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KITESURFING
 King of watersports is the best shop I've ever bough anything from - whatever you need to get yourself on the water this is the place. They stock all the biggest brands and a range of wetsuits, kitesurf kit, wakeboard kit and heaps of clothing and accessories. Whats more, the people that run it are the best in the business and will always give you tips and advice if you need it. Next day delivery just puts the creamy icing on their amazing customer service.
Boardworx is a brilliant kitesurf shop, weather station giving up to date wind info, experience staff on hand to give friendly advice and the shop is right in front of the spot. Just beware of the groynes at high tide. If you're looking for new gear, they're open to part exchange and will usually have stuff for you to demo.
The Kitesurf centre is based down in Camber Sands, near the beautiful town of Rye, just 2 hours easy drivefrom London. Camber Sands is a long, wide, sandy beach and when the tide is out and the sea is flat it is just perfect for learning. The spot works perfectly in anything from a south easterly to south westerly. And when it's coming in from the north or east, just nip round the point to Greatstone which offers more of the same. Coming from the motorway, you'll drive through Camber Sands and past the pontins and other campsites, keep going and you'll come to a gravel carpark. Walk over the pebble dune and behold - loads of kites! beware - if you're staying the whole day, you'll need to get wet cause there are no public loos. If you're hungry, AJ's snack van will rustle you up a treat, or head into Rye for traditional fish and chips or a lovely curry. If you're the exploring off the beaten track kind, Greatstone is for you. If you need to camp, head to Lydd.
 Edge watersports in Exmouth offers everything you could possibly need to enjoy any watersports. Eric will help kite you
out with years of experience in kitesurfing, wakeboarding, cayaking and stand up paddle boarding. They've got a weather
station on site so you'll always be kept up to date with what is going on at the duck pond and on the sea front. Kiting on
the duck pond is perfect for beginners. If you're skills are up to it, the sea front is awesome as well with a sandbar creating
flat water right off the beach - just watch out for the fast moving tidal currents (make sure you write your name and phone
number on your board in case you lose it!)
 Surface to Air has shops in Folkstone, Poole and Brighton and offers lessons in all 2 locations. They can always find wind for you somewhere and cater for individual and group lessons. Their shops can be hard to find so don't give up (their Folkstone shop is on a business estate!) but the guys are always friendly and will let you take gear away for a day if you want to trial it. Poole harbour is probably the best bet for beginners as it's completely flat and shallow water. but beware as there are loads of other kiteschools making the water pretty busy. Surface to air also sell power kites if you just want to practice on the beach or get into land boarding. They run a wakeboard school too for those no wind days.
Kitesurf Wales Set in the Snowdonia National Park, Aberdovey is one of the most beautiful places to kitesurf. There’s a number of beaches within easy access of the school base so whatever the wind direction, you’ll always find a suitable spot. If you’re coming with a group of people who are less keen on attaching themselves to a kite, there’s plenty of stuff to keep them amused: surfing, windsurfing, land-yachting or simply lazing on the beach watching the world go by. Alternatively you can head off to the hills for some walking, climbing or some of the best mountain-biking in the UK. There are plenty of other less strenuous ways to enjoy yourself in this area too, with attractions such as National Nature Reserves, Heritage Sites, dolphin watching boat trips and many more. Plenty to keep the whole family happy.
Buzza Beach Kiteboarding Club El Gouna An amazing set up on Mangrovy Beach in El Gouna, Egypt, the Kiteboarding club offers everything you want from a kite centre and more. The centre offers lessons for beginners, kit hire and kite storage (50 euros a week). When the wind blows there’s air compressors for speed and ease and friendly guys who will help you launch and land on the edge of the water. If it’s not blowing (unlikely) there’s free snorkelling gear, table tennis, table football, free internet, a bar, a restaurant and wellness centre. There’s also 4 different chill out areas complete with bean bags if you just need to rest your muscles or have a good sleep in the sun. Paradise.
WAKEBOARDING
ISIS A friendly, local club in Reading with amazing facilities. Isis has a mastercraft X2 with it’s own boat house so they run boats throughout the whole year. And whilst you’re not on the water they have a sunken trampoline to practice your tricks and keep warm! A cosy club house provides shelter and when the weathers nice there’s a beach volleyball court to play around on. 12 minute tows cost £16 or £8 for members. All equipment is available to use for free and if you’re new to the sport, tuition will be provided.
Princes Just 14 miles from central London, right next to Heathrow, is Europe’s largest waterski and wakeboard facility with five boat lakes and two cable lake. The cable is floodlit and open until 10pm in the summer so you can pop down for a ride after work. £20 buys you 2 hours on the water so it’s perfect for clocking up your hours on the board. This facility has some of the best coached in the UK and they are always hosting big wakeboarding events. There’s also a fully equipped gym & aerobics facility, 6 squash courts and a restaurant & bar. Alongside the riding, there’s also a brilliant shop where they guys will kit you out with equipment and apparel. For £20 you can try before you buy.
TWSC A small club in Theale, near Reading the lake is just off the M4 for easy access out of London and from the South West. The club runs 2 boats and has a trampoline and cabin club house with changing facilities. The club is basic but friendly and offers everything you need to get started in the world of wakeboarding. There’s a nice community and member often camp over on a Saturday night to maximise their weekend riding time and bond over a campfire. Non-members pay £13 for 10 minute, members pay £7.
 Wake MK Another large, commercial facility with a large cable set up. Footfall through this place is huge and they make sure everyone gets plenty of time on the water. The cable works on a pay as you go bases at £18 per hour, or you can buy a pre-pay session card if you’re gonna go down regularly for slightly cheaper rates. £49 will buy you a two hour lesson to get you up and riding if you’re a beginner. Not quite as friendly as learning behind a boat but a cheaper option and less time waiting around.
SKI &SNOWBOARD
Hemel Snow Centre On the site of the old dry ski slope, this is the newest and biggest indoor ski slope in the UK. 160m main slope plus a separate learner slope. A 1 hour adult taster lesson is £25 and they have a special ladies morning which includes 2 hours of group lessons and a drink for £28 – bargain!
 Xscape has ski slopes in 3 locations around the UK – Milton Keynes, Braehead and Castleford. The sno zone has a huge main slope as well as a smaller learner slope and on freestyle nights they have a couple of kickers and sliders for you to muck around on. A two hour slope pass sets you back £31, freestyle nights often feature the Air Bag and cost £35 for 5 hours between 7pm and midnight (bar is also open!). Lesson’s start at £27 per hour.
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