Simon Winkley - Windsurf Coaching Weeks

Bookings are now open for windy-season Coaching Weeks at our Surf Hotel Beach Club in Vassiliki in 2018. Choose from 17-24 June, 24 June-1 July or go for the 2-week deal.

Call us for our latest prices on 020 3949 8363

Who is the course for?

Anyone who has done a little bit since their beginner course would be very welcome as would those working towards more competence in speed and carving manoeuvres. Coaching time is apportioned as carefully as possible to help all the group to progress.

There’s no limit to learning. If someone feels that they are fully up to speed with carve tacks, for example, then Simon will get them doing it quicker, smoother and more efficiently, perhaps on smaller boards and perhaps adding in heli-tacks or upwind 360s. He is always keen to work with those who have been away from windsurfing for a while and want to get back into it but maybe need help to understand the latest kit and techniques.

Who is Simon Winkley?

At heart, like the majority of windsurfers, Simon is a freerider and, as such, wants to share his love of cruising around the warm, clear waters of Vassiliki with others keen to improve their game.

Simon Winkley is a top windsurfing coach who is a regular out in our Beach Club in Vassiliki. He is a Team Rider for Starboard and Severne (the brands used in our beach Club in Vassiliki) and a technique writer for Windsurfing UK magazine.

He trains our staff to become qualified as RYA Instructors and runs guest Coaching Weeks which cover the whole spectrum of intermediate to early-advanced skills (tacking, gybing, getting up to speed, blasting, beachstarts, waterstarts and carve gybes, achievable freestyle).

How does the coaching week work?

Coaching Week guests arrive on Sundays on the regular weekly transfer and, after being welcomed and briefed by Simon and the OE team, can go out windsurfing to blow the cobwebs off.

The next day is the first of 6 full coaching days which are included in the holiday cost. Light-wind mornings typically have a relaxed feel with a look at video/GoPro footage of the day before plus simulator coaching or kit tuning then getting afloat to work on core skills. Windy afternoons aim to work on confidence-building, new skills and refinements in the famous Vassiliki cross-shore! Days draw to a close with social drinks/beers, laughs and stories of great endeavor before eating out together either at our Surf Hotel or in one of the many wonderful restaurants in and around Vassiliki.

There’s no pressure at all to participate in every session or to attend socials yet most people prefer to get involved as it’s a great way to have a fun holiday and to share positive experiences with a like-minded group.

What else is included?

Coaching Week guests are full OE guests and have use of the all the Beach Club facilities as well as FREE usage of SUPs, dinghies, MTBs and bike guiding.

Repeat bookings are common as the guests have so much fun, make great progress and leave with an even greater passion for windsurfing than they arrived with! Here is feedback from two 2017 Coaching Week guests who have re-booked for 2018:

“Having not windsurfed for 10 years a friend convinced me to sign up for a weeks windsurfing tuition with Simon Winkley in Vassiliki. I was extremely apprehensive - would I be back to being a beginner and would I make an idiot of myself? I needn’t have worried…after just one day of Simon’s instruction I was back to where I had left my windsurfing 10 years ago and from day 2 onwards things just improved." Andy

“I had the best windsurfing holiday ever as Simon's enthusiasm and constant energy for coaching is so inspiring. His style is rich in detail yet explained and demonstrated in an easy to understand and entertaining way. We all received bespoke analysis of our technique throughout the week and I came away with numerous ideas and tips to help me to continue my progression. Looking forward to 2018!” Maria