Fact File

How To Get There

Sportif (www.sportif.travel) can help you book your travel, accommodation and gear rental.

By plane: The main airport is Mytilini, which has daily charter and scheduled flights from Athens and some European cities. Flights are between £100 and £300 depending on season. It is a two hour transfer time from the airport to Sigri (taxi, bus or rental car).

Airline from UK: British Airways
Airline from Athens: Aegean Arlines

Transfer from the airport to Sigri:

• Taxi from the airport to Sigri (one way: 100-120 €)
• Rental car: from 175 € per week (www.lesvoscar.com;www.alfarentacar.gr)
• Bus service: Leaving from Mytilini or Sigri twice a day; From Mytilini: at 11.00 am and 1.15 pm From Sigri: at 2.30 pm and 6.00 pm;

By ferry: The best connection is the ferry from Thessaloniki (Northern Greece) to Sigri (30 € per person). Also ferries from Athens (Pireaus) to Mytilini. Lavrio (South of Athens) is only 15 km away from Athens airport and it takes you 8 hours to get to Sigri.

Blue Star from Thessaloniki and Helenik Seaways from Athens. (www.ferries.gr)

How The Wind Works

Meltemi is the name of the summer wind (thermal wind) in the Aegean Sea and it always comes from north-northwest. The wind blows from May to October. Normally Force 2-3 in the morning and gets stronger during midday (about force 4-7). On some days the Meltemi can even reach up to force 8-9.

Wind Stats (force 4+): May: 60% / June 70% / July 80% / August 85% / September 70% / October 65%

Water state: Flat water in the bay, small chop further outside. On stronger days, there are waves in the channel (very close to the surf centre)

The Sailing Spots

There are 5 spots within 5km:

Sigri bay: The Sigrisurf Windsurf center is situated on the north end of the bay. The wind blows side-offshore so the water is very flat in front of the centre. It’s an ideal spot for cracking gybes and flat water freestyle. There is an island called Nissiopi opposite the centre that makes the bay very safe – going downwind does not mean you are blown out to sea. There is a channel between the island and Sigrisurf that produces waves.

Faneromeni: Faneromeni beach is only 2km away from Sigri and is definitely worth the journey. It is a very long, sandy beach with a special bar that has a very personal Greek touch. The wind comes from the right and can produce waves up to 1.5m.

Limena 1 and 2: Limena beaches are in the south of Sigri. Both beaches consist of very nice sandy bays with shallow water and side-on wind. The water is very flat near the beach but further outside it is choppy. Both beaches are well known for their very consistent wind.

Andromaki: An onshore beach break with the wind from the right. Waves get up to 2.5m. It is a beautiful, sandy bay with a fantastic view.

Instruction And Kit Hire

www.sigrisurf.com
[email protected]

The SigriSurf Windsurf Centre has all the latest equipment from RRD and Simmer Sails as well as mountain bikes and SUP Boards. There are also sun-loungers and a nice bar where you can get a drink

Accommodation

Hotel Orama

Small hotel that give a very personal service. It serves a great breakfast and has a big outdoor pool. It is only 800m from the water’s edge.
Contact: [email protected]

Villas Anastasia

Very close to the water (only 20 metres). Only a stone’s throw away from the SigriSurf Centre. Plenty of space for the whole family. It’s perfect for people who want to cook themselves or who want to be very close to the centre.
Contact: [email protected]

Sigrion Villas

Idea for families. 2 floor apartments with plenty of space and a great outdoor pool. Only 700m from the water’s edge.
Contact: [email protected]

Aeolis Maisonettes

Ideal for families. 2 floor apartments with a separate bedroom. There is a balcony with a sea-view and it’s 600m from the beach.

Evangelia Apartments

Evangelia offers you either studios or apartments. Perfect for 2-4 people sharing and 800-900m from the beach.
Contact: [email protected]

Food

Although Sigri is quite small there are seven restaurants in the centre. “Remezo” is definitely worth the visit but also the restaurant at the harbour is a great choice for those in the know. Both restaurants have a picturesque view and serve delicious fresh seafood like lobster, fish or calamari. The rest of the village is well known for its delicious sea-food.

There are two small supermarkets where you can stock up on Greek delicacies like cheese, olive oil or local olives. Sigri also has a bakery that offers cheap, tasty bread. There is also the Sigri vegetable van which brings fresh fruit and vegetables to the village every day.

For those on a budget, we would recommend eating local fresh fish and buying and cooking your own food from the supermarket.

Nightlife

There are three bars in Sigri, one of the best is the Sunset bar where you can party away until sunrise. If you want more than that, you can go and party in Eressos – 20 minutes away from Sigri by bus or car.

Bored Of Windsurfing

It’s worth going to check out the Petrified Forest, Petra, the harbour of Mytilini or the picturesque Molivos with its markets, antique souvenir shops and Greek taverns.

Sigri offer some great mountain biking. You can hire bikes at the Sigrisurf Centre. If you are renting your gear there, you are also free to use the SUP boards – perfect for exploring the coastline.

There are some fantastic beaches in Sigri, so it is an ideal place just to hang out and sunbathe!

Local Events

This (2011) season Sigrisurf are running:

• Tricktionary Camp with Michael Rossmeier (author of Tricktionary)
• Go Fast Camp with Marcel Simon in June
• Freestyle Camp with Andraz Zan (PWA freestyler)

Conclusion

Greece as it was in the 60s. Traditional lifestyle; flat water and waves; four spots in 5km and beautiful, clean, empty beaches!

Tourist

Name: Bastian Fischer
Local beach: Achensee
How many years sailing: 10 years
Last windsurf move you cracked: Spock
What you’re working on now: Back Loop