It’s always good to see an ‘out of industry’ business getting involved in windsurfing. And Holiday Extras seem to be doing that in quite a big way – here’s two press releases received from their press department this last week. In fact, come to think of it they’re maybe the only brand (schools and shops aside) to even mention National Windsurfing Week to us this week. So click on their site now!!!

At the beginning of National Windsurfing Week young talent Sam Conroy (sponsored by HolidayExtras.com) was out practically all alone this weekend as he took advantage of the strong south westerly blast at Camber Sands, Kent.

Sam says: “Where was everybody?!? It was a little grey but the winds were great! People should have been out there and celebrating Windsurfing Week!”

Hythe resident Sam, 16, is a pupil at the Harvey Grammar School for Boys, and has been competing in windsurfing competitions since the age of 12. He recently qualified as a Level Two Race Coach, which qualifies him to coach regional windsurfing race squads; another step towards his dream to become a world-class windsurfer.

Follow the progress of Kent-based windsurfer, Sam Conroy, sponsored by HolidayExtras.com, at www.k-117.co.uk

HolidayExtras.com teams up with leading windsurfing experts

Launch of hassle-free guide to windsurfing travel

To mark National Windsurfing Week, the UK’s leading travel add-ons provider, HolidayExtras.com, has teamed up with three of the country’s foremost windsurfing experts to launch the first in a range of hassle-free travel guides.

Adam Norsworthy, co-founder of Active Adventures, professional windsurfer Guy Cribb, and co-founder of oceansource.net, Gregg Dunnett have joined forces with HolidayExtras.com to provide kit-carrying travellers with the most comprehensive guide to getting around the world available on the market.

HolidayExtras.com‘s 130-page guide to windsurfing travel features expert advice on everything from choosing a destination and international windsurfing events to the best airlines for windsurfers, as well as practical tips on holiday insurance and getting to the airport.

Users of the online guide are also encouraged to contribute their own top tips and comments.

Guy Cribb, former British Windsurfing Champion and leading international windsurfing coach, said: “HolidayExtras.com‘s guide is a fantastic resource for windsurfers planning an overseas trip. I use Holiday Extras every time I travel.”

HolidayExtras.com‘s guide to windsurfing travel is available for free at www.holidayextras.com/windsurfing.

We take the hassle, you take the holiday…

Guy Cribb’s top tips for travelling with windsurfing gear:

*I always use a meet and greet service at the airport so I can literally drive up to the front door at departures, unload my giant board bags and hand my car over to the meet and greet crew. So no hassles with buses or parking. It costs a similar amount to airport parking but makes travel so much smoother.

*Before I book my flight I establish what the airlines policy is for taking sporting goods. Most airlines have fixed rates for windsurfing gear and I won’t book a flight until I know a ball park figure of what I’ll be charged for my excess baggage. It is very rare for an airline to charge you per kilo for sporting goods, but scour the internet for more info and print it out so you can show the check-in staff what you’ve read. It may be incorrect, but it demonstrates to them you have done your homework and had a figure in mind.

*Always be exceedingly polite to check in staff. I try to charm them as ultimately when it comes to paying for your excess, you want to be dealing with a friend, not a machine.

*Pack your bags well – I always use my harness and wetsuit for extra padding on the tail of the boards to prevent damage to these as it is very difficult to repair the tail. If the nose breaks, well that’s out of the water most of the time so a quick repair would be sufficient.

*Make sure your board bags don’t weigh over 32kgs or they cannot be carried. But also make sure your board bags are close to 32 kgs, for example putting some clothes in there to ensure your normal bag does not exceed it’s 20kg limit.”

Guy travels through UK airports at least once a month running INtuition’s international windsurfing courses and books his Meet and Greet and extra leg room seats through HolidayExtras.com.

For more on Guy visit www.guycribb.com