http://www.e-gulfbank.com Whether they relish the wind in their sails or full-throttle exhilaration, you'll find the perfect gift for any fan of Water Sports. Sailing Days, White Water Rafting, Wakeboarding, Power Boating, Diving and Surfing are just some of the thrilling ways to get out and about on the high seas. en-us 01/11/2007 11:55:00 AM 23/04/2008 3:54:58 PM http://www.e-gulfbank.com http://www.e-gulfbank.com http://www.e-gulfbank.com http://www.e-gulfbank.com/eng/personal/redExperiences/Water/Speed/RIB_Powerboating_on_the_Thames.jsp The best way to see London is from the Thames. But if the tourist cruisers are too tame for you, leave them bobbing in your wake in a high-speed powerboat. After a safety briefing you'll board your custom-built Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB). Heading upstream from the London Eye, you'll see the Houses of Parliament before racing back down to Tower Bridge and Canary Wharf, with unrivalled views of Tate Modern, St Paul's Cathedral and the Tower of London along the way. Your experienced skipper knows lots of stories about the layers of history that have built up along the river, and you'll be pulling up sharply to learn some of the history behind the landmarks, and entertaining the crowds as you whisk around in 360-degree spins. Your skipper can tell you all about London's darker past too: the bolt holes that tell tales of the criminals chained up to drown at high tide, and the Watergate dungeon entrance, known for over 300 years as 'Traitors Gate', which beckons menacingly! 31/03/2008 3:27:49 PM http://www.e-gulfbank.com/eng/personal/redExperiences/Water/Speed/RIB_Powerboating_on_the_Thames.jsp http://www.e-gulfbank.com/eng/personal/redExperiences/Water/White_Water_Rafting.jsp Rediscover your sense of adventure (and what it's like to be soaked to the skin!) with this white water rafting experience in an inflatable six to eight person raft. You'll start by being kitted out with all the equipment (note: this is not an experience for the style-conscious!), before a full safety briefing and instruction in rafting techniques. Then an experienced guide will take you onto the water for a series of runs down the breathtaking twists, turns and drops of the white water course. Depending on which venue you choose you'll be rafting either on mighty natural rivers, or thrilling purpose-built courses - either way, it's an adrenaline-fuelled, exhilarating and unforgettable experience. 31/03/2008 3:27:23 PM http://www.e-gulfbank.com/eng/personal/redExperiences/Water/White_Water_Rafting.jsp http://www.e-gulfbank.com/eng/personal/redExperiences/Water/Watersports_Day.jsp Enjoy life on the ocean wave with an introduction to three fun-packed watersports activities. First up it's dinghy sailing and the chance to helm your own boat. With expert instruction you will be off in a matter of minutes and whether you plan to glide across the water or crash through ocean swells, you'll have great fun in these little boats. If you managed not to capsize in those, then move on to getting wet! After a quick lesson on the dry land simulator, go out on the windsurfers, combining style with speed as you race across the water (or combining chaos with flailing limbs as you fall in ungracefully!). After lunch move onto the kayaks. These are great fun and you'll be powering across the water in no time at all. 31/03/2008 3:27:33 PM http://www.e-gulfbank.com/eng/personal/redExperiences/Water/Watersports_Day.jsp http://www.e-gulfbank.com/eng/personal/redExperiences/Water/World_Class_Half_Day_Yacht_Racing.jsp In 1968, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston became the first man in history to sail non-stop single handed around the globe. He pledged that one day men and women from all walks of life with no prior sailing knowledge would be able to follow in his footsteps (well, in the wake of a yacht anyway) and the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race was born. Since the first sailors cast off on their voyage, 1300 men and women have competed in this unique race around the continents in some of the fastest yachts of their kind. Now you can experience what it's like to be part of the sailing team on one of these extraordinary 20 meters yachts, actively taking part and learning how to steer, handle sails and haul sheets. You'll learn all about life at sea from your captain and as you cut through the seas with the wind in your hair, you'll understand why so many before you have fallen in love with the ocean. This breathtaking trip is exhausting, but exhilarating. 31/03/2008 3:27:05 PM http://www.e-gulfbank.com/eng/personal/redExperiences/Water/World_Class_Half_Day_Yacht_Racing.jsp http://www.e-gulfbank.com/eng/personal/redExperiences/Water/Honda_Powerboating.jsp Been tied to the nine-to-five and longing to break free? Blow away those cobwebs with a vengeance in a powerboat experience round the south coast - it's wet, it's windy, and it's much more fun than going to the gym to let off steam we promise you. The Honda Formula 4-Stroke (HF4S) championship is the most exciting offshore powerboat series in the world - these boats are responsive, maneuverable and so fast they fly over the surface. You'll start off with a safety briefing and an introduction to the boat, then it's time to get changed into your safety gear and racing team kit (a snap of which makes a great screensaver). You'll head out onto Southampton water with an expert driver, usually a current or veteran racer, who'll put the boat through her paces while you hang on tight. You'll get tuition in how to handle the boat, and then about 15 minutes of hands-on driving (at the skipper's discretion). The boat operates within Southampton Water and, weather permitting, out onto the Solent. 31/03/2008 3:27:10 PM http://www.e-gulfbank.com/eng/personal/redExperiences/Water/Honda_Powerboating.jsp http://www.e-gulfbank.com/eng/personal/redExperiences/Water/Wakeboarding.jsp Wakeboarding: a sport so cool, lots of people have yet to learn about it. In fact, it's the fastest growing watersport in the country. It's like a cross between water-skiing, snowboarding and surfing (it used to be called skurfing, but that sounded silly). You're pulled across the water by hanging onto a cable, but unlike water-skiing you're attached to a single wide-board and it's also a bit slower. So it's perfect for anyone who wants to try a new sport and doesn't mind getting very wet indeed. After a full safety briefing, you'll be on the water and round the cable. You'll start off knee-boarding, which will help you get to grips with the basics and put the theory into practice. The tricky bit is taking corners, but once you've got the hang of that you'll be up on your feet and whizzing around on your wakeboard in no time, experiencing the adrenaline rush of flying across the water. Not even the occasional dunking will wipe the smile off your face. 31/03/2008 3:27:37 PM http://www.e-gulfbank.com/eng/personal/redExperiences/Water/Wakeboarding.jsp http://www.e-gulfbank.com/eng/personal/redExperiences/Water/Yacht_Sailing_Evening.jsp Ahoy there me hearties! Splice the main brace, shiver me timbers and other such nautical nonsense... there'll be none of that on this experience, offering an introduction to sailing in a friendly and informal atmosphere. It's great fun - exhilarating and relaxing at the same time, and the best way to take in the beauty and freedom of the open sea. Your experience begins with a safety briefing, then your Yachtmaster skipper will introduce you to the basics of sailing. In no time at all you'll be out at sea, sailing on open water in the evening light. If you're feeling energetic you can put theory into practice and take an active part in crewing, but if you'd rather you can just sit back in the secure cockpit and enjoy the evening. 31/03/2008 3:27:42 PM http://www.e-gulfbank.com/eng/personal/redExperiences/Water/Yacht_Sailing_Evening.jsp http://www.e-gulfbank.com/eng/personal/redExperiences/Water/Rapids/Surfing_Discovery_Day.jsp Surfing is no longer the preserve of teenagers who call everyone dude - because the rest of the world has cottoned on to how much fun it is. On this full day experience you'll learn the basics of surfing practice and etiquette and by the end of the day you'll be catching some waves with the best of them. The experience takes place either in Cornwall (home of British surfing) or Cleveland, and the instructors all hold lifeguard and first aid qualifications, so you'll be in safe hands. During your morning lesson you'll learn all about safety, basic paddling techniques, catching waves, board trim and steering, standing up (the hard bit!), wave selection and rights of way. Then after lunch spend the whole afternoon practicing your new skills among the waves, with your instructor always on hand. So come and find out what all the fuss is about - you'll never forget the thrill of riding your first wave. 31/03/2008 3:28:27 PM http://www.e-gulfbank.com/eng/personal/redExperiences/Water/Rapids/Surfing_Discovery_Day.jsp