• Significant experience in multi-site hospitality management  (Minimum 3 yrs preferred)
• Proven track record in Customer Service skills
• Experience of “Seasonal start up” situations
• Excellent people management skills
• Good communication and organisational skills
• Extensive knowledge in Health & safety and food hygiene
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in a specialist tour operator environment
• Product knowledge
• Strong problem solving skills & Excellent attention to detail
• Demonstrate ability to communicate accurately, clearly and concisely with the rest of the business
• Ability to meet deadlines, often under pressure
• Demonstrate ability to work effectively as a member of the team and proactively contribute to company goals

Basic salary: £22,000 + £3,000 (based on customers questionnaire results, performance, revenue    sales)

Accommodation, travel to resort and insurance provided.

Seven months contract with possibility of permanent

Start date: 18/03/2013

Please send your CV with a covering email telling us why you are the person for the job to jobs@alpineelements.co.uk

Due to the high volume of applicants, only successful candidates will be contacted.

NO AGENCIES PLEASE

 Find out more about Ocean Elements here.  

Ocean Elements

Ocean Elements

There a whole load of options for trips to Greece with Ocean Elements, find out more about what they can offer here. 

Two Week Specials

Try a two week holiday this summer and save up to £810 per person! A two week break can be a great way of brushing up on your windsurf and sailing skills, or (as a beginneror Intermediate) doing two levels during your stay andreally boosting your skill set! (Levels 1,2,3 & Advanced are offered). You might try a multi centre stay or a watersports week followed by a culture week with island tours and excursions, there is so much to do!

Multi Centre Breaks

Try a multi centre holiday – one week in Nidri, followed by a second week in Vassiliki! With only 30 minutes drive between the two resorts, you can experience two different resorts and beach centres and save £’s at the same time! Perfect for a family getaway or for progressing your sailing or windsurf skills. Or just to see as much as you can of our fantastic, scenic island!

Two Week Holidays include:

14 Nts Package Holiday in The Surf Hotel and or Hotel Delfini (B&B), Ensuite bathroom, Rtn Flights from Gatwick to Preveza, Rtn Airport Transfers, Breakfast each day, Bed linen, Towels, Cleaning, Active Reps, RYA instructors and Active staff (on site). Plus Free use of sailing boats, bikes, windsurfs, paddle boards and kayaks! Free Watersports, tuition and Activities, AND you get an EXTRA day on the water! For multi centre visits, (Vassiliki & Nidri) the transfer is less than 30 mins between the two centres.

Who Will Be There?

As you can see from the video below the RYA have a great stand at the show, also companies such as Ocean Elements, Sea Farer and more will also be in attendance.

Check out more about the London Boat Show here. 

December in Malta from Jamie Drummond on Vimeo.

Windsurfing in Vassiliki

The first in a new blog series that aims to catch up with various members of the overseas Ocean Elements team. Who better to start with than our bubbly Greek Operations Manager, Maz!

For those of you who haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Maz, she heads up both of our resorts on Lefkada. Working on the island for over 5 years, Maz has a huge wealth of experience and knows the area inside out.

We dive right in to discuss the new resort, the Boat Show and what Ocean Elements is all about.

Maz

So Maz, for those who haven’t heard about Ocean Elements yet, can you give them a quick summary of what is on offer?

Ocean Elements is all about making watersports achievable to everyone! In particular we focus on sailing and windsurfing, but we also offer kayaking, stand up paddleboards and powerboating. Our aim is to create a relaxed holiday atmosphere where guests of all ages and abilities can enjoy being afloat. We really do mean all ages and abilities; in recent seasons we have enjoyed teaching both 4 year olds and 84 year olds to windsurf! We do offer tuition for all levels, but it’s by no mean compulsory, guests are free to use the equipment as and when they want to.

What is it that sets us apart from the competition?

Besides our incredible team, I’d have to say that it is our range of activities and equipment. We offer FREE use of sailing boats, windsurf kit, SUPs, kayaks, mountain bikes and also stretch & relax classes. We offer FREE children’s clubs and FREE RYA tuition for all levels of sailor and windsurfer. In addition we understand that not everyone who visits us has the same idea of the perfect holiday, so all activities are ‘pick and mix’, you can do everything or do nothing! It’s all at your fingertips and there when you want it, but there is no pressure to join in if your sunbed, book or cocktail are calling!

Everyone is really excited about the new resort in Nidri, when does it open?!

We are certainly very excited too! I know Nidri waters very well and am very excited about the day sails we can offer there. Day sails will involve taking groups of boats for ‘jollies’ to nearby islands, mooring up outside a waterfront taverna, enjoying a lovely lunch with toes in the sea and then cruising home again. We will also be running frequent dinghy races in Nidri, so we can really make the most of the conditions and the great kit we have there. Our watersports centre in Nidri opens its doors (or raises it sails should I say?) on the 30th June.

Tell us a bit more about the town of Nidri itself, how does it compare to Vass?

Nidri is a already a well know holiday destination with a great reputation for being a family resort. Nidri is a little bigger than Vassiliki, with more tavernas and bars to choose from. The quayside restaurants offer a great variety of cuisine including Chinese, Italian and of course traditional Greek. The main street boasts a huge mix of souvenir shops and mini markets, and in the evening it is pedestrianized for holiday shoppers. Although Nidri can get quite lively, if you’d rather a quite night, you can opt for dinner at one of the beach tavernas where all you can hear is the lapping of the sea just metres from your table. Our hotel is a 5-minute walk from the quayside, either along the road or the beach.

What’s is available for families in Nidri?

Our tried and tested Children’s Clubs will all be running in Nidri. Sea Urchins for 4- 7 year olds, Sea Tigers for 8-12 year olds and Youth Squad for 6-12 year olds. The big change with children’s club this year is that Youth Squad is getting bigger and better. By popular request, Youth Squad hours have been extended to run ALL day, meaning young watersports enthusiasts can be afloat getting dedicated RYA coaching for even longer!

In terms of equipment and conditions, how would you compare Nidri to Vassiliki? And which resort do you think will offer more for advanced windsurfers and dinghy sailors?

Our base equipment will be the same in both resorts, with the latest kit from Tushingham, Starboard, Laser, RS and Topper on offer for all guests. Not forgetting  our excellent Specialized mountain bikes. We are lucky enough to be able to offer excellent conditions for both advanced sailing and windsurfing. Nidri conditions lend themselves perfectly to sailing enthusiasts and therefore we will be offering a large range of boats in Nidri, to include some great toys such as the RS 100, 200, 500 and 700.  Whilst advanced windsurfers can enjoy the ever famous high wind conditions of Vassiliki with such toys as the Isonics, Flares and Kodes.

The London Boat Show is coming up soon, what can we expect from the OE team at Excel? I hear there’s an incredible team manning the stand!

As ever you can expect the smiley faces and an eagerness to chat! As much as we are there to meet new people and sell holidays, it is also great to have a chat with our previous guests. See how many people have dared to hit the water in the UK? Not me, it’s cold! From the overseas team we have our Activity Supervisors Jamie and Steve, and me!

We are there to explain in more detail about what we can offer and to answer any questions people may have. There will be a Boat Show Discount on offer for anyone that wants to get their summer sun booked and in the diary now!

Come and meet Maz at the London Boat Show, January 12th-20th on stand D139.

For more about Ocean Elements check out their website here.