Palekastro, Crete

Believe me when I say that I didn’t think places like this still existed. Landscape shaped over thousands of years rich with history dating back to Minoan times and local hospitality that seems undeterred by what’s going on elsewhere in the world.

A 3-hour drive will take you through some of Iraklion’s outskirts before sending you into arguably one of the most spectacular journeys I’ve ever experienced. As the road winds up into the mountains you notice the landscape turning greener and more rugged. Towns become villages some perched precariously on hill tops offering sublime photo opportunities and worthy places for a quick pit-stop. As the road snakes through the vast mountain range you begin to wonder what lays at the end that makes this drive so worthy to windsurfers, ramblers and eco-tourists year-in-year-out.

Road to Palekastro

As you drop out of the mountains you are once again greeted by the infamous Azure colours of the Mediterranean and it is here that you literally start smelling your holiday. A short drive further and countryside suddenly becomes vastly populated with olive trees, as far as the eye can see. This is the Itanos region covering 197 square kilometres with 2,500 inhabitants and diverse selection of endemic plants, wild gorges biodiverse in nature, archeological treasures and vast sandy beaches among the loveliest in Greece.

Itanos Region

BUT, what we’re really looking for is the wind and that it has in abundance. The Meltemi winds blow through this region during the summer months with impressive reliability. Palekastro village and its local beach Koeremenos boasts some of the most reliable winds in the Mediterranean with winds blowing daily between F5-7.

Koeremenos Beach

At the heart of this operation lies Freak Windsurf Station run by Austrian windsurf fanatic Hannes Unterweger. Now in its 8th year of operation and firmly on the EFPT tour, the centre houses approximately 80 boards and 150 sails from JP and NP. The equipment is replenished each year ensuring you’re on the latest kit. This is the only centre in the area so even during peak summer months, it rarely feels crowded on the water. With winds blowing cross-shore from left to right its straight out to see into bump and jump conditions with flatter water on the inside ideal for freestyle and perfecting carve gybes. But what’s particularly attractive about this setup is the lack of development. Most of the land is occupied by olive groves and indigenous trees ensuring adequate provision of shade for non-partaking partners and children alike. There is a local taverna within 5 minutes walk that serves up the usual Greek delights including catch of the day. For regular web users, this taverna also offers complimentary WIFI.

Freak Windsurf Station

And as you head back to your villa or apartment at the end of another relaxing day you may opt to pop into Palekastro village for a cold drink and early dinner. This delightful village has a large church as its centre piece and a square surrounded by quaint tavernas. Here you dine not with thousands of tourists but a blend of intrepid travellers and locals, some of the nicest you will ever meet.

Palekastro Village

But your holiday shouldn’t stop here.  A short drive north and you will encounter a rare palm forest somewhat freakish in nature. This forest meanders down a small valley onto a beach very much giving it a tropical feel and the chosen location for a recent Bounty advert. Nearby you will find the imposing Toplou Monastery, one of the largest and most important monasteries in Crete dating back to the 15th century.

Toplou Monastery

Head south of Palekastro towards Zakros and you once again find yourself driving through the foothills of another spectacular mountain range with more quaint villages such as Lagada, Chochlakies and Azokeramos gracing its path. At the end of this lovely route you are awarded with Kato Zakros, one of the most enchanting spots in Crete. The peaceful landscape, the vast blue sea, the “Gorge of the Dead” running down to the seaside palace of King Minos, flood the mind and senses, taking you back to a past where everything is beautiful, untouched, unique. This is Palekastro, Crete.

Kato Zakros

To enquire further about a holiday to Palekastro, please contact bookings@oceansource.net or call +44 (0)1243 374615

Severne Sails @ Oceansource

Oceansource is immensely proud to announce its developing partnership with Severne to include a UK test centre. Based on the southern shores in the UK, Oceansource has grown out of a windsurfing centre in Egypt to a tour operator facilitating windsurfing holidays and experiences to some of the best locations on earth.

Dany Bruch in action

“Since we started stocking Severne sails at our centre two years ago, we noticed how popular they were with our customers”, says Ed, managing director at Oceansource.net. “Not only do Severne products excel in terms of overall quality, but the degree of passion projected by Ben (Severne) is at a point where you could argue that we share an unhealthy appetite for windsurfing!”.

There is no doubt that Severne Sails has established itself as a leading brand with the likes of Bjorn Dunkerbeck now leading the way in the PWA slalom series. Bjorn’s championship winning experience coupled with Ben’s leadership qualities has taken Severne to the forefront of the world stage and the results speak for themselves.

Severne is also firmly established in other sectors including wave and freestyle. The S-1 is commonly regarding as one of the most lightweight and maneuverable sails, perfect for freestyle, whilst the robust BLADE has become a standard in quality and innovation within the wave discipline. The hugely popular GATOR continues to develop its reputation as one of the most versatile freeride sails on the market whilst the success of Severne’s race programme has spawned an array of innovative and robust freeride and freerace sails such as the CONVERT and TURBO.

“Ever since I started sailing Severne sails I’ve become more and more attached to them.” says Ed. “I met Ben when we won at the National Windsurfing Festival (NWF) UK three years ago and things developed from there. The fact that Boujmaa Guilloul accepted our invitation to the NWF last year speaks volumes for the people behind the Severne brand, and we’re extremely excited to be part of that”.

From September 2011, Oceansource will be stocking a small number of 2012 sails which are free to use on a trial basis. “With so many products on the market, I firmly believe that everyone should be entitled to try before you buy”, exclaims Ed. “There is only so much information in a magazine test that is relevant to your personal circumstances. Everyone is different in many ways so its important that you buy the product that feels right”.

Meanwhile, for those already converted to Severne, Oceansource are now taking orders for all 2012 models and accessories. Please contact ed@oceansource.net or call +44 (0)1243 374615 for all enquiries.

Naxos in 100 hours

Let me me tell you about a place called Naxos. Set amongst the Cyclades and only 25 minutes flying from Athens, this is the largest island and the centre of archaic Cycladic culture. So how come you may not have heard of this place? We travelled there for four days to discover what you’ve been missing.

The first thing worth noting is that Naxos cannot be reached direct by charter flight. This has without doubt preserved the island from mass tourism and as a consequence, appears to attract the more intrepid traveller, the adventurer.

To get to Naxos, you either take a ferry from Athens, Mykonos or Santorini although the fastest way without doubt, is to hop onto the domestic Olympic service from Athens international airport which should take no more than 30 minutes.

All aboard the ferry!

So what’s so special about the place? Well, at first sight it may just seem like another ordinary Greek island with white houses and blue-topped churches dotted across its landscape. It has a historic town centre with narrow streets leading up to its main attraction that being a Venetian castle.

Naxos town

However, if you’re someone who regularly indulges in watersports, there is something quite special that awaits you…the Flisvos Sportclub and Hotel. This club dominates the watersports scene across Naxos and is run by keen German/Dutch couple Jan and Mieke. Jan is no newcomer to Naxos either, he’s been coming here since his twenties when he fell in love with the island and soon realised its action sports potential.

Jan has since built up an extensive operation consisting of two hotels and three centres catering for windsurfers and kitesurfers alike. The main hotel/centre is conveniently located within 10 minutes beach walk from Naxos town centre making it the ideal base for popping into town for some sightseeing, retail therapy and vibrant nightlife.

Naxo 1 hotel

At the heart of this operation sits the Flisvos beach cafe, a spectacular bar/restaurant from which you can enjoy the most amazing sunsets. The Flisvos team are quick to ensure you feel at home whilst presenting you with an impressive array of bar snacks and cocktails.

Flisvos beach cafe

Every Sunday, weather permitting, the bar is moved onto the beach itself where barman Sven and his assistants put on an impressive display of bottle juggling that would give Tom Cruise (in the classic 80’s movie Cocktail) a run for his money!

Beach party!

As for the windsurfing, I sense you are eager to know, you really couldn’t ask for a more complete setup. Two centres at the main resort cater for all levels of windsurfing right from beginner flat water conditions to the more advanced wave head. The wave and flat water spots are separated by a shallow reef through which you can sail so you can enjoy all conditions within a single session, this is unique.

Windsurfing Naxos style

Other than windsurfing, there is also catamaran and stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) to be enjoyed so you’re truly covered for all conditions. During the low-season period you can book sport packs which include everything so you can easily switch between sports without any hassle.

SUP safari

As for alternative activities, there are ‘Beach Cruiser’ bikes at your disposal which are great for local trips whilst the more experienced cyclist has access to pro bikes and an extensive menu of daily cycle trips to choose from, guided by resident MTB fanatic Anton.

Pro bikes at Flisvos

Spectacular mount-biking in Naxos

If you’re looking for a change of scenery, then head further south to the stunning beaches of Agios Prokopios and Mikri Vigla. It is here that Flisvos has its second operation catering for both kitesurfers and windsurfers all based at Hotel Orkos. You will find wider and less crowded beaches and crystal clear water making it ideal to indulge in a spot of kitesurfing. Once again, their team seem all too eager to ensure you have a great and safe time whether you are there to windsurf or kitesurf.

Mikri Vigla

Beyond Mikri Vigla there are more beaches to discover and the further south you travel the less crowded they become. As you work your way around the souther tip of the island before heading back north, you will notice the coastline becoming more rugged giving you a real sense of adventure.

PIcturesque Greek village

The highest peak in Naxos reaches in excess of 1,000m beyond which you will find lush vegetation and valleys clearly demonstrating the diversity of this unique landscape. Anton runs extensive MTB trips, some lasting up to a day so if you’re fit and up for it, let the adventure begin!

So there you have it, Naxos uncovered in 100 hours. If you’re looking to head for somewhere slightly off the beaten track with superb action sports on offer, then Naxos should be a good bet for you this year.

If you have any further questions or to make a booking enquiry, call:
+44 (0)1243 374615 or visit www.oceansource.net for more information.

More photos of our recent trip can be viewed on our official Facebook Page.

El Tur 2011

When Oceansource took over in El Tur in 2007, it seemed an almost impossible task to turn a dilapidated windsurf centre into something that was fresh, exciting, contained the latest equipment and was managed by people with an undying passion for the sport. Well, sitting here in front of my laptop looking back at the last three years through rose tinted spectacles, I’d like to think we achieved just that.

Centre opening 2007

For sure, El Tur isn’t everyone’s cup of tea but what it has to offer in terms of windsurfing is second to none. I remember spending just 36 hours in Egypt checking the place out and within 30 minutes of arriving in El Tur, I was blown away by the place. The combination of perfect flat water, bump & jump, a point break, rolling swell and even a cross-onshore wave beach…its no wonder that so many clinics and camps have been held here over the years. This really is the ‘Ultimate Windsurfing Playground’.

Not just that, but the experience and feeling you get in El Tur is like no other place in Egypt. Firstly, tourism is virtually non-existent so you can relax and hang out with the locals in their shisha bars without every getting pestered by salesmen. Granted, you may get the odd kid telling you to “f*ck off” but that’s just their way of saying “welcome to my home”, is it not?

El Tur fruit stall

Anyway, 3 years later and things have moved on somewhat for Oceansource.net. We’re now a fully established Tour Operator with a developing portfolio of fabulous destinations dotted around the world so to run a centre alongside our new business venture no longer made sense.

Enter Ibi & Friends International, a well established organisation within Egypt that run an impressive chain of centres in Dahab, Zaafarana, Hurghada and El Nabaa with a friendly and professional atmosphere. Their passion and enthusiasm seems to rival ours which is why we could not ask for a more suitable bunch of guys to fill our boots and keep the momentum going in El Tur.

Centre re-opening with Ibi & Friends

But rather than a simple sign switch at the office door, Ibi & Friends have made a sizable investment in equipment and infrastructure too that will hopefully keep you coming back for more. We’ll see brand new 2011 equipment from Hot Sails and F2 mixed with Fanatic and the latest North at your disposal. Meanwhile, the centre is receiving a face-lift to include new chill-out areas and even a ‘pool bar’, all scheduled for 2011 which makes it their largest operation in Egypt.

New centre, new kit

Even the hotel has started a renovation project that’s seen upgraded rooms so when you’re booking your next holiday with us, please ensure you check availability for those.

Upgraded rooms

To celebrate the launch of our partnership, we are offering week-long land packages to El Tur for as little as £250/€286 (conditions apply) including 7-nights half-board, equipment rental and return airport transfers. And if you’re flying from the UK, you can still get flights for as little as £275 giving you an all-inclusive week-long holiday for just  £525/€598 – now that’s what you call a bargain!

Furthermore, El Tur has just seen the introduction of a new cable-tow system ideal for a spot of wake-boarding during no-wind days and makes a good training ground for those wanting to get into kitesurfing.

Wakeboarding!

For those seeking a spot of luxury in El Tur, don’t forget the recently opened Habibi Beach hotel which is looking better than ever and will play host to Ant Baker’s first clinic to El Tur in June. If you want to get into wave-sailing, get your equipment tuned and work on your fitness, then this week is not to be missed!

WIndhaven Hotel, Habibi Beach

So there you have it, a new year for El Tur to take you and your windsurfing ambitions to the next level. We hope to see you soon!

For more info or to book your holiday, please visit: www.oceansource.net

Egypt Revisited

Not that long ago, we were exposed to endless images and video clips of sword-wielding Egyptian revolutionaries with one, and only one aim in mind – to topple the oppressive and corrupt regime of their once loved president, Mr Muhammed Hosni Mubarak.

The ramifications of this were severe as Egypt plunged into darkness whilst tourism as far south as Sharm El Sheikh, which had seen years of exponential growth, disappeared without trace. What was particularly worrying is the fact that few or no incidents were reported in any of the resorts located within the Sinai peninsula, so what was all the fuss about? It was time to head south…

The sun sets over Egypt

It so happened that I had the pleasure of the company of some exciting UK freestylers including the likes of Adam Sims and Max Rowe. Max, who had only just recovered from an epic journey to Vietnam for the PWA event would join us a day later so the boys had some time to kill as we headed for our first stop, El Tur.

Having travelled to Egypt on a number of occasions, I have to say that I was somewhat stunned by the emptiness of Sharm El Sheikh airport upon our arrival. This once bustling airport had an eerie air of tranquility about it whilst baggage handlers and security personnel appeared unusually relaxed. So much so that they seemed most patient when receiving a drilling by Adam Sims regarding the state of his quiver bag that had obviously been dragged around runways behind a baggage trolley whilst doubling up as a surf-board for bored airport personnel! It set the tone of things to come but more about that shortly.

Sharm El Sheikh airport not as we know it

The drive up to El Tur was relatively eventless whilst the roads were notably quiet. Although Egypt’s political unrest has now paled into insignificance with recent events in Libya and now Japan, you could still smell the stale air of a tourist factory that had simply ground to a halt pretty much overnight.

Suffice to say that in El Tur, the most obvious visible difference was the presence of the army which as we all now know, is holding temporary charge whilst the Egyptian government is working hard on its constitutional reforms. The army in Egypt is a highly respected institution so a few soldiers here or there seems to me, at least, to instill an atmosphere of security and stability.

Vive la Revolution!!

As we rolled into Moses Bay Hotel we were greeted by the usual friendly staff who seemed relieved by our presence as I guess we must’ve offered them instant hope, being one of their first guests following a prolonged drought in tourism. I think for any hotel to have survived the last 3 months shows an act of defiance for which they should be proud, very proud. These people survive on next to nothing and to maintain a smile to that extent, should be a subtle reminder that during times of hardship, even a relatively insignificant ray of sunshine can be enough to spark hope and expectation.

Following a swift check-in procedure, there was no time to waste as we headed for the only drinking establishment in El Tur, that being the recently expanded Ibi & Friends centre (see next blog entry) with local host Max & Co. Many a (rather odd) tin cups of vodka and shishas later and with a forecast for light winds, fighting talk soon spawned within the camp about how best to tackle the newly installed cable tow the following day. Good night ‘John Boy’…

Day two arrived sooner than you could say ‘mesh’ (meaning ok in Arabic) and as we all set about finding ways of passing the day in our own unique ways, news soon emanated from the cable tow area that young Adam Sims had attempted to make love to his wake-board only seconds into his first ever wake-boarding experience. I’m going to be fair on Adam and spare you the details of what actually happened as I know he will be doing his own column and wouldn’t want to stand accused of raining on his parade (it truly was a ‘special’ moment!).

Wakeboarding comes to El Tur

With PWA freestyler Max Rowe now onboard, it was time to head north to our second stop, that being Moon Beach, Ras Sudr. Again, nothing out of the ordinary to report en-route other than quiet roads and a slightly more prominent army presence at the usual check-points. Unfortunately, Max’s late flight meant a more subdued entry to the resort as we relaxed within the newly configured beach bar whilst being looked after by the very generous Moon Beach team.

UK pro freestylers Max Rowe, Adam Sims and friends

By day, Moon Beach seemed surprisingly populated as weekenders arrived from Cairo seeking a much needed relief from their recent Cairo exploits. Suffice to say, Egypt seems very ‘normal’ given the circumstances therefore begging the question, where and why had everyone left? Now more than ever, this country needs us and with the spring season now in full swing and flight prices slashed, this is the time to grab yourself a bargain and enjoy what in recent years has become one of the most desirable windsurfing and kitesurf holiday destinations in the world.

A point that I’m convinced will be endorsed by my younger comrades (currently still in Egypt) is that there should be little or no cause for concern when considering traveling to Egypt right now. For sure, it will take time to recover from this down-turn in tourism and for those feeling the need to go on holiday following a long and harsh winter, now is the time to head for Egypt as there is no place in the world that will offer you better conditions.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us should you have any queries regarding the current situation in Egypt. For details on pricing or to place a booking, please visit www.oceansource.net/egypt

New Frontiers – Cape Town

Not that long ago, someone dismissed the idea of running a wave camp in Cape Town on the basis that it would be logistically impossible. Now in my world, nothing is impossible so we rose to the challenge and set to work to create the first ever full format 7-day wave camp. Our first challenge was to establish a base and it so happens that I recently had the privilege of meeting SA kite legend Brad ‘Caveman’ Symington and his family who run The Kitesnest – an impressive 6-bedroom pad based right by the beach within the attractive suburbs of Sunset Beach.

The Kites Nest, Sunset Beach

Base established, all we needed was a coach. Enter PWA pro John Skye who we’ve been running camps with in Moulay, Morocco for the last couple of years. John happens to be in Cape Town every winter for his training, testing and photo-shoots so naturally seemed the obvious choice for this camp. John normally runs his camps alongside PWA pro and now fiance Nayra Alonso but as Nayra was unable to attend, I decided to invest in a large wig and take her place as driver, cameraman and tea boy.

Now, we all know that windsurfing experiences are very much governed by the forces above and with 15 windy days in the run up to this clinic, surely we were in for a treat. Sadly, the Cape Doctor had other ideas and decided to take an early break leaving us with a truly abysmal forecast…gutted. However, having received a text message from big John the night before our departure saying something along the lines of “12-knot forecast and we still ended up with 4.2 weather” managed to revive some strength and spirit within the camp.

Oceansource Love Bus

Twelve hours and at least 5 packets of pretzels later we were on our way to Sunset Beach for the start of our big adventure. Only one person in the group had been here before so the atmosphere within the camp was very much a cocktail of curiosity and apprehension. Although pro windsurfers have been coming here for years, I guess one could argue that Cape Town hasn’t been fully established as a recreational windsurfing destination. After all, you need to have a proper understanding of how the wind works and where to find the best conditions of the day. Also, the conditions can get quite extreme so you need to be a fairly confident sailor with a good level of awareness. I think that for these exact reasons, it seemed logical to develop an adventure experience of this nature.

Morning Briefing

During the first couple of days we had relatively light 5.3-5.7 winds on starboard tack. John took us to the best beaches of the day whilst mixing it up with a general tour of Cape Town’s top windsurfing spots. With the majority of the group being more comfortable on starboard tack, the unusual conditions turned out to be a blessing as it provided us with the perfect opportunity to drag us out of hibernation and rediscover our fitness.

On the road!

By the end of day 2 we had seen all the major windsurfing areas (as well as befriending the local Baboon population, more about that another time) and sailed Witsand and Platboom which are both located on the Cape in spectacular surroundings. Each day was topped off with a sumptuous meal either courtesy of The Kitesnest’s in-house braai or the local sushi or pizza parlor. One thing you will note about South Africa is that evening entertainment is fairly inexpensive which proves useful when trying to off-set your flight costs!

Warm-up session at Platboom

Apres-windsurf at the Red Herring

As the week progressed, the forecast suddenly turned in our favour and a couple of full-on windsurfing days beckoned. One of these days started right outside our door at Sunset Beach beach on 4.7 and as the wind picked up to 3.7 strength, it was time to pack our bags and head off to the more sheltered Melkbos. Here we were treated to a stunning sunset session and an impromptu forward looping crash course, unforgettable!

Sunset session at Melkbos

Video debrief

With spirits now riding high, the scene was set for a show-down at Platboom on the final day. All readings indicated a near perfect side-shore 30-knot beauty to leave us with the ultimate souvenir. Well, we weren’t disappointed as what we were presented with, was a breathtaking arena of ivory white sand, vibrant turquoise water and waves begging for a ride. Following the usual briefing from John, each group member took to the stage like a gladiator as they prepared to throw all what was left within them at the might of the oncoming tides. Two hours of glorious windsurfing passed before the intermission and thus freeing up John to ‘unleash the beast’ and demonstrate the true grit of a pro windsurfer.

Final show-down at Platboom

John tearing it up at Platboom

This was the final day of the camp and by now we all had a fairly comprehensive flavour of what the attraction of Cape Town has been to so many windsurfers over the years. Suffice to say that personally, I’ve been fairly reluctant to travel to these shores, I guess partially due to my Dutch roots, but with Apartheid now becoming a fading memory and South Africa very much on the road to reform and equality, I felt it was my moral obligation to not only appreciate South Africa for its windsurfing prowess, but also for its natural beauty portrayed through its unique geography and people.

Greetings from the Cape!

We’ll be back in 2012!
More photos can be viewed on our official Facebook Page

Egypt Update

Just to inform you that we’re monitoring the situation in Egypt very closely. So far, the unrest has been mostly centred around the cities of Cairo, Alexandria and Suez.

The UK Foreign Office has advised that its still safe to travel to Sharm and the latest reports from El Tur, Dahab and Sharm indicate that life is very much running as normal. As soon as it is deemed unsafe to travel to Egypt, we will be informing those who have already booked with alternative programmes.

Its worth noting that the South Sinai region is very well protected by security and regular check-points are in place to deal with any suspect behaviour. The area has been mostly developed around tourism and the Egyptians who live there very much depend on this ongoing trade which is why the region is predicted to remain largely unaffected.

If you have any questions regarding your holiday to Egypt then please don’t hesitate to contact ed@oceansource.net or call +44 (0)1243 374615

New Frontiers – Baja

Ok, so this place isn’t exactly new but ask anyone east of Manhatten whether they’ve been or even heard to Punta San Carlos (PSC), Baja, and you’re likely to get a subdued response. A pity really as this is one of those places that was created by the powers above and with action junkies in mind…….somewhere spiritual then.

Welcome to Punta San Carlos!

Just over an hour’s flying south of San Diego by private propellor driven plane lies a camp like no other. This is a place that has been caressed and perfected over the year by a couple of ambitious Americans with an undying passion for the sports we love. They have literally made something out of nothing and turned it into one of the most unique experiences you could imagine be it for windsurfers, kitesurfers, SUP’ers, surfers or mountain bikers. A place so special, that when Jem Hall regular Nick Coleman was asked would he return, he simply responded “I’ll jump in a plane tomorrow without any hesitation”.

No mean feat really when you consider the travel time involved but again, its one of these places that seems to grab you without wanting to let go. Its therefore no wonder that UK wavesailing guru Jem Hall has been back 3 times fully loaded with a quiver and 10 very happy clients. This is what he had to say:

“Last August saw me enjoy my 3^rd trip to PSC, Baja and my 2^nd clinic. The first week was the photo-shoot and we kicked off the clinic on week 2. This place holds a special place in my heart and always steps up with the conditions, these are side off winds and waves from waist to logo or mast high, depending on the swell.

Jem Hall smacking another lip

The trip involves a rendezvous in San Diego and then flying down the next day in 4-seater planes to arrive on a dirt runway right next to the camp when you are greeted, fed and in the water in 30 minutes, be it SUPing or wavesailing – straight away my crew and I know this is a special place.

No wind? Time for a SUP...

We had a good swell that lasted for about 10 days of the 2 weeks and my crew learnt how to get out better, where and how to catch waves and of course how to ride them in style. The main break is not that threatening so you can get out or hit the lip and still come out intact, this worked well as 6 of my crew were relatively novice ‘down-the-line’ wavesailors and after a week or so they got right into the groove.

Loving the riding!

During the clinic I would show the previous day’s footage in the morning and either before or after this people would be learning or improving their SUPing / surfing or taking guided MTB rides. The waterperson time really helped them understand waves more, which led to better wavesailing performance for them.

Mountain Biking at PSC

Mountain Biking at PSC

The side off winds that are around force 4 – 6 are not too strong which keeps the waves clean and the sails manageable for riding. There is lots of kit from RRD, Quattro and Goya, with sails from Ezzy and top of the range Streamline booms and the staff and myself are on hand to help you tune.

This trip saw Dave White join me to write a travel feature for Boards Mag and he was, as ever, taking plenty of pics which you may have seen throughout my technique series ‘Wannabe a wavesailor’. The crew really improved their riding and were tasked to smack the lip as often as possible and go for some one-handed top turns and first aerials.

Time-out

Downwind from the main break is a much faster wave at the Chilli Bowl, which the more adventurous sailors took on and enjoyed the faster waves on offer and of course some swimming. The different waves on offer gave me a great opportunity to test my new RRD WaveCult Quad 92 which resulted in smiling faces all round as the board was working great, easy planing, flew upwind, quick and so much speed and grip in the turns.

You sleep in super comfy tents, get a warm shower and are well fed and watered all day / every day, and there are plenty of chill-out areas with shade. The food is amazing and a combo of US style and Mexican cooking and as the sun goes down plenty of tequila and cerveza (beer) is drunk to toast the days action.

Lisa lining-up another rack

I was pushing my sailing hard to get good pics for my technique series but my crew were pushing equally hard so hats off to them and thanks. Well done, Lawrence and Marilyn, Joel and Sue, Jon and Sharon, Clive El Toro, Nick and Jeremy. And a big thanks to the Solosports crew and Oceansource.net for arranging my bookings.

2012 is already filling up and I cannot recommend this place enough for a holiday or a coaching clinic and as they say at down there…you just don’t know until you go : )

For more information or to make a booking enquiry, please visit:
http://www.oceansource.net/windsurfing_in_baja_california.asp

Sharks…what sharks?

Before we inform you of an exciting new business development, we feel its appropriate to update you with some basic facts that will hopefully eradicate any concerns you may have in relation to the recent shark attacks in Sharm El Sheikh.

The areas where we operate our windsurfing and kitesurfing holidays (El Tur and now Moon Beach, Ras Sudr) are located along the Gulf of Suez which is a predominantly shallow lagoon and therefore unsuitable habitat for sharks due to the absence of deep water reefs.

Oceansource Destinations, West Sinai, Egypt

Sharks are attracted to areas with strong currents rich in marine life. Such systems prevail in the area of Sharm El Sheikh where the Gulf of Suez (west Sinai) and Gulf of Aqaba (east Sinai) meet the Red Sea. Hence Sharm has become a global attraction for diving and snorkelling alike, suffice to say that shark attacks are extremely rare in this part of the world.

All we are able to report at our locations are sightings of dolphins, turtles, the odd ray and the usual dose of exotic marine life including Clown Fish, Triggerfish, Groupers and Unicorn Leatherjackets. We have no record of any shark sightings (of any variety) to date so hope this will offer you some peace of mind when it comes to considering Egypt as your next holiday destination.

Anyway, onto business matters now and its our absolute pleasure to inform you that Oceansource has been selected as exclusive UK tour operator for providing windsurf and kitesurfing holidays to the rustic resort of Moon Beach, Egypt. For those who have yet to sample Moon Beach, this location is no newcomer to the scene but has recently changed hands and seen impressive developments.

Turquoise seas and white sands, welcome to Moon Beach!

New owners and new investment has given birth to a completely new windsurf centre and beach bar located literally within a few meters from the water’s edge. Here you can enjoy a sandwich over a cold beer or fresh smoothie whilst you choose the perfect moment to hop back onto your board for yet another blast out to sea (you’ve lost count by this point).

The fabulous (new) Moon Beach beach bar

The conditions at Moon Beach are a blend of reliable cross-shore winds combined with mostly flat on the inside, to bump and jump as you reach further out to sea. Lesser known is that Moon Beach does actually offer decent waves and these can be found breaking into the next bay upwind from the main windsurfing area.

Two other aspects of Moon Beach which one could argue make this resort unique, is that you can enjoy yoga on a daily basis as provided by the fully qualified in-house instructors and perhaps the more documented fact that you can almost be guaranteed to be windsurfing with dolphins. Yes, dolphins can at times be seen in abundance in this part of Egypt and add an exciting dimension to your holiday experience.

Windsurfing with Dolphins

As with El Tur, just two hours south from Moon Beach, the hotel in itself is basic but comfortable, and a welcome experience for those looking to avoid more touristic intensive spots such as Dahab. It really is a great place to relax and unwind without the pressures of tourist associated trades. It may not be the easiest resort to reach due to its isolation, but this shouldn’t detract from a no-nonsense, laid-back vibe that envelopes you within minutes of your arrival at your beachfront chalet.

Beach Chalet

The windsurfing centre at Moon Beach is very impressive indeed and makes use of some of the best brands in the industry. The location on the whole offers something for any level of sailor. Whether you are a complete beginner or advanced windsurfer, the centre’s RYA qualified instructors are on-hand all day every day to provide any group or individual coaching as and when required.

For those looking for a more intensive week of windsurfing, you may want to consider a windsurfing clinic with Phil Richards and Danielle Lucas, in March 2011. This will be a comprehensive, fun-filled week of coaching and entertainment provided by two of the most experienced windsurfers in Egypt. Details here:

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

Freeride Heaven

If you wish to sample Moon Beach for yourself in 2011 then please don’t hesitate to contact us on bookings@oceansource.net or call +44 (0)1243 374614.

By the way, latest news reports indicate that the beaches around Sharm El Sheikh have reopened and are therefore once again deemed to be safe.

Habibi Beach Hotel Opens

I can’t actually believe I’m saying this (drumroll please)………but it’s my absolute pleasure to announce the opening of the long awaited and much anticipated wave beach hotel at Habibi Beach, El Tur, Egypt (officially named the Windhaven Hotel).

Team Oceansource has just returned form a four day stay as the first guests to sample a new standard in windsurfing and kitesurfing holidays at this somewhat spiritual location. Situated just 5 minutes drive upwind from the main hotel and centre in El Tur, the Windhaven enjoys a unique setting characterised by the only true wave beach in Egypt. The location offers spectacular scenery coupled with a sense of isolation and tranquility despite finding itself 10 minutes from the quintessentially Egyptian town of El Tur.

Windhaven Hotel / Copyright Oceansource.net 2010

The hotel boasts 24 detached rooms all decorated to a high standard using the finest Egyptian materials. Each room comes with its own minibar, safe and flat-screen TV offering a broad range of news and entertainment channels. The bathrooms include a full length bath complemented by quality Ideal Standard fixtures and fittings as well as an electrically heated shower.

Windhaven Hotel / Copyright Oceansource.net 2010

The rooms are sold on a half-board basis which includes a continental style breakfast and tasty evening meals that are served at your table – no buffet which makes a welcome change and a testament to the individuality of this hotel.

Egyptian Breakfast / Copyright Oceansource.net 2010

Beware though, if you’re expecting an all singing all dancing family friendly resort a la Swiss Inn Dahab, this isn’t it. The Windhaven is a tastefully styled boutique hotel that offers no particular frills other than fun and relaxation, the elixir of life! This is a place you visit to unwind in spectacular surroundings, a no news no shoes type approach. For those still requiring the digital umbilical cord, rest assured that WIFI Internet access is available within the main hotel building as well as 3G mobile connectivity.

So what’s the crack?

Well, in terms of windsurfing and kitesurfing action, Habibi Beach is a cross-onshore starboard tack location (wind coming from the right). This is by no means a beginner-intermediate venue as there are waves aplenty which can sometimes reach logo high (near the reefs) on big days. Its therefore fair to say that this place seperates the men from the boys especially as its rugged with shallow reefs at both ends of the bay, although one of these can only be reached if you sail well upwind. But, it has a large, shallow sandy section about 750m wide and no shore dump which makes Habibi special and extremely accessible.

Habibi Beach / Copyright Oceansource.net 2010 (Photo: Danielle Lucas)

The waves come rolling in at a gentle pace and with sufficient spacing to allow wide, swooping bottom turns whilst the launch area is protected by an upwind reef making it safe and easy to access without shore-dump. Its an ouststanding spot to get into wavesailing and combined with the flat conditions and point-break that we have down the road in Moses Bay makes El Tur, as we’ve always preached…the ‘Ultimate Windsurfing Playground’.

Contact bookings@oceansource.net or call +44 (0)1243 374615 to book your place now.
For more info, please visit www.oceansource.net