The Rise In Popularity Of Dance Holidays
By Derek Both
Dance are becoming more and more popular these days, regardless of age or gender. Dancing keeps you fit and is a lot of fun. Whether you are a total beginner or have been dancing for many years, there is a dance holiday for you.

A dance holiday is also a great way to meet like-minded people and make new friends. If you love to travel and you love to dance, combining the two could be a wonderful experience.

There are many styles of dancing. You have probably heard of tango, salsa and foxtrot, for example. Tango originated in South America in the nineteenth century and is known as being a passionate, exciting dance. Salsa is a dance based on music with two bars of four beats. You usually take three steps then skip a beat, as you shift your weight to the other foot, keeping in perfect time with the music.

The foxtrot involves a slow-slow-quick-quick step and is easy to learn. If you choose a dance holiday, you will be able to take part in dance courses, tailored to your level of expertise. Technique, style and choreography will be included and the course will be light-hearted and a lot of fun.

There are many exotic destinations catering to dance now, as the trend really takes off. You can choose from European resorts, throughout North and South America, the Caribbean and even cruises. Immersing yourself in a different culture while enjoying that culture through dance is a fantastic experience and everything is organized for you.

You choose how many classes you want to attend, what kind of accommodation and resort you prefer and the rest is arranged for you. Cuba could be a good choice if you fancy combining salsa and merengue classes with mojitos and exploring old Havana. Spain is world famous for salsa and flamenco and a fascinating country to visit. New York is an exciting and vibrant city and a great place to learn ballroom dancing, latin dancing or even try out line dancing, while enjoying the culture and meeting new people.

A salsa holiday in Tenerife will be guaranteed to recharge your batteries. With year round sunny weather and great nightlife, Tenerife is a great spot to indulge in dancing. If you just can't make up your mind, a mini cruise or full cruise will enable you to visit a variety of interesting destinations whilst practicing your steps both on-board and at the resorts.

If you don't fancy traditional ballroom or latin dancing, you can try something fun like belly dancing

A gift from Iona
Iona Flavell, aged 12, raised 175 sterling for the victims of the Asian Tsunami. Today (7th April 2005) she presented a cheque for that amount to Lt. Col Ian Joiner of the Aldershot Rotary Club which will be put towards the cost of the replacement fishing boats. The first boat will be named IONA in recognition of such a big effort from a young girl.
The School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (SEME) donate 6,000 sterling to Ex. Shrivenham Spirit
SEME are the training school for the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) of the British Army. Earlier this year SEME undertook a rowing marathon to raise money for the victims of the Asian Tsunami.
MALABAR YACHT CLUB - new club facility
the club house for the MYC is now complete. The building has 4 good sized guest rooms each with a/c and on-suite bathroom. Pictures are in the gallery. Guests are now welcome - contact us for latest rates.
The Kondo Syokai Bouken Project gets underway with Exercise Shrivenham Spirit
the first UK Forces Adventure Training Exercise in Kerala (Ex. Shrivenham Spirit) is building a replacement fishing boat for the victims of the Asian Tsunami - reported here in the Malayalam Manorama news and here in the Hindu
Update on Asian Tsunami Boats
the first replacement boat for the Asian Tsunami is now out of the mold. Paid for by the Rotarians of Aldershot, UK, this is a 9M vessel. She will be named IONA after the 12 year old daughter of Lt. Col Alan Flavell who by herself raised nearly 200 sterling towards the cost. See here and click on Boats for the Tsunami link for pictures.
Asian Tsunami
following our narrow escape from the effects of the tsunami, Kondo Syokai is trying to help fishing families in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. See here for details.
ROSA in the News
Reporters from The Hindu (India's largest circulation English newspaper) and the New Indian Express visited Kondo Syokai today (26th November 2004) and were shown around ROSA, the Malabar Yacht Club's first yacht. Articles appeared in the press and on the web.
Ganso-Kiso
the "base" Gazelle from Kondo Syokai and the lowest cost of all the Kondo Syokai Gazelles.

In response to enquiries and suggestions the specification of Ganso-Kiso has been re-written. Now she really is a practical sail-away Gazelle for less than the price of a kit-boat. Ganso-Kiso is the door to the experience and benefit of journeying under sail.
First pictures of ROSA under sail
the first gazelle for the Malabar Yacht Club, ROSA, was sailed in the backwaters this week (17th October). This was simply to carry out a few preliminary checks prior to starting sea trials proper (scheduled for 30th October). It also provided an opportunity to get a few good pictures.
MALABAR YACHT CLUB
the first gazelle for the MYC is launched today 7th October 2004. The ribbon was cut by Mr David Pyle, Sales Director of Princess Yachts International PLC. This is a stunning vessel, the KS team have worked hard to get her ready for showing at the Indian International Boat Show this weekend. Pictures of the yacht can be viewed here.
SOUTH INDIA - Practical, Affordable, Yacht Ownership
for those of you who live in an area with cold and miserable winters from November to March this is just the tonic. Now you really can afford to own and keep a 50' yacht in one of the most fascinating places of the world - and at the same time escape the misery of winter.
The KS Boatyard is now able to offer wooden boat building

So you think all steel boats look the same? Think again!
the KS Boatyard produces an unbelieveable mirror finish using International and DuPont coatings.
Launch date set for Gazelle No.1
7th of March is the date that the first Gazelle will be put in the water
Auxillary Finalised
The decision was taken to fit the Simpson S 217 25.5 bhp diesel engine mated to a ZF 12M reduction gear as our standard item.
Boatyard Visits
Boatyard visits are also a great holiday opportunity - check out the Prospective Buyers Visit Package for more details and see the new images of the boatyard on the Boatyard Visit page

classes, modern jive or even Bollywood. There are also sequence dancing and line dancing holidays. Dance are so popular now that if you can think of a type of dance, there is probably a dance holiday to cover it.

Even if you dance regularly at home, taking dance classes in a new and exotic setting is sure to be an unforgettable experience.

Passion For Dancing are specialists in combining travel and Dance Holidays abroad