Some Don't Like It Hot

Hi,

I am looking for a family watersports holiday where we can learn to sail dinghies (and enjoy other watersports).  Basically the sort of thing that SunSail, Mark Warner Neilson, etc. seem to do so well.  However family circumstances mean that we will be have to go at the end of August 2009, and all these operators seem to concentrate on places that are too hot for me, e.g. Greece / Turkey / etc.

Does anyone know any cooler destinations for such holidays?

I'm happy to stay in the UK, or go to France / North Italy / Scandinavia, etc.
If in the UK, are any RYA training places particularly good for holidays?
If abroad then I would prefer a package rather than the hassle of sorting out too much stuff locally.

Thanks for any suggestions,

Peter.

I'd suggest the Island Crusing Club in Salcombe

I have worked for them in the past and still think that the organisation is great and a beautiful location, have a look at the web site http://www.icc-salcombe.co.uk/

Tighnabruaich Sailing School in Argyll - fantastic location and really good instruction (at least it was a few years ago when my son had lessons there...)

For the UK, it might help to know approximately where you live- as I'm guessing if you want to do the whole "holiday" part you'd rather not be somewhere on your doorstep. Also, how hot is "too hot"?

My recommendation (though based on working for them in the past, rather than from a client experience) would be Rockley Watersports- either their base in Poole (lots of traditional British seaside holiday stuff to be found in Dorset) or South West France- the centres are between Bordeaux and Biarritz, on lakes just a few miles from the Atlantic coast. Can still get pretty warm during the day (high thirties) but usually cools off at night (low teens).

Hi,
Thanks for the suggestions  -  ICC at Salcombe and Rockley Watersports look worth investigating further.

I have also spotted a "family sailing" week at Plas Menai in North Wales  -  has anybody been there?

I live in NW England, and ideally I would like a bit of sunshine, but not the Mediterranean in August.  I have suffered with heat exhaustion when walking and kayaking in this country on hot days, so I don't want to risk ruining an active holiday.  In a couple of years I might be able to get away for an October half-term break - so could then look at Sunsail etc.

Cheers,
Peter