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.
The lowdown
Windsurfing holidays in Croatia, Greece and Sardinia
RYA training centres
RYA Advanced at Cosmos Beach Club
Windsurf Foiling at Levante Beach Club
Wing Foiling courses at Cosmos Beach Club
Hot Shots club for children
Inclusive
What is windsurfing?
Windsurfing combines the thrill of sailing and surfing. The sail is used to help propel and steer the board across the waves. You steer by adjusting the position of the sail and shifting your weight and foot position accordingly - just like in surfing. A grasp of wind direction serves as a good foundation, If you don't, don't worry, getting your head around the basics may take a little longer, but with good tuition, you'll soon crack the technique.
The experience of a windsurfing holiday can vary significantly based on your skill level, as advanced windsurfers can execute impressive aerial tricks, adding an extra dimension of excitement to the adventure.
Neilson Beach Clubs
Where to go windsurfing
Choose from our Beach Clubs in Croatia, Greece and Sardinia - join our RYA windsurfing courses or choose some kit and head off for a blast in the warm sunshine and blue sea.
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.
Inclusive
Start 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.
Inclusive
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.
Inclusive
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:
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.
Inclusive
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 througout 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.
Are there different types of windsurfing?
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!
What are the best places for a windsurfing holiday?
For the best wind conditions, kit and levels of instruction, we recommend booking a holiday to the following Beach Clubs for your windsurfing trip:
These Beach Clubs have a wide range of other water sports for you to try including paddle boarding and kayaking.
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.
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!
How long does it take to learn windsurfing?
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!
Wing Foiling
Ready to take on wing foiling? This is a hybrid water sport, combining windsurfing, surf foiling and kiting. And it's ideal for taking your windsurfing holiday up a notch. You hold the wing in your hands above your head, much like a sail. Then go from kneeling to standing and pump the board onto the ‘plane’ or foil. Once you’re up and away, you can use the wing, the swell or a wave to continue across, up and downwind.
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.
Why choose a windsurfing holiday?
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!
Great holiday. Very friendly staff, both the Spanish and the English. Nice location, large and comfortable rooms. Great food and lots of activities.
Vounaki Beachclub - Mr John Milne
23 October 2019
Excellent support/instruction from the beach team, quick response from front desk over shower leak, great food and wonderful table supervision from Vasilice. All staff members without exception...
Excellent support/instruction from the beach team, quick response from front desk over shower leak, great food and wonderful table supervision from Vasilice. All staff members without exception friendly and helpful.
One important suggestion: guests don't know they can invite staff members to eat with them. At Sunsail and previous Neilson beachclubs the mingling of staff and guests at mealtimes is important to build a friendly atmosphere and this in turn generates positive feedback. The beachclubs would be nothing without the staff that the company spends so much money and effort to select and train to high standards. Learning about their interesting lives and plans for the future (plus the way Neilson looks after them) should be integral to the guest experience. It would be easy to inform guests at the Monday morning briefing of the procedure for inviting team members to table!
