Windy in Vassiliki with Flying Fish

19 July 2010

Today mark's the half way point in the 2010 Flying Fish Greece season in Vassiliki and all the reports say it's one of the best yet for the trainee instructors doing windsurfing and dinghy sailing instructor courses.

To celebrate the occasion the famous Vassiliki cross-shore wind has kicked in early: good news for speed freaks and adrenaline junkies. Dave White's annual Speed Week at Cub Vass is under way - and the competition is fast and furious. Flying Fish Chief Instructor Becky (Bex) Ellis, normally one of the fastest on the water, has some rivals today.

To prove your maximum speed you wear a simple GPS device on the arm. When Bex was seen driving a car down the main Vassiliki road at 40 knots with GPS on prominent display, questions were asked!

Bex, normally one of the fastest on the water . . .

Operations Manager Andy (Barnez) Barnes is putting trainee windsurf instructors through their paces today. It's time for the RYA Windsurfing Instructor assessment for the gang who started five weeks ago. They must prove they can windsurf competently in light winds and strong, plan and organise teaching sessions and show a good command of the background knowledge by teaching theory sessions ashore.

Instructor Huw Michael said "It's a bit nerve-racking for the guys who are being assessed but they've learnt so much in the time they've been here that we're expecting them to pass with flying colours."

Another group is focused on dinghy sailing with instructor Scott Perry this week. They are just starting their third week into a six week traineeship.  Asked how they are getting on Angela Gregg said "It's hard work but great fun. Yesterday we were all out multi-hull sailing - and just on the edge of control. The Hobie cats are awesome."

Hobie cats

After training lots of the group will stay on in Vassiliki for work experience or jobs with Club Vass, Wildwind or Neilson. They'll be following in the footsteps of some of the early season trainees. They just can't tear themselves away!  Laura is teaching at Club Vass, Harry and Hannah are at Wildwind, while Sarah is just up the beach at the Neilson windsurf centre.

Everyone lives together in the village of Vassiliki at a large property known locally as Fish House. It's Fish Full House this week - 16 candidates sailing or windsurfing, another two doing Divemaster Internships and four more who are ex-Fish and friends who have come back to visit. Last but not least, this is instructor Scott's home for the season too.

Scott Perry

Director of Flying Fish UK, Andrew Lorant has flown in to Vassiliki to meet the group. With a big smile on his face he explained "Just seeing so many people loving it makes me smile too."

Check out what's happening for the rest of the Vassiliki season of windsurfing and dinghy sailing instructor courses with Flying Fish Greece in Vassiliki >>