An Ionian sailing holiday


In the afternoons, when the wind gets up, the advanced-level windsurfers show how it’s done


200 private sessions including RYA Dinghy Level 3 and advanced modules in windsurfing, paddleboarding and – very useful for yacht owners – RYA Powerboat Level 2. Andy told me that cruising sailors are particularly keen on Powerboat 2, which he teaches in a RIB. This is the qualification that many sailing clubs require of members who help out with race management and coaching. At my home club, Powerboat 2 holders are in demand for mark-laying, rescue-boat driving and helping with children’s sailing, and the certificate also allows members to use the club launch, so it’s a useful piece of paper to have. The two days of tuition can also be a first step in motorboat driving for anyone thinking of buying their own RIB or motor-cruiser, as well as adding to your sum of knowledge to draw upon when manoeuvring a sailing boat under engine. If you haven’t tried windsurfing you may


had champion sailors who haven’t been able to stand up on a windsurfer.’ Some guests spent the hours when not


sailing either on beach loungers or in the Driftwood bar, but others were activity holiday junkies who spent every moment on a boat, board or bike. My only attempt at biking was the beginners’ session through flat olive groves then into the village for an ice-cream, but Lefkas is perfect for those who are into the sport, with high mountain roads and tracks. One


Heli, and a pair of female sailors had a very enjoyable time at Leda. Both bases also have full kids’ club facilities and offer free RYA courses including Dinghy Level 3 which you can do on an asymmetric- spinnaker boat, learning trapezing, spinnaker handling and racing skills. ’


A couple of nights a week back at Ocean Elements, the chef prepares a feast – Greek specials and spit-roast meats


be in for a surprise if you think it’s a piece of cake for an experienced sailor. Andy said: ‘Sailors’ wind awareness may help, but windsurfing is a different discipline. I’ve


couple we met put Jon and I to shame – up early for the first mountain-bike session, back for a quick breakfast before the morning’s sailing sessions, then back on the bikes in the afternoon for serious bike-miles up and over the mountains of Lefkas. They photographed panoramic views from summits that those who stayed at sea level didn’t get to see. We loved trying out different water sports,


and as keen Laser sailors we enjoyed blasting at breakneck speed in the afternoons, but Vassiliki is not the only Ocean Elements option and some readers might prefer one of the other bases which are focused more fully on sailing than windsurfing. While Vass offers windsurfers a huge


range of the very latest kit, dinghy sailors do not have such a large choice as the more testing conditions do favour boardsailing. If you fancy a big fleet from which to take your pick, as well as more moderate breezes, take a look at the Ocean Elements beach clubs at Porto Heli and Leda. I have first-hand reports on both from friends who visited in 2014: an experienced sailing family with two teenage boys gave high marks to Porto


Practical Boat Owner 584 March 2015 • www.pbo.co.uk


New yachting options It hasn’t taken Ocean Elements long to realise that there are many yacht sailors among its clientele, so this year they are expanding into ‘stay and sail’ holidays offering a week at the Vass or Porto Heli club followed by a week on a charter


boat. (Bareboat-only is also an option.) I’m already dreaming of the summer! As a kind of postscript to our trip,


a couple of months after the holiday I drove to Hamble to meet a new friend I’d made at Vass. When we’d first got talking on the beach she was a bit down in the dumps because, despite being a good yacht crew, she couldn’t get the hang of helming. The first few days of RYA Level 1 only confirmed her feeling of ineptitude, but with a bit of extra help from the instructor she ‘got it’ and was suddenly liberated, able to take out a dinghy and steer it round a course. I went to Hamble for a quick chat before waving her off as she sailed away on a 40-footer – at the helm!


n Ocean Elements www.alpineelements.co.uk Tel 020 3355 6886


Holidays from £480 per person for one week including flights and breakfast. See the Vass club live via webcam (in season) on www.alpineelements.co.uk


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