, Limassol&service_currency=EUR&service_price=20&service_percentage=100&service_logo=http://www.xtremespots.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Snapshot-10.png&service_email=buddydiv@spidernet.com.cy){kind=link}
, Viganj&service_currency=EUR&service_price=99&service_percentage=100&service_logo=http://www.xtremespots.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Snapshot6-e1532767973984.png&service_email=liberan.surf@gmail.com){kind=link}
Gurvan Le Bloc’h
/
France
FOLLOW ME
www.gre78.gr/
Date of birth:
1978.03.23
Hometown:
Athens, Greece
Sponsors:
KOUSgroup,
Neipryde Sails,
Starboard Boards,
Gecko Head Gear,
Hobbies:
SUP, Biking, Training in the Gym, Swimming
Favourite athletes:
Bjorn Dunkerbeck, Philip Koster
BIO
Thomas KOUSioris, GRE78 was born in Athens in 1978. In the last year of high school, he started getting involved with windsurfing but only during the summer time. You could notice someone falling all the time. He was up and down all the time trying to learn the balance and how to get planning at his local spot Alepochori.
He was lucky though because Greece’s most famous and recognized Gymnastics academy writer and Professor Mr. John Satratzemis happened to be watching him, having his own countryside house near the beach at Alepochori. Mr. John Satratzemis had already been windsurfing and offered plenty of help to him during his early progress in the windsurfing arena.
After finishing high school, he decided to go study in the University of London in order to become Electrical & Electronic Engineer. Being in the centre of London was a hard task for planning and going to the sea for windsurfing. So once he got the BSc degree, he continued to complete his studies in the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow.
As he had more spare time there, he organized the university windsurfing club and when it was windy, he started training himself together with Local Scottish windsurfers (Martin and Big Dave) down to Barassie and Troon beach. He traveled all around Scotland and sailed in the North Sea (east), Irish Sea (west) and the Atlantic Ocean. Since then, he started being totally addicted to windsurfing. His level went from down the bottom up to a really good standard.
In 2000, he created the 1st ever free personal Greek wave windsurfing site while he was in the university. In 2001, he returned back from the cold and rough conditions and started revolutionize the Greek wave windsurfing scene.
In 2003, after finishing the army in Greece, he worked in Mercedes-Benz for one year. He formed a repair and truck seller business in 2004 and runs his own business KOUSgroup regarding Mercedes-Benz trucks ever since.
INTERVIEW
What are you looking for to accomplish?
Promoting the radical and extreme windsurfing conditions we get in Greece worldwide…
What would be your greatest achievement?
Being able to windsurf until I close my eyes…
What kind of difficulties does your sport’s performance involve?
You need to make a lot of sacrifices in a lot of areas. You have to eat healthy, train a lot, motivate yourself for the big days, and say “no” to late night partying. But it definitely worths the sacrifices. Mother nature gives it all back to you.
What makes you feel satisfied when performing your sport?
When I become one with mother nature…This is when I stall a really high maneuvre and land it…Also when I ride waves and feel the power of nature…
Where do you practice your techniques when being alone?
Most of the times in Raphina next to the port, cause it’s one of the most difficult places to sail and can get crazy surf conditions…so when I sail somewhere else, it is very easy for me…
What do you do during your training, which is key to your success?
I am following a non-stop training schedule all year long. I train myself in the gym, doing SUP, biking, swimming and keep myself moving…
What are you most nervous about when competing?
I am not nervous at all. I know who are my main competitors and I have confidence that I can perform better than them given my conditions…force 8 and 1,5 meter waves…
Who would you say is your biggest fan and why?
My family…cause they support me all the time…
What is the best piece of advice you have been ever given?
“Don’t let the boom from your hands” and “Go Big or Go Home”…
What are your future plans?
Having fun on the water…and support my family…
What are your tips for those who begin now?
Train in the gym, eat healthy and windsurf when conditions are suitable…
KOUS
HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY?
RELATED PACKAGES
/
ALL PACKAGES
Snorkeling, Mykonos
/
Aegean Islands, Greece, Mykonos
Just discover the beautiful inhabitants of the sea!
Snorkeling is an amazing, fun experience for everyone!! Join us on a snorkeling tour to explore the spectacular and mysterious underwater world. This program is also an excellent pre-training experience for children who want to explore the possibilities, but are too young to dive with scuba diving equipment in the open water or before the PADI Bubble Maker program.
Eco Snorkeling is a program in cooperation with MCGreece (Marine Conservation Greece) in order to start a trip to discover the beautiful and colorful inhabitants of the sea! Discover the best parts of the underwater kingdom and learn how to reduce your impact on marine environment, always with safety, fun and educational.
Prices include: Full SCUBAPRO equipment, full DAN insurance, mineral water and towels.
PADI Discover Snorkeling (Shore) 30 € / Boat Snorkeling 45 € / Snorkeling fun day 70 € / PADI Bubble Maker (children 8-12) 70 €
€
30
REQUEST
7 Day Tour Outdoor Activities in Peloponnese
/
Greece, Kalamata, Messinia, Peloponnese Region
Period of operation: Year round * except river trekking in Neda (day 4 available from June to September).
Duration: 7 days (6 nights).
Activities: Rafting, Sea Kayak, River Trekking, Hiking, Scuba Diving, Flying Fox, Archery.
Skill level: Suitable for all skill levels.
Minimum participants: 4.
Minimum age: 8 y/o *except river trekking in Neda, minimum age 12 y/o.
Price: You could choose activities you prefer from this package. Send us your request and let us know which activity you want to do and how many days so as to set the price
Peloponnese is among the top mainland destinations in Greece for those who want to follow an off-the-beaten-path activities tour. Vast gorges, crystal clear rivers, sandy beaches, azure waters, excellent dive sites and rugged mountains as well as Venetian fortresses, classical temples, Mycenaean palaces, Byzantine churches and historical legends.
Our journey consists of some of the best activity and historical sites in Arkadia (Central Peloponnese) and Messinia regions (South Peloponnese), starting from Ancient Gortys.
Itinerary:
Day 1.
Pick up from Athens or Kalamata airport to Dimitsana.
Dimitsana is one of the most beautiful mountainous villages in Arkadia. Built on a mountain slope of 950m high, Dimitsana is a stone built village with remarkable traditional houses and rich history. We get settled in the hotel and have the rest of the day off to get to know each other, go sightseeing, eat great food and prepare for the next day.
Day 2.
Hiking Tour– Flying Fox – Archery: 4 hours
Our destination is Ancient Gortys. We arrive with our mini bus to the New Philosopher’s Monastery, where the hiking begins. We visit the old monastery of Philosophos which was built in 1661 on the west side of Loussios gorge and is widely known as a“Secret School”. We then continue our hike until the famous Prodromos Monastery. The view over the Loussios gorge is unique.
We end our hike in ancient Gortys where we see the remains of the Temple of Asclepius and the ancient road that Spartan athletes used to follow so as to reach ancient Olympia for the Olympic Games.
After enjoying a delicious snack, we continue with archery and flying fox over the Loussios river.
Day 3.
River Rafting in Loussios and Alfios rivers : 3 hours
The perfect way to discover the river where the nymphs used to bathe Zeus and explore its dense vegetation and crystal clear waters is rafting. Our experienced guides will take you through both Loussios and Alfios Rivers and initiate you in the secrets of rafting while you’ll be enjoying this amazing paradise on earth!
The river run is suitable for all skill levels and lasts for 2 hours. At the end of the activity, we enjoy a full Greek lunch by the river with wine, fresh salad and a special main dish cooked and served by our friends in the rafting base.
Day 4.
River Trekking in Neda (summer season only from June to September): 4 hours (from Arcadia to Messinia, Temple of Apollon)
Neda river lies on the borders of the Ilia and Messinia region and is the only river in Greece with a feminine name. Driving from the Arcadia region to the Messinia region before we reach Neda river we make a stop at the stunning Temple of Apollo Epicurius or the Parthenon of Peloponnese.
Arriving at the spot where our river trek starts, the breathtaking scenery will definitely amaze you. As we trek through the river gorge, we pass through narrow cliff openings no more than 1.5m wide at some points where we have to swim crossing stone bridges and underwater caves until we reach the spectacular Neda waterfalls.
Day 5.
Sea Kayaking – Hiking Kardamili in Mani Messinia: 5-6 hours with breaks
Sea Kayaking
Once we arrive at our activity base, we get our kayaks and begin to enjoy an excursion at the foot of mount Taygetos where each little cove hides a special surprise. Hidden caves, cliffs with spectacular formations and unique beaches such as the well hidden beach of Foneas with the white pebbles or the beach of Kalogria with fine golden sand and turquoise waters.
The beach of Kalogria is also known as the beach of Zorbas, as this was the place where writer Nikos Kazantzakis met his hero of his book, Zorba the Greek. Halfway we make a stop for swimming, snorkeling and a picnic with local traditional delicacies.
Hiking
Our tour starts from the fortified tower houses of old Kardamili as we follow the path that once was part of the ancient so called ‘’royal road’’, connecting Kardamili with Sparta. Along the way, we walk through the narrow streets of traditional villages as we learn about their history.
A small break for a healthy picnic with traditional local delicacies gives us an additional supply of energy. A burst of colors and fragrances of flowers and herbs overwhelm us and bring us even closer to the natural environment. We walk through an easy route, sometimes a stone built path and sometimes a shady pathway, immersed in olive trees, pines and cypress trees.
Day 6.
Scuba Diving Kardamili in Mani Messinia. DSD Course for beginners or an Exciting Dive for Certified divers: 3 hours
What a great way to Discover Scuba Diving (also called DSD ). This is an application of recreational diving in which an un-certified diver uses a scuba set to breathe underwater under the direct supervision of a qualified instructor. Arriving at Kalogria beach we set foot on the diving center where we prepare ourselves for a dive.
The dive site has an amazing sandy bottom with crystal clear visibility and offers many surprises to explore such as grass lands, caverns and rocky reefs. The area is also characterized by fresh water springs which emerge from underground caverns into the sea-floor.
If you are a certified diver, we can schedule an exciting dive from the shore or boat.
Day 7.
Messinia to Athens Airport or Kalamata Airport
What is Included in the price:
- Car transportation – fuel- tolls.
- Accommodation in local guesthouses and/or hotels with breakfast for 7 days/ 6 nights*.
- Certified guide throughout the 7 day activities.
- All the necessary equipment.
- Photos from the activities.
- Liability Insurance.
*We can also arrange for you to stay in 4-5 star hotels. In this case, price varies depending on the season and the hotel.
What to bring with you:
- Comfortable clothes.
- Swim suites (at least 2 pairs).
- Sun glasses / sun screen / hat.
- Towels.
Extra pair of shoes that will get wet. Suitable shoes are lightweight trainers, sandals or sea shoes. Avoid bulky shoes.
The schedule of the tour, may change in case of bad weather conditions.
Meet your Guide:
Antonis Vintos
- Padi Scuba Diving Instructor.
- Rafting Guide.
- River Trekking / Hiking Guide.
- Sea Kayak guide.
Antonis is into action sports since a very young age. Despite living in the city, he has never been a city boy. He studied Electrical Engineering; however, his real passion is nature and outdoor activities. Everything started when he first got his feet on a snowboard. From that moment on, he couldn’t wait for the weekend to come and leave the city.
Traveling is also a big passion for Antonis. While travelling in South East Asia, he got interested in scuba diving and guess what! He is a PADI scuba instructor now. The element of water is everywhere in his life. Since 2005 he is a Rafting, River Trekking, Hiking guide but even that, it was not enough!
Sea Kayaking was coming his way, so he did that too and now he is a 3 star BCU (British Canoeing Union) paddler. But that’s not all. He has tried everything from surfing to sailing, windsurfing to climbing and even babysitting !!!
Special techniques:
- Positive energy.
- Good looks.
- He gets really really, REALLY enthusiastic once in the outdoors.
More facts: Studied Electrical Engineering in Greece and took his Masters degree in London U.K. Works as an engineer since 2002. During the winter season, he goes snowboarding and at least once a year he travels somewhere far away from home.
What else… his friends call him little Antony because they say he will never grow up. Want to meet him? E-mail us for more info on the amazing South Peloponnese Adventure Tour!
€
506
Starting from 506€/person You could choose activities you prefer from this package. Send us your request and let us know which activity you want to do and how many days so as to set the price
REQUEST
