Sailing break will give you wings

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By Mark Stevenson, 30/05/2010

IF you're sick of spending your hols lying by the pool, piling on the pounds, here's a trip that will leave you shipshape.

Wildwind holidays, based on the beautiful Greek island of Lefkas, offer unique sailing breaks for novices like me as well as for expert seamen.

But if you don't fancy hitting the high seas they also put on a Healthy Options programme designed for those who want to take it easy. It includes yoga and pilates among the fitness classes as well as guided walks, bike rides and relaxing boat trips where you are NOT the crew.

But if you want to do a mix of the two at their base in the beautiful Vassiliki bay, that's okay too.

I quickly decided you can't beat sailing in the glorious Greek sunshine to recharge the batteries.

But even though my sailing experience was previously limited to the Gourock to Dunoon ferry, the instructors still had me out at sea in just a few minutes.

My excellent, and very patient, teacher Matt explained: "We don't like to spend too long boring clients with theory on land. We prefer to have you on the water and get you doing it for real."

And BOUY did he mean it! Although I didn't know my stern from my starboard, Matt had me driving (sorry, helming) a 15ft catamaran within the hour.

I was soon confidently tacking and jibing (turning left and right to the likes of you and me) and by the end of the week I was competing in a match race.

The centre takes a laid-back approach to learning and every guest is assigned an instructor for the week.

They can teach you to sail up to the Royal Yachting Association's Level Five and many of them are top racers.

Matt, a former Marks & Spencer manager who jacked in his job for a life at sea, said: "It's your holiday. You tell us what you want to do, and we'll do all we can to accommodate you. We can give you as much tuition as you like, for as long as you like. Or if you want to chill out by the pool, that's fine too."

On the first day we were taught basic techniques, wind positions and other essentials. It was baffling stuff.

But with one-on-one tuition from Matt on the Hobie 15 catamaran - one of their 57 boats that range from kids' Laser Picos to Olympic-class dinghies - he really helped me gain my confidence on the water.

Tucked away in a quaint little bay where the brilliant blue water glistens in dazzling sunshine, Vassiliki claims to be the best sailing spot in Europe. It has superb winds, a great climate and a beautiful setting.

In the morning, light breezes provide the perfect conditions to practise under the watchful eyes of the instructors.

After lunch it's time for Eric to come out to play. Eric is the famous Vassiliki wind - named after the French windsurfing champ Eric Beale, who only surfaced in the afternoon because of his raging hangovers.

With Westerlies of Force 5-7, school was out for the day and it was joyride time.

This lets you try the breath-taking thrills of trapezing - hanging off the side of a fast boat attached to a harness with sea spray blasting up at you.

It was one of the scariest but most exhilarating experiences of my life. My legs turned to jelly as I strained to keep my feet on the slippery rubber side of the catamaran, which hoisted me terrifyingly up into the air. The salt stung my eyes and there were red grooves on my hands from clinging on so tightly to the ropes.

And this was also my first experience of a capsize - when I lost my footing and went flying round the back of the boat, taking out my instructor with me. The sight of a 15ft boat flying back over you isn't for the fainthearted and it left me quivering in the water from shock.

But when my instructor roared: "Awesome capsize dude!" I realised I was starting to earn my sailing stripes.

Wildwind also work with Club Vass, the world's largest windsurfing school, who are just along the beach.

So Wildwind owner Simon Morgan - the son of an Olympic silver medallist and ranked in the world's top 50 sailors - makes sure nobody is disappointed. More than 70 per cent of his customers book again.

Accommodation is in self-catering apartments set in landscaped gardens near the beach, and those who want a break from the water can get involved with the great Healthy Options package.

With a whole host of well-being treats on offer, the pampering programme is ideal for those wanting some quality "me time" in the Greek sunshine.

And the ethos of "get involved with as much or as little as you like", means you can chose to make it the main focus of your Wildwind stay, or mix it in with sailing adventures.

You can also take some organised kayaking around the bay and camp overnight, while the aqua safari was another highlight and a good way to see more of the island. One of the snorkelling sites gives you the most spectacular view of the hundreds of little fish swimming beneath you. You might even spot a dolphin.

When the water is calm it's also worth trying paddle boarding - one of the fastest-growing sports in the world. You stand up on a big surf board and move forward using a long paddle. Sounds simple enough.

But beware, it's more difficult than it looks. And if you're on the heavier and taller side like me, you could well be spending a lot of time in the water. I certainly did.

Wildwind offers a choice between two hotels that are owned by separate Greek families, but all the facilities are shared, so the differences between the accommodation are minimal. The food served in both is top drawer.

And after a long day on the water, Wildwind's party atmosphere really comes to life with several evenings hosted by the two families and the centre staff. The barbecue is the most infamous of them - when talented instructors and local bands play into the early hours.

The other nights out included a welcome meal, cocktail and curry night, and a farewell dinner with a comedy prize- giving in the entertaining Zeus Bar. Here I was lucky enough to scoop my only award of the trip - for managing to go a whole day with my wet suit on the wrong way round!

On the other nights you can eat in the hotels or stroll ten minutes down the pebbled beach to one of the waterside tavernas in the harbour, where there are also lots of shops and bars.

Every eaterie offers a lip-smacking choice of delights including tzatziki

(cucumber and yoghurt dip with garlic), calamares (squid), souvlaki (kebabs), moussaka (meat and aubergine pie) and keftedes (herby meat balls).

And if you want to really pig out, I'd recommend having a meze, where the chef cooks up everything in the kitchen.

With the vast quantities of tasty grub being consumed, it was surprising I managed to stay afloat to do any sailing, but luckily Wildwind's boats are made of sturdy stuff.

Lefkas is the least developed of the larger Ionian Islands and retains its Greek charm with mountain villages, small fishing harbours and superb beaches. Riots? What riots? Anything that's happened on the mainland has completely passed this place by.

The mountainous west coast has some of the most attractive smaller resorts, such as the pretty village of Ai Nikitas and the picture-postcard bay of Porto Katsiki. It's well worth hiring a car (for around 40 euros) and checking them out.

So, if an activity break is what gets you going, sailing with the Wildwind crew could be just the thing to do.

And if you're a beginner like me, they'll make getting out on the water a total breeze.

THE News of the World's readers can bag themselves a fab £50 discount on a Wildwind holiday - meaning a week's self-catering including seven days' sailing and instruction for up to six days costs from £599, including flights from Gatwick and transfers. A week on the Healthy Options programme costs £499 and includes fitness classes, walks, bike rides, aqua safari and taster sessions in sailing, kayaking, paddle boarding and one massage. The watersports option, covering windsurfing, scuba diving, kayaking and aqua safari, costs from £599 for one week.