FACT FILE SUMMER 2010 . . .

RESORT: 
KEFALOS BAY ON THE GREEK ISLAND OF KOS

WINDSURFING & SAILING:
THE INTERNATIONALLY FAMOUS KEFALOS WINDSURFING & SAILING CENTRE WITH THE LATEST F2 BOARDS & NORTH SAILS PLUS LASER 1's, Picos & HOBIE CAT 15's

TRAVEL DETAILS:
FLY TO THE WIND & THE SUN FROM AN AIRPORT NEAR YOU

FLIGHTS FROM 8 UK AIRPORTS DIRECT TO KOS ON WEDNESDAYS, THURSDAYS & SATURDAYS (Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, East Midlands, Newcastle, Glasgow, Bristol, Cardiff). SELECTED DAY & NIGHT FLIGHTS OFFER 7, 10, 11 & 14 NIGHT HOLIDAYS. FLYING TIME ABOUT 4 HOURS. TRANSFER FROM KOS AIRPORT TO KEFALOS BAY ABOUT HALF AN HOUR

ACCOMMODATION:
A LARGE SELECTION OF SELF CATERING STUDIOS, APARTMENTS AND B&B HOTELS - ALL WITH POOLS OR FREE USE OF A NEARBY POOL

BOOKING
PLEASE NOTE KEFALOS WINDSURFING & SAILING IS ONLY BOOKABLE IN CONJUNCTION WITH A PACKAGE HOLIDAY SUPPLIED BY FREEDOM HOLIDAYS.

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LOCATION:

Kos is the second largest island in the Dodecanese after Rhodes. It's the greenest island in the south-eastern Aegean with a large proportion of its area under cultivation. Olives, vines, figs, citrus fruits, peaches, apples, vegetables, corn crops, water melons and the famous Kos lettuce all grow in abundance. Also, strange for a Greek island, dairy farming is a flourishing industry.

In the 5th. century BC Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine was born on Kos. His medical school on the island became famous throughout Greece. In the centre of Kos Town stands a plane tree, its trunk 46 feet in circumference, under which Hippocrates supposedly?! sat in the shade with his students. When Hippocrates died the fabulous Temple of Asklepius was erected on a beautiful hillside site just outside the town. Try to visit the extensive remains of the Temple just before sunset. It's an incredible view.

The stunning bay of Kefalos with its long, long stretch of Kamari Beach, is situated near the south east tip of Kos in the  narrowest part of the island.

The original old village of Kefalos, perched high on a hill behind a ruined fortress, looks down to the new beachside resort area scattered along the coast road. Kamari Beach is mostly sand and stretches for several kilometres from the little fishing port at its southern end to the tiny Kastri island with its pretty blue and white church.

There's no high-rise development here. Just a growing number of small self-catering studios and apartments, a few family run hotels, an excellent and varied  selection of tavernas, bars, restaurants and shops and a couple of small discos in high season. A bus service operates several times a day from old Kefalos, along the coast road and on to Kos Town. There’s an ATM Cash Machine at the Bank in old Kefalos and another just behind the Windsurf Centre, where there are also Safety Deposit Boxes available and electric fans can be rented. Travellers Cheques can be cashed at the bank and in several local travel agencies that also rent cars, jeeps, quad bikes, mopeds and mountain bikes.

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ATTRACTIONS FOR NON WINDSURFERS:
The range of options other than windsurfing and sailing is impressive. Naturally, the first priority is the great beach and the wonderful clear blue sea of Kefalos Bay and snorkelling is very popular at the far end of the bay. Then there's the old village of Kefalos to explore. The steep climb up is justly rewarded by the stupendous views and opportunity to meander around a real, untouristy, working Greek village.

There are boat trips from Kefalos to the volcanic island of Nisyros where you can walk actually inside the crater between the hot sulpher-gas blow holes. Then have lunch or a snack in the incredibly pretty little village before re-joining Captain Yanni's boat for the return trip via a swimming stop at an island en route. There are also fishing trips by boat with a BBQ lunch where you can cook what you catch, with plenty of time for swimming and snorkelling.

You can also visit Kalymnos, traditionally the island famed for its sponge divers. Even more fun is a day trip by hydrofoil to the resort of Bodrum in Turkey, across the straits from Kos Town. Kos Town itself is well worth a visit and if you hire a car you can combine this with a tour round the fascinating hillside villages on the slopes of Mount Dikeos and visit a couple of the more distant beaches for a swim before returning to Kefalos Bay.

Parascending, water skiing, wakeboarding, pedalos, canoes and banana rides are all readily available as well as boat trips to stunning  untouched beaches just up the coast. These same beaches can also be easily reached by mountain bike, moped or bus. Diving is available from Kos Town or nearby Kardamena with instruction for all levels and induction courses. There’s horse riding at Tingaki on the north coast and also bungee jumping and  go-karting.

Come evening and you have to make the difficult choice of where to eat and drink from a selection of about 30 restaurants and over 20 bars, some lively - some laid-back. Then if you still have the energy there are a couple of discos open 'til the wee small hours. You won't get bored in Kefalos even if you don't windsurf or sail!

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NOW FOR THE WINDSURFING FACTS:
KEFALOS WINDSURFING & SAILING SCHOOL is in its 22nd year and enjoys the reputation of being one of the major high wind centres in Europe. This reputation has been won not just because of the outstanding wind conditions but also because of the superb equipment and the enthusiasm and professional dedication of the teaching team. The Centre is owned and operated by Jens Bartsch. He has windsurfed since he was 12, competed at international level and was twice Swiss Champion. He has been a top level instructor for over 18 years and if that’s not enough he speaks 8 languages.

In a nutshell this is a very special Centre in a very special place. No crowds here - just space, space, space and wind, wind, wind. Add expert tuition up to Level 5 by highly qualified instructors and you can see why Kefalos Windsurfing & Sailing is a mecca for enthusiasts of all standards.

Kefalos Bay is fortunate to be right in the path of the famous Meltemi wind system, which blows with great reliability each summer from early May to the end of October. This is the same wind that blows down through the Cyclades and the Dodecanese making Samos, Mykonos, Paros (World Cup venue for many years), Bitez, Rhodes and Karpathos such well-known names in the world of windsurfing.

It blows cross offshore as indicated on the map and Kefalos Windsurfing & Sailing has the best position on the beach to benefit from the "cleanest" wind in the bay. Rescue facilities are excellent with full co-operation between the rescue boats of Kefalos Windsurfing & Sailing Club Med - the other major watersports centre in the bay of Kefalos. The wind pattern obviously varies but generally kicks-in force 3-4 around midday building up to 5-6 during mid afternoon with the local thermic effect. The  School is open 7 days a week from  9.30 am to late in the afternoon from Mid May until the end of October.

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AVERAGED WIND STATS FOR THE LAST 3 SUMMERS 2004/2005/2006

The F2 Centre has everything you need for windsurfing in these conditions and you can swap boards and rigs as required - you only need to take your own summer wetsuit, boots and harness. These can also be hired or purchased at the school if required. All rigs are fitted with top quality adjustable harness lines. Nearly all the equipment is new again this season and Jens has concentrated the choice of equipment on the freeride and fun freestyle concepts to offer easier, more exciting fun sailing.

If you wish to take your own equipment, storage is available at the school but this needs to be pre-booked with us. You should also pre-book transport of equipment from and back to the airport. All the tour company transfer coaches and most taxis refuse to carry surfboards. Payment for these services can only be made in Euros direct to the F2 Centre (see Price Panel). Remember that charter airlines usually charge for carriage of surfboards and only agree to carriage "subject to load restrictions". We can supply you with the necessary airline telephone numbers to arrange this.

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SO WHAT'S IN STORE FOR THE 22nd SUMMER SEASON?
Not bigger but definitely better. There will be even more of the very latest F2 Boards & Northsails with state-of-the-art booms and masts. There will be dedicated kiddies rigs with instruction specifically aimed at 7 to 12 year olds. Kiddies Beginners Course of 5 lessons and 5 days board hire only £80 if pre-booked. PLUS 20% off adult prices for board hire and group instruction at other Levels.

The ever popular Kefalos School Training System will continue unchanged. For just £60, instruction is available over 4 days at any level of your choice BUT ONLY IF PRE-BOOKED IN THE UK – the local price in Euros is considerably more expensive. The lessons will be for approximately 1½ hours a day in small groups of no more than six per instructor - leaving the rest of the day to practice newly acquired techniques ( if only 1 or 2 pupils are in a Group Class the teaching duration may be less as this is virtually one-to-one instruction). You can’t get better instruction than this anywhere!

The Beach Centre has been improved again and all the new boards and rigs are stored just a volley ball’s throw from the waters edge and the equipment inventory is firmly based around the Freeride and Fun Freestyle concepts with flat water blasting in unbeatable conditions. There are also Laser 1 Dinghies offering exciting Olympic Class sailing for all levels, plus the ever popular Hobie Cat 15's and Picos. We want everyone to have even more fun in Summer 2009!

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ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS:
If you have never windsurfed before or you're trying to improve, then Kefalos Bay is perfect in so many respects. From 10 until midday most mornings the conditions are ideal; a gentle, steady breeze; warm flat water; blue skies; hot sun and friendly, expert instruction. For total beginners the F2 School has put together a very special package that must be a "best buy" yet again for Summer 2009. For just £129 you get equipment hire for the whole week, 5 mornings Instruction and the use of a wetsuit, boots and buoyancy aid all included. Also the School limit is a maximum of 6 pupils to each instructor so the success rate for beginners is unmatched, particularly with the very stable F2 Discovery 190 dagger board model and dedicated training rigs for beginners which have proved fantastically popular. (N.B. This package including unlimited use of the F2 Discovery is only available to Freedom Holidays' clients and only if pre-booked in the UK).

FAMILY PLAN:
A money-saving offer to allow two adults with young non-windsurfing children to each windsurf while the other is "beach-sitting" with the children. Or two family members of different windsurfing levels can windsurf at separate times – the main stipulation is that only one person and one board is on the water at any one time. (See the Price List below)

DINGHY SAILING:
Laser 1’s, Picos and Hobie Cat 15's are available for hire locally. Instruction, if required, should be pre-booked in the UK.

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FUN!:
In addition to all the previously described activities and opportunities available in Kefalos, the atmosphere at the F2 Centre makes it the natural place to gravitate. There are sunshades and beds to hire on the beach, a beach bar with snacks right next door, a mini market behind the centre with fresh fruit, drinks, snacks, ice cream etc. and the not to be missed weekly Barbecue Boat Trip with loads of ouzo, wine, delicious starters, chicken, kebabs, salad etc. and (yes you've guessed it) Greek Dancing! There are surf parties and regular group visits to various local bars and restaurants and, if you’ve got the stamina, you might decide to end the evening at either Survivors or Siwa Discos.

EQUIPMENT INVENTORY: (also see www.kefaloswindsurfing.com )
NORTH SAILS	‘Ice’ 4.2m to 5.0m. ‘Natural’ 6.6m to 8.1m. ‘Duke’ 5.4m to 6.4m. 'Drive Superlight/Light' 3.3m & 3.7m for light riders, women & juniors. ‘Experience’ School Training Sails 2.6m to 4.0m. ‘Kiddies Sails’ 1.5m to 2.5m
BOOMS	North Silver Series with adjustable harness lines.
FINS	North Shore
MASTS	North Silver Series & NEW for 2009 all sails up to 5.4m will have ‘SKINNY MASTS' making it easier for women and youngsters!
NEW BOARDS (2009)	‘F2 Vantage 155, 145, 135, 125. ‘F2 RX’ 132, 120. ‘F2 XTC 115, 105, 95.  ‘F2 Discovery L’ beginner boards. In addition there will be a selection of 2008 F2 boards ( Stoke 156, 146. Chilli 108,99. Spice 106, 96, 86. )

OUR MOTTO, AS ALWAYS, IS TO MAKE SURFING MORE FUN!

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KEFALOS WINDSURFING SCHOOL - FREEDOM HOLIDAYS PRICES SUMMER 2010                                           N.B. All the following prices are exclusive to Freedom Holidays' clients & are only bookable in   conjunction with a package holiday supplied by Freedom Holidays and pre-booked in the UK.

VERY SPECIAL OFFERS FOR MAY, SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER
1 WEEK BOARD HIRE PLUS INSTRUCTION COURSE MAY/OCT £150, SEP £190

N.B. These prices only available to Freedom Holidays' clients & must be pre-booked in the UK

N.B. Damage insurance is available for only 25 Euros per week payable locally

FAMILY PLAN: Add 30% to above prices (see above).

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BOARD STORAGE:             80 EUROS  PER WEEK ALL SEASON

(1 board 2 rigs - transfer  from/to airport is 35 Euros each way. Additional boards 10 Euros each way per board)

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BEGINNERS COURSE:         £139  ALL SEASON (must be pre-booked in the UK).
(1 wk hire of F2 Discovery 190 a big stable board with a dagger board and non-slip surface, plus 5 mornings tuition, wetsuit, boots & buoyancy aid all included. NB complete beginners only)

CHILDREN'S BEGINNERS COURSE: (7 to 12 years inc) £88 ALL SEASON for 1 hour's instruction on 5 mornings and equipment hire for the 5 days of instruction, including wetsuit, boots & buoyancy aid.

TUITION:  for levels 2,3,4 or 5 there's an instruction module costing just £65 for approximately 1½ hours instruction per day over 4 days - maximum 6 pupils per class (if only 1 or 2 pupils are in a Group Class the teaching duration may be less as this is virtually one-to-one instruction) 

( 20% discount for children between 7 & 12 years)

N.B. These prices only available for Freedom guests who pre-book Board Hire & the instruction module in the UK.

VERY SPECIAL OFFERS FOR MAY, SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER
1 WEEK BOARD HIRE PLUS INSTRUCTION COURSE MAY/OCT £150, SEP £190                                                     

PRIVATE LESSONS:  35 Euros for 1 hour - one to one instruction - payable locally.

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LASER 1 & PICO RENTAL:  25 Euros per dinghy per hour - payable locally.

HOBIE CAT RENTAL: 40 Euros per boat per hour - payable locally.

DINGHY & HOBIE CAT INSTRUCTION: PRE-BOOKABLE IN THE UK - £44 for 1½ hours instruction inc Laser or Pico hire (1 person), £60 for 1½ hours instruction inc Hobie Cat hire (1 person), £70 for 1½ hours instruction inc Hobie Cat hire (2 persons). Subsequent hours rental bookable locally at the Euro prices above.    

N.B. Kefalos Windsurfing & Sailing School does NOT accept credit cards.

N.N.B. All windsurfing & sailing is subject to suitable weather & sea conditions. Suitability will be decided by the staff at the Centre and their decision will be final. This is very important for YOUR safety!
 

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KEFALOS HOLIDAY PRICE GUIDE - SUMMER 2010: The following is a very approximate guide to the lowest and highest prices during each month for a large selection of accommodation available. These prices are based on night flights from Gatwick and include flight, transfers & accommodation as indicated. Flights from other airports and day flights may attract a supplement. (It is worth noting that, although night flights are not so convenient, you can windsurf on all seven or fourteen days of your holiday). All prices are subject to availability and can change from day to day - up or down - in response to demand. Fuel surcharges, Airport Taxes & Passenger Taxes are all included in these prices. Please also look at our SPECIAL OFFERS to find the BEST DEALS.  NB: Please note Kefalos Windsurfing & Sailing is only bookable in conjunction with a package holiday supplied by Freedom Holidays and booked in the UK. Holiday and Travel Insurance is not included, however as an Introducer Appointed Representative of Campbell Irvine Insurance Brokers, we can send you their Application Form and you can book your Windsurf Holiday Insurance directly with them.

S/C STUDIO FOR 2/3 (price per person)
	MAY	JUN	JUL	AUG	SEP	OCT
1wk	£277	£332	£331	£379	£333	£240
2wk	£355	£405	£392	£389	£389	£350

B&B PENSIONS/HOTELS (twin room price per person)
	MAY	JUN	JUL	AUG	SEP	OCT
1wk	£297	£310	£365	£353	£286	£220
2wk	£350	£343	£415	£331	£395	£315

 

PHONE FOR UP-TO-DATE AVAILABILITY & EXACT PRICES. TOUR OPERATORS'  FLUID PRICING SYSTEMS MEAN PRICES CHANGE ALL THE TIME, UP AND DOWN, REACTING TO SUPPLY AND DEMAND.

 

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Telephone  01798 861 888

FINANCIAL SECURITY: The above holidays are all carefully selected and booked with fully bonded ATOL holding travel companies in our capacity as an ABTA bonded and licensed Travel Agent. The deposits and full payments for these holidays are collected by us as agents of the ATOL holder and we will send you their booking contract and confirmation invoice to ensure your money is totally safeguarded by their ATOL. The money you pay us for the windsurfing is not covered by ATOL. It will be invoiced separately and we only pay the windsurf club after your return from holiday.

SO WHY GO WINDSURFING IN KEFALOS BAY?  
KOS IT'S WINDY!
KOS IT'S FUN!  
KOS IT'S HOT!  
KOS IT'S F2 & NORTH!  
KOS IT’S A FREERIDER’S PARADISE!  
KOS IT'S THE BEST VALUE AROUND!
KOS YOU CAN FLY FROM AN AIRPORT NEAR YOU!

FREEDOM HOLIDAYS PO Box 46, Petworth, West Sussex, GU28  9ZX

Tel: 01798 861 888   Fax: 0870 922 3114 

Email: freedomhols@hotmail.com

ABTA RETAIL AGENT No 97006