Kids' Windsurf, Kitesurf & Wingfoil Adventure Camp on Limnos Island, Greece

Board Academy has been running these camps since 2007, and the summer programme is based at Lichna Bay on Limnos, in the northern Aegean. The bay is fully enclosed with no outlet to the open sea, and the offshore wind makes it unusually steady for beginners — the school notes the shallows extend even further at low tide. Because there are no other surf schools or commercial operators in the bay, campers have the water to themselves.

Kids are grouped into three teams depending on what they want to ride: Windsurf Flamingos for windsurfing, Kitesurf Dolphins for kitesurfing and Wingfoil Eagles for wingfoiling. Assignment is by ability, age and motivation rather than age alone, so a motivated 12-year-old kitesurfer isn't stuck in a beginner windsurf group. Each day includes around four hours of water activities plus land-based training — the base has a professional gymnastics trampoline set into the ground and outdoor fitness equipment, and the Pro Camp adds cardio and trampoline work specifically to build freestyle moves.

The kit is Duotone, from one of the biggest manufacturers in the sport, and Board Academy provides full equipment for windsurfing, wing foiling, kayaking, SUP and the other watersports on offer. The base is 20 metres from the water, so there's very little walking between sessions. Two high-speed rescue boats are on standby in the bay whenever activities are running, and certified instructors and camp leaders supervise participants all day.

The camp is deliberately not a standard holiday programme. Mobile phones are collected at the start and returned once daily for calls home. Competition is built into the programme through team-based games rather than being an optional extra, and there are clear rules around behaviour — offensive language or unfriendly conduct carries defined consequences. The stated aim is a calm, sociable environment where kids actually talk to each other.

Camp lengths run from the 7-day Salty Groms Camp (ages 6–12) and Pro Kite/Wing Camp (ages 10+), up to five 10-day camps for ages 6–20 running from 1 July through 20 August. Prices start at €1,000 for the Salty Groms and Pro camps and €1,390–€1,490 for the 10-day windsurf, wingfoil and kitesurf camps, which include insurance, transport from Sofia to Limnos, accommodation, all meals, four hours of daily watersports and equipment. Discounts apply for booking multiple camps or enrolling siblings.

Getting there from Bulgaria is done as a group: an early-morning drive from Sofia to Kavala (about four hours with stops), a roughly 4.5-hour ferry to Myrina, then a 20-minute transfer to the base at Lichna Bay. Kids flying in independently from abroad land at Limnos International Airport (LXS), and the team offers airport pickup — you need to coordinate arrival times in advance.

What's included

- Insurance - Organised transport (bus Sofia to Kavala and ferry to Limnos) - Tent camp accommodation - Meals: breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack, dinner - 4 hours of water activities and watersports daily - Equipment for the chosen sport - Supervision by certified instructors and camp leaders - Rescue boat cover during activities - Airport pickup for children flying independently (arrange in advance) - Training with the tennis coaching team - Trips and activities outside the bay

What's not included

- International or domestic flights to Limnos The camp is best for kids who want to spend more time outdoors, are curious about watersports or already doing them and want to improve, are comfortable being away from their parents for a week or more, and are happy to mix competitive team games into their summer. The main camps (ages 6–20) suit a wide range of abilities — the three-team split by age, ability and motivation means a complete beginner and a returning windsurfer can both be placed properly.

It is not a good fit for children who want a resort-style holiday. The tents, shared camping facilities, phone policy and structured timetable are all deliberate, and the school says plainly that conditions aren't five-star. Children who dislike rules or team competition will find the culture here harder going than a typical summer camp, since behaviour expectations and daily competitive games are central to how the camp runs. Anyone booking should be comfortable with a child sleeping in a tent in an open coastal environment, 50 metres from the sea.

Parents travelling from Bulgaria are in the majority and children often join as a group with the team, which works well for first-time campers. Children flying in from abroad are met at Limnos airport, so solo international arrivals are workable provided arrival times are coordinated in advance. The Perceived safety: The camp has clear rules and structured supervision to create a secure environment for children. The instructors are certified and experienced, and safety protocols are well established.