Award Winning Active Holidays
Wind in your sails, sun on your back
If you're new to water sports and have never set foot on a windsurf board before, or you've got your sights set on becoming a pro, our Beach Clubs are fully equipped with everything you need. Whether your goal is to blast at full speed across the bay or to simply stand on a board without falling in, we have all the kit and tuition you need. Tempted by a windsurfing holiday? Here's what you can expect.
Get in touch and speak with the team and book your windsurfing holiday with Neilson today.
Windsurfing With Us
Inclusive Windsurfing Holidays
Windsurfing With Us
Inclusive Windsurfing Holidays
Windsurfing tuition is included in the cost of your holiday, so dip in and out during the week depending on the wind conditions - and your energy levels. There's no need to pre-book tuition or courses before you travel, just sign up to the sessions once you arrive.
If you can already windsurf, head down to the water sports beach and ask one of the team to show you the boards, rigs and sails. The beach is open every day and will also remain open over lunchtime, so you can windsurf all day during your trip if you want to. Remember, there's always safety cover and help getting back to shore.
Different Ways To Windsurf
Get Out On The Water
Windsurfing Holidays For Families
There's nothing quite like learning something new together, and windsurfing is one of those rare sports the whole family can get stuck into. While the kids are mastering their first uphauls at Hot Shots our multi activity water-based kids' clubs, you can join the adult sessions just along the beach, then swap stories over dinner about who fell in the most. Teenagers aged 14 and over can learn right alongside you, with tuition and kit included.
Find out more about our family activity holidays.
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Windsurfing Holidays For Singles
Travelling solo? A windsurfing holiday is one of the easiest ways to meet like-minded people, because everyone at our Beach Clubs is there to do exactly what you're there to do... get out on the waters and try not to face plant. Join the inclusive group tuition sessions and you'll be rigging up alongside new friends from day one, whether you're a complete beginner or chasing your carve gybe.
Find out more about our activity holidays for singles.
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Our Windsurfing Kit
You won't need to travel with any equipment for your windsurfing trip. At our Beach Clubs, you’ll find boards and rigs for all levels. They're chosen to match the local conditions and brands include the likes of Starboard, RRD and Fanatic. All you need to remember is your board shorts, rash vest and sun cream.
The exact kit list will vary depending on the wind conditions at each Beach Club and the level of tuition offered throughout your windsurfing holiday. Check out the individual Beach Club pages for a guide to the windsurf sails and boards we plan to have available for your use.
Windsurfing For Beginners
If you want to learn how to windsurf during your holiday, inclusive sessions will cover the basics. You'll cover rigging, launching, landing and sailing around a triangular course on all points of sail.
If you're looking to gain your Royal Yachting Association (RYA) 'Start Windsurfing' qualification and certificate, speak to one of our instructors when you arrive. You never know, wind and weather permitting, you could be taking home a qualification along with your suntan.
RYA 'Start Windsurfing' for beginners is available in all Beach Clubs.
Intermediate (non planing) windsurfing
If you're ready to move up a level, you’ll do well to check out the intermediate (non planing) windsurf sessions during your holiday. You'll be fine-tuning basic skills and working to make your windsurfing faster and more fluid. Plus, you can learn new techniques such as beach starts and harness work.
Available in all Beach Clubs, these sessions run throughout the week and cover aspects of the RYA 'Intermediate (non planing) Windsurf' course.
Intermediate (planing) windsurfing
You can already sail on all points in light winds, and you’ve experienced the first part of the intermediate course (non planing). Now’s the time to start building your skills to get the board planing. You’ll work on faster tacks, using the harness and foot straps. There’ll also be sessions on beach starting and carve gybes.
We’ll need a bit of a breeze to get you planing, so head to one of the following Beach Clubs if you want to join the intermediate (planing) windsurf sessions:
- Baia dei Mori Beach Club, Sardinia
- Cosmos, Levante, Messini or Buca Beach Clubs, Greece
Advanced windsurfing
Want to learn to windsurf like a pro? You’ll need the very best wind conditions, so if you’re after advanced windsurfing head to the Cosmos Beach Club. Once there, simply sign up for the sessions you want to join.
Advanced windsurfing is taught in a series of clinics. You’ll be working on advanced planing techniques, the waterstart, carve gybing and other skills such as carving. Session topics will be decided on the day, taking into consideration the wind and weather conditions.
Windsurfing holidays for kids
Planning a windsurfing holiday for the whole family? If your kids love windsurfing, they'll love Hot Shots - a multi-activity water-based kids' club designed for children who are mad for the water.
Day in and day out they will be windsurfing, dinghy sailing, paddle boarding and kayaking with a bunch of other youngsters. The Hot Shots club follows the RYA Youth Scheme and can be booked for a supplement of £250 per week.
Not everybody wants to go to the club and older kids aged 14 years and above can join the adult teaching sessions. Children aged 13 and below can windsurf with a parent or guardian.
Find out more about our kids' clubs.
Our Beach Clubs
Our Top Beach Clubs For Windsurfing
For the best wind conditions, kit and levels of instruction, we recommend booking a holiday to the following Beach Clubs for your windsurfing trip:
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News and Articles
Inspired by Good Energy
From expert tips and travel stories to guest favourites – here's where the energy lives on, long after the beach towels been packed away.
Neilson recommends: best windsurfing in Greece
Windsurfing is an exciting sport which can be enjoyed all over the world in diverse locations from the Caribbean to Africa and Asia. There’s also some awesome windsurfing to be had right on our door step here in the UK and at just a few hours flying time, there is also great windsurfing in Greece. Europe is home to some world-class windsurfing locations, with destinations to suit absolute beginners to those that will excite and challenge the most experienced windsurfers. Greece, in particular offers some amazing locations and conditions for your next fix of windsurfing, there’s plenty for non-windsurfers to do to, so it’s a destination to put a smile on everyone’s face. Here we take a closer look at some hotspots for the best windsurfing in Greece.
A beginner's guide to windsurfing
Thinking of taking up windsurfing? Well you’ve come to the right place. Windsurfing is an exhilarating sport, that you can pick up and start learning whatever your age or ability. With expert tuition, the basics will quickly become second nature and you’ll be wondering why you didn’t start years ago.
Where to go on your next windsurfing holiday
If you love windsurfing, you’re probably looking for more than a beautiful beach or a great hotel. It’s all about choosing a destination with amazing wind conditions! Whether you’re searching for remote, windswept coastlines or buzzing seaside towns full of fellow windsurfers, there are loads of fantastic European destinations for your next windsurfing holiday just a short flight away.Here are our top picks to get you inspired.
What is hydrofoiling?
Whether it’s The America’s Cup, Kites, Windsurfers or Catamarans and Dinghies; its seems that the Hydrofoil has literally taken off in the sport of sailing, as craft of all shapes and sizes take to the skies. We’ve teamed up with former Neilson Instructor and now UK based coach Sam Rossto find out more.
Help and support
Frequently asked questions
Yes, there are many different types of windsurfing - although if you’re a complete beginner, they might all look the same to you! The three main types are wave, freestyle and freeride, and each discipline requires different sails.
When you try out windsurfing at one of our Neilson Beach Clubs, our experienced instructors will take you through everything you need to know. What’s more, we take care of all of the kit, so all you need to do is show up ready to try out something new and have fun!
Although there are similarities between sailing and windsurfing, windsurfing tends to be easier to learn. While they both rely on the wind and share similar terminologie, knowing how to sail doesn’t necessarily mean that you'll know how to windsurf.
That said, even if you’ve never done it before, you’ll be able to pick up the basics relatively quickly after your time at one of our Beach Clubs - especially as windsurfing is an inclusive activity, so you can get regular practice when the wind blows!
Windsurfing is fast to learn with good tuition. Our dedicated instructors will show you the ropes, with our inclusive beginners' courses teaching you all you need to know about rigging, launching, landing and sailing throughout your windsurfing holiday. You could also check out our handy beginner's guide to windsurfing to get a good idea before you arrive.
Feeling confident? You could even work towards your Royal Yachting Association (RYA) 'Start Windsurfing' qualification and certificate whilst you’re here!
Windsurfing is a physical sport, and you’ll need good fitness if you’re an advanced windsurfer. However, people of all abilities and fitness levels can learn how to windsurf for the first time, thanks to our beginner sessions.
If you want to go all out on your windsurfing holiday, our inclusive yoga classes can be a great opportunity to stretch after your session. Alternatively, jump in the pool or sit in the sauna to ease your aching muscles, ready for another day of adrenaline-fuelled holiday adventure.
If you decide windsurfing isn’t for you, we offer plenty of other activities to get stuck into at our Beach Clubs, both water- and land-based. From water skiing to tennis, there’s something for everyone.
Whether you want to learn as a beginner with tuition or you're a seasoned pro ready to take to the water straight away, a Neilson windsurfing holiday can offer the best of both worlds.
Plus, you can choose from several of our Beach Clubs across spectacular destinations in Europe. Each one is known for pristine waters and strong water sports scenes, and all offer facilities suited to different levels.
Treat yourself to a windsurfing holiday with plenty of inclusive activities to take advantage of. If you choose your Beach Club wisely, you could even make the most of a spa and wellness area thrown into the mix. We know how to play hard and relax even harder!