Windsurf Magazine

Just put together a advert to go in March's edition of Windsurf Magazine alongside the Egypt Travel section.

Look out for it next month!

Janurary Newsletter

Surf Apartment

The newly refurbished Surf Apartment is in a great location for windsurfers and kitesurfers who want an easy walk to the watersports lagoon. Situated in the 'Medina' area, only a 10 minute walk to the main sandy beach.

The Surf Apartment has three bedrooms sleeping up to six people. It is located in a residential area with a stunning view over the Sinai Mountains.

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There is a supermarket, off-licence, grocery shop, laundrette, post office, international call centre and a local cafe only 3 minutes walk away.

For more information you can view the apartment on line by clicking HERE or email us at info@dahabholidays.com

Egypts best kept secret - the Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon has been kept fairly secret for a few years now. Due to the amazing flat water, great constant winds and unique experience many Dahabians have wanted to keep it to themselves.  This also means there are hardly any other visitors.   Toby and Fi from Dahab Holiday, and John from Hike Dahab went to check it out with a few friends - and it was fantastic.

[caption id="attachment_262" align="alignnone" width="574"] The Blue Lagoon[/caption]

The Blue Lagoon is a couple of hours to the north of Dahab, accessible by camel, foot, boat or pickup. Once you get there you are greeted but the simplicity and beauty of a spot where tourism has not reached. There are a handful of bamboo huts at the top of the lagoon, and a few at the end of the sandspit which all have cushion style mattresses for you to sleep on. There is a small restaurant and a toilet, and that is it - which makes it one of the last remaining unspoilt places. A natural paradise, and how Egypt used to be before the big hotels.

The conditions are second to none, with winds normally stronger than in Dahab, and incredible flat water it is the ideal location for windsurfers and kitesurfers. During our 2 night stay there were only 7 of us on the water the whole time we were there, and the windsurfers and kitesurfers were using two different parts of the lagoon, so there was so much space to cruise around or bust out some big moves.



We had winds up to 30 knots so small kit was essential. Best to bring your own kit with you, however it is possible to rent kite equipment (we can organise this for you).



During your stay all food is provided by the local Bedouin's and it was some of the tastiest food we have eaten. They serve locally caught fish  and chicken. We had pasta for lunch. Breakfast was an omelete plus Bedouin bread, jam, cheese and salad.

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="279"] Photo - juliashuphotography.com[/caption]

There is no mains electricity at the lagoon so after the generator is switched off (around 10pm) you get to experience the most amazing night skies. We visited just after a new moon and the stars were amazing!



If you would like to experience the Blue Lagoon for yourself we would recommend combining it with your stay in Dahab, and spending 1-2 nights there.

Contact - info@dahabholidays.com to book this truly amazing experience.

Latest Dahab Holidays Newsletter is now live

Our May Newsletter is now live, you can view it on our website here - Newsletter

The newsletter features:

• a special offer for Lagoon Villa Apartments.


• Exiting Hikes with John from Hike Dahab.


• A look at the recently renovated Coralia Hotel.

If you would like to subscribe to our mail list please email relax@dahabholidays.com and type "add me" to the message header.

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Dahab Festival 14th - 21st April 2012

The second Dahab International Festival of Water Sports,  Desert Activities and Culture will be held from the 14th - 21st April 2012.

The 2011 festival was superb. Events included:

Windsurfing and kitesurfing competitions and taster sessions.

Yoga, massage and healing sessions.

The children's circus.

Camel races.

Raft races.

Diving Obstacle course.

Free diving Competition.

Plus lots of love music and great parties.

Last year was so much fun. Golitto made a special appearance at the tow-in freestyle comp just off the beach at the Coralia.  The camel race was the funniest thing I have ever seen. Such chaos at the start line followed by camels running which ever way they fancied while small Bedouin boys tried to keep them on track!!

The Dahab Festival is organised by members of the Dahab Community to showcase what this beautiful town can offer. If you missed last year try to plan your 2012 holiday around these dates. Availability in all accommodation still including the Lagoon Villa Apartments.

Follow the 2012 planing and event updates on twitter and facebook:

https://twitter.com/#!/dahabfestival

https://www.facebook.com/dahabfestival

We have reached Number 1 on Trip Advisor after just 2 years!

Fi learns to kitesurf!

After years of pondering and stalling I finally took the plunge (quite literally) and learned to kitesurf and it's SO MUCH FUN! I really wish I'd learned years ago.

I booked the beginner kitesurfing course which included all the equipment and 5 lessons (10 hours) with an IKO instructor. I wore a helmet (and looked ridiculous!) with a walkie talkie radio attached, meaning my instructor, Alex could always talk me through what I needed to do next. This gave me the confidence I needed to finally give it a go. This is the course plan. Some people learn much faster and can get on the board sooner.  Snowboarding and wakeboarding all help but no previous water sports are necessary.

LESSON 1 - Learning how to fly a land based kite. So no getting wet yet! I was a bit hopeless at this and I think that's why I put off for so long as the kite seemed a bit temperamental. We also learned how to set up the kite and the safety systems. Kitesurfing is really safe these days.

LESSON 2 - The fun begins! Finally we get to cool down in the water and learn how to control the kite (without having to think about the board). This is called 'bodydragging.' Alex did the first 'bodydrag' with me as I was so scared. Then I was set free on my own and realised very quickly that the water based kites are so much easier to control than the land based kites. I could put the kite exactly where I wanted it to be and could place it in the power zone or safety zone depending on how much power I needed.

LESSON 3 - This was all about building confidence with the kite and how to bodydrag back upwind (useful when you loose the board - which happens quite often at first). Plus other kite control exercises. BRILLIANT - I loved woooshing through the water. In fact it was so much fun I didn't really want or need the board!

LESSON 4 - The board! After a quick chat on the beach about how to put the board on my feet in the water it was time for action. This looked quite easy but took a bit of practise to get right. I lost the board a few times but no worries as I knew how to get back to it using my favourite bodydrag upwind technique!!

LESSON 5 - Right time to get on the board and 'ride.' Determined not to spend the whole time bobbing around in the sea (although it was so lovely) I tried a bit too hard to get up. This means you pull on the kite too much and stall the kite - hence not enough power to get you up. After a few attempts I managed to go a few metre's which I discovered later was good progess.

So here I am after a bit of practise on my own and I am now a 'kitesurfer' (yay!!) and I never thought I would ever say that! I was so scared before I started of absolutely everything. Now I realise how silly I was to not even try it. I discovered that the kite is really well behaved! You can park it in the water and it will just sit there. You can fly it directly above you (known as 12 o'clock) and it will stay there, as long as the bar (what you hold onto) is straight. You can have more or less power if you wish. Plus if you want to ditch  the kite you can pull your chicken loop and the kite will lose all power. So really safe. Relaunching the kite when it hits the water is now easy compared to the previous years. So if you have heard stories about previous kite experiences don't be put off or worried. I am now flying around the bay, can go upwind and doing zig zag turns, with the biggest grin on my face.

Many thanks to Alex my patient instructor, Harry Nass and all the Centre 4 crew. I love kitesurfing :) :)

A lovely relaxing day at Castle Zaman

          

Located 25kms North of Nuweiba, Castle Zaman truly is ultimate splendor. Relax by the pool, on huge bean bags and soak up the relaxing music. The view is stunning - a beautiful protected private sandy beach and stunning reef lie to the right.

Lovely cocktails are served and the highlight is the slow cooked food. Choose from veal, turkey, seafood or fish which has been slowly roasted for 1.5 hours for fish up to 4 hours for the meat. Also roast lamb available in the Spring. It really is fit for a Pharaoh with enormous portions and comes with a great selection of vegetables and rice. A juicy feast!



There is a treasure room below the Castle to explore and many different seating areas outside and in. If you want to relax in beautiful surrounding with great food then this is the place. Perfect for special occasions. We can organise the taxi and best to pre-order your food.

Contact us to book:  info@DahabHolidays.com

Dahab Festival – 14th - 21st May

Inspired by the powerful coming together of people in Egypt recently, the people of Dahab have combined forces to showcase local activities and events. The result: the first ever Dahab International Festival of Water Sports, Culture and Desert Adventure on the 14th – 21st May 2011.

Also intended to boost the local economy by reminding the world of the exciting things on offer in South Sinai. Events will include water sports, spectacular wind and kite surf competitions, diving and buoyancy challenges and free diving with experts. At night time things will liven up with bands and parties all over Dahab. Take this chance to discover the Bedouin culture in South Sinai, with events such as camel racing, a Bedouin party featuring local musicians, Bedouin bread making, desert walks, excursions, and safaris.

The alternative side of Dahab will offer free yoga classes and taster sessions of healing treatments including Reiki, massage, crystals, facial rejuvenation and much more. Dahab's creative side will be highlighted during the festival with street art, exhibitions, movie screenings, and a performance of its famous Children's Circus 'Circ Bonboni'.
Everybody involved is donating their time, energy and skills for free. So come and explore Dahab during this week of inspiring festive fun!