Wildwind Sailing Holidays. The Best Beach-Based Sailing Holidays in the World

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1 30 Years of Spectacular Sailing! Wildwind Sailing Holidays The Best Beach-Based Sailing Holidays in the World

2 Amazing place, fantastic tutelage, friendly, professional staff, fantastic kit and amazing banter, on and off the water. Simply can t wait for next year! - Peter Swede 30 Years of spectacular sailing! We are recognised by the serious sailor as an exceptional location where sailing conditions, choice and standard of equipment and staff leave nothing to be desired. Thanks to the fantastic weather conditions our flagship location in Vassiliki on the beautiful Greek island of Lefkas is also suitable for beginners and those less experienced, as they see us as a fast track to their success. 2 wildwind.co.uk Call us today on +44 (0)

3 Our staff We are always told that it s our extraordinary staff that make the real difference to their holiday. Not only are they extremely professional and competent RYA-qualified sailors, their dedication, enthusiasm and commitment shine through on almost all of the feedback forms that we receive from our customers each week. Many of our staff have raced at National and International level and some of our previous staff have even gone on to win Olympic medals. Amazing range of kit Waiting for you on the beach is a superb fleet of boats ranging from simple Laser Bugs and RS Teras through to Olympic class dinghies and skiffs and catamarans from Hobie Dragoons through to F18 Tigers and Tornado. Last year we even added a couple of foiling Laser kits which proved extremely popular, having a top speed recorded of 21.1 kts... on a Laser! Unspoiled Lefkas and Vassiliki Lefkas is an island of quite extraordinary beauty. Its varied landscape boasts award winning beaches and picturesque mountain villages on its west coast and waterfalls and dense forests inland on the eastern shores. Vassiliki is a small fishing village at the south of the island, which due to its unique wind conditions and the shape of the bay has become a Mecca for sailors and windsurfers. Light on-shore winds in the mornings are perfect for beginners, while more experienced sailors will revel in the strong side-shore winds that blow most afternoons. Despite being a small village, Vassiliki has successfully held a number of major international championships including the 2001 Hobie 16 European s hosted by Wildwind. You can visit us all year now! Did you ever want to sail in the winter, autumn or early spring? Well, now you can! New - Wildwind in Mauritius! Wildwind has opened a second sailing centre, on the exotic Indian Ocean island of Mauritius. Here we offer both our Wildwind and our Wildwind Adventures programme. If you d like a sailing experience like no other, learn more on our Mauritius site:

4 The sailing holiday with so much more Social events and BBQ nights Wildwind is an easy place to get to meet and make new friends - we put a lot of effort into creating a relaxed and fun atmosphere at our social events, including our infamous Tuesday night BBQ s and Thursday cocktail nights with live music. Free As The Wind Working closely with Club Vass, our windsurfing partners and good friends next door to us on the beach, our Free As The Wind programme offers you world class windsurfing equipment and excellent tuition. See page 18 of this brochure. Wildwind Adventures Our Wildwind Adventures programme gives you a chance to try out a whole variety of on and under the water action, including sailing, windsurfing, stand-up paddle-boarding, kayaking and scubadiving, as well as a sea safari exploring the nearby beaches and coastline. Tailor your holiday to your family s specific wishes. See page 20 of this brochure for more info. Healthy Options Our innovative Healthy Options programme ideal for the non-sailor in your party includes a wealth of off-water activities such as Yoga, Pilates, aerobics, fitness, herbal walks, cycle rides and aquasafaris. See page 22 of this brochure. 4 wildwind.co.uk Call us today on +44 (0)

5 It would have to be the cross wind mixed with reliable blue skies. You get a quiet calm morning and in the afternoon you get the cross winds, the boats come out, and you just have a fantastic time. - Clarry Knight Special events in 2017 Laser and Catamaran Training Weeks At the start of every season we hold intensive training weeks for anyone really keen to get their sailing season off to a flying start. This year we will be holding 2 weeks of the multihull (Joe Bennett, May 14th and 21th) and 3 weeks of Laser trainings (Aaron Smith, May 7th, 14th and 21st). Our normal programme is also available in these weeks. Ionian Regatta On the third Thursday of September the annual Ionian regatta takes place, involving well over a hundred yachts of all shapes and sizes racing around the uninhabited offshore island of Arkoudi and then back into the beautiful natural safe harbour of Sivota for prize-giving, live music and an end-of-season party. Our catamaran fleet joins in and turns it into a two day event with a race back from Sivota to Vassiliki the following day. Wildwind s Big Three O Anniversary Bash! Join us for our 30th anniversary celebration party and the Vassiliki Watersports Regatta and Festival 26 June - 2 July, with a special WW BBQ on the Tuesday night and a David Bowie cover band plus support playing in the village following the prize giving on the Saturday night. Not to be missed! Call us today on +44 (0) wildwind.co.uk 5

6 Great atmosphere, great sailing From mild to wild, Wildwind has something for everyone. Whether you re an experienced sailor, a beginner or you want a holiday with a difference, Wildwind has the perfect mix. Relaxed and informal Wildwind is a small, independent company with a relaxed and informal approach to making sure our clients have the holiday they ve been dreaming of all year. Our unique blend of action, relaxation and fun in a home-away-from-home atmosphere keeps our guests coming back year after year. Getting to know you From your first drink and welcome meal in Vassiliki, you ll find that it s an easy place to meet people and make friends. Our beach and pool bars have a very relaxed feel and you re welcome to join in any of our casual social events. These include the (in)famous Wildwind barbecue with its eclectic mix of live music at the beach bar and our cocktail nights at the pool bar with long drinks and tall stories 6 wildwind.co.uk Call us today on +44 (0)

7 Our bed-to-beach set up Our accommodation comprises of simple and comfortable en-suite rooms in our small family-run hotels set in beautiful landscaped gardens. Located just yards from the beach and sailing centre, you re never far away from the water. This year, we also offer self-catering apartments and luxury villas - see page 19 for details. Local life A five minute stroll along the beach takes you to Vassiliki village, where a good number of typical Greek tavernas, cafés and bars line the harbour. This is the ideal place to slow down and enjoy the leisurely Greek pace of life. The locals are well known for their hospitality and the bars will only close when you are ready to go home. Getting away from it all Exploring the surroundings here is easy too, with a walk or cycle ride through the luxurious orange and olive groves, the perfect opportunity to explore Greece off the beaten track. Mountain biking We have a number of mountain bikes, the ideal vehicle to explore the hidden charms of the local countryside or to experience the stunning vistas from the west coast after a challenging climb! A Wildwind holiday is for everyone! Families Friends Couples Singles Experienced sailors Complete novices Non-sailors The young and young at heart During school holidays, our fully supervised kids sailing programme runs six days a week, ensuring you can enjoy your holiday to the full. Call us today on +44 (0) wildwind.co.uk 7

8 Wildwind has a reputation as the place where real sailors want to go. The variety of equipment, unbeatable sailing conditions and relaxed but extremely professional attitude make it a truly unique place. - Laura Baldwin Olympic competitor Athens 2004

9 Brilliant sailing conditions, an awesome range of kit, top class instructors and tuition everything you could want for a superb beach based sailing holiday! Our impressive fleet Walking down to the beach for the first time you can t fail to be impressed by the line-up of boats waiting for you, tuned and ready to go. Our fleet includes high performance dinghies and catamarans for experienced sailors as well as a great selection of less demanding craft for beginners and youngsters. The ultimate playground Vassiliki is famous as one of the best sailing spots in Europe, its huge bay enclosed on three sides making an extremely safe sailing area despite the excellent crossshore breezes that fill in most afternoons. Light southerly on-shore winds build in strength through the mornings, which is ideal for beginners who want to learn the ropes and gain confidence. The wind switches to a north-westerly thermal wind, frequently blowing Force 4-5 and beyond. While these breezes are enough to thrill even the most experienced sailors, beginners are welcome to join our staff on accompanied high wind joyrides. There s no better place to improve your skills than at the sharp end of a well-sailed boat. Our experienced staff Joe Bennett, our beach manager runs an extremely committed and enthusiastic team, many of whom, like our clients return year after year to share their love and passion for sailing in Vassiliki. Like many of the team, Joe has an impressive racing pedigree which includes a 4th place at the 2015 Hobie Tiger World Championships; the depth of his experience is an inspiration both to staff and our guests. Many of our younger staff have risen through the RYA Youth training programme and some of our previous staff have even gone on to win Olympic medals. Our line-up of 2017 Our 2017 fleet includes over 70 boats. With Tornado, F18 Tigers, FX One, Hobie Pacifics, 16 s and smaller cats we offer the widest selection of catamarans at any sailing school in the world! Combined with our impressive dinghy fleet all tastes are catered for, including the Olympic 49er, RS 800, RS 500, RS 400, RS 200, RS 100, RS Feva, 29er, Laser 4000, 3000, Vago, Laser 1 s (all rig sizes), Laser Bugs, RS Quba s and Tera s, as well as Laser s outstanding SB3 3 man sport boat. If you re ready for something spectacular, two of our Lasers are equipped with foiling kits! Look on our site for a full list of boats. Call us today on +44 (0) wildwind.co.uk 9

10 Never sailed before? You ve come to the right place! Learning to sail in Vassiliki s warm waters is stress-free and easygoing you can do as much or as little as you like. Fun from the start Our unique approach, helping novice sailors take their first steps on a boat, is based on one overriding principle: learning to sail should be fun. Perfect learning conditions Vassiliki s light on-shore winds in the mornings are absolutely perfect for learning the basics and putting them into practice first with an instructor, then on your own as your confidence grows. No charge for RYA certification As an RYA recognised sailing centre, our safety standards are top notch. You are welcome to join in any of our huge range of courses leading to RYA (or VDWS) certification at no extra charge. Visit our website for the full list of courses which are available. Afternoon joyrides The afternoon winds are generally stronger and although you might not yet be capable of taking a boat out on your own, we encourage you to join one of our experienced instructors who will soon have you trapezing at high speeds across the bay. We guarantee you ll have a grin on your face by the time you get back to the beach! Crewing for skills As a crew, you will not only be in demand but there is no better place to learn than at the sharp end of a well-sailed boat. It s plain sailing from here Our informal Regatta is held at the end of every week and by then you ll be itching to show off your new skills! Full RYA syllabus Our team of instructors are highly professional, experienced and approachable - and many have competed at national and International levels. We are an RYA recognised teaching school and offer courses that cover the full range of their syllabus. Unlike many other holiday centres, all of our courses are on offer at no extra charge. Most importantly, the RYA qualification means that your safety is never compromised. 10 wildwind.co.uk Call us today on +44 (0)

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13 So you can sail? Let the fun begin! Wildwind s fleet includes over 70 of the latest dinghies and catamarans, covering the full spectrum from beginner to Olympic classes. Get the most out of your day The sailing centre is open from 10.30am when the morning on-shore breeze appears, until the evening when the crossshore afternoon wind is dying. There is no set time off the water for lunch or tea: we know how frustrating it is to be told to come in when the conditions are ideal! A club sailor s home from home For many years, club sailors have come to our base in Vassiliki for its excellent equipment, top class coaching, our racing programme and the legendary conditions in the bay. Many of our guests come back year after year, as they see Wildwind as their friendly sailing club away from home only better! An extensive coaching programme Our coaching programme covers all aspects of the RYA syllabus, but it s up to you how much or how little you take after all, you are on your holiday! For those who want them, our practical and theoretical sessions encompass every aspect of sailing; including asymmetric spinnaker handling, race starts, advanced catamaran and skiff techniques and our speciality, high wind boat handling. Putting it all into practice To top off a fantastic week in the bay you can choose to join in with our special events, like the sail-away around Cape Lefkada and our Regatta Day. Learn from our expert sailors Every year we run a series of special training weeks at the beginning and end of the season. These are open to anyone who has a year s club racing experience (or equivalent) in any class, and are the perfect opportunity to dramatically improve your sailing skills. Places are strictly limited so we encourage you to reserve your place as soon as possible. A small charge may apply to some of these courses, check with our office for details. Wildwind kit list Dinghies RS Tera X 2 RS Quba X 12 Laser Bug x 3 Laser One x 12 (inc Standard, Radial & 4.7 rigs) Laser Foilers x 2 Laser 2000 x 3 Laser 3000 x 1 Laser 4000 x 1 29 er x 1 49 er x 1 RS Feva x 1 RS 100 x 1 RS 200 x 3 RS 400 x 1 RS 500 x3 RS 800 x1 Catamarans Tornado x 1 Hobie F18 Tiger x 4 Hobie FX 1 x 2 Hobie Pacific x 3 Hobie 16 Le Race x 6 Hobie 15 Turbo x 4 Hobie 14 Turbo x 1 Hobie Dragoon x 2 Sport Keelboat Laser SB3 Wildwind kit list Kit lists are correct at time of printing, but are subject to change without notice. For the most current description of our boat types, please visit wildwind.co.uk. Call us today on +44 (0) wildwind.co.uk 13

14 Kids love it here! The kids will be talking for years about all the fun they had windsurfing, kayaking, and learning to sail! We tailor our instruction and activities to the age and experience of each child, while making sure they are having the time of their lives at our Kids Club. We ll look after the kids while you enjoy your sailing holiday. Getting kids on the water Wildwind has long prided itself on its approach to getting young people into sailing. Peace of mind - for you All kids on our sailing courses are comprehensively taught and thoroughly looked after by dedicated members of sailing staff in both morning and afternoon sessions, six days a week. It goes without saying that a keen eye is always on them for safety. With your mind at rest, this leaves you free to enjoy some well earned me - time. Instruction for all levels We offer instruction for youngsters from age 6 and up, from those who have never sailed before (in simple RS Tera, Quba and Laser dinghies or Hobie Cats), to kids with some experience in the RYA youth classes. Not only will we teach them to sail, they will have a lot of fun learning! Younger kids are welcome to join in too, as long as they are able to cope with learning to sail. We only provide supervision for those booked on our sailing programmes. It s not all about sailing If your kids want a break from the sailing, we ll occupy them with fun theory sessions or one of the many other activities available on-site. And when we say fun we mean FUN! 14 wildwind.co.uk Call us today on +44 (0)

15 See some of our amazing footage and video testimonials at wildwind.co.uk Example isn t another way to teach, it is the only way to teach - Albert Einstein

16 On site and around Our flagship operation in Vassiliki boasts excellent wind and weather conditions in a stunningly beautiful Greek island environment. Lefkas (or Lefkada, as the Greek say) is a remarkably green island in the Ionian sea on the west coast of the country. Unlike many other islands with an agreeable Mediterranean climate, Lefkas is not spoilt by mass tourism but remains a calm and authentic place where people live. A truly unique vibe Many of our guests come year after year, not just for the sailing but also for the flavour of the Wildwind life. The relaxed yet vibrant atmosphere makes it easy to make new friends and the antics of our staff pretty much guarantee you ll be kept entertained both on and off the water. Easy living by the beach Our range of accommodation includes two small family run hotels right on the beach, both with pools and beach bars and restaurants. Our self-catering options are just a couple of minutes walk away. Rooms are simple but comfortable and most sport views of the interior of the island, Mt Stavrota or the nearby islands of Ithaca and Kefalonia across the turquoise bay of Vassiliki. Choose from a range of appetising dishes and drinks by the poolside or at the beach bars from where you can watch the action on the water. Explore the village We don t price our holidays to include any meals or drinks and encourage you to enjoy the flavour and delights of Vassiliki s picturesque harbourside. In general our clients take breakfast at the hotels that they are staying in, and lunches at one of our onsite restaurants. The village is just a five minute walk away and has plenty of local tavernas, bars and cafes where you can taste the real Greece. Ultimately, it s all up to you: stay on site or wander down the beach for a meal or evening in the village Explore some more.. An island of extraordinary beauty, Lefkas is well worth exploring. Its varied landscape boasts award-winning beaches and picturesque mountain villages, waterfalls and dense forests. The island s former capital, Karya, is a centre for traditional lace making and well worth a visit. For a breathtaking drive, the new mountain roadback to Vassiliki takes you through a moon-like landscape before descending past chapels, vineyards and olive groves back down to sea level. Even if you are only visiting for a week, you should take some time to explore the whole island. Hiring a car is inexpensive just remember to bring your driving licence! A popular boat excursion over to the nearby islands of Cephalonia and Ithaca has numerous stops at secluded beaches for snorkelling, sunbathing and swimming. If you re lucky, you ll catch sight of dolphins and flying fish! 16 wildwind.co.uk Call us today on +44 (0)

17 The staff are great, we always get greeted by name as we arrive. They re some of the best sailors I ve come across and brilliant teachers, so it s really a fantastic place to come to. - Andrew Repton

18 World class windsurfing Our unique option Free As The Wind means you can switch between top class sailing and world class windsurfing whenever you want. Something for all levels All the right kit, right next door Vassiliki s flat waters and light morning winds Many guests combine their sailing holiday are perfect for beginners, while the stronger with windsurfing and we are fortunate to afternoon winds have a worldwide reputation have an excellent working relationship with amongst windsurfers and create the odd Club Vassiliki, the world renowned bump and jump chop enjoyed by freestylers. windsurfing centre right next door. Club Vassiliki has a huge range of boards and rigs on the beach, rigged up and ready to go. Club Vass kit list Over 300 boards Starboard and Fanatic Over 300 sails Severne plus 100% carbon masts Professional teachers Club Vassiliki is also an RYA recognised teaching establishment (qualified to the highest level) and has instruction available 5 days a week, with excellent safety boat cover. Tuition is world-class, with pros on hand that include well known competitors on the international circuit. But if you re just after a few extra hints, the mad-keen windsurfers among the Wildwind sailing team will be happy to help! For kit list see wildwind.co.uk

19 There s no place quite like it Customer satisfaction We pride ourselves on our customer service, from the moment you ring to book your holiday to the time we wave you goodbye. You can t book a Wildwind holiday through anyone but us and we like to know you, so you ll get to talk to real people who know our holidays inside out. New self-catering options As of 2017, we offer two self-catering options. Akti (see photo) offers self-catering apartments and Xristina contains two studios, an apartment and a bungalow. Some rooms can accommodate up to four or five people, which is great for families or small groups. Availability is limited, so be sure to reserve early! Small and friendly The same applies when you arrive abroad. Our professional staff are dedicated to making your holiday as memorable as possible. Our relaxed and informal approach is designed to make sure you get the most out of your eagerly awaited holiday. Our accomodation All our accommodation is in or next to our sailing centre, right on the beach: the hotels Melas en Kavadias are both run by local families and offer comfortable three star level rooms. Wow. Just wow. Introducing our new luxury villa s. As of 2017, we can offer three spectacular two-bedroom villas and one exceptional four-bedroom villa in combination with your Wildwind holiday. The villa s are constucted recently by two Dutch ex-pats, high upon the hillside. All villa s have private pools and spectacular views of Vassiliki bay and across to Ithaca and Cephalonia. Please give us a call if you re interested. Call us today on +44 (0) wildwind.co.uk 19

20 Wildwind Adventures A different adventure every day! For more information about our unique multi-activity holidays, please go to wildwind-adventures.co.uk

21 An action-packed holiday Wildwind Adventures is an action-packed holiday with six different sporting activities: sailing, windsurfing, scuba diving, kayaking, stand up paddleboarding and a sea safari. It s the perfect holiday for adrenaline junkies, families whose kids get bored easily, and anyone who likes try new things! Sailing the wetter the better! A full day on the water. Beginners and novices learn the basics of sailing, whilst the more experienced can get out on the water immediately. Sail your favourite boat or try out one you ve never sailed before. Windsurfing you ll be blown away! Beginners and novices learn the basics in the light morning winds. More experienced windsurfers can take advantage of the stronger afternoon winds and have a wicked time in the crossshore. Scuba diving forever blowing bubbles! Beginners start with a PADI Discover Scuba course in the morning in the safe environment of the swimming pool, learning the fundamentals including diving skills and safety procedures. In the afternoon it s off to one of the nearby easy dive sites to experience the sheer thrill of weightlessness and discover a new world of wonder. Those with PADI Open Water qualification can choose more challenging sites in separate morning and afternoon dives. Kayaking see life at sea level! A round trip exploration of about 5 hours taking in Agiofili beach and the beaches and caves of Amousa bay, with stops on the way to swim, snorkel, sunbathe or simply catch your breath! Start early morning, back for a late lunch. Stand up paddleboarding now the fastest growing water surf activity! Enjoy a couple of morning sessions on the calm waters of Vassiliki Bay. You can treat it as a hard core fitness workout, or simply take a gentle paddle around the bay and work up an appetite for breakfast. Our Amazing Sea Safari Climb aboard a Zodiac rib and discover Lefkas on this three-location snorkelling sea safari including lunch in Syvota. You will never forget this adventure! Mountain biking off the beaten track! If you still have some energy left, you can always take one of our mountain bikes and explore some more without getting wet. Tailor made You might want to skip the diving but do an extra day sailing, or 3 days sailing with 3 days diving. We can offer many combinations. Call! Mix and match If some of your party want to do a full sailing course or Healthy Options, while you fulfil that adventurous longing, we can usually satisfy everyone s desires. Families please note that certain of the activities require kids aged 15 yrs or under to be accompanied by a parent or guardian (kayaking, sea safari and diving).work up an appetite for breakfast. Two week combo If you want to have a week on our Wildwind Adventures programme followed by a week of a single activity such as sailing, this is usually no problem as long as booked in advance. Adventures all year round! Wildwind Adventures is also offered on our exotic Mauritius location mauritius.wildwind-adventures.co.uk Call us today on +44 (0) wildwind.co.uk 21

22 Yoga & Pilates with Healthy Options Our Healthy Options programme is ideal for partners who don t sail or those looking for a gentler activity holiday. Based around a programme of Yoga, Pilates, aerobics and fitness, you are offered a wide range of different healthy activities. It s completely up to you to decide how much - or how little - you want to do. Yoga & Pilates We offer up to 4 daily Yoga classes and up to 5 weekly Pilates classes, just yards from the beach. These are suitable for beginners and intermediates and are great for improving your flexibility and core muscles, whether you sail or not. Get in shape Also on offer is a daily fitness class or activity, designed to build cardio-vascular endurance whilst toning and sculpting the whole body. These classes include bodysculpt, swiss ball, circuit training, runs and power walks. If you prefer to exercise in the pool we also offer aqua fit and swim technique classes. We offer up to 5 classes a day combining the above disciplines, as well as basic Ayuervedic nutrition advice. Massage Whether you re looking to unwind from a stressful job, or keen to ease away muscle strain at the end of your weeks activities, we offer a range of different styles of massage. Stand up paddleboarding (SUP) This relatively new sport is perfectly suited for the calm clear morning waters in Vassiliki Bay. SUP involves either sitting, kneeling or standing on a large surf board and propelling oneself around the bay with a paddle. It has become a favourite on the programme amongst our guests and can be a very gentle way to explore the bay and see the sea life when the water is at its most tranquil. A taste of sailing Take part in our taster sessions for some fun on the water, accompanied by one of our experienced instructors. On your bike! Cycling is a great way to get fit in the great outdoors. Whether you haven t ridden since school or whether you re an experienced cyclist, we have plenty of rides suitable for you. Our fleet of bikes is available to use daily, free of charge. A popular choice Our Healthy Options programme has proved so popular we ve given it its own brochure covering the whole range of activities and classes on offer. If you d like a copy, please call our office or download one from healthy-options.co.uk Combine with a sailing holiday If you are on a sailing holiday, we suggest that you book up locally for any of the classes or massages as and when you desire. However, please be aware that the Healthy Options programme sells out quickly and the spaces available may be limited. 22 wildwind.co.uk Call us today on +44 (0)

23 For more information about the Healthy Options programme, see healthy-options.co.uk

24 A sailors paradise if ever there was one... To make a reservation from the UK, please call (local call charges only, outside UK call ) For news and updates, sailing resources, video clips and independent reviews that have appeared in the sailing press, please visit us at wildwind.co.uk. For more information on our year-round holidays in Mauritius, see mauritius.wildwind.co.uk. Your country not listed? Lynn Parry will help you out! Contact her at or lynn@wildwind-sailing.eu For more information, see wildwind-sailing.eu Austria Klaus Gerasch klaus@wildwind.at wildwind.at Netherlands Hans van Nes hans@wildwind.nl wildwind.nl Belgium Peter Vander Linden peter@wildwind.be wildwind.be Germany Peter Kukla peter@wildwind-segelurlaub.de wildwind-segelurlaub.de Switzerland Peter Kukla peter@wildwind-segelurlaub.ch wildwind-segelurlaub.ch Hungary Klaus Gerasch klaus@wildwind.hu wildwind.hu Sweden Pia Lobry pia@wildwind.se wildwind.se United Kingdom John Howell info@wildwind.co.uk wildwind.co.uk Photo credits: Global Shots, Georgina Crain-Harvey, Zain Siddiqui