Xtreme Gap Year Blog

Alasdair 19, Uk. Doing Muay Thai and diving in Thailand.

After 1 and a half months on Koh Tao, I now have 3 days left on the island to fill with last minute souvenir hunting and leftover muay thai sessions.

My last week here has been slightly different as I finally got round to starting my PADI Open Water course, which only lasted 3 days but was really amazing – I have never been scuba diving, or even snorkelling before [and to be honest I'm not even a very good swimmer!], but 3 days of teaching, with 4 dives at 4 different dive sites around Koh Tao, has been more than enough to make me feel comfortable scuba diving [and I hope to use my certification when I travel to Australia to go on a shark dive!].

 The teachers are all really friendly and funny [especially Claude and Sarah, who taught me!], and there really were some amazing sites to be seen at the various dive sites – damselfish, eels, and just swimming through a school of angelfish, along with a pretty colossal triggerfish, were all incredible. We also had a photographer on our last two dives [as they have for all Open Water courses apparently], who filmed us underwater as we scuba’d around – I’m really looking forward to seeing the video this evening! [if only to make sure there was nothing in between my teeth]

Overall the scuba diving course has proven a really nice ending to my time here on Koh Tao – although I am looking forward to the rest of my travels, as I will now be spending 6 weeks in rural China, I know there are some things I will definitely miss from Koh Tao – the trainers from muay thai [although perhaps not the situp routine], the weather [and my tan!], and most of all the endless supply of mango shakes!

Did you know that both owners of Xtreme Gap are Divemasters? My name is Debby and I am one of the two.

I had the most amzing time when I did my Thailand Divemaster course in 2007 on Koh Tao. I had done my openwater before but now wanted to do the full course. Not so much because I wanted to work as a Divemaster but more  because I wanted to dive as much as possibe for a long duration of time.

This is why our Divemaster course is streched out over 12 weeks and during there 12 weeks you can make up to 5 dives a day. We know other companies offer Divemaster programmes too, but never 12 weeks and sometimes with less limited amount of dives.

The instructors at the five star padi resort we work with are great. I stayed there for 12 weeks and had a ball. I met so many nice people at this programme. People from all over the world. Not scary at all to be alone, because you never really are. The best place to meet after a day of studying fish in the tropical waters, is at the Dive Bar at the resort. You can cath up with other travellers and decide where you will go out for dinner. I have been to many many restaurants with great food!

The evenings are such a big social event. This is also why we have decided not to include food. This would ty you down to one and the same restaurant while all your new mates go to nice different places all the time. The food in Thailand is cheap. You pay like 2 euro for a nice curry with chicken and fresh veggies in a nice restaurant or at a beach bar.

Koh Tao is a small island in the Gulf of Thailand and it has a special feel to it and even though it is really small, you will never get bored. There are many great beaches, you can do some yoga or try out some Muay Thai moves. There are great option for rock climbing, but believe it or not, you will probably be to busy for this all.

I was always so busy…getting up early sort out the new arrivals, because as a divemaster you assist your instructor with helping out new divers, or people that are just there for a few days doing their open water. Than you get on the truck, to the boat. After a month or so of training you can do the briefing to the new divers and sometimes the instructor lets you lead the dive.

The dive gear is included. Not for yours to keep, but if you travel on afterwards you do not want to pack it all and take it with you anyway.

The accommodation we have selected is great too. The resort has various options for t=rooms but I stayed in the standard room and tht is perfect. Ok you do not have view at the pool, but rooms are spacious, and you have your own bathroom. There is a fan to keep you cool and a shower to keep you cool. Yep, no warm water, but you will probobaly not miss it because it is so hot and humid in Thailand that you prefer to have a cold shower anyway.

To make the travel easier for you we have included a night in Bangkok and we have pre arranged your bus and boat journey to Koh Tao. On koh Tao our rep Sarah will pick you up at the pier take you to the resort and in the evening she will take you out for dinner and introduce you to all trainers and other travellers.

If you have any questions regaring the Thailand Divemaster programme, just drop me an e mail: [email protected].

Xtreme Gap focuses on Sports and Adventure Travel. Weather our programmes are in Europe or in Africa and whether it is for 1 day or 12 weeks, all have a lot to offer. Next to wild life, diving and over landing trips we have now also a lot of gap year surfing programmes.

We have a lot of request in for gap year surfing programmes, so we have explored some nice places for you. But if you do not want to fly all the out to Australia or South Afica, we found the perfect spot for you. Just 2 to 4 hours from any destination in Europe you can fly to Faro in Portugal.

 The surf camp is in Carrapateira, is close to Sagres in the Algarve, Portugal. Here you find the most western point of Europe. In Carrapateira and surroundings there are many un-spoilt secluded beached that are great to learn or improve your surf. The surf camp in Portugal  is on the beach and they have their own camp side just 1 km away from the beach. We provide transportation.

During the Portugal gap year surfing programme you not only learn to surf you most likely will make friends for life, eat delicious (fish) barbeques and explore the many beaches in the area. Portugal also has great wines and Sagres beer, and most important of all a great social life.

All surfing camps on the gap year surfing programmes list of Xtreme Gap are open to all levels and all nationalities. So over your big breakfast I the morning you will be chatting to some girl or boy living on the other side of the world, and this could become a friend for life! Ho amazing is that. Also, do not be afraid of travelling alone, most of our customers do and with all our programmes people make friends easily.

The owners of Xtreme Gap know what it feels like to ride your first wave, we know how cool and proud it makes you feel, so if you have any questions, please contact us.

Kung Fu in China is a populair gap year programme. Find below the frequently asked questions regarding this unique gap year China programme.

Can I go to the Kung Fu programme even if I have no Experience:? How much experience do I nees to have? None. However there are some things you can do to be better prepared. You will need to attain a reasonable level of fitness prior to your trip if you want to develop quickly.

What is the best time to go? Spring and Autumn are the best times to go weather wise, but the training facility is open all year round.

What kind of accommodation will I stay in? There are dorm with maximum 3 persons of the same sex, with shared bathrooms. and stunning views! The accommodation is located on the Kung Fu Campus. There is also internet and a TV room and the restaurant is close to the accommodation.

Is food included? Yes food is included in the Kung Fu in China Programme. Fresh food that will compliment your training plus every now and then a western meal, because we know you will miss it!!

What are the living standars like? The conditions are good by western standards, excellent by Chinese  kung fu school standards. The school is equipped with Western style facilities like bath rooms and showers and bed rooms. Basic but comfartable.  

What is the maximum lenght I can book Kung Fu in China? We can arrange the 3 month course for you. If all goes well and you are up for it you can arrange a visa for longer stay and training with our English Kung Fu guide in China. 

If you are definitely looking to go for a year we will arrange a letter of invitation from the school that will get you an education visa. This is usually done after we have received your booking form and deposit.

What can I do in my time off, like in the weekends? Your weekends are your own, students enrolled at the school tend to hang out or go off in groups to explore the local area. There is plenty to see and do, and the school is located near a world heritage site, with some really beautiful landscapes. There are some organised activities that you can attend, but you will probably also want to head off on weekends to explore on your own schedule.

How many poeple train Kung Fu in China while I am out there? Class numbers vary depending on the time of year but I would suggest and max. of 6 people per class with several going on at one time. This helps with learning some of the more intricate styles, the school has a maximum capacity of 50 students.

What kind of budget is suggested for us in china? China is cheap and everything is included. If you want to do some sight seeing I would alow like 10 euto a day. You will probably not use it up.

I find a job while I am training Kung Fu in China? Unfortunately there are no means for you to find a job once you are out there. I will try and ask again if you wish, but the training is so intense, and you are training in a secluded area, that it is better to save up for the whole trip all at once.

John from the UK had the following questions regarding the Box training in Brazil:
With regards to weather is August a good time to go to Rio? Rio is a great place to spend 2 weeks, so much to do, and a really cool environment. June, July and August are the so-called winter months, often dry and sunny during the day, August is actually the driest month and the temperature will still be around 26 C, so not exactly what you and I would call winter. The beaches are still busy and it is a great time to visit.

I am a complete beginner however and thinking of maybe spending 2 weeks in Rio this summer learning to Box. The programme is geared towards beginners, so if you are going for 2 weeks, you will have a good grounding in the art of boxing.

What other nationalities train at the Box school?
Nationalities are wide ranging, you will find it quite a mix, which really helps deliver a cool travel experience in my opinion.   

How does the programme work? The first training session you do serves as an assessment to set up a personal training plan. You will have one-to-one classes in the mornings and group classes in the evenings, five days a week, from Monday to Friday. Class duration is one hour, this includes warm up, drill, and boxing techniques, and, depending on the student’s interest and level, also ring movements. 

  Do not forget it is humid and hot in Brazil and from experience we know 1 hour is enough. At the boxing school you are dealing with professionals, the training is high standard, and you will push your limits and you will learn a lot.

What else it there to do? As an extra we can offer packages of 5 lessons of 1,5 hour of lessons portugues. These lessons will be in the afternoon before you start your training sessions at the boxing school. These are one on one sessions and will cost for the package 100 euro, to be paid locally. Next to this we have all the extra’s included and it is already lovely to just wonder around in this amazing city and be on the beach.

Will there be back up support? Yes, we will have our Xtreme Gap rep help you settle in. She speaks perfecr English, German and Portuguese. She will give you a tour around the city and she will be there in case of an emergency.

If you pass the course how easy is it to get work?  I understand I can only work for six months in Australia so do you have any contacts with schools in Europe for example (as I won’t need to a visa to work there)?

1) Depending on the time of year work as a surf Instructor in Australia is pretty easy to come by.  Of course this will all depend on your work ethic and quality as an Instructor, but during the summer months most of our staff as well as other surf school staff are worked off their feet.  Winter is a different story, but as an Academy graduate you will get preferential treatment in new positions opening up.  We do have some contacts in Europe and are trying to expand them, but it will mostly be up to the graduate to secure the job, we will happily point them in the right direction.  We currently have 2 graduates working in Jersey, and the South West of England.

Is the work heavily seasonal?  Would I need to travel north/south hemisphere to chase work?  Or are there places where there is demand for instructors all year round?

2) The work is Heavily Seasonal for most static surf schools as it will follow the tourist season in that particular area.  Some countries and schools have longer peak seasons, and all school will try to keep their most reliable staff on for as long as possible.  There are places like Australia, Hawaii, and Bali where there is demand all year round, but chasing the work is part of the trip.  If you wanted the closes career profession to a Surf Instructor take a look at how Ski Instructors chase the snow.

What kind of money can a novice instructor make?  I appreciate it won’t be a fortune but I don’t want to be living in poverty!

3) A novice instructor in Australia will be on $20.00 an hour.  During peak season they could easily work up to 40hours or more a week, so you could look at around $800.00 a week wage.  Also, many school also give commission for on selling more lessons, photos, merchandise, and or anything else that they sell.  A head coach will make up to $23-25 an hour.

Overall the life of a surf instructor is a lifestyle choice.  You will be on lower wages, but will be able to chase the sun and get jobs in various places around the world at various times.  To be honest, you probably wouldn’t want to raise a family or buy a house on an instructors wage, but for 2-3years your could live a rockstar life, and travel all around the world.  Most of our coaches supliment their wages with other jobs within the tourism community, and they all come to work with a big smile on their face and live pretty carefree lifestyles.

Its a great trip.

FOr further information about this or any other Australia Gap year programme please contact us.

Being an extreme sports and adrenaline travel company we love a bit of enduro biking. Especially when it comes to an Africa Gap Year. It is a tough, yet awesome way to explore some of this great continent. But with so much poverty and many desperate people in need of help, we are pleased to be able to tell you about the following event by Zamcog, in order to raise €100,000 for their work in Zambia.

Please consider supporting this cause, but sponsoring a friend of Xtreme Gap, Rob Parish, who is all set to take up the challenge, by donating to his just giving page, all proceeds will go directly to Zamcog. With a target of 5000, that´s alot of assistance to a very worthy cause.

DONATE NOW!

Muay Thai Training in Thailand | Muay Thai Training in Thailand |Great White Shark Conservation Project|>Great White Shark Cage Diving | Surf Instructor in Australia |Koh Tao Divemaster Course Thailand |Learn Kung Fu in China |Gap Year |
|Freediving in Thailand |Whale Shark Conservation Project in Mozambique| Thailand gap year |Wildlife conservation gap year programs |fitness holiday

As specialists in Martial Arts Abroad. We often get people asking us what is the difference between different martial arts fighting styles and what would be the most devastating fighting art to learn. Fortunately we have being doing our research, and after a tough shoot out between MMA, Arnis, Capoeira, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai and Kung Fu and now can finally reveal the answer:

Here you can see the final contest between Wing Chun Kung Fu and MMA – the ultimate grappling fighting style.  Click play to see who wins.

Martial arts training from beginner to expert

You don´t have to be Tony Ja to enroll on one of our martial arts training programmes, far from it, we have beginners and professionals who enrol on our martial arts

courses, and with structured training groups that are tailored to your level.

One thing is for sure, if you put in the effort required (and martial arts training is not always easy, you will see massive improvements in your abilities, physical fitness and even mental agility.
<center><a href=”https://xtremegapyear.co.uk/programme/asia-muay-thai-training-koh-tao-thailand_35″>Muay Thai Training in Thailand</a> | <b><a href=”https://xtremegapyear.co.uk/programme/asia-muay-thai-training-koh-tao-thailand_35″>Muay Thai Training in Thailand</a></b> |<b><a href=”https://xtremegapyear.co.uk/programme/africa-great-white-shark-conservation-project_10″>Great White Shark Conservation Project</a></b>|><a href=”https://xtremegapyear.co.uk/programme/africa-great-white-shark-cage-diving-south-africa_104″>Great White Shark Cage Diving</a></b> | <b><a href=”https://xtremegapyear.co.uk/programme/australasia-surf-instructor-course-australia_51″>Surf Instructor in Australia</a></b> |<b><a href=”https://xtremegapyear.co.uk/programme/asia-koh-tao-divemaster-course-thailand_52″>Koh Tao Divemaster Course Thailand</a> |<b><a href=”https://xtremegapyear.co.uk/programme/china-learn-kung-fu-in-china_6″>Learn Kung Fu in China</a> |<b><a href=”https://xtremegapyear.co.uk”>Gap Year</a> |
<b>|<a href=”https://xtremegapyear.co.uk/gap-year/australia-gap-year>Australia Gap Year</a> |<b><a href=”https://xtremegapyear.co.uk/programme/asia-freediving-course-thailand_40″>Freediving in Thailand</a> |<b><a href=”https://xtremegapyear.co.uk/programme/africa-whale-shark-marine-conservation-project_110″>Whale Shark Conservation Project in Mozambique</a>| <a href=”https://xtremegapyear.co.uk/gap-year/thailand-gap-year”>Thailand gap year</a> |<a href=”https://xtremegapyear.co.uk/wildlife-conservation”>Wildlife conservation gap year programs</a> |<a href=”https://xtremegapyear.co.uk/fitness-holiday”>fitness holiday</a></center>

We know our Xtreme Gap Year customers have some guts, but can anyone top this guy?

He has managed to enter the record books for swapping gliders mid flight whilst flying over the Austrian Alps!

Somethings in life you just have to do for the hell of it I guess.