what do we need for watersports hol in Aug in Greece

[virginemails]

Trying to think what we might need to pack for windsurfing/sailing holiday with teens/tweens who are not used to heat and are fair.

Normally we holiday in the UK so trying to think of things that wont be on my normal list such as snorkling equipment, safety buoy for open water swims, neoprene shoes, dry bag, cooling towels, rash vests, sunglasses and lanyard, hats/caps, we already use factor 50 sun tan lotion and block for lips.

Do we use lanyard for caps too for sailing? sailing gloves even though hot? Plus anything different if not doing water sports especially tips re keeping cool/protected from sun.

Thank you

** We used to do Nielsen when dd was a teen, happy days!

Do we use lanyard for caps too for sailing? sailing gloves even though hot?

I'd say yes to both.

Board shorts to go with the rash vests obviously.
In terms of footwear, we found we often windsurfed or sailed barefoot and just left a pair of cheap sandals on the shore.

Based on our Mark Warner / Nielsen holidays

Yes to clip on hats, we use the ones which clip from the back of the hat onto your top. I prefer those to the lanyard ones.

As @ErrolTheDragon says, board shorts are a must as are rash vests

It depends on where you’re sailing for footwear. I would usually be barefoot unless you’re in an area where there might be sea urchins and you might capsize / fall off. We had that one year and it was miserable! We tend to pack a pair of light neoprene dinghy boots just in case.

Sailing gloves - I would say it depends how intensely you expect to be sailing. They just annoy me in the heat I have to say!

I think the biggest thing is to go in with the mindset of trying not to be out on the water during peak sun hours if at all possible.

** Yeah, I'd take the neoprene windsurfing shoes for sure

I think the biggest thing is to go in with the mindset of trying not to be out on the water during peak sun hours if at all possible.

Iirc at Nielsen they don't allow sailing over lunchtime which helps with that.

@ErrolTheDragon now you say that, it rings a bell!

If you’re going to a resort like Mark Warner / Nielsen then they’re pretty good about looking after you and not letting you be silly.

Gosh I feel under prepared for our holiday now!

If you are doing a Neilson/Mark Warner you won’t need a tow float for swimming, they only really encourage swimming in a designated area which is watched by the lookout tower. Unless you’re crazy like me and get up super early to distance swim.

Wetsuit shoes are a preference thing, I wear them (just cheap supermarket ones) as I’m fair skinned so protect against the sun, my DH doesn’t. Dry bag is only useful if you think you’ll be on the water for hours, generally you can stuff anything like lipblam in the buoyancy aid and water bottle into the boat. If they will be learning on a pico/laser they don’t have somewhere to stuff it, so one on a lanyard with a clip could be useful.

We take two sets of board shorts/rash vest, pegs are also useful for hanging out to dry, resorts are often breezy.

Unless you’re crazy like me and get up super early to distance swim.

I think the norm is to get someone to go with you in a kayak or SUP

Proper sunglasses for the kids with a back strap.

any other thoughts?

what about mosquito repellent? What works?

Mosquito repellents and treatments were the topic for yesterdays 'best thing since sliced bread' on radio 4 yesterday. Citronella was ineffective, DEET and two or three others do work, I can't remember their names offhand but they summarised near the end if you want to check.
We've never had a problem with them anyway - we don't leave windows open at night, and would run one of those room diffuser things while we were having dinner if we thought there might be any in the room.

Jungle formula brand is good though I've not had issues with bites in Greece myself. Get waterproof sunscreen and a strap for sunglasses. A dry bag for valuable's that float are good too

Deet.

And at the risk of stating the obvious, just double-check that your travel insurance covers you for everything that you want to do.

Sounds like a great holiday, have fun!

Good point - one year the insurance recommended by Nielsen covered the sailing and windsurfing fine, but excluded something dd might want to do - can't remember if it was wakeboarding or something like banana boats (the sort of thing Nielsen don't do but usually available from a local firm and the sort of thing the youngsters go off and do).