Welcome to Mumsnet's holiday forum. Discuss all international travel here, including both shorthaul and longhaul trips. Related topics: UK holidays & day trips, skiing, camping & campervans.
Welcome to Mumsnet's holiday forum. Discuss all international travel here, including both shorthaul and longhaul trips. Related topics: UK holidays & day trips, skiing, camping & campervans.
Holidays
Anyone done a Sailing or kayaking holiday
peoplepleaser1 · 31/12/2019 11:57
Id love to do a kayaking holiday with DH and DS (13), we all love water sports. DS has done formal kayak skills courses, DH and I are self taught but happy to take fo atm course if necessary.
We've all sailed a little but no one is skilled at it so we couldn't skipper a boat alone.
I've had a google but would love some thoughts and recommendations if possible.
Looking at August, for a week or 2, ideally Europe as DH likes to be 'abroad'. Devon is a possibility though as we have access to accommodation there.
MikeUniformMike · 31/12/2019 12:02
I haven't but I read an article on a sailing holiday, and about 20 yrs ago a colleague went on a sailing holiday in the Aegean.
Both said it was a lot of work.
Obviously, I am no expert but I'd do my research and read reviews.
DianaT1969 · 31/12/2019 13:04
You could combine a gulet cruise in Turkey (starting in Kalkan perhaps) with white water rafting in Antalya's Beskonank area. Relaxing on the Gulet cruise, maybe stopping off at a Greek island, with a one day easy river rafting day (fun in April)May or September/Oct and suitable in difficulty for kids). Water is low in July/August, so the river might seem too easy then.
confusednorthner · 31/12/2019 13:09
We went on a Ocean Elements holiday a couple of years ago, lots of options for water sports and we really enjoyed it.
midsomermurderess · 02/01/2020 17:48
I did a few years ago, a firm based out of Barra. It was pretty awful. We got next to no guidance or training, even though it was a beginners group. It was the end of the season and I think the leader just couldn't be bothered. I hated it, never felt safe. But after all these years I'd consider it again, but somewhere warm. Just choose the outfit you go with very carefully.
PandancerandRabbitoplh · 02/01/2020 19:31
Not done a sailing or kayaking holiday but done lots of kayaking / watersports on holiday.
Went to Norway this summer and there's lots of kayaking on fjords there and some house rentals come with boats.
peoplepleaser1 · 03/01/2020 10:56
Thank you for your thoughts, I'll check out the suggestions (and the places to avoid).
snowgirl1 · 03/01/2020 14:57
We've been on a Neilson holiday - they provide lots of watersports equipment (sailing dingy, windsurf boards, SUPs, kayaks) and tuition was included in the cost of the holiday. Plus land-based sports too. Might not be adventurous enough for you if your son has done a kayak skills course?
billybagpuss · 03/01/2020 15:00
Probably a bit further than you were thinking of but these guys were amazing, and being desert you just sleep under the stars
www.lakepowellhiddencanyonkayak.com/
Serin · 03/01/2020 17:16
Helford river sailing club run sailing courses, our DC did one a few years back and loved it. They arent residential so we hired a cottage nearby.
reefedsail · 03/01/2020 17:25
Andrew Simpson Watersports have a centre on Lake Garda which looks amazing.
aswc.co.uk/activities/holidays/
IHaveBrilloHair · 03/01/2020 17:29
I did kayaking in the Ardeche as a teen with no prior experience.
It was PGL holiday but possibly similar exists for families?
It was amazing, so much fun and stunning scenery.
Ylvamoon · 03/01/2020 17:38
I did a fantastic sailing holiday on a Tall Ship many moons ago... but i don't think it's available as a family type holiday any more.
Maybe Google can help if you fancy "proper sailing".
JuniperBeer · 03/01/2020 17:43
You could do a Neilson or Mark Warner type holiday.
Or go somewhere like Lake Garda. Riva Del Garda at the northern tip- du lac sailing club run courses for sailing/ wind surfing/ kayaking etc. Get an air bnb or hotel, you've got the freedom of cheap restaurants around, and can chill out in and around the lake too!
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