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So what can teens and kids get up to on a Wildwind holiday? With and without mum and dad
Wildwind is the perfect place for families to kick back and enjoy their holiday time together or turn up the dial and take on more challenging sailing conditions. From relaxed meals at the water’s edge, pool time high jinks to grabbing the opportunity to try out different boats for a team sail round Vassiliki Bay: Wildwind has it all.
Discounts for Teens and Kids
As Wildwind is the family sailing holiday you all really want rather than the budget option there are discounts to support the whole family being able to benefit from all we have to offer - both on and off the water. There is an automatic €150 discount on a one week holiday and €245 on a two week holiday for teens aged 13 to 17 years. Double discounts apply for Kids from 6-12 years: so €295 on a one week holiday and €475 on a two week holiday.
Wildwind Teens and Kids Club
Parents sometimes, however, deserve some all so valuable ‘me-time’ and the younger family members hanker after spreading their wings on their own independent adventures. Our Teens and Kids Club is free of charge and open every day for all kids aged 6 to 17. Youngsters of all ages and sailing ability - from total beginners to aspiring Olympians on RYA squads - will relish getting to grips with new racing techniques or learning to sail in the safe, azure water of Vassiliki Bay.
There’s no set schedule as we tailor the activities each week to best suit the ages, abilities, interests and aspirations of the particular children and teenagers with us (we may even listen to desperate pleas from parents!). One week we might run an intense week of sailing, coaching children through any RYA level, while other weeks we will focus solely on water confidence and ensure kids are having the best time they can on the water. Most of the time, there’s a mix of the two: we might spend one morning with each child in their own boat practicing manoeuvres and playing sailing games, while the next we’re surfing paddle boards and doing handstands on the trapeze!
So what will the younger family members be getting up to whilst you launch for an adrenaline sail or grab a wine by the pool? They will get to try their hand in simple beginner dinghies and Hobie Cats to more advanced boats if more experienced. Apart from sailing? Everything from swimming, model boat making challenges (of course demonstrating the five essentials), pool and beach games and those all important ice creams to a trip to the water park. You will listen with envy to tales of their adventures on mini sailaways to Barbecue Beach further along the bay for a snorkel. The key element we focus on is that whatever they are doing they are enjoying themselves.
You will be able to relax and do your own thing knowing the kids are in safe hands from 10am to 1.30pm and then from 2.30pm until 5pm. Let us take the weight and cater for when little Jimmy wants to spend as much time on the water as possible, while junior Julie is adamant she only wants to swim and go to the inflatable water park. Dedicated instructors are on hand for when the going gets tough and the tough just need an ice cream. And with our substantial discounts of up to €475 a head for Teens and Pre-teens you can afford all the ice creams their little hearts desire… For more information please see our website.
Youth RYA courses
Those who wish to can also choose to do one of the youth specific RYA Start Sailing Stage 1, 2, 3 or 4 courses and return home proudly brandishing a new certificate. More experienced youngsters are welcome to sign up for more advanced courses such as RYA Start Racing or Sailing with Spinnakers: the list is a long one. Our RYA Training Centre Certification covers 22 (yes, you read that right!) RYA courses available at Wildwind.
As a shy junior who has grown up at Wildwind and who went on to be on RYA National Squads comments: it’s a relaxed way to get your qualifications under your belt without hanging around waiting for a weather window to launch and to do them quickly.
Kids who already have some experience in the RYA youth classes will be coached individually, taking into account their ambition and ability. It goes without saying that a keen eye is always on them for maximal safety.
Independence
If they would prefer to do some more sailing in the afternoon rather than go to the pool with the Teens and Kids Club they can join in with the standard sailing programme or go for high wind joyrides with a staff member (NB: only available for under 18’s in green or yellow flag conditions). Under 18s are also more than welcome to join in the normal adult sailing groups if they would like more structure for their sailing. The Teens and Kids Club sailing will still allow for RYA courses but the aim is to have them sailing generally and have them out on the water as much as possible and having the most amount of fun.
Out and about with mum and dad
Outside the Teens and Kids Club with you on hand to supervise the family can grab free paddleboards anytime from 8 am until the wind picks up. The flat water in the bay is ideal for an expedition or learning the ropes!! We also have childrens’ bikes and small frame bikes available for use with parents to go exploring together. Our fleet of bikes is spanking new this year and kept in top condition with daily checks and maintenance.
Take a look at this video to hear what two very relaxed looking mums said about their family holiday at Wildwind.
Ocean Explorers
If one of the clan is a budding Greta, an Attenborough fan or currently hyped by all things Little Mermaid 2023 we also have the optional Ocean Explorer programme on Wednesday and Thursday mornings at a 15% discount for Wildwind clients. These cover everything from marine conservation and the ecology of Vassiliki Bay to underwater e-scooters, snorkeling and scuba diving. For more information please see here.