If you like to plan ahead and are wondering how you can show your Dad how much you appreciate him this year, check out these great ideas from Isle of Wight Tourism. They are definitely targeted at the more active amongst you, but sounds like great fun.
Up the Creek with a paddle
Take your Dad on a Father’s Day Paddle (Sunday June 15) – a specially organised open canoe trip along the banks of the delightful River Medina here on the Isle of Wight. With the accent most definitely on fun, experienced sailing instructors will identify the birdlife and points of interest along the route which lasts around two and a half hours.
The Medina Valley Centre is a great place to learn to sail with the sheltered tidal waters of the Medina estuary providing safe yet challenging conditions for canoeing and dinghy sailing. The centre is also a residential outdoor activity centre for field studies and environmental education on the Isle of Wight with accommodation available for up to 80 people.
The Father’s Day Paddle is suitable for novices and costs just £10 for adults and £5 for those of school age. It starts at 10.30am and returns to the centre at 1pm with a pub stop enroute – weather dependent. The maximum group size is 16 and the minimum age is 8 years old. The aim is to stay dry but waterproofs may be useful. To book call the Medina Valley Centre on 01983 522195.
For information about other sailing and canoe courses which run throughout the summer, visit their website.
Isle of Wight Sea Kayaking
Explore the Island’s cliffs and caves only accessible by kayak on a one-day sea kayaking course. The adventure starts with kitting up in wet suits, helmets and buoyancy aids and a safety briefing, then a quick walk to the beach at Freshwater Bay. From there, it’s out under the cliffs and the fun begins with the emphasis very much on enjoying a day out on the water. Once back at base, you can relax with a drink in the bar or cafe exchanging experiences with fellow kayakers.
Isle of Wight Sea Kayaking offer Adventure Days run by qualified outdoor professionals for groups of between two and six people. The one-day sea kayaking course cost £70 per person and is available on Father’s Day (15 June) and selected weekends in July, August and September.
Gift vouchers are also available. For more information, including what to take with you, visit the website.
Isle of Wight Sea Kayaking, tel. 01983 209471, enquiries(at)iow-seakayaking.co.uk,
Waterski in the morning and windsurf in the afternoon
The two-day Weekender is designed to get you out on the water and having fun.
X-isle teaches 6 sports including Windsurfing, Sailing, Waterskiing and Kitesurfing, a fusion of surfing, windsurfing, wakeboarding, paragliding and kiteflying which is sure to blow you away! The Weekender gives you the option to try any 4 of them – simply specify which ones you would like to have a go at when you book. Available for those aged 8 to 80 providing you can swim and are moderately fit.
The cost is £200 per person and runs the weekend of Father’s Day (14/15 June) and weekends throughout the summer. For more information and to book, visit the website.
X-isle Sports, tel. 01983 873111, info(at)x-isle.co.uk.
Take a running jump off a cliff – but not until you have been properly trained!
Experience the thrill and exhilaration of flying over the Island’s clifftops on a one or two-day paragliding course held on the Isle of Wight. The Island’s location ensures constant summer sea-breezes which provide smooth flying conditions that are essential for rapid and easy learning of basic paragliding skills.
High Adventure aim to get you flying as soon as is safe and practicable. First you will be taken to the training slopes where each student is allocated a harness, glider, helmet and radio. Following full instruction and safety checks, you will start to master the canopy and fly it like a kite. After a couple of hours, you will move to the lower slopes of the hill, where you will undertake some short, low ground skimming flights. As you grow in confidence and ability, you will move up the hill and soon you will be flying like a bird.
All flights are undertaken with full supervision and fully qualified instructors are in radio contact with you at all times, or take a tandem ride with one of the instructors (over 14s, upper age limit around 60 – note weather dependant).
A one-day weekend course costs £110 and £195 for two days and there is still availability over the weekend of Father’s Day (14/15 June) and weekends throughout the summer. For information or bookings, contact High Adventure, tel. 01983 752322, [email protected], check the website
