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Week six in the life of a trainee windsurf instructor
The two weeks I had at home between Australia and Greece seemed to go past in a flash, it didn't seem long before I was excitedly re-packing for Greece.
I met up with some other 'Fishes' who I had met in Sydney at Gatwick airport before the flight, so the flight to Preveza was a great chance to catch up. After experiencing a 30 hour journey to Sydney, getting to Greece was a 'walk in the park.'
The flight was only three hours, only one in-flight movie later and some actually rather pleasant aeroplane food and we were landing in Preveza. The views of the other islands as we landed were amazing as the sun was just setting.
I met all the other 'Fish' who are on the windsurf and dingy sailing courses out here on the coach to Vassiliki. They are a fantastic bunch of people and I get on really well with all of the them. We got to Vassiliki in the dark and were dropped off at the 'Fish House'. It's in a great location, only ten mins from Club Vass and five mins into town.
the Fish House in Vass
The accommodation is really nice; each room has an en-suite and a balcony. We headed into Vassiliki town on our first night with Bex and Barnez. They took us to a great little place where we had a fantastic Greek mezze.
On the first day we were shown around Club Vass. I was overwhelmed by the sheer amount of windsurfing kit they have. They seem to have every type of board and size of sail you can imagine. We walked past racks and racks of seemingly endless kit. We are completely spoilt out here.
racks and racks of kit
There's a great guy called Nate on my Professional Windsurf Instructor Development course, he also did his windsurf instructor training with Flying Fish in Sydney, just before I did. This week we have both been assisting Bex with the windsurf beginner Fish group, helping to teach them to windsurf. It's been great fun and really nice teaching a group of beginners from scratch.
We have also done a few talks to the beginner group, which is great practice for the real thing. It's been really rewarding watching the beginners improve and enjoy windsurfing, knowing that I have helped them.
Vassiliki is an amazing town with a great nite life. The Zeus Bar has already been living up to its reputation! I have had a few drunken nights there this week dancing on the shelf!!! Those who have been will know what I mean, but for everyone else it is dangerous!!!
We went to a BBQ at Wildwind on Tuesday night and listened to some great live music by Andy Lewis and also the great Flying Fish instructor himself Andy Barnez.
Barnez plays guitar ..
Thursday night was the infamous Club Vass BBQ and also Aimee's birthday, which was a really cool night, fancy dress, great food and some highly amusing entertainment put on by the Club Vass staff … As I was watching I realised that that would be me in a few weeks!!!! (By the way the punch is lethal and there is a rule that everyone has to down their first punch, and as new 'fish' we had to down two!) Don't remember the whole night, but I did end up at the Zeus bar and I had a killer hangover the following morning!
The weather this first week has been amazing, so warm and the sun has been shining everyday. The water is a bit 'fresh' at times, but you soon warm up in the sun.
The main thing is that the wind has been blowing and blowing. Most afternoons we have been going out windsurfing with Barnez. I have learnt so much this past week. Having such consistent wind most afternoons and awesome instruction has meant that I have improved loads and loads. Thanks Bex and Barnez, you are both legends!!!!
I have learnt to waterstart this week which has been a big milestone for me. I spent two days spending much of the time lying in the water trying to get the rig flying, then suddenly it all clicked! I still can't nail every one, but it's getting much easier, so hopefully by the end of next week I will have it nailed.
I have learned so much about controlled blasting and steering when on the plane and am now much happier and more in control when it gets really windy. It's also been great to try loads of different boards and sails. It has helped me improve so much. The other great thing is that you can sit on the beach and watch the experts pull off the most amazing windsurfing moves, it's awesome to watch. Very inspiring!
Next week we are going to be assisting the Club Vass staff teaching a beginner group, which I am really looking forward to. I am so happy to be out here, it is an amazing place, everything that I had thought it would be and it is finally sinking in that I am actually going to be working at Club Vass in a few weeks and I can't wait.
