100 Loops for W4CR
W4CR 50 loop challenge from John Palmer on Vimeo.
Jamie Drummond
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Boards Windsurfing » Windsurfing News
Esso Sesho with Jamie Drummond
Jamie Drummond ventures out into the cold for one of his final British winter windsurfs before he jets off to start the season with Ocean Elements in Greece. Here’s a couple of shots and some words from Jamie, check out his blog here for more!
“Cold conditions in the UK at the moment – winter just doesn’t want to relinquish its grip and there is even talk of snow at Easter! Luckily I won’t be around for that as I fly to Greece two weeks today. I’m really looking forward to getting back on the water in Vass, but in the meantime, here’s a few shots from a recent session at the Esso Garage on Hayling Island. It was absolutely freezing! I might have to invest in some winter boots :p”
All images courtesy of Mr. Josh Guard Eames Esq.
Jamie Drummond
Jamie Drummond
Jamie Drummond
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Boards Windsurfing » Windsurfing News
NO PROOF, NO GLORY
NO PROOF, NO GLORY
Muvi camera distributors Watersports World signed Freestyler Jamie Drummond as their windsurfing representative, as-seen in this edit featuring all their riders from windsurfing, kitesurfing and wake boarding.
Muvi Action Cameras & No Proof No Glory – WSW Team Intro from watersportsworld on Vimeo.
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Windsurf Magazine
Ocean Elements Head of Operations – New Job Opportunity!
Fancy a summer in the sun? Ocean Elements are looking to appoint a new talented person as head of operation in Greece.
Ocean Elements
Head of Operations Greece
Alpine Element, a medium size tour operator specialising in summer and winter activity holidays is seeking to expand our Team in Greece.
The Head of Operations is instrumental in ensuring the smooth running of the Greek resort. You will be super organised and be able to easily multitask.
This is a very varied role which has duties ranging from the operational set up at the beginning of the season, employee management, overseeing the Beach Program to responding to questions and queries from the UK office.
You will be a natural leader and motivator who will take charge of the team and inspire them to have a passion for what they do and the delivery of a seamless service.
You will ensure that all problems within your resort are dealt with quickly and efficiently, and that nothing is ever too much trouble.
Duties and Responsibilities: (this list is not exhaustive)
- Hotel management
- Operational staff recruitment
- Operational staff management
- Quality control (beach and hotel)
- Customer Service, complaints handling
- Extras / Excursions sales and revenue streams (commission led)
- Involvement with marketing literature, brochures, website etc.
- Arranging Beach license and Boat paper work
- Renewal of RYA Training Centre credentials
- Overseeing RYA regulations and ensuring program conforms to RYA and Port Police regulations
- Ensuring programme meets RYA Hotel & Beach programme set up to run to RYA standards
- Banking
- Accounts and office admin (with resort accountant and our firm of accountants)
- Local licensing, legal and administrative duties (with help from agent)
- Supervision of bars and tills
- Supervision of kitchen and food quality
- Ensuring we maintain budgets for in-resort revenue (spend per guest)
- Implementing full health and safety controls for hotel and beach
- Implementation of product and beach programme to include:
Sailing instruction (windsurf, dinghy)
Operation of support boat
Kit maintenance
Paddle boards and kayaks
Bike guiding and bike rentals
Vehicle back up and support
Kids Club for 2 age groups
- Ensuring upkeep and maintenance of hotel pool & grounds
Skills
- Significant experience in multi-site hospitality management (Minimum 3 yrs preferred)
- Proven track record in Customer Service skills
- Experience of “Seasonal start up” situations
- Excellent people management skills
- Good communication and organisational skills
- Extensive knowledge in Health & safety and food hygiene
- Minimum 2 years’ experience in a specialist tour operator environment
- Product knowledge
- Strong problem solving skills & Excellent attention to detail
- Demonstrate ability to communicate accurately, clearly and concisely with the rest of the business
- Ability to meet deadlines, often under pressure
- Demonstrate ability to work effectively as a member of the team and proactively contribute to company goals
Package
Basic salary: £22,000 + £3,000 (based on customers questionnaire results, performance, revenue sales)
Accommodation, travel to resort and insurance provided.
Seven months contract with possibility of permanent
Start date: 18/03/2013
Please send your CV with a covering email telling us why you are the person for the job to jobs@alpineelements.co.uk
Due to the high volume of applicants, only successful candidates will be contacted.
NO AGENCIES PLEASE
Find out more about Ocean Elements here.
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Boards Windsurfing » Windsurfing News
WHAT’S NEW FOR OCEAN ELEMENTS 2013
<PRESS RELEASE>
OCEAN ELEMENTS GREECE | 2013 WINDSURFING CENTRES
Our Vassiliki centre opens its doors for a third year on May 5th. One of the big upgrades we are making this year is rigging everything up to 5.7 on skinny masts – improving the performance of the already excellent Tushingham rigs.
The windsurf rack is going to be even fuller this year! With a huge selection of boards ranging from 82 litres right up to 250 litre beginner boards, there is something for everybody to enjoy. For our advanced sailors, freeride, slalom, freestyle and freewave boards will leave you with plenty of choice. A full kit list can be found HERE:
TUITION
ll kit is obviously free for you to use at any time but the way to get the most out it is to join in with on of the FREE tuition groups. From complete beginners, to harness work, improving turns, carve gybes and right up to jumps, loops and freestyle – our inclusive RYA tuition will have something for everybody.
KIDS’ CLUBS
For any keen kids under 13, our awesome Youth Squad has gotten even better this year. The Squad will now spend a full day on the water, perfecting their skills in dinghy sailing, windsurfing and kayaking. Not everybody is watersports mad, so for the little ones who want to take it a bit easier, the inclusive Sea Tigers and Sea Urchins have them covered. More on Kids Clubs.
NIDRI
Expanding for the second year in a row, we have added a second centre to our programme. Nidri, located just 20 minutes up the road from Vassiliki, generally has calmer conditions. The emphasis here will be more on dinghy sailing, with an extended fleet of boats. From the humble Pico to exciting trapeze performance boats, there will again be something for everyone. Plenty of local islands offer the opportunity for day sails and exploring – an opportunity we will be making the most of everyday!
Windsurfing tuition will run for Start and Intermediate Non Planing level (Level 1 and 2), with plenty of beginner boards and some big freeride kit for cruising in the force 2-4 winds.
NO WIND, NO WORRIES
What else? Bar the plethora of windsurfing and dinghy kit on offer in both resorts, there is also a great selection of Paddleboards and Kayaks for all to use. Powerboat tuition is available too, for anyone who might prefer petrol to wind power! Back on land, there are top bikes from Kona and Specialized and daily guided rides around the beautiful island of Lefkas.
<ENDS/>
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Windsurf Magazine
Ocean Elements Gearing up for 2013!
It’s not too long now, until the 2013 holiday seasons get underway in Europe and many of the centres are looking ahead to warm and windy times. Ocean Elements are busy making preparations, to ensure you have a fantastic trip with them. Check out their busy holiday schedules below!
Ocean Elements
Ocean Elements
There a whole load of options for trips to Greece with Ocean Elements, find out more about what they can offer here.
Two Week Specials
Try a two week holiday this summer and save up to £810 per person! A two week break can be a great way of brushing up on your windsurf and sailing skills, or (as a beginneror Intermediate) doing two levels during your stay andreally boosting your skill set! (Levels 1,2,3 & Advanced are offered). You might try a multi centre stay or a watersports week followed by a culture week with island tours and excursions, there is so much to do!
Multi Centre Breaks
Try a multi centre holiday – one week in Nidri, followed by a second week in Vassiliki! With only 30 minutes drive between the two resorts, you can experience two different resorts and beach centres and save £’s at the same time! Perfect for a family getaway or for progressing your sailing or windsurf skills. Or just to see as much as you can of our fantastic, scenic island!
Two Week Holidays include:
14 Nts Package Holiday in The Surf Hotel and or Hotel Delfini (B&B), Ensuite bathroom, Rtn Flights from Gatwick to Preveza, Rtn Airport Transfers, Breakfast each day, Bed linen, Towels, Cleaning, Active Reps, RYA instructors and Active staff (on site). Plus Free use of sailing boats, bikes, windsurfs, paddle boards and kayaks! Free Watersports, tuition and Activities, AND you get an EXTRA day on the water! For multi centre visits, (Vassiliki & Nidri) the transfer is less than 30 mins between the two centres.
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Boards Windsurfing » Windsurfing News
Video: London Boat Show 2013
The Tullett Prebon London Boat Show is currently underway at the Excel centre in Docklands, London. The show is again bringing together many brands across boating, sailing and others watersports; it also runs alongside the Outdoor Show, the Active Travel Show and the Bike Show. There maybe less of an impact made from windsurfing compared to previous years, but there are still many great reasons to head to the show.
Who Will Be There?
As you can see from the video below the RYA have a great stand at the show, also companies such as Ocean Elements, Sea Farer and more will also be in attendance.
Check out more about the London Boat Show here.
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Boards Windsurfing » Windsurfing News
Video: Jamie Drummond in Malta
Ocean Elements manager Jamie Drummond has been making the most of the off season, experiencing new places and pushing his windsurfing in a whole new direction!
December in Malta from Jamie Drummond on Vimeo.
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Boards Windsurfing » Windsurfing News
DECEMBER IN MALTA
UK Freestyler Jamie Drummond chose Malta as his winter training destination and so far has scored tonnes of great sessions. Here’s his latest clip of the action.
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Windsurf Magazine
Ocean Elements to Open in Nidri!
Ocean Elements launch their new blog series, by catching up with the Greek Operations manager Maz to find out more about the season ahead.
Windsurfing in Vassiliki
The first in a new blog series that aims to catch up with various members of the overseas Ocean Elements team. Who better to start with than our bubbly Greek Operations Manager, Maz!
For those of you who haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Maz, she heads up both of our resorts on Lefkada. Working on the island for over 5 years, Maz has a huge wealth of experience and knows the area inside out.
We dive right in to discuss the new resort, the Boat Show and what Ocean Elements is all about.
Maz
So Maz, for those who haven’t heard about Ocean Elements yet, can you give them a quick summary of what is on offer?
Ocean Elements is all about making watersports achievable to everyone! In particular we focus on sailing and windsurfing, but we also offer kayaking, stand up paddleboards and powerboating. Our aim is to create a relaxed holiday atmosphere where guests of all ages and abilities can enjoy being afloat. We really do mean all ages and abilities; in recent seasons we have enjoyed teaching both 4 year olds and 84 year olds to windsurf! We do offer tuition for all levels, but it’s by no mean compulsory, guests are free to use the equipment as and when they want to.
What is it that sets us apart from the competition?
Besides our incredible team, I’d have to say that it is our range of activities and equipment. We offer FREE use of sailing boats, windsurf kit, SUPs, kayaks, mountain bikes and also stretch & relax classes. We offer FREE children’s clubs and FREE RYA tuition for all levels of sailor and windsurfer. In addition we understand that not everyone who visits us has the same idea of the perfect holiday, so all activities are ‘pick and mix’, you can do everything or do nothing! It’s all at your fingertips and there when you want it, but there is no pressure to join in if your sunbed, book or cocktail are calling!
Everyone is really excited about the new resort in Nidri, when does it open?!
We are certainly very excited too! I know Nidri waters very well and am very excited about the day sails we can offer there. Day sails will involve taking groups of boats for ‘jollies’ to nearby islands, mooring up outside a waterfront taverna, enjoying a lovely lunch with toes in the sea and then cruising home again. We will also be running frequent dinghy races in Nidri, so we can really make the most of the conditions and the great kit we have there. Our watersports centre in Nidri opens its doors (or raises it sails should I say?) on the 30th June.
Tell us a bit more about the town of Nidri itself, how does it compare to Vass?
Nidri is a already a well know holiday destination with a great reputation for being a family resort. Nidri is a little bigger than Vassiliki, with more tavernas and bars to choose from. The quayside restaurants offer a great variety of cuisine including Chinese, Italian and of course traditional Greek. The main street boasts a huge mix of souvenir shops and mini markets, and in the evening it is pedestrianized for holiday shoppers. Although Nidri can get quite lively, if you’d rather a quite night, you can opt for dinner at one of the beach tavernas where all you can hear is the lapping of the sea just metres from your table. Our hotel is a 5-minute walk from the quayside, either along the road or the beach.
What’s is available for families in Nidri?
Our tried and tested Children’s Clubs will all be running in Nidri. Sea Urchins for 4- 7 year olds, Sea Tigers for 8-12 year olds and Youth Squad for 6-12 year olds. The big change with children’s club this year is that Youth Squad is getting bigger and better. By popular request, Youth Squad hours have been extended to run ALL day, meaning young watersports enthusiasts can be afloat getting dedicated RYA coaching for even longer!
In terms of equipment and conditions, how would you compare Nidri to Vassiliki? And which resort do you think will offer more for advanced windsurfers and dinghy sailors?
Our base equipment will be the same in both resorts, with the latest kit from Tushingham, Starboard, Laser, RS and Topper on offer for all guests. Not forgetting our excellent Specialized mountain bikes. We are lucky enough to be able to offer excellent conditions for both advanced sailing and windsurfing. Nidri conditions lend themselves perfectly to sailing enthusiasts and therefore we will be offering a large range of boats in Nidri, to include some great toys such as the RS 100, 200, 500 and 700. Whilst advanced windsurfers can enjoy the ever famous high wind conditions of Vassiliki with such toys as the Isonics, Flares and Kodes.
The London Boat Show is coming up soon, what can we expect from the OE team at Excel? I hear there’s an incredible team manning the stand!
As ever you can expect the smiley faces and an eagerness to chat! As much as we are there to meet new people and sell holidays, it is also great to have a chat with our previous guests. See how many people have dared to hit the water in the UK? Not me, it’s cold! From the overseas team we have our Activity Supervisors Jamie and Steve, and me!
We are there to explain in more detail about what we can offer and to answer any questions people may have. There will be a Boat Show Discount on offer for anyone that wants to get their summer sun booked and in the diary now!
Come and meet Maz at the London Boat Show, January 12th-20th on stand D139.
For more about Ocean Elements check out their website here.
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Boards Windsurfing » Windsurfing News