Top 5 Windsurfing Spots In The US

Paul McWilliams    New Windsurfing Holiday Ideas, windsurfingholidays     California, florida, hawaii, Illinois, Lake Michigan, Maui, Merritt Island, Pennsylvania, San Francisco Bay, South Padre Island, Susquehanna River, Texas, US, windsurfing holidays, Windsurfing Spots, Windusurfing

Originally called sail boarding, windsurfing was invented by an innovative young man called S. Newman Darby. Legend has it that Darby invented the sport in 1965 on the Susquehanna River, Pennsylvania.

Maui, one of the world's best windsurfing spots. Image: Flickr/ LipBomb

Having noticed the craze for surfing springing up around the country (all sound-tracked by the emerging surf rock sounds of The Beach Boys and their ilk) he decided to create a similar pastime for those who lived in inland areas.

If you didn’t have access to huge surf, you could book a hostel nearby and still take to the water on your board to experience the rush.

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Surfing in Winter: How to get out and get it on

Jeff    surfingholidays     australia, California, France, Ireland, North Africa, Portugal, Spain, surfing holidays, Surfing in England, surfing trips, Winter surfing

It’s cold again. Even in California. Thanksgiving signals the beginning of the end of the year. A time to reflect on prior months of success or shortcomings, and what changes should be made for the future.

Winter, you've got to love it! Image: Flickr/ Ken Janes

Winter means shorter days, longer clothing, and cooler water.

But for surfers, winter is a time to rejoice. Wavesliders love this season. Here’s a few reasons why:

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Living on a sailboat for a year

Mark Moore    New Sailing Holiday Ideas, sailingbreaks     California, Sailboat, Sailing, Sailing Holidays, Sailing in the Caribbean, Sailing Tours, the Caribbean

Almost everyone has occasionally imagined what it would be like to be living on a sailboat: The allure of the easy-going lifestyle, the freedom and the adventure; what’s not to desire?

Live your own adventure on a sailboat. Image: Flickr/spantil

It’s smooth seas, mermaids, sunsets, sailing tours and booze cruises everyday, right? The boat is cheaper than rent, there is no traffic and the entire ocean is at your disposal. After living on a sailboat for the better part of a year, not all of the above are accurate.

All in all, it is pretty sweet, though…

I ended up in California after I broke up with a girl. She left me – figures. I’m not meant for relationships because when the wind is blowing or the surf is running, I have a hard time holding down a normal commitment.

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How to make California skiing work for you

Tom Sykes    bestskiholidays     Big Bear Lake, Big Bear Lake Vacation Rentals, California, California Ski Resorts, Eastern Sierras, High Sierra Barbecue, Lake Lahoe, Lake Lahoe Vacation Rentals, Mammoth Mountain, ski holidays, US, Vacation Rentals

When the composer Beth Anderson said ‘everything is just better in California’ she wasn’t referring to the skiing, but she might as well have been.

Lake Tahoe view from the top of Diamond Peak. Image: Flickr/ *~Dawn~*

The snowfall averages 350 inches a year, there are innovations such as revolving jibs, the resorts are well connected transport-wise, the mountains are grandiose and challenging

These are just some of the reasons to pivot and plough, schuss and carve your way around the slopes of California.

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Windsurfing in California: Dude, get a sail!

Tom Sykes    New Windsurfing Holiday Ideas, windsurfingholidays     CA, Cali, California, Californian windsurfing holiday, Crown Beach Alameda, Huntington Beach, Los angeles, Los angeles Vacation Rentals, Newport Beach, Newport Beach Vacation Rentals, San Francisco Bay, San Mateo, united states, US, Vacation Rentals, windsurf, Windsurfing, windsurfing holidays, Windsurfing in California

Thanks to the Beach Boys and others, California will always have a pre-eminent place in surfing mythology. Less often is it associated with windsurfing, even though in California the sport has been popular here since the 1960s.

Low winds and calm waves for windsurfers. Image: Flickr/ donjd2

Whatever kind of Californian windsurfing holiday you book, whether it’s through Los Angeles Vacation Rentals or with a hire car you drive to celebrated Leo Carillo, you’ll be stoked from start to finish.

And don’t worry about the surfers – you know they’ll come around to it sooner or later! Here’s what’s happening in Cali for both beginners and experts.

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Kitesurfing in the US: 10 kite spots to rock

Mark Moore    kiteboardingholidays, Top 10s     Belmont Shores, California, Crandon Park, florida, Florida Keys, Hood River Gorge, Kiteboarding America, kiteboarding holidays, kiteboarding in the US, kitesurf, kitesurfing, kitesurfing holidays, Kitesurfing in the US, Kitesurfing Trips, Kitesurfing US, Lake Michigan, Long Island, Massachusetts, Michigan, Muskegon, new york, North Carolina, Oregon, Outer Banks, Pleasure Bay, Sherman Island, South Padre Island, Texas, US

The United States is a huge piece of real estate. There are multiple oceans, lakes, rivers, lagoons and various flood plains that make for great kitesurfing setups. In the US the possibilities are truly endless.

Great kitesurfing setups in the US. Image: Flickr/ Josiah Mackenzie

For example, you may drive through Iowa (a land locked state) a few days after a rain and see a flooded farmer’s field that is perfect for kiteboarding. The next day, it may disappear.

I’ve hit some strange spots like that over the years. I’ve been to 45 of the 50 states, so I feel relatively well qualified to share 10 hot spots for kitesurfing in the US

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This Winter’s Top 10 Snowboarding Destinations

Ana Sandoiu    snowboardingholidays, Top 10s     austria, California, Canada, Finland Japan, Italy, Skiing, Snowboarding, Snowboarding in Canada, snowboarding in France, Snowboarding resorts, Switzerland

If these were the seventies, by this time in November you’d be putting on your astrakhan hat and getting ready for snurfing.  But it’s 2011 and bell-bottomed trousers are no longer in fashion… Snowboarding still is though, even if we call it differently! Below you have this winter’s top 10 snowboarding resorts and destinations, as picked by a proper snowboard enthusiast who knows how to do her research. So put on your gear and head to the slopes – it’s time to surf some snow!

If you want to book a snowboarding holiday to any of these destinations then check out Crystal Ski and Snowboard.

Mammoth views Image: Flickr/Perfect Zero

1. Mammoth Mountain, California

Mammoth Mountain is a large ski resort located in Eastern California, along the east side of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. It’s known for two things: cheap accommodation and Shaun White. Its world-class parks are exceptionally well maintained, with superpipes, minipipes and one of the few Super-Duper pipes in the world! This is what makes Mammoth Number 1 among the top snowboarding resorts in the world, as well as an excellent location for freestyle riding. And it’s also why top snowboarders such as two-time Winter Olympics gold medalist Shaun White comes to practice here.

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