Wildwind - recommended?

I think I holidayed at Vass 6 years out of 7 so I am quite a fan. Haven't been for 6 years though. The beach and town will be much the same but the boats etc at Wildwind may be different.

Vass is a high wind resort during the main season. The wind is gentle during the morning but switches cross-shore at about 2pm and can then blow anything up to 30kts. The strongest winds are under the western range of hills; towards the harbour things are a bit calmer.

Wildwind sits towards the western end of the beach. Club Vass occupies the middle bit. "Beach" is a bit generous - it's a 10m deep stretch of small pebbles - but then you don't go for the beach. It's a leisurely 10/15 minute walk into the small town of Vassiliki and the harbourside tavernas.

Because of the high-wind nature of the resort, the sailing at Wildwind is focused on high-performance boats. Traditionally these were exclusively catamarans but they now also have a full range of assymetric monohulls. The rescue-boat service is phenomenal and Wildwind work hard with Club Vass to keep everyone safe on the water. The staff are constantly scanning the bay with binoculars.

The beach and bay are available for all to use. Many Greeks turn up at the weekend with windsurfers and Brits and Germans also travel independantly to sail in the legendary winds. That can prove a bit of a problem as I have been beach-starting a windsurfer only to have some eejit carve-gybe round me.

It is impossible for me to properly answer you question re suitability. What do you sail at home? Can you all helm? Where have you been with Neilson? For example Neilson pitch Porto Heli as a high wind resort but it is not in the same league as Vass. However, Porto Heli is a far more family oriented resort than Vassiliki.

There are other things to do if the sailing palls. The valley behind Vassiliki is fantastic for mountain biking. And if you hire a car there are some fantastic beaches along the west coast. Most of Lefkas happens in the eastern side so these beaches are virtually deserted with fantastic sand. Best of all the transfer from the military airport is a doddle. There used to be an AWACS plane thingy with a buckled nosewheel at the end of one of the taxiways. Hardly reassuring but it may have been towed away by now.

As I said at the start, I love Vass. It has a very sleepy laid back feel. (There weren't any night clubs when I was there.) I have been there on my own and with non-sailing girlfriends. But it's somewhere you go for the high-wind sailing. And Eric does blow! PM me if you need more.

I've been to Wildwind 4 times over the last 5 years.  I've usually been in autumn but was there in August last year.  I picked a week when there was hardly any wind, the morning sea breeze never really started which meant the cross shore didn't happen in the afternoon.  Well, not strictly true - it was blowing 35 - 40 knots on the Sunday when I arrived and they had to close the beach....The place was largely full of families - lots of teenagers who seemed more inclined to lie around the pool rather than go sailing.  There were hardly any "serious" sailors there and it was quite hard to find people to go out on boats like the Fox with me.  And, more importantly, there were hardly any grown ups to go drinking with..... 

When I've been before the weather was much better and there tended to be more regular sailors (rather than just summer holiday sailors).  I've met a few total beginners who've had a great time there though.  If/when it does get wild in the afternoon the instructors will take beginners (and anyone else who fancies it) out for a "joyride".  The instructors tend to be excellent sailors - Wildwind are able to be a bit pickier than other resorts. 

I wouldn't go in August again - but that's because I want to go when there aren't families there.  It's a good place, very relaxed and easy going.  And brilliant sailing most of the time! 

As above, PM me if you've any questions.