Adventure Sports & Travel Thoughts - Extreme Sports Blog

Overseas Adventure Travel: Top 10 undiscovered destinations

Alice Cuninghame — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:28:03 +0000

Adventure travel should be just that, an adventure. Although, when you’re surrounded by busy tour buses and every other person you see is a fellow ‘adventurer’, it can be hard to feel as if you’re experiencing anything special.

Overseas adventure travel opens up a fantasy world of opportunity, yet if you want to really get away from it all, you need to go ‘undiscovered’.

Some more remote than others, each of the destinations here will take you closer to nature and satisfy your insatiable urge to experience life.

Greenland

Greenland is an incredible destination, but often overlooked in favour of other Arctic regions. It’s a vast wilderness which lends itself to adventure travel like few others: sea kayaking, trekking, climbing, cross-country and heli-skiing, and diving are all on the menu. Visit Greenland in winter for snow-sports and a glittering landscape of ice, and in summer for fjords and flowers. Stay in Ittoqqortoormiit, the most isolated town, for a really remote experience

Kerguelen Islands, Indian Ocean

Not the tropical Indian Ocean islands you might be imagining, but sub-Antarctic islands also known as the ‘Desolation Islands’ and inhabited only by researchers. Just four tourist trips arrive each year, so it’s exclusive as well as undiscovered: travel there for walking and wildlife watching.

Adventures in the Outback Photo: Flickr/Aiden Jones

The Canning Stock Route, Australia

Australia is home to many of the world’s most isolated wilderness areas, none more so than this dirt track from Wiluna to Halls Creek in Western Australia. Look at a map of this area and you’ll see nothing but desert, and very, very few place names.

The route was developed by cattlemen in the early twentieth century who needed to move their stock safely across this dangerous terrain.

Today, most tackle it in a four-wheel-drive due to the huge distances, although with the right support it can be trekked on foot, or even cycled on a mountain bike.

Zanskar, Indian Himalaya

There is much isolated terrain in this region, but the Zanskar Valley stands out. This beautiful feature in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir has no road access during the long winter from November to May. However, it is possible to trek the frozen, and stunning, Zanskar River during that time. After the thaw, 4x4s can get in and more extensive treks and climbs are possible. It takes about a week to trek the whole valley so pack your trekking gear well.

Motuo, Tibet

In the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China, mysterious Motuo is the only area of China not accessible by road. The only way in is on a trek from the village of Pai – and that can only be undertaken in October, as either snow and ice or heavy rainfall makes it too dangerous the rest of the time. The effort is rewarded with stunning mountain views of Tibet and its wildflower meadows and tiny Buddhist villages.

Island life in Kiribati Photo: Johnny Lewis

Kiribati, Pacific Ocean

A tiny nation of coral atolls that span an incredible 3.5 million square kilometres. Life on the more central islands is beginning to modernise, but the outer islands offer a slice of life in the very slow lane.

Diving and snorkelling are the big draws, and can be arranged from the main island of Tarawa. Other activities include fishing and exploring this little corner of paradise.

Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

Nusa Tenggara is the eastern arc of Indonesia’s many thousands of islands. It includes the busy and most definitely discovered Bali and Lombok, but also many more remote, uninhabited islands that are an adventurer’s dream. The best (and often only) way to discover islands in Indonesia is on a chartered boat, making stops for diving, surfing, volcano trekking, and of course, a spot of sunbathing.

The Bolivian Andes

Most of the Andes is pretty remote, and the area to the north of the capital La Paz is among the least explored. It is a largely uninhabited area, home to huge herds of vicuna (a close relative of the llama), and a handful of Kallawaya people. They are traditional healers whose skills are in demand throughout South America – many also work as trek guides, so you’ll be in good hands should you fall ill! Hopefully you won’t, and will be able to concentrate on enjoying Bolivia and its soaring peaks and glaciers.

Exploring Guyanan Jungles Image: Guyana Tourism Authority

The Guyanese Jungle

Few travellers make it to Guyana, but those that do don’t want to leave. Treks through untouched rainforest and Ibini mountain ranges are the main draw, and can include some climbing and kayaking. The Kaieteur Falls is a must-see, one of the most powerful waterfalls in the world, five times higher than Niagara.

Mahale Mountains, Tanzania

While the tourist crowds flock to the Serengeti, those in the know head to Mahale. This mountain range has no road access but can be reached by plane, or the more exciting option of a steam ship and then a ride on a local fishing boat. At the heart of Mahale is Lake Tanganyika, with its clear blue water and sandy coves. The mountain peaks themselves are covered in dense jungle, which is home to one of the world’s last wild chimpanzee populations. Most visitors to Tanzania spend their time trekking, wildlife spotting and snorkelling in the lake – and smiling!

Top Ten Windsurfing Locations in Egypt

Alice Cuninghame — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:42:37 +0000

Egypt’s Red Sea is well known for its underwater sports, and rightly so. However, those in the know realise that the water’s surface is just as big an attraction.

Egypt has become a major windsurfing destination, with both easy lagoon surfing for beginners, and challenging off-shore waves for the more experienced.

Whichever camp you fall in to, there are plenty of resorts to choose from in Egypt. And, from pyramids to nightclubs, you’ll find there is much to enjoy away from the water too.

Here’s our top 10 windsurfing locations in Egypt:

Dahab

Once the preserve of backpackers and hippies, Dahab has begun to change and now combines its famed laid-back vibe with some upscale resort hotels and a thriving watersports scene. Its shallow, sheltered lagoon is fantastic for beginners who want to try out windsurfing safely. Intermediates can venture further out into the bay for safe, flat waters with faster winds, while the advanced can test their skills on the open sea, where waves swell up to 3m.

Hurghada

Hurghada is one of the biggest of the Red Sea resorts with plenty of top-quality hotels right on the beach. It attracts a mix of sunbathers, scuba divers, kitesurfers and windsurfers. It’s a particularly good resort for beginners, with a large lagoon offering an easy introduction to the sport. It boats several kilometres of coast for advanced surfers to explore. Winds are strongest in the summer months, reaching up to 25 knots.

Ras Sudr

A little gem of a windsurfing destination, a favourite with those in the know: Ras Sudr is uncrowded, undiscovered (yet) by the major tour operators, and has windsurfing conditions to suit all. There is a nice, shallow lagoon with gentle breezes for beginners, and a strong, reliable cross-shore wind to keep intermediate and advanced surfers happy. After dark, you can swap stories with fellow surfers in the resort’s chilled-out beach bars.

Sharm-el-Sheikh

Probably the best known of all the Egyptian resorts, Sharm is world-renowned as a diving destination, but it has a healthy windsurfing scene too. There are several different beaches, so you should be able to find both flat water and waves. If you want to combine windsurfing in Egypt with other activities, Sharm is a good choice: there is a great nightlife and lots of day trips on offer.

Egypt's always popular with windsurfers Image: Flickr/Igor Kilsov

El Tur

El Tur is one of the best windsurfing spots in Egypt. It has developed over the last few years as specialist windsurfing and kitesurfing destination. The reason? Wind, and plenty of it! It’s a great place for the more experienced, with a good swell just off the main beach area of around 2m making for good jumping condition.

A few minutes down the coast are a good reef break and a sand spit break that produces waves up to around 4m. Beginners won’t be disappointed either, with a nice flat area in the main bay. El Tur is a good choice if you dislike the big resort atmosphere: most visitors come for the wind and waves and are happy to stay in local hotels and eat in local restaurants.

Safaga

Safaga has a large beach and plenty of space in its flat-water lagoon for beginners to get acquainted with their sails. It is probably one of the best resorts in Egypt for new surfers, with reliable but gentle winds and no worries about having to share lagoon space with swimmers and kitesurfers.

Intermediate and advanced surfers will find some good slalom and freestyle conditions, and can find some swell outside the bay. Safaga is a good choice for mixed-ability groups. It’s a small resort with only a handful of hotels and a traditional Egyptian town away from the beach.

Marsa Alam

A small but quickly developing resort: catch it now before it catches on! It’s popular with holidaymakers of all flavours, including a growing band of windsurfers, who love both the surfing conditions and the friendly, close-knit atmosphere. The resort has a strong, reliable wind that offers some of the fastest surfing in the country.

Intermediate and advanced windsurfers will love Marsa Alam, and beginners will find the large lagoon a good place to learn too. What really makes the resort special is its wildlife: you could find yourself dolphin spotting from your board, and turtle spotting when you get back to the beach.

Soma Bay

This is a fairly new resort, which provides great conditions for windsurfers of all levels. The setting is stunning, with nothing to see but azure sea and white sand. There are two bays separated by a sand spit, both with the flat water that beginners and freestylers love. The more advanced can head out of the bay to find some decent sized waves.

Great conditions for beginners. image: Flickr/Ratko Bozovic

Makadi Bay

Makadi Bay is a relaxed resort, which offers plenty for both windsurfers and non-windsurfers. It is good for beginners in particular, who can enjoy uncrowded waters and intermediates will find they’re able to build up a nice bit of speed, uninterrupted. The more advanced might find the resort doesn’t stretch them enough, but for the less experienced and for families wanting to learn together, it could be perfect. There isn’t much in the way of nightlife, but that suits those who choose to stay there.

El Gouna

A unique, purpose-built resort made up of a series of interlinked islands, it’s a permanent home for an international community of 10,000. It is one of Egypt’s most attractive and unusual holiday destinations, a self-sufficient town that aims to be as environmentally friendly as possible.

El Gouna makes a wonderful getaway, and a wonderful place to windsurf too. There is a reliable cross-shore wind which should keep the more advanced happy, and a nice shallow lagoon area for beginners to get their sea legs. There is a good, but not raucous, nightlife with plenty of bars and restaurants, and just about any other activity you can imagine available either in the town or close by.

Travel Gear: Camera bags built to travel the world

Jonathan Tait — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:02:03 +0000

Everyone travels with a camera: there’s few other travel items that can be considered ‘must have’s’. But unless you’ve bought travel gear and camera bags designed to withstand wind, rain, sand, snow – and the inevitable beverage spillage – you’ll always be taking a chance when travelling carrying expensive equipment.

Choosing camera bags is largely dependent on two factors: Size of camera and duration of stay. You could be a pro photographer who’s travelling for just 2 days, or a gap-year adventurer off to travel the world packing just a compact camera; any combination of size/duration will demand a fresh solution – the most difficult combo is if you are a gap-year traveller who’s also a semi-pro wanting to carry all your photography gear. In which case, you may need a sherpa!

Here’s a review of what’s out there to suit travel snappers, pappers and adventure travellers.

Cameras take on many shapes and forms, and this will certainly influence your choice of camera bags. If you are using a compact, then it’s pretty easy to come across a small weatherproof case. If, however, you have an SLR and various lenses, spare batteries, a tripod and so on, then there is a lot more to consider, and a lot more options.

Here’s some of the best on the market:

Lowepro

For anything from a compact to the most advanced SLR setup, Lowepro will probably have a bag for you.

The most important consideration is how much kit you are taking. If photography is your main reason for going abroad then obviously you’ll want to cover all eventualities. The Lowepro shoulder bags are great for packing away all your gear and putting into your main rucksack. It adds an extra layer of protection and you can pull it out quickly. The adjustable velcro interiors allow you to set bags up for your needs, meaning that you can keep the lens you use the most permanently attached to the camera body.

We’ve used a slingshot 102 AW and previously one of the earlier reporter range and found both were excellent, with Lowepro deserving of its reputation. They are also great camera bags to have if you are based in one spot and want accessibility, as they can sit open on the ground and you can easily lift everything out.

Tamrac Tally: hip and handy

Tamrac

Tamrac have a similar range to Lowepro, and make great snug-fit bags that will easily accommodate an SLR with a kit lens – and more if you need. Now, companies such as Tamrac are starting to wise up to the fact that camera bags look like camera bags. When you already draw enough attention for being a foreigner, keeping your most expensive asset hidden is a good idea. The Tamrac Tally 58 Photo Hip Bag is fairly inconspicuous, easliy carried around your waist and designed to open away from the body – great for the traveller who just can’t face leaving their SLR at home when there’s so much to photograph on longer journeys.

F-stop

F-stop bags are only betrayed by their name, otherwise you can get away with using their bespoke range in everyday life, and just adjust the insides for your camera gear. For adapatability we’d look at the Navin (see pic), which can fit, it seems , anywhere – including on your chest. F-stop’s Mountain Series looks to be designed in ‘systems’, so there’s an infinite number of variations you could create. The most versatile collection of camera bags we’ve seen so far. Impressed.

Camera Care Systems (CCS)

Blue and heavily padded. You can’t miss the now-famous Wharthog SLR range (also available in black!) Forget about all the pouches and pockets; this is a simple, ultra-hardwearing case for an SLR and its fitted lens. A great idea is to double bag using one of these. By this, we mean pack your SLR into one of these when within one of the larger camera bags. This way, not only does it get double protection, but also it’s really easy to just take the SLR, leaving the rest of the gear – you don’t always want to be carrying the full weight of all your photography equipment, but you’ll still want to keep your precious Canon covered.

Easy peeler: the Crumpler Banana Hammock

Crumpler

Funky. In a word. Best known for its cycle chic courier/messenger bags, Crumpler has a couple of bags worth looking into for camera carriers. Smart design, equally smart names: Cupcake, Jimmy Bo, Banana Hammock ( thought this was a cocktail) and Company Gigolo ( thought this was a secret…)

BIllingham

Traditional, but now fashionable in a country-chic tweed kind of way. Bombproof and as sported by BBC reporters roving the empire circa 1960. Still revered for their quality and now with newer, smaller models such as the f/Stop and 07 ranges. Expensive, and probably for good reason. Not for the adventure sports fanatic, but elegant travel gear nonetheless.

There are also new waterproof camera bags better suited to the more challenging adventure sports that allow you to swim with your camera and ford raging torrents etc. We’d always look at drybags as the ultimate protection from rain – whether as liners for all your travel gear, or as individual cases to protect camera equipment.

And will we test some? Yes we will!

Visiting New York for its Whitewater Rafting

Helen Warwick — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:19:17 +0000

We all adore New York City, but if you’re experiencing major withdrawal from adrenalin-induced adventures, head beyond Bloomingdales and back-street speakeasies, for a dose of white-water rafting just outside the Big Apple.

White-water rafting: a great team activity. Pic: Flickr/david.dames

Escaping to the Black River Canyon, near Watertown, New York, will have you clinging with dear life to your raft in this wonderfully warm-water heartland.

What makes it such a draw for rafting fans is its narrow shape, creating the perfect combination of white-water foam and fury via myriad boulders and crags, littered throughout the passageway.

Head here in summer for almost guaranteed high flow and the most ferocious white-water rafting. Even if you’re a beginner, rafting is one of the only adventure sports you don’t need experience in — just a knack for teamwork, the ability to hold on tight, and a daring streak.

From staying in your hostel in New York to paddling your heart out, the Delaware River is around 90 minutes from the metropolis but couldn’t be more of a world away.

Running between the Pocono and Catskill Mountains, the Upper Delaware is the longest free-flowing river in the northeast of the US, and is dotted with idyllic coves, placid pools and eddies, ideal for summertime wallowing. Its water, meanwhile, passing through highland scenery, is pretty fierce too, although rapids don’t generally go beyond grade one or two.

Elsewhere, the Hudson River Gorge, in the central Adirondacks of New York, is another rafting hotspot and with good reason; crystal clear waters, thundering white-water and a number of ominous-sounding rapids like Givneys’ Rift, the Narrows, Little Nasty and Greyhound Bus Stopper, abound.

The best time to visit is spring and autumn when the flow is at its most powerful, although summer rafting, when the flow’s gentler, may suit those a little more nervous about the prospect of all this aquatic action.

Visiting New York? Check out its top surfing spots

Jeff — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:59:49 +0000

New York City never quite makes it to the top of the list of surfing destinations. With so much financial, cultural, and political bustle, the city is often overlooked as a surfing destination altogether.

Great waves near New York Image: Flickr/ Dr DAD

But geographically, Manhattan is the converging point of two notable Atlantic coastlines: Long Island and New Jersey. The beaches and shores that stretch east and south of the great metropolis can drum up some of the finest waves in the world – winter produces the most consistent surf, so don’t forget your hood and boots.

To the east, Long Island offers a smattering of great spots including the site of 2011’s Quiksilver Pro in Long Beach. Staying in a hostel in New York means finding public transportation and New York does not disappoint. The ‘S’ Line of NYC’s subway grid will drop you off a few blocks from the breakers at 92nd street in Rockaway. Simply disregard the odd looks you’ll get lugging a board bag through the turnstiles.

The more adventurous can opt for a two-hour Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) journey out to the tip of the island and Montauk’s famed lineups at the Lighthouse or Ditch Plains. In between, you’ll find plenty of waves at numerous spots like Robert Moses State Park and Lido Beach – exploration is always rewarded.

Extending south of Manhattan’s gridlock and skyscrapers is the New Jersey coastline, perhaps more recognizable as the Jersey Shore. Take New Jersey Transit’s Coast Line and get off at Belmar – a spread out beach break that works with almost any swell. Monmouth Beach is arguably the pinnacle of New Jersey surfing and gets as good as any wave in the world.

Even further south, explore the Atlantic City Pier and Ventnor for more sandy peaks. A good time to visit this region is in the late autumn. Water temperature will be more reasonable than winter and Caribbean hurricanes send solid swells to these exposed breaks.

Kitesurfing News: KSP announce 2012 Tour Dates

Mark Moore — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:14:39 +0000

The KSP (Kite Surf Pro) is a world tour that is designed to feature the world’s best kitesurfers riding the world’s premiere waves. 2011 was the tour’s first year and featured three events held in Mauritius, Peru and Cape Verde. Each event showcased 24 of the world’s best male riders and 12 superstar female kiters.

Sky Solbach on the 2011 KSP Tour/ Image: KSP

Aiming to model itself after professional surfing’s ASP (Association of Surfing Professionals), the KSP pushed the evolution of kitesurfing to new levels and it quickly became clear that this tour was something special.

Something to watch on this year’s tour is the shift from “strapped” riding to “strapless” kitesurfing.

Meaning: no more straps on the board. At the 2011 event in Peru, the entire fleet in the men’s field rode strapless and many girls followed suit.

Losing the straps makes kitesurfing strikingly similar to surfing and will surely capture the interest of the already mainstream surfing crowd.

Here’s the press release from the governing body of the KSP revealing the tour details:

Maui, Hawaii — February 1, 2012: Following a groundbreaking and highly successful inaugural season, which pushed competitive kite surfing to epic new heights, the KSP is pleased to announce its widely anticipated 2012 World Championship Kite Surfing Tour schedule.

Featuring world-class venues, the KSP Tour once again promises nothing short of the most phenomenal surf conditions for the world’s kite surfing elite to battle it out over the coveted IKA-sanctioned World Championship title. All four Kite Surf Pro events will feature a 10-day holding period and a €15,000 prize purse.

The KSP Tour will kick off at Europe’s kite surfing mecca, Guincho Beach in Cascais, Portugal, from June 1 to 10. The side-onshore wind conditions at Guincho’s right-hand beach break will surely expose the progressive new school aerial movement, bringing it to the forefront of competitive kitesurfing for the world to witness.

Kristin Boese President 2011 KSP Tour/ Pic: KSP

Stop two will take the KSP back to 2011’s kickoff location, Le Morne, Mauritius for the One Eye Pro, scheduled September 7 to 16. A long, left-hand reef break famous for its strong side-offshore winds and barreling, near-perfect, head-high to quadruple-overhead surf, One Eye will keep this year’s crowd on edge, waiting to see what conditions it dishes up — especially after last year’s jaw-dropping spectacle.

Next up, Europe’s secret kite surfing jewel and home to one of the planet’s biggest waves, Ireland. Running from October 19 to 28, Ireland’s Kite Surf Pro will incorporate a unique mobile format, capable of showcasing each day’s action at the choicest of locations on the country’s wild and swell-abundant west coast.

Bringing the KSP’s 2012 tour to a close, Maui’s legendary North Shore will host the pinnacle of the Kite Surfing World Championship Tour — the Ho’okipa Kite Surf Pro — running November 29 to December 8. One of the world’s most highly regarded wind and wave locations, Ho’okipa is generally reserved as a surfing and windsurfing only venue.

The Ho’okipa Kite Surf Pro will mark the first-ever World Championship kite surf competition at the infamous Hawaiian reef break.

“I really don’t think we could have wished for a better and more well-rounded tour for the 2012 season,” says Tour President Kristin Boese. “It is going to be exciting to see which riders will do best in all the different conditions. We managed to meet the demand of the riders to add a side-onshore beach break to the calendar with the event in Guincho. We are just as excited about the Ireland event that is going to be a total box of chocolates with amazing potential. And Ho’okipa and One Eye are without a question two of the places that we had on our wish list from the very first talks about the tour.”

“I am also really looking forward to working with our amazing group of local organizers that have already become such a strong part of the KSP,” Boese continues. “We are all so excited to see what incredible treasures await us in 2012.”

Mauritius One Eye Pro 2011. Image:KSP/John Bilderback

As reigning World Champions Airton Cozzolino (Italy/North Kiteboarding) and Ines Correia (Portugal) defend their titles amidst a field of 24 men and 12 women at each Kite Surf Pro event, an International Surfing Association-accredited panel of judges will once again score the year’s next-level riding.

With 20 countries represented on tour last year, 2012 will surely draw a wide range of talent from across the globe.

Featuring a live webcast with live scoring, 2012’s Kite Surf Pro events will broadcast the heat-by-heat action around the world in real time. Additionally, the new season will also bring another round of Fantasy League, with some major prizes up for grabs.

2012 KSP World Championship Tour Schedule

June 1 to 10 — Cascais, Portugal

September 7 to 16 — Le Morne, Mauritius

October 19 to 28 — West Coast, Ireland

November 29 to December 8 — Maui, Hawaii, USA

Baby on a ski holiday: Review of the Pepi Penguin Club

Luke — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:40:17 +0000

Last season my wife missed out on a ski holiday due to pregnancy, and she was adamant she would go skiing this year, despite us having a baby less than a year old.

We considered leaving our son with the grandparents, but felt it would not be fair on him or them – and of course we would miss him too much! So we researched childcare on ski holidays and came across the Pepi Penguin Club run by Crystal Ski.

The Pepi Penguin Club takes children from 6 months to four years. As you would expect, all staff are English speaking, qualified, CRB checked, referenced and have a first-aid certificate. They club offers 3 childcare options: full day (8:30-5) costs £269, mornings (8:30-2) is £160 or afternoons (2-5) at £125 – all prices here are for 6 days. They also have a free snuggle club for evening babysitting (7:30-9:30) so parents that booked childcare can have a civilised dinner alone.

So, with peace of mind that our son would be in safe hands, we booked a week holiday with Crystal Ski at the Terra Nova hotel in which the crèche is based and an all-day slot in the Pepi Penguin Club for our little man. It would be his first time in childcare so we were understandably a little nervous about how it would go.

We checked in at the hotel fairly late. Thoughtfully the childcare staff had left a letter telling us what we needed for the first day and some forms for us to complete to help save time in the morning. So first thing, we slightly apprehensively took our 7-month-old, completed forms, our photo ID, and all his stuff for the day to the crèche.

Most of the worry was immediately dispelled by the smiling face that answered the door and the happy atmosphere found inside. One of the nannies took our little man while we finished the formalities. These included taking a copy of our ID so they would know who to allow to collect him – again reassuring. He was giggling away before we had finished the handover, and it was clear the staff were having as much fun as the children.

Having heard stories of tears (both kids and parents) and tantrums (just kids) on first day at crèche, we were very pleased to have had a smooth handover. My wife had been quite worried, but the lovely staff had smoothed away her concerns with their professional approach and the fun, loving atmosphere in the Pepi Penguin Club put our minds at rest.

With our son being taken care of, we got our kit together and headed out onto the slopes for the day. We kept our mobiles to hand just in case they called and didn’t go too far away over the mountains, but there was no call. On the first day we collected him at about 4; there was a little squeal of delight when he saw us, but he was clearly having a good time. The staff said he had been a delight, had napped when he should and eaten well – the daily reports on collection were lovely as it was nice to know what he had been up to.

The staff had organised different activities, which included daily trips outside when the weather was nice, finger painting, bringing snow in to play with, and there were always lots of toys available. We noticed that our son started to recognise the other kids when outside the crèche. His communication is limited to shouting/screeching, but it was clear by the fuss he made that he knew them and had made friends.

And you get to ski!

When it came to the last day, they gave us a folder entitled ‘my holiday artwork’. There was finger paining, hand and foot prints, and a lovely poem –although I am not sure he wrote it. The staff had made a goodbye card, with each writing a moving personal message – again it was clear they had loved looking after him.

Overall, the service provided by the Pepi Penguin Club far surpassed my expectations. My wife and I were happy to leave our son with them knowing he was in safe hands, having fun. We had a proper ski holiday with plenty of time skiing/boarding and we also got to spend quality time off the slopes, both as a couple and as a family.

Travelling with a baby on a winter sports holiday

Luke — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:27:51 +0000

As any skier or snowboarder knows, the time from leaving home to actually getting on the slope is full of excitement and anticipation. But with lots of extra luggage to get safely to the resort, long transfers, more frequent delays and the inevitable first morning scramble to get kit and lift passes, it can also be frustrating and tiring. Now try doing all that with a baby…..

Pre-departure our flat was divided into different packing zones: baby food, baby bottles, baby clothes, baby toys, baby toiletries, baby nappies, baby medicines (just in case), baby sleep stuff, baby outdoor kit, baby day bag and a small corner for everything else (including snowboard and snowboard kit for me, skis and ski gear for my wife).

We felt that as many ski resorts have only small, expensive supermarkets, it would be too risky to expect them to have the right size nappies and the food for a 7-month-old, so we decided to take it all with us. Buying baby food in pouches rather than jars saved on weight and they proved easier to pack – and some nappy brands take up a lot less space than others, so it’s worth shopping around.

With everything packed, a quick check on the scales showed we would be within 1kg of Thomson Airways’ generous 75kg allowance. This included 20kg each for my wife and I, 10kg for the little man, 15kg board bag, and 5kg hand luggage each plus a pushchair – which is not counted in the weight allowance. My main concern was with one of us having to push the buggy, the other would have a lot of luggage to handle…

Arriving at Gatwick, we had booked a meet-and-greet service to collect the car. It was only a few pounds more expensive, but well worth it compared to getting the bus transfer from the car park with all of our luggage and a baby. A trolley made the luggage easy to handle through the check-in process, even with the board bag precariously balanced on top.

Check-in went smoothly, the security check not so: During the journey the baby would need feeding, so we had bottles of milk and pouches of food that were over the 100ml liquid limit. Thanks to this we were put in a ‘special assistance’ queue. Which sounds good, but is basically a queue full of families that moves extra slow as each taste their liquids to prove them harmless. All the while they are juggling babies, taking belts and shoes off, and dismantling pushchairs to fit through the scanner.

Once through, and despite a 30-min delay, we didn’t have long to wait before called to the gate and we were then boarding the plane. A feed during taxiing meant the little man fell asleep before take off and stayed that way until we started to descend. My top tip when travelling with a baby would be to try to book flights at times close to when your child has a nap, as a sleeping baby on a flight is a delight!

On arrival, Champery Airport was so small that passport control, luggage collection and customs all happen over less space than Gatwick has filled with shops selling ties. So we were soon picking up our luggage, however a lack or trolleys made things difficult. Fortunately Crystal Ski reps were on hand to help us with our bags to the waiting coach transfer.

Ski clubs for kids

The transfer was a bit longer than expected, as we had to change buses. But the Crystal Ski reps again helped with the bags without being asked, and they made something that was difficult for us much easier.

On arrival at the Terra Nova hotel other guests kindly let us check in first, so we were soon in our room with the little man asleep in the cot provided. As we arrived after dinner, food had been left out. Naturally we ate our fill and hit the sack in preparation for an early start the next day.

At breakfast the next morning lift passes were delivered by the Crystal Ski reps, and those with hire gear were able to collect it from within the hotel any time after 8:30. The next step was to drop our 7-month-old in the crèche: we had booked all day Pepi Penguin Club with Crystal Ski, which was again located in our hotel.

Registration was quick and leaving him with strangers for the first time was made easy by the lovely staff. We hit the slopes not long after the lifts opened and much earlier on the first day then on previous holidays, and all despite having a baby with us this time!

Bobby Martinez and Dane Reynolds: Surfing Dropouts?

Jeff — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:03:11 +0000

Recent months have seen two of the ASP’s top competitors deliberately and indefinitely drop from the roster. This summer, Bobby Martinez unleashed a flurry of expletives for the association after his swan song session in New York – effectively cutting his tie with professional competition.

Association or not, it's a solo sport Image: Flickr/Daniel Flower

Then, in December, ever-popular Dane Reynolds tendered his resignation with an unusually revealing blog post on his website. The tour they are leaving behind represents the apex of the sport to many: the best of the best duking it out on the best waves in the world. Competition is fierce just to be considered for the world tour.

Money. Travel. Fame. Waves. What could make these two men willingly leave the “Dream Tour”?

The answers are obvious. And not so obvious. In Bobby’s case the storm had been brewing for a while. He was fed up with the decision making in the ASP. Any sort of policy shift is voted on by the surfers themselves or their representatives. When the tour moved ahead with its ‘One World’ tour formatting, it changed how it was decided which surfers remain on the tour. Bobby cried foul.

Ranking in the top 44 in the world no longer secured a surfer’s spot for the entire year. He didn’t believe in the new system, and didn’t believe in kissing anyone’s ass to get what he wanted. While the merits of his argument can be endlessly debated, the upshot of it cannot: Bobby bowed out.

With less transparent objections to the tour, Dane Reynolds also removed himself not more than a month ago. Dane’s motives were intrinsic to the man himself, not problems he had with ASP or tour system. If you read his blog, you recognize Dane is not a super-human-machine-gunning-wave-slicer. He’s just young dude who’s unsure of as many things as the rest of us. Although what seems to separate him is an ability to land gyroscopic punts with notable statistical frequency.

Association of Surfing Professionals

Still, Dane appears to have simply become disenchanted with world of professional surfing competition. Is scoring the maximum number of points on a Hossegor close-out with two minutes left in the quarterfinal heat really of great consequence to any human? Perhaps. But not for Dane. Not right now. Instead, Reynolds will spend 2012 making himself useful in his own right, chasing his own goals, without the influence of judges and rankings and tour dates.

The criticism circling these two men is hard to overlook. They’re getting paid to travel the world and surf! In all reality, you can’t really do much better than that. Yeah, you’ve got to deal with the politics and bureaucracy inherent in any organization. And yeah, you’ve got to consolidate your existentialist worldview to fit your chosen profession, but doesn’t everyone? You’ve got to make a living somehow, and getting paid to surf doesn’t seem like the worst option. How many professional football players are hanging up their cleats at the peak of their career because things don’t feel right anymore, or the rules are changing?

Maybe Bobby and Dane’s decision reflects something in the sport itself. Surfing isn’t a team sport. The only organizations behind these men are the logos stamped on their boards hoping to become associated in the mind of the spectator with the rider himself. In this way, professional surfing depends more on its individuals than they do upon it.

Some things never change. Image: Flickr/ A. Strakey

In effect, surfers sponsor the businesses, not the other way around. It’s the surfers who hold the upper hand, not the teams or the manufactures or the league. And hence the physical act of surfing remains independent in itself. ASP, World Tour, sponsors or not, the waves and riders remain (albeit with smaller incomes). The autonomy of Bobby Martinez and Dane Reynolds is a reminder of the inherent values of surfing: It’s only you and the ocean. And no one can force you to paddle out.

Top 10 Scuba Diving Sites in France

James — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:08:18 +0000

Last week I sent a friend a text for some tips on fine French diving. He misread it and gave me the address of a Bistro on the Rue de Rivali. Let’s be honest, our Gallic cousins are best known for their gastronomy, but the country boasts almost as many great places to dive as to dine.

So if you like your moules to be found clinging to the side of wrecks and prefer your fish swimming off the Cote D’Azur rather than swimming in garlic, check out our “menu touristique” of the top 10 scuba diving sites in France.

The Fish Course:

Ile de Hyeres

The Ile de Hyeres is the name of a national park that is composed of three islands on France’s Mediterranean coast near Toulon. The best dive sites are on the island of Port-Cros where you can dive in clear waters among many wrecks. The national park status ensures that the marine life and habitat are remarkably well preserved and amongst all the sea life it is possible to see the brown mérou, a massive grouper once thought to be extinct.

Aroca Tiquia, Atlantic Coast

The Atlantic coast has cooler temperatures than those in the Mediterranean, but with water temperatures at 20C in the summer diving from the Atlantic coast in South West France has plenty to offer. An abundance of marine life the region is perfect for exploring the habitat of local tunas, pollack and mackerel. Our pick in the region is the series of caves, holes and canyons underneath the waves that make up Aroca Tiquia. The dive has a maximum depth of 36 metres, but caution needs to be taken as there are some strong currents in the area.

Lavezzi Island, Corsica

Corsica’s 1000km of dramatic rugged coastline continues underwater in the form of canyons, needles and rocky peaks. The absence of intensive commercial fishing, a lack of pollutants from the land and the careful management of two internationally renowned marine nature reserves give Corsica a natural advantage over other scuba diving sites in French that sit on the Mediterranean. There is great diving all round the islands, but for me the pick of the bunch is diving in the Lavezzi Marine Reserve amongst the groupers and above a carpet of yellow flowering anemone, red coral and gorgonia.

The Wreck Course:

The Espingole, Cavalaire Bay

The Espingole is one of a number of wrecks in the Cavalaire Bay. Built in 1900, she had only been in service three years before running aground during navel exercises. During an attempt to relaunch her she floundered and now rests on a sandy bottom. It was equipped with cannons and torpedoes and you can still see some of the shells at the front of the wreck, but be careful not to touch them.

She lies in a relatively easy depth of 38 meters, with no currents, and protected from prevailing winds. The rear is the best preserved. The engines are easily visible, surrounded by bricks of coal. The wreck has resident moray and conga eels, many species of fish, lobster and crayfish. The waters are clear, and on descent the whole wreck is displayed before you.

The Togo, Cavalaire Bay

For a deeper wreck in the bay of Cavalaire try the Togo, a cargo ship sunk in 1918 during WW1. It lies in 51 to 56 m of water, reaching off the bottom to 45 m. The ship split into two when sunk, with its bow in the shallower water. The wreck is covered in Gorgone fans, which turn from a dark purple to a deep red when illuminated, and the whole site is a pleasure to swim around thanks to the exceptional water clarity. Due to the depth of the ship, she is not normally dived by commercial dive firms and so you’ll have her to yourself.

The Bay of Agay

The highlight of scuba diving holidays in the Bay of the Agay are the three German munitions barges sunk by a British sub during World War II. They lie at around 38 metres on a sandy bottom littered with debris. Conger and Moray eels live amongst the hundreds of shells.

Le Donator

The 78m cargo ship ‘Le Donator’ is always on a list of the best things to see scuba diving in France. Sunk in 1945 carrying a cargo of barrels and wine, she lies in about 45 m and stands upright. This dive is quite a challenge due to the depths but the hull, covered in soft corals and surrounded by lots of fish, is easy to explore.

D-Day diving in Normandy

The coastline of Normandy is littered with wrecks from the 1944 World War II landings. I reckon the beaches around Arromanches are a good place to start. Hundreds of wrecks in waters never much more than 25m deep make it a popular spot for diving. The sea floor is covered with ships, troop carriers, tank landing craft, cruisers, and even huge sections of the Mulberry artificial harbour. The D-Day Wrecks museum in Port en Bessin is also a must see to get an idea of what is below the waves.

And for those that don’t like salt….

Emergence du Russel, Dordogne

Great scuba diving sites in France are not limited to the sea. Cave diving is very popular, especially in the Dordogne and Lot regions where there are some great caves and passages with fabulous clear waters. Try Emergence du Russel in the Dordogne Region. Visibility is good and temperatures hover about a pleasant 15C in the summer.

The Emergence du Russel begins as a wide 150m long cavern before disappearing into smaller tunnels. There is a nice shorter loop that drops as low as 18m for those new to cave diving, plus options of several hours’ more, reaching depths of over 70m for the more experienced cave men and women

I hope that has wetted your appetite for scuba diving in France. However this is just my selection. Please let me know your favourites.

More information on France