Watersports on the up at Mark Warner resorts

Cat sailing in Greece on a Mark Warner holiday © Mark Warner

Mark Warner has found that sailing and watersports on their summer activity holidays are more popular than ever, with sales for their watersports courses up 15% year on year.

Despite previous search figures from Google for 'sailing' in general showing a steady decrease, there was a big peak in sailing related searches after the Olympics. A Royal Yachting Association (RYA) report from 2010/11 also found that 'casual' interest in sailing was decreasing but that again, after the Olympics (September 2012), the sport saw an 11% increase in participants.

David Hopkins, managing director of Mark Warner says, "Olympian sailors such as Ben Ainslie have inspired a generation to get more interested in sailing and this is definitely reflected in sales of our watersports courses, which are up 15% year on year and have never been more popular."

Mark Warner invests heavily in activity equipment at its summer resorts, recently spending £250,000 on new watersports equipment for this season. Mark Warner's qualified watersports staff are on hand to help with first class FREE tuition in windsurfing and sailing and at most of their beach resorts they offer Royal Yachting Association (RYA) sailing and windsurfing courses. And, guests who are already accomplished can also take to the water independently.

Kids as young as three can take part in all the action as there's a full programme of daytime watersports activities run by qualified childcare staff and qualified RYA instructors at Mark Warner's daily children's clubs, which come inclusive in the price of the holiday. RYA courses are also available at a small additional cost.

Waterports available from Mark Warner include: sailing, windsurfing, scuba diving, waterskiing, wakeboarding, kayaking and SUP boarding.

TURKEY - Sea Garden, near Bodrum Turkey £629pp (SAVE £300) - Depart Heathrow on 1st June for seven nights at Mark Warner's Sea Garden resort in Turkey. Sea Garden is Mark Warner's only all inclusive resort, situated right on the coast and offering facilities including watersports and a luxury spa. Based on two people sharing.

GREECE – Lakitira, Kos £629pp (SAVE £300) – Depart Heathrow on 8th June for seven nights half board accommodation at Lakitira Beach Resort, perfectly positioned on the southern coast of Kos, just a short distance from Kos town itself. This is one of Mark Warner's larger resorts with excellent watersports, top quality tennis as well as mountain biking

GREECE – Levante, Rhodes £671pp (SAVE £350) – Depart Heathrow on 8th June for seven nights half board accommodation at Levante Beach Resort, in Rhodes. This five star resort opened last year and has excellent watersports, top quality tennis and mountain biking as well as plenty of space to relax. Based on two people sharing.

GREECE – Lemnos £629pp (SAVE £300) – Depart Heathrow on 9th June for seven nights half board accommodation at Lemnos Beach Resort. This is Mark Warner's most recently opened resorts with excellent watersports, top quality tennis and mountain biking. Based on two people sharing.

SARDINIA - Perpedera, £594pp (SAVE £330pp)- Depart Heathrow on 8th June for seven nights full board accommodation. Set on a white sandy beach on the eastern coast of Sardinia, Perdepera Beach Resort's Italian influence runs through the food and laid-back Mediterranean style of this intimate club with watersports, tennis and mountain biking. Based on two people sharing.

CORSICA - San Lucianu £499pp (SAVE £375) - Depart Heathrow on 15th June for seven nights half board accommodation at the San Lucianu resort on the north east of Corsica. Facilities include a health and beauty salon, as well as all the usual watersports, tennis and other activities. Based on two people sharing.

For bookings or more information contact Mark Warner on 0844 273 7397 www.markwarner.co.uk