We are specialists in providing outdoor activities for children on either school residential trips, youth group residentials, kids summer camps, junior and adult netball tournaments and family adventure holidays.
Windsurfing
Windsurfing
What is it?
Windsurfing is type of watersport that combines elements of both surfing and sailing. The sport is a relatively young one, with its origin widely accepted as being in the 1960's - the quick rise in popularity since then proves how generally well liked windsurfing is amongst the public.
What does it involve?
The practice of windsurfing involves standing upright on the surfboard base, and using the attached sail to control the movement of the board. Once you have mastered control of the equipment, you can windsurf in many formats; speed sailing, freestyle, course racing, wave sailing and slalom to name a few.
Why do it and what are the benefits?
Windsurfing is good for overall exercise - because bodily strength is so key in how you manouevre the equipment on the water, the whole body will gradually becoming stronger the more you practise windsurfing. Once they've mastered the basics, students will get a great thrill by being so independent and in control whilst on the water; windsurfing is great fun when you know how!
What equipment do we need?
As windsurfing is an activity where you will need to be using a provider to take a group out, you shouldnt need to supply any specialist equipment yourself! You may need to ensure the students are all dressed appropriately, so check with the venue for their advice.
Who is it suitable for?
Reasonably young children can start to learn to windsurf, but height and weight must be taken into account - as windsurfing uses the body to weigh down the board and balance the various forces in play, the windsurfer must be heavy enough and tall enough to adequately operate the board and sail. If you are unsure about whether your student group is suitable, check with your chosen provider to get exact details.
Costs?
As the types of session you can book vary so much, the the costs can vary from under £20 per person for an hour to a private whole day session increasing above £200. You must shop around in your area to decide what kind of experience you want your students to have, and how much money you want to spend!
Issues/Things to think about? (unsuitable for age groups, medical conditions etc)
Because of the freedom of the sport, its possible for things to spiral quickly out of control - there may not always be an instructor right next to someone in trouble to assist them! Your student group should be mature enough to be sensible on the water and respect all safety instructions and equipment such as lifejackets and helmets.
How do we include?
There are organisations and providers that cater specifically for disability within watersports, but they are not available everywhere - if your group has any special needs you must do your research to see if there is an establishment near you that can help!
Doing it abroad?
Countries with a lot of coastline will be your ideal destination for windsurfing, as more open and therefore windier water is the best environment for windsurfing on.
Main website:
https://ukwindsurfing.com is the website for general windsurfing in the UK, but the individual websites of more specific venues will have more information on what's available for you.
Venues with this Activity
Cardiff Bay is a diverse waterfront built around a 200 hectare freshwater lake known as ‘the Bay’. Find a great mix of Cardiff attractions, entertainment and events, coupled with vibrant bars and shops that create a truly unique atmosphere worthy of any capital city!
The Centre offers a wide range of fun-filled activities including sailing, powerboating, windsurfing and rowing, plus archery. With more than 16 land and water-based activities, and now the new Laser Blast action packed group activity open, there has never been a better time to have a go! Half and full day courses. Book now!
We can come to you to arrange your trip, or you can come to the Centre for a pre-visit. This will allow us to plan your excursion down to the last detail so that it works perfectly with your individual needs as a school or group.
We are a family-run sailing and watersports school based from Mudeford Quay, Christchurch (near Bournemouth, Dorset). We provide sailing, powerboating, first aid courses and tuition at all levels, as well as kayak, dinghy and windsurfer hire across Christchurch Harbour.
As well as the beautiful sandy cove to explore and enjoy, you can sample great food at our beach-side restaurant or from our take away facility. Get active on a range of adventure activities, experience fantastic live music and events. Stay in self catering accommodation on the beach or learn new skills on our on-site training courses.
AQUASPORTS is a Christian lakeside watersports camp that's definitely not to be missed! Based near Marlow, Buckinghamshire, the camp offers young people from 14 to 19 years old of any background a week of exciting watersports and the chance to make new friends from across the country.
Come and enjoy the fabulous facilities at The Lensbury Watersports Centre – a peaceful haven in an otherwise busy world. The Lensbury Watersports Centre offers a variety of craft including sculling boats, kayaks, canoes and a choice of sailing dinghies from Optimists to Lasers plus small motor boats.
Outdoor and adventurous activities enable pupils to enjoy challenging and unfamiliar experiences that test and develop their physical, social and personal skills. They can be among the most memorable experiences for pupils of their school days.
Springboard Adventure manages the 180 acre Hetton Lyons Country Park on behalf of Sunderland City Council. Within a safe, exciting and engaging environment, we offer a wide range of outdoor, adventurous and environmental activities, successfully working in partnership with schools and youth organisations, as well as offering courses to the public.
We have been giving tuition in windsurfing and kitesurfing in our watersports school in Poole harbour for over 20 Years. It operates in the shallow waters of Poole Harbour - one of the most popular places to learn windsurfing and kitesurfing in the UK. All our windsurfing instructors have been trained to RYA standards and IKO standards.
Here at the SWC we are solely interested in creating Windsurfers!
We have said goodbye to teaching large groups and using fabric sails. Instead, we specifically teach all new budding windsurfers on a one to one ratio until they have mastered blasting and the beach starts. To date my P.B. has been zero to blasting and almost carve gybes in only six lessons!
Stithians Lake in Cornwall is considered one of the windiest inland waters in England. It's not surprising therefore that it's a favourite with windsurfers and sailors alike. Watch the video by clicking on the play button in the images.
The home of the very best sailing, watersports and multi activity trips for schools. As a family run business, we approach all aspects of what we do in a very individual and responsive way to the benefit of you and your group.
Siblyback Lake is surrounded by the striking Bodmin Moor and offers a wide range of activities beside or on the water, rowing boat hire is a popular family activity. The Outdoor + Active Centre offers sailing, windsurfing and canoeing and provides top quality rainbow trout fishing.
Wirral Sailing Centre is based at the 52 acre West Kirby Marine Lake and offers water sports activities and courses to anyone aged 8 and over. It is a registered RYA Training Centre.
Rutland Watersports Centre is on the north shore of Rutland Water Park at Whitwell. This is a day sailing, canoeing and windsurfing centre owned and operated by Anglian Water providing a great place to hold or enrol in events, courses, activity days, corporate days or a bit of retail therapy.
ShoreSports watersports school uses the safe and shallow waters of Christchurch Harbour, operating from Mudeford Quay. Learn to windsurf, kayak or stand-up-paddleboard (SUP) with our qualified instructors, join one of our popular tours up river, have lessons or simply hire equipment
A small but busy family run centre offering outdoor activities and experiences, with self catering accommodation in rooms and wooden wigwams. Whitewave is based in the crofting township of Linicro and has been operating in North Skye since 1990.
At SeaSports our focus is on offering you the very best available; our instructors equipment and facilities are of the highest standard, and we pride ourselves on attention to detail and excellent service. Our instructor ratios are kept very low ensuring that you get maximum attention at all times.
Pura Vida Weymouth Watersports are the newest Watersports centre in the Weymouth and Portland area. We are ideally situated in probably the best spot for most Watersports activities.
Weymouth Bay and Portland Harbour offers some of the best sailing waters on the planet and purpose-built on-shire facilities to match.
The Watersports Academy is Sandbanks’ premier watersports training facility, providing first-class tuition for people of all ages, novices to experts alike. Our fully qualified instructors provide training in a wide range of water-based activities.
Established in 1981 Jonti has over 30 years of experience in sailing & windsurfing, chandlery and tuition. Based on the shores of Grafham Water, Jonti has everything you need for having fun on the water!
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The Bushcraft Company offer residential school trips with a difference, taking students into the wild and giving them real back-to-nature experiences they will never forget.
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