Shore Based and Learn to Sail Holidays

Specialist Reports Activity Holidays Boating/Sailing Holidays Bareboat Charters Shore Based and Learn to Sail Holidays Neilson 

	Neilson
120 St George's Road, Brighton, East Sussex BN2 1EA			MAP
tel: (0870) 909 9099

Sets up centres at places where sailing is safe and looks for a range of accommodation options which leave visitors free to socialise or be independent as they wish. Considered by some in the business one of the best operations for learning.

Where

Nine of Neilson's 11 resorts in Grenada, Greece, Turkey and Spain.

What Taught

Sailing (yachting and dinghy) and windsurfing. (Mountain biking also offered with full size bikes only.) Instruction, matched to ability, is included in the price.

What Equipment

Prides itself on providing enough high quality windsurfers and dinghies for everyone to use, including children's windsurfers and dinghies.

For Children

Starfish Club 4 months to 2 years at 11 centres through the season six days a week mornings and afternoons during adult sailing and cycling session only (normally 10am to 5pm except at lunch time which is not supervised). All nannies are NNEB or equivalent qualified. The operator aims to maintain a ratio of one nanny to every two children and will try to ensure each child receives continuity of care with the same carer throughout the holiday. Facilities include indoor and outdoor play areas in most centre, cots, high chairs and nappy changing facilities. Some toys and games are supplied but families are encouraged to bring their own favourites. Staff will arrange drinks and snacks during the day for which there will be a charge.
All children attending receive a personalised Urchin Sac with sun cream and a Sea Urchin cap to protect from the sun. There is also a mobile listening device on loan to parents for the stay. Staff try to allocate parents with these rooms close enough to enable reception.

Sea Urchins 2-5 years operates 9.30am to 5.30pm six days a week at eight centres throughout the season. Supervised lunches are available, meals to be paid for locally. Activities are by the pool, on the beach at an allocated area or indoors for shade and changing facilities. Toys, games, building blocks, books, sandpits and paddling are offered. Staff work alongside the more qualified Starfish staff.
All children attending receive a personalised Urchin Sac with sun cream and a Sea Urchin cap to protect from the sun. There is also a mobile listening device on loan to parents for the stay. Staff try to allocate parents with these rooms close enough to enable reception.

Surfbusters 5-13 years operates at eight centres during school half term weeks and from mid June to mid September 9.30am to 5.30pm six days a week. The club is also arranged outside these times subject to demand.

Activities involve dinghy sailing and windsurfing with games, mystery trips and regattas. Younger children and non swimmers are offered water play and dinghy rides. There is also for example painting, beach games, walks, treasure hunts sing songs and picnics. There is also some windsurfing and sailing tuition, though Hot Shots is for the more serious.

Meals and drinks are payable locally but staff supervise lunch times and a couple of evenings a week to 7.30pm. Once a week there is an evening group meal for children to 9.30pm.

Hot Shots 8-13 years run at six centres during summer school holidays for young, aspiring sailors with RYA qualified instructors and leading to RYA Junior awards for the competent.

Safety nets can be requested along with child harnesses on yachts for children under 3 years.

Baby listening devices can also be provided.

All nannies have off road push chairs to carry children safely in the resort.

In resort a Baby Booster kit costing £50 per week features, a fridge in your room through the holiday, a microwave in your room for warming feeds, a bottle steriliser, a chair style baby bouncer, a kettle in your room, a changing mat, and enough disposable Eco-friendly nappies for the holiday. High chairs and cots are supplied from the UK and are charged at £5 per item per week. Also available may be baby baths.
Sun Protection suits are available from the Neilson store (0870) 333 3601.

Accommodation

With the exception of Bitez, all Neison's centres have family rooms or adjoining rooms specifically for families. In Spain there are also apartments offering self-catering for families. In Porto Heli in Greece there is a new dedicated family unit of eight purpose-built family rooms for half board stays. The hotel also has a new kids pool in addition to its existing one.

Cost of Care

£75-£115 per week depending on resort and dates.

Sample Price

A week on a Surf and Cycle holiday at one of the Greek centres is from £609 per adult. You can pay £20 extra per person per week to have a fridge in your room. Three sharing a family room costs an extra £30 per person per week while children 2-13 travelling with an adult get 20% off the cost of their holiday.