Club Vass - the best windsurfing centre in the world?|Travel & Location Reports|Forums|Hickling Windsurfing Club

Club Vass, Vassiliki, Greece – a fantastic windsurfing holiday location.

I know that many members have had holidays at ‘Vass’ which has to be the most professional and well catered windsurfing centre in Europe, if not the world. Vass is run and staffed largely by Brits and attracts some of the best windsurfing instructors in the UK, including UK freestyle champions and those that compete on the world tour.

After a 4 year break, Wendy and I have just returned from a fantastic week at Vass, and I thought it would useful to do a mini-write up for those who are unfamiliar with this awesome windsurfing playground in the sun. It comes highly recommended.

The powerhouse for the wind is ‘Eric’ the local thermal phenomenon that kicks in during the afternoons producing F3 to F7 winds. In the morning it’s largely on shore F1 to 2, so ideal for beginners especially as its shallow and sandy for about 40m from the shore. In the afternoon its great for intermediates and advanced levels. The beauty of this location is that the conditions are suitable for everyone, so ideal for families where perhaps mum and dad want to learn more advanced windsurfing skills while the children are absolute beginners. There is also a crèche, and kids windsurfing club. Alternatively, other family members can laze on the beach, swimming pool or chill out in the bar/terrace. For the more adventurous there are also guided mountain bike trips. All bikes, windsurfing equipment and instruction are included in the price. And what an impressive range of kit, there must be 150 brand new boards and 300 sails, rigged and ready to go, and all the kit gets replaced each year. All sails are on skinny masts and sub 6m sizes on 100% carbon masts.

I guess the pupil to instructor ratio is about 8 to 1 so be assured there will be a group suitable for your level. It’s this group of instructors and their support staff that make this such a fun packed holiday, they love being out there and make excellent hosts. The club BBQ night is guaranteed to be a night full of humour and unforgettable. Most of the staff windsurf in their ‘time-off’ and are very capable windsurfers. At one point the wind was too windy for all but the most competent windsurfers, and we were treated to an amazing display of loops, flackers, spocks and other fancy moves just off the beach.

Vassaliki has a picturesque unspoilt harbour brimming with good restaurants and is a great place to eat in the evenings.

A couple of very special windsurfers were also there – Dave White (who opened our new changing rooms) was running his ‘speed week’ training so I joined this course. Bryony Shaw, Bronze Olympic medal holder was chilling out in preparation for the London 2012 – what an amazing endorsement for the centre. Bryony had won the slalom race by the time the 2nd place had only completed about half the course. What an amazing athlete.
Most of the people we spoke to had been there before. We will be back again next year!

Dave is also a very talented photographer – I love these pictures as for me they portray what windsurfing is all about – see what you think.
http://www.davewhite.me/news/2…..bVass.html

http://www.clubvass.com