JP NP Young Gun camp in Dahab at Five Square windsurf center

From 2 until 9^th of June at Five Square windsurf center took place a kids windsurfing camp JP NP Young Gun camp coached by the best Russian female freestylers Olya Raskina and Sveta Martynova. Kids from different cities of Russia, ages from 5 to 14 and all windsurfing levels came to learn and improve their skills on the water together with their parents.

 It was an amazing and inspiring camp with lots of wind, fun, sailing and playing around.

 Warming up..

and stretching before the lessons begin..

 In our youngest group we had a few 5 year old girls and boys trying windsurfing for the first time. Little angels turned out to be very focused and talented sailors. At the end of the camp they were beach starting, turning and sailing along with the help of the instructor. The wind was hauling all the week. A few days we literally had 30 knots conditions where everyone was complaining but not the kids. They were holding on to their 1 m2 sails and trying very hard. Of course we were helping the kids all the time, but they didn’t need any extra motivation, they were always ready to sail.

Second group we had was a 8-10 year old future windsurf champions. Some of them already tried sailing in Greece, Spain and even in Cambodia. They learned how to tack, jibe, beach start and were sailing quite far in the sea the last few days. They were always looking at each other, trying hard and helping each other on the beach.

 

In the oldest group we had kids learning planning in the foot straps and water staring. They came to Dahab a few times already, some took part in our camp last year as beginners and this time they were in the advanced group. 

After sailing we had special seminars about the wind, waves, gear and windsurfing disciplines. One day the kids learned how to rig and derig the sail, the next day they learned everything about the boards and set up their Young guns 115 l by adding foot straps and changing fins. 

We watched parts from Minds Wind Open and Windsurfing movies together and then kids told us what they wanted to do in the future. Girls decided they wanted to do freestyle and guys were eager to learn wave riding and jumping. 

At the end of the camp we had a Five Square and Quksilver Fun Race. All kids took part in it and won beautiful prizes from our sponsors. 

Kids from advanced group helped our little windsurfers from beginner and intermediate group to finish the race as the wind was very strong again. 

Sonya and Varya from beginner group finishing at the same time..

Jenya from advanced group came to the finish like first and won very cool Quiksilver board shorts.

At the end of the day we had a great prize giving and a fun fancy dress party. All kids came in amazing costumes and performed a dance of their hero, so we had some cats, butterflies, hobbits, mermaids and a spider man on the dance floor. 

 Mermaid Sonya dancing..

 It was a great time and experience with the kids who fell in love with sailing and the sea. We are hoping to make another JP NP Young Gun camp in November during kids holidays and now we’d like to invite everyone to join our Windsurf Beauties and Beasts camp in Mauritius from 16 until 28^th of August.

All photos courtesy of Alex Kuznetsov.

Windsurf Beauties and Beasts in Morocco 2012

Second year in a row we've had Windsurf Beauties and Beasts camp in the most beautiful and quiet little village of Morocco, Sidi Kaouki. This time we had a nice group of Russian windsurfers very keen to sail waves and improve their skills on the water. First 2 days there was no wind, so we were surfing, traveling and sightseeing until the action began. The swell was not big, just 1-1.5 meter waves with good wind which were the perfect conditions for our girlie "beauties" intermediate group and guys "beasts" advanced group. Sergey (pic below) from advanced group came all the way from Japan to learn a forward loop.

Roxy and Quiksilver were supporting our camp, so all participants got beautiful presents from our favorite brands. Marina keen to go surfing for the first time..  

Igor from advanced group never sailed waves before, he's only been windsurfing in Dahab for a few years and came to Morocco to our camp to learn wave riding. He's 56 years old, fit and very keen to sail better. From the first day he learned to pass the shore break and came back on a wave. Great man and amazing student, here's a Igor going throw the waves..   

A few times after sailing we went sighseeing to Essaouira, a beautiful local fisherman town with a port, old fortress, bazaar in the heart of the city and numerous craft shops. 

Nataly in the fortress posing a bit..:)

All together we've only had 3 windy days and the rest of the time we were surfing and bodyboarding. Of course, that's not enough to get good in the waves, but it's a great start and an unforgettable experience of wave riding in Morocco. All the students left eager to come back and get more air and ocean time, asking when the next camp is gonna take place. Here's Sergey in the waves..

 Me in Essaouira..

The best fresh orange juice we've ever tried is here..in Essaouira, Morocco.

 Sergey and Roman getting ready to go surfing.

 Nataly on a wave..

One of the presents we've got from Quiksilver..thanks guys!

Sergey on a wave..

Me, Sergey and Marina going to surf our local spot in Sidi, right in front of the center.

Me on a wave..

Roman with his dream surf board - the white shark..

 Our only body boarder Igor catching some nice ones..

Marina wearing a Roxy t-shirt, her present..

 When we knew there ain't gonna be wind, we left on a bike trip to Atlas mountains.

 When we got to the beginning of the mountains our car started boiling, but we've solved the problem and got to the top of the hill.

While we were waiting for the car to cool down, someone passed by..

Roman tried to scare the little turtle but she had her secret weapon..pissed all over his hand..

 We finally got to the top of the hills and had the most beautiful trip downhill..amazing virgin nature, everything green and noone around..

Breath taking sunset we've seen after the surf trip to Imesouane.  

 Most of the students already left, but me and 3 other friends are staying another couple of days, so there's gonna be more pics and news. stay tuned! next camp we gonna have is JP NP Young Guns in Dahab at Five Squares windsurf center. For all the info, please, write to Olya here: windsurf.beauties@gmail.com.