News this month... (updated 15 April 2008)
Watersports A-Gogo
Course Content Information
Exotic Craft spotted at Calshot
Calshot Castle opens 1 April
Calshot remembers Fl. Lt. Kinkead
Storms lash Calshot Spit
Mystery Guest seen at Calshot!
2008 Brochure available now
Outrigger Canoeing NEW
Forthcoming Events
Virtual Tour of Calshot
Watersports A-Gogo
April heralds not just the start of British Summer Time, but the new watersports season at Calshot. It's an exciting time down here on the Spit, when boats are being returned to the water, kagouls and bouyancy aids are set free from hibernation, and Calshot instructors take on that glazed look that tells you that the water is 'fair game' once more!
Already the Centre has welcomed hardy souls on its first Windsurfing, Canoeing and Powerboat courses, and if you look at the picture two items down, you will note that some of the Calshot staff have enjoyed a foray as well.
So what can we expect this season?
Well, as seen below, there are two new outrigger canoes to try out. Half day courses and some one-day expeditions will appeal to those who want to try something different on the water. They're certainly great fun, and when you get everyone pulling together, they fairly fly along!
Those new to windsurfing will be able to learn on a brand new fleet of 8 Starboard Starts, which will complement the existing Kailuas, as our beginner boards of choice. They're wide, stable and resplendant in pink and orange livery! And they're also perfect for learning those early skills.
Elsewhere our popular mix of Beginner and Improver courses, along with recreational sessions, will help us maintain our proud tradition of introducing 'new blood' to water sport.
For those with experience, look out for our Dinghy Sailing 'Club Nights' , Supervised Windsurfing slots and Sea Kayak Adventures.
Sailing page l Windsurfing page l Canoeing page l Powerboating page
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Course Content Information
We have added a Course Content Information page to our website. Our intention is to provide a resource giving extra information to anyone who might be interested in booking one of our courses.
The page is under construction, so at present there are only details available on Track Cycling and Canoeing, but more is being added daily.
To access the page you will normally need to visitthe specific spots page in question, but you can get a sneak preview by clicking here.
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Exotic Craft spotted at Calshot
Question: What do Hawaii, Australia and Calshot Spit have in common?
Answer: They’re all popular tourist destinations, they’re all surrounded by sea and …
they all have Outrigger Canoes!
These rather distinctive craft are 
used in the Pacific for recreation, for competition and historically to
populate the Hawaiian islands.
Those of a certain age will remember the 70’s tv show Hawaii Five-0,
which featured an outrigger canoe in the opening sequence.
Calshot Activities Centre has bought two of these
exotic forty-five foot canoes, which are paddled by
a crew of six. They provide a genuine ocean-going
capability yet, with the stability provided by the
outrigger, are accessible to beginners.
Centre Director Phil Quill says:
“Calshot has always had a great reputation for its watersports.
”We are the only outdoor centre offering outrigger canoeing and these exciting boats will maintain our position as the South Coast’s leading water sports centre.”
The Centre will be offering half-day courses and full day adventure trips within the Solent, as well as making the craft available to schools and corporate groups. No previous experience will be required on the courses and Calshot are expecting great interest.
Find out more by phoning 023 8089 2077, or visiting www.calshot.com/canoeing.html#Outrigger
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Calshot Castle opens 1 April
The Castle opens for the season on Tuesday 1 April and will open daily until 30 September. The opening hours are 10.00am to 4.00pm.
For more information click here.
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Calshot remembers Fl. Lt. Kinkead
A memorial service was held at All Saints' Church in Fawley, on 12 March to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the death of Fl. Lt. Samuel Marcus 'Kink' Kinkead.
Fl. Lt Kinkead gained a string of gallantry awards including a DSC and a DFC, whilst serving for the RAF during the First World War, and is remembered for having shot down over 30 enemy aircraft.
Following the service, Calshot welcomed members of the Kinkead family along with Rt Hon Dr, Julian Lewis MP, for a visit to the Centre, stopping off in the Kinkead Conference room where many photographs reflect the contribution made by this valiant airman.
Relatives of Fl. Lt. Kinkead with Rt Hon, Dr Julian Lewis MP
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Storms lash Calshot Spit
Last week's storms left their mark on Calshot Spit, with the access road to the Centre totally submerged for a time.The road and the adjacent brook merged to form what resembled a river, preventing staff from leaving Calshot.
Two members stayed on-site overnight
TheThe Monday night's track cycling taster
course had to be cancelled but things were returning to normal by Tuesday, when large-scale clearing up operations began.
It is over ten years since Calshot Spit was flooded to this extent.
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Mystery Guest seen at Calshot!
BBC Question of Sport were on site to day (Wed 20 Feb) filming a local personality for their "mystery sports star" spot. All you budding QOS fans watch out for Calshot in 4 - 6 weeks and our local hero…..
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2008 Brochure available now
Our bright 2008 brochure has just breezed in and can be obtained right now. Simply phone in, or email us and we'll get one straight off to you.
Tel: 023 8089 2077
Email: calshot.ac@hants.gov.uk
All this year's courses have now been uploaded to the appropriate webpages and can be booked straight away. To navigate to our watersports pages click on one of the following links:
Dinghy Sailing l Windsurfing l Canoeing l Powerboating l Adventure Holidays
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Outrigger Canoeing NEW
Aloha! to the sport of outrigger canoeing. Hugely popular in Hawaii, the west coast of the United States and Australia, this is a little seen sport in the UK. Until now!
Join one of our half day courses to experience a very different and exciting form of paddle sport. No previous canoeing experience is required to paddle these stable six person boats, which are great fun, good exercise and a little bit different.
And once you've experienced a taster session there's our day adventure within the Solent. Weather permitting we might even make the Isle of Wight. Be ready for a few strange looks though!
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Forthcoming Events
Many of you will know that we publish a Forthcoming Events page, which can be accessed from the home page. The idea is to make visitors to Calshot aware of anything out of the ordinary occurring at the centre, which might impact on the normal programme, traffic and car parking in the area.
If you are organising an event here at Calshot, please send the details to: malcolm.holmes@hants.gov.uk
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Track Training
The Tuesday and Thursday evening Track Training sessions have been running throughout the winter and have been really popular with riders from both Southampton and further afield. Three guys travel each week from Chichester and we've also welcomed riders from as far as Essex and Kent.
The sessions are used by riders wanting to get/stay fit during the winter, or by competitive riders using them as preparation for the racing season.
Taking place from 7.00 - 9.00pm, the sessions are for people used to riding the track as part of a group. The Tuesday session is a more demanding one, aimed at the fitter and more experienced track rider, whilst the Thursday nights are run for those with lesser group riding experience. We ask riders to book in advance.
For more details, click here
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Recreational Skiing
Recreational Skiing is back again for the winter, with sessions running on Friday (1830-2145) and Saturday nights(1730-2045). Friday is exclusively for skiers, whilst on Saturdays the slopes are shared by both skiers and snowboarders (no ramps)
Ski bobbing is also available during the first hour of each night, for youngsters. The sessions will run until 15 March 07.
For more information, click here
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Virtual Tour of Calshot
Want to get a sneak preview of the South coast's PREMIER outdoor activities centre?
Click here and all will be revealed!
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Remember. We're the Solent's Premier Outdoor Centre!
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