I was very privileged to be invited to assist on the Access Adventures Adaptive Kite Camp last week. There were seven participants, Lou, Allison, Ben, Robbert, Andy, Nev and Zuzana, four volunteers, myself, Steve, John and Kate, and three Access Adventures staff, Clare, Jane and Tim, on the trip. Surf Club Keros have experience teaching adaptive kitesurfing and the facilities and equipment and instructors are ready and able to meet this challenge. 

Over the seven day camp, on four days we had enough wind to teach kitesurfing, so pretty good stats and that enabled some impressive progression by the participants, who all reached body dragging at least in their journeys to become kitesurfers. 

Participants go through the usual stages of learning to kitesurf, Level 1 - flying a power kite on the beach, Level 2 - adapted learning to fly the kitesurf kite sat on an inflatable sofa in the water, followed by body dragging in the usual way, perhaps with additional personal buoyancy to help with body position in the water, Level 3 - kitesurfing on the board, using an adapted kitesurf board, with a frame to sit in, the chicken loop attaches to the front of the frame and then the kite is steered in the usual way. 

Surf Club Keros and the accommodation, which was large glamping style tents, with a private shower room and loo, and the food, fantastic spread of freshly prepared buffet style breakfast and dinner, and salads and sandwiches at the beach, is highly recommended. The best time to travel there for wind is July and August. The school has an extensive selection of RRD kitesurfing, windsurfing and SUP equipment and trained friendly instructors for all sports. 

What the participants go through on a daily basis to live with their injuries is both amazing and humbling. I learnt so much about the participants and participating in adaptive sports over the course of this week and I will never forget it. 

Some photos of the week are below. 

Related Pages:

Sponsor Me For This Camp: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ChristineJohnston93 

Access Adventures:

http://www.accessadventures.co.uk/

Surf Club Keros, Limnos, Greece:

http://surfclubkeros.com/