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!

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

Sportif Bonaire

Head to Caribbean for as little as £999 for 14 nights with self catering apartment with pool in Tobago or think about Isla Margarita for flat water, perfect freestyle conditions for £1,119 and Bonaire for £1,499 for two weeks. There are also all new tours to Vietnam with 2 weeks from £1099 and extension tour for as little as £429pp.

Sportif Tobago

Sportif Bonaire

These destinations offer ideal winter sailing and holiday locations with excellent wind at this time of year. Give Sportif a call for recommendations or see their all new Website with Holiday Search facility and latest holiday offers online.

Tel: 01273 844919

www.sportif.travel/

Windsurf Board Hire Special Offer to Jericoacoara, Brazil
Pay for one day, play as long as you stay.

The ‘Infinity’ Board Hire Special Offer is the new deal from Sportif for low season.
Pay for one day, play as long as you stay. Yes, you read right. Pay just one day of rental
and use windsurfing boards, surfboards, wave-kayaks and SUPs for as long as you stay.
Planning to stay three months? No problem. You still pay for only one day.

25% off Hotels
And that’s not all, you will also have a special deal with selected hotels giving 25% OFF.
For every 3 nights paid, you’ll get another one free. So pay for 6 nights, sleep 8, pay 12 nights,
sleep 16 and so on. Valid for stays between 01 February and 30  June 2013.

The ‘Infinity’ deal is valid for complete holiday bookings with hotel & transfers booked
through Sportif. Terms & Conditions apply.

For details of windsurf & kitesurf holidays and latest special offers see here.

Or call Sportif on 01273 844919 for latest prices and special offers to over 50 holidays destinations worldwide. www.sportif.travel 

Sportif Dakhla

Sportif have launched their all new website for 2013 to mark their 30^th year anniversary. With in depth guides to over 50 of the top windsurfing holiday destinations around the world, you can find out all about local conditions, kit available at the centres, options for rental and instruction, other things to do and great photos. The offers page gives a choice of latest deals with descriptions of the sailing spot and conditions  as well as types of accommodation available. To make it super easy you can search for a holiday by date, level of ability or extras such as clinics, multisport, family or luxury spa hotels. You’ll also find details the Sportif Windsurf clinics with top professional windsurf coaches Jem Hall, Simon Bornhoft and Peter Hart plus new multi activity weeks including mountain biking

Sportif Samos

Sportif Cabarete

Peter Hart coaching

Plus to celebrate the New Year, if you sign up to their Facebook page here they’ll give you £50 OFF per person on your next board hire.  You’ll have to hurry though it’s only valid until 31^st January.

For details call Sportif on 01273 844919 or see www.sportif.travel

We’ve spotted a few great deals around to some incredible windsurfing locations for all abilities:

Dahab freestyle action

Dahab

Departing 22nd December:

Stay in the Ganet Sinai – Half Board: Family Accommodation: x2 interconnecting rooms (min occupancy 3)

£455 per person (Max occupancy: 4)

or

Stay in the Swiss Inn – Half Board: Garden Side twin/double room, en-suite, air-cond, balcony or terrace

£715 per person (Max occupancy: 3)???

There’s lots more options for staying with Club Dahab too, head to the Club Dahab page to find out more information about the packages available.

Plus, there’s £50 off for Jan 5th to Feb 9th departures if booked before the end of the year!

Safaga

Safaga, Egypt

To book these deals and more head to Planet Windsurf.

St Lucia

St Lucia

To book these deals and more head to Planet Windsurf.

Cape Verde

Hotel Estoril - Boa Vista, Cape Verdes

UNBELIEVABLE VALUE FOR 2 WEEKS!
14 nights BB from £619pp
Dep: 04 Dec 2012 Gatwick

7 nights BB from £499pp
Dep: 11 Dec 2012 Gatwick inc return flights, transfers & BB hotel  on twin share basis.

Guest House Orchidea- Boa Vista, Cape Verdes

7 nights BB WAS £699pp NOW £549pp SAVE £150
Depart: 11 Dec 2012 Gatwick

10 nights BB from £769pp
Depart: 01 March 2013 Gatwick

Board Hire £219 1 week.
10 hours Learn to Kite Course £292 inc kit.

To book these offers and more head to the Sportif website.

Tobago

Rainbow Apartments
Self Catering apartments with 1 and 2 bedrooms nd pool. 5 mins walk to beaches.
7 nights SC from £599pp (SAVE £100)
14 nights SC from £759pp (SAVE £100)
Departs: up to 5th Dec 2012

Prices include return fights, transfers and shared 1 bedroomed partment (based on 4 sharing).

Conrado Hotel
A local style hotel, with one of the best beach front positions. 5 minutes to local bars/restaurants.

7 nights BB from £629pp (SAVE £100)
14 nights BB from £879pp (SAVE £100)

Departs: up to 5th Dec 2012.

To book these offers and more head to the Sportif website.

I hope that you are getting into my new technique series now, remember you can send feedback and question on the Boards forum (new members invited and very, very welcome) on the MTM thread by clicking here.

After presenting the key gybe tips in my last movie and Boards technique feature  l am now presenting a comprehensive light wind moves video in order to show you what you can do in lighter winds to take your sailing, carve gybing, wave sailing and freestlye up another notch.

I suggest that you watch the moves and as an exercise see if you can understand what I’m doing in order to achieve the move, and then visualise yourself doing it.

Of course now it’s your turn to get your motivated selves out there on floaty boards or windSUPs. WindSUPs are great for light winds as you can float easily, stay upwind (waterline length), dance around on them (no straps), make mistakes, accelerate in 7 -10 knots and lastly, uphaul in comfort (eva decks).

It is important to note that many of my clients learn a huge amount in my light wind sessions and really enjoy them far more than they thought they would. When I was growing up as a young windie we all went out on old beginner boards and soft sails and had fun races round some buoys, tried to knock each off but mainly we did lots of light wind freestyle and hours and hours out of the harness. Little did I know how much this was building my skills, love for the sport and preparing for my, unbeknownst, future coaching profession.

These are the key tips for these light wind moves:

• Duck under the water as soon as you get in so that you are wet straight away and don’t mind falling in
• SEE where you want to go and focus on your vision primarily when learning new moves
• Get low and keep the rig away whilst you enjoy the journey

Thanks for reading and watching and please do forward this, and my other articles on to your peers and sailing buddies and post online to social media sites.

Rip & Enjoy,

Jem

If you seriously want to improve and have a fantastic holiday book on one of Jem’s coaching clinics NOW! For 2013 Jem’s clinics are now selling fast so please consider Marsa Alam, Egypt in March, Moulay, Morocco in May or Rhodes in June and September, Psc, Baja in August or Mauritius in September. Find out more about Jem’s clinics with Sportif here. 

Jem’s wave technique movie Winner to Wavesailor is ready to PURCHASE NOW, and for all your fundamentals he has Beginner to Winner. You can now buy all three movies, including Freestyle, in the Trilogy box set.

www,jemhall.com is supported by RRD boards, wetsuits and harnesses, Ezzy Sails, Big Salty Weather and Prosport Sunblock.

Check out more technique on Boards here!

You might also like to read: 

Peter Hart Wavesailing

Peter Hart
- Dahab, Red Sea – 17-24 March 2013
- Ialyssos, Rhodes 19-26 June 2013

Simon Bornhoft

Simon Bornhoft - Marsa Alam, Red Sea – Feb, Mar, Apr & Sept 2013
- Margarita, Caribbean 03 January – 14 February 2013
- Moulay, Morocco 02-09 May 2013
- Alacati, Turkey 08-15 June and 15-22 June 2013

Jem Hall Clinic

Jem Hall
- Marsa Alam, Red Sea 13-20 & 20-27 March 2013 
- Prasonisi, Southern Rhodes 12-19 June 2012 (intermediates),
- Prasonisi, Southern Rhodes 19-26 June 2013 (advanced/looping),
- Prasonisi, Southern Rhodes 26 June – 2 July 2012 (int-adv) 
- Prasonisi, Southern Rhodes 04-11 September 2013 (int-adv)

There are also the last 4 spaces available for Peter Hart’s Introduction to Wave Sailing in Jeri.
Jericoacoara, Brazil – 09-19 January 2013 10 nights + LAST 4 SPACES +
Peter’s 5th clinic in Jeri for entry level wave sailing plus general skills for intermediates-advanced is now open for bookings. January offers the perfect ‘introduction to wave-sailing’ conditions. The waves are bigger, the wind a perfect force 4-5 and the whole place noticeably less crowded and laid-back.

Call 01273 844919 to book your place or email info@sportif.travel  www.sportif.travel

Baby Bay, Dahab

DAHAB, RED SEA from £499 (SAVE £200)

4* Hilton hotel plus discounted board hire in November & December.

SAFAGA, RED SEA from £459 ALL INCLUSIVE

3* Hotel with Windsurf, kitesurf & dive centres on site. Good for all levels. Dep 7 Dec 12

SAFAGA, RED SEA from £585pp 5* HOTEL ALL INCLUSIVE

5* Luxury hotel 1 week ALL INCLUSIVE. Deps 25 Jan 2013

MARSA ALAM, RED SEA from £749pp (SAVE £50)  LAST MINUTE

3* Shams Alam 7 nights Half Board, All Inclusive Upgrade £69pp/week. Deps 31 Oct 2012
SOMA BAY, RED SEA from £549pp 5* LUXURY HOTEL IN DEC

Top quality 4* & 5* Luxury hotels for all the family. Dep 07 Dec 2012

BOARD HIRE SPECIAL OFFER – in November in Dahab and December – Dahab, Marsa Alam & Safaga.
1 week Board Hire NOW £167  - 4 out of 7 days NOW £120

INSTRUCTION SPECIAL OFFERS:
Beginners/ Intermediate Course 4 hrs £80, 6 hrs £115, 10 hrs £160 including equipment
Advance instruction / Coaching from £80 for 2 hours (excluding kit).

Safaga

All holidays are fully ATOL covered by Sportif. Don’t forget to check the new ATOL certificates, now issued when booking, to be sure all elements of your holiday are financially secure.

Call 01273 844919 to book or email info@sportif.travel  www.sportif.travel

image courtesy Simon Bornhoft

We’ve just had one of the best ever trips to one of our favourite Windwise locations. Our annual Pilgrimage to Le Morne on the south western tip of Mauritius is one we always look forward to immensely, and this year it delivered something really special.

image courtesy Simon Bornhoft

With a large lagoon offering everything from flat water at low tide to bump and jump at high tide, you can just blast back and forth or try what we affectionately call ‘comfy pillows’, which is a small wave break that’s perfect for those wanting to try waves for the first time in total safety. There is also the option to venture out through ‘Little Reef’ and sample the smooth but impressively large rolling swells of Manawa! Real waves on a real point break! Down-the-line heaven!

During our October Windwise Freewave course we covered: how to hover for, catch and ride waves – both front side and back side. How to strategise for wave safety, selection and maximise you precious time on a wave. We polished up the vital short board uphauling, fast tacks, flat water wave riding and gybe variations to get round those corners in all conditions. Plus we covered how to either avoid or enjoy jumping over waves on your way out and learnt what to do when faced with white water or large swell.

image courtesy Simon Bornhoft

So, I wanted to say a big thank you to all those who joined us in Mauritius. Everyone sailed brilliantly, worked really hard, had their own eureka moments, which included everything from learning to control and sail smaller boards in a wider range of conditions, to catching their first or biggest waves. Plus the more experienced sailors were starting crank and master their top and bottom turns, jumping and confidence in, on and over the waves!

With an amazing wind record of 10 out of 10 planing days on sub 100L boards with average size sails between 4.7m-5.9m we were treated to some fabulous conditions. In fact, it was too windy and wavy to even think about dolphin trips, paddleboarding or adventure walks up Le Morne mountain!

image courtesy Simon Bornhoft

The Windwise Mauritius Freewave course and conditions offer plenty of variation and excitement for anyone who can sail a sub 120L board. We are already filling up with reservations for Mauritius 2013. If you want the best possible Freewave experience and to improve your windsurfing let us now ASAP, as ever places will be limited. Head to http://www.sportif.travel/coaches/show/simon_bornhoft to find out more about the clinics Simon runs with Sportif.

DAHAB, RED SEA – 17-24 March 2013
£50 OFF EARLY BOOKING OFFER – IF BOOKED BY 31 OCT 12.
Peter Hart is back to Dahab for his Masterclass windsurfing clinic in March 2013. It’s the perfect location for improving windsurfers with a flat water lagoon to get you going, speed strip to get you going faster and swells to get you going upwards! Take your pick. As always, Peter tailors the programme to suit you. more »

Sportif Hilton Hotel Dahab

IALYSSOS, RHODES 19-26 June 2013
£50 OFF EARLY BOOKING OFFER – IF BOOKED BY 31 OCT 12.
Want to go a bit later in the year, then choose the fantastic sailing venue of Ialyssos, Northern Rhodes. With the world class JP Pro Centre right on the spot of the very comfortable hotel coupled with excellent sailing conditions, everything is provided for the perfect mix of holiday and a week’s windsurfing. more »

Sportif Ialysos

For details of more Sportif clinics with Simon Bornhoft and Jem Hall see here>

www.sportif.travel  Tel: 01273 844919  Email: info@sportif.travel

Rhodes reflection:

I am just back from my from 10th Anniversary of coaching clinics in Rhodes and off to Brandon Bay, Ireland next week for my WaterPerson (WP) clinics there. Prasonisi gave us a few days of very light winds until the hairdryer came back on and gave us a fine send off, hats off to the crew for being focussed, fun and most of all relaxed about the delay in the wind, as we all know that there are no guarantees in life and even in Rhodes the wind needs a breather sometimes.

Rhodes crew

Autumn action:

Since my return it has been great to get some autumn action in and enjoy conditions around my local breaks, and also on a road trip down to Camber Sands. There is something about the colder weather, the rain and changeable conditions that seems to excite and inspire me, and yes there is no place like home : )

Jem Hall enjoying his new RRD and Ezzy set up on home shores

Toys, toys, toys – we love em:

During my ocean realignment on my home turf I have had the opportunity to really get to know my new toys and I must say I am loving my new Ezzy Panther Elites and the New RRD Wave Cult Quads.

The 4 battened Elites are lighter, easier power and more neutral for rides, gybes and style and really allow you to throttle the power on or off, yet they are still strong and with a huge wind range and a massive top end.

Now that I have had some quality testing time on my New Cult Quads, and in a range of conditions, I am happy to say that I have them dialed in and am really appreciating their virtues. It is also worth noting that not only am I enjoying them but so too are the people I lend them to in order to test them and provide me with valuable insight, same goes for the Elites. The feedback thus far on the RRD Cult Quads is that they are earlier to plane, have more wind range and a livelier / faster ride. Due to the narrower tails and increased tail rocker, with more vee, they are looser and now with more drive too. Yesterday saw my onshore wave riding performance  definitely go up a notch – I LOVE THEM! Get in touch if you want to discuss or test either of the above.

Jem Hall in action and looking forward his 2013 clinics

Clinic News: 

Marvelous Marsa Alam, Egypt is now open for bookings so come on down to take a break from Winter and get tuned up for your 2013 season on March 13th and 20th. The early booking offer has now been extended to October 31st.

Perfect Prasonisi, Reliable Rhodes which over 10 years and around 40 clinics has averaged 4 – 5 days a week of planing conditions and has just commenced taking bookings and we also have an early booking offer on this too – till October 31st. New for 2013, in Rhodes, is my ladies clinic, called Jem’s Jewels, where I will be assisted by a female co – coach and will be providing a supportive, inspiring and focussed environment where ladies will have the opportunity to not only enjoy a great holiday but also seriously improve their windsurfing.

The Mecca of Moulay, Morocco on May 9th and 16th is already taking a lot of bookings and we are ready to give you a fab holiday and an awesome waterperson (WP) / wavesailing experience, bookings are with Oceansource.net 

Email mefor more details on these clinics and to discuss your booking.

Jem Hall runs many of his clinics with Sportif, check out the other locations that Sportif run holidays to here. 

You might also like to read:

Boa Vista

Boa Vista, Cape Verdes
7 nights BB from £569pp Dep: 11 Dec 2012 Gatwick.
14 nights BB from £609pp Dep: 04 Dec 2012 Gatwick
Prices include return flights, transfers & BB accommodation on twin share basis.
Our simple and traditional hotel has 20 rooms and apartment accommodation directly overlooking the beach. 5 minutes walk from the centre and 10 minutes walk to the town centre of Sal Rei where you will find local bars & restaurants and enjoy the local Portuguese vibe.
To book call Sportif on 01273 844919 or email info@sportif.travel.
www.sportif.travel

Boa Vista

Sportif are offering £50 OFF per person (£25 off land only deals) for all clinic places for Marsa Alam, Margarita, Moulay & Alacati in 2013 if booked before 30 September 2013.

Jem Hall in Marsa Alam

JEM HALL CLINICS

Marsa Alam, Red Sea 13-20 & 20-27 March 2013
Ultimate Spring tune up PERFORMANCE BOOST

£50 OFF PP (£25 OFF LAND ONLY) if booked by 30 Sept 12
Move on up in water starts, gybes, tacks, freestyle and jumps according to your ability level of the clinic. Enhance your early planing and get blasting at full speed.
view now »

Simon Bornhoft

SIMON BORNHOFT CLINICS

Marsa Alam, Red Sea -  Feb, Mar, Apr & Sept 2013

EARLY/ADVANCED INTERMEDIATES – ADVANCED.
£50 OFF PP (£25 OFF LAND ONLY) if booked by 30 Sept 12
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. Choice of dates and Family Easter week.
view now »

El Yaque

Margarita, Caribbean 03 Jan – 14 Feb 2013
£50 OFF PP (£25 OFF LAND ONLY) if booked by 30 Sept 12
Intermediates – Advanced level windsurfers.
Simon Bornhoft’s 2 week clinic to El Yaque on the beautiful Caribbean island of Margarita for uncrowded February sailing.
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Moulay wave action

Moulay, Morocco 02-09 May 2013

INTERMEDIATE – ADVANCED FREEWAVE COURSE  £50 OFF PP (£25 OFF LAND ONLY) if booked by 30 Sept 12
Simon Bornhoft’s returning to Moulay in 2013. It’s a real adventure and awesome conditions for dedicated windsurfers. In May the prevailing conditions are ideal for enjoying some great wave sailing. If you want to learn how to jump, ride waves or crack that loop, this course is designed for you!
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Alacati with Simon Bornhoft

Alacati, Turkey 08-15 June and 15-22 June 2013

IMPROVERS – INTERMEDIATES COURSE
£50 OFF PP (£25 OFF LAND ONLY) if booked by 30 Sept 12
Easy, safe, shallow flat water, freeride paradise for improvers and intermediates. Wonderful apres windsurfing meals and atmosphere.
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Call 01273 844919 or email info@sportif.travel for more details or to book your place.

Check out pieces from Jem Hall and Simon Bornhoft in our technique section here.