O-p14 Baz Roberts 9/19/08 12:51 PM Page 14
BAZ ROBERTS - Outdoor Talk
SGB
www.sgb-sports.com
Sports and Outdoor
Family Friendly Action Holidays
Baz Roberts, our new columnist, is on hand with some tips as to how to enjoy an action
holiday with the family in tow…
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hilst some of my contemporaries (busy guys get gobbled up between getting up and getting in the car
with kids that used to do exciting adventure (especially if you have more than one child!). A morning
sports) lament the time when they could jet off family adventure also fits in well with a toddler’s
unencumbered to go “play”, I’m working hard afternoon nap routine. Timing and synchronisation of the
to find inventive ways to continue to have it all. That family’s body clocks is all important so know your enemy!
means going on family holidays where there’s also some We filled the mornings with trips to nearby theme
action and adventure in it for me. Besides, I actually like parks (no more than 30 km away), a spacious zoo (lots of
being with my family, small as it is (one wife – who’d want walking to tire Sophie out) and I hate to confess, Sophie’s
more than one? - and a daughter, Sophie, two in first trip to that famous Scottish restaurant (mainly for
September). In May en famile we visited the Dune de Pyla the indoor soft play area to escape the drizzly rain).
near Bordeaux, the highest sand dune in Europe and a The trip was a great success. Dad got to fly a dozen
brilliant, beautiful place to coastal soar on a paraglider, my hours, Sophie had a ball (staying up late in the restaurant
main summer sport (skiing is my winter passion – you was a highlight) and Mum caught up on her sleep. Here’s
a71
Choose activities and outings that are in sync with naps
can substitute skiing, biking, walking , climbing etc. for how other active mums and dads can also find time for and feeding times.
paragliding in this article). themselves to enjoy their favourite active pursuit on a
a71
Work harder to help with the domestics; packing
Admittedly, it was a gamble talking my wife into going family holiday whilst keeping the peace. beforehand, child care in the night, shopping, cleaning,
and required my honed negotiating skills; when I
a71
Don’t be greedy. I could have flown for double the time cooking etc. Pay into the “emotional bank account” of
announced we’d stay in the local campsite near to the I did but a few hours a day was enough of a fix. your partner before you make any withdrawals!
beach in a generously sized static chalet, my wife heard
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Be home when you say you’ll be! Do your thing, then
a71
Relieve stress of packing by making lists of what to take,
“trailer park”. When I said there was a nice, affordable pack up and spend time with the family. keep them for reference and update them after every
restaurant/bar on site, she heard, “I’ll try to not wake you
a71
Do your homework. Don’t wait until you get to your trip.
up when I’ve had a few après-flying pressions with my destination to figure out what to do with the kids (or to Grudgingly (and only ‘cause she hates to admit when I
paragliding chums”. I actually had clearance to go alone find that the pool is closed). get it right) my wife actually enjoyed herself, mainly
but in fairness that would have been a one-off so my goal
a71
Make life easy for everyone. Avoid the cheapest early because she had a long nap with the baby most
was to establish a successful template for future combined stupid-o’clock flights. Everyone just starts the holiday afternoons; whatever makes her happy! She’d even
family-action holidays. grumpy. Only take direct flights. Eat out lots too which consider going back to the Dune next spring. Result. But
Coastal paragliding is sea breeze-dependent and this cuts down on shopping, cooking and washing up. don’t rub it in.
offshore wind usually kicks in late morning/early
a71
Have lots of short holidays, not one big committing one Baz Roberts
afternoon. So, my aim was to get the family up and centred on your private ambitions. Our Dune trip was
moving promptly so we could do something meaningful only five days long so if it didn’t work out we hadn’t Baz is a sponsored athlete with The North Face (UK)
together during the first half of the day. Time can easily blown our annual holiday budget. www.bazroberts.com
14 SEPTEMBER 2008
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