Enjoyable, constructive, exhilarating courses that are a great way to spend post-operation tour leave

Armed forces resettlement courses, retraining & adventure sports professional development courses

Fluid Feeling are committed to supporting armed forces personnel who are looking to take post-op tour leave or who are looking for a resettlement course to kick-start their re-adjustment to 'normal' life.

At Fluid Feeling we realise that both these times can be difficult for very different reasons. The sports we do and the courses we offer are designed with this in mind.

• Develop a sport you can enjoy time & again, as a means to de-stress and an outlet for pent up frustration or nervous energy, whenever you need.

• Life & Career coaching to guide you through your uncertainties.

• Learn a new language.

• Help yourself and others less fortunate.

• A spring-board to another career and job opportunities with Professional qualifications.

We are in the Forces Discounts directory and offer special prices that are available on request. Discounts vary according to course type.

Use your ELC and resettlement funding entitlements to the full. Fluid Feeling courses can be tailored to suit military funding criteria. Use the links below or contact us to find out more.

Kitesurf & Surf Courses

Language Courses with water-sports

Kitesurf Instructor Courses

Life & Career Coaching Courses

Kitesurf Freestyle & Waveride Clinics

Kitesurf & Volunteer Course

Snowkiting Courses

Snowkite Instructor Courses

Snowkite Freestyle Clinics

Testimonial

Testimonial of a previous client published in Officer Life:

FROM EXTREME TO ' XTREME'

Dealing with post operational tour stress and exhaustion - extreme sports holidays and Fluid Feeling

"Boredom, agitation, well-meaning but slightly irritating family members, physical inactivity - some familiar reflections of post op-tour leave. Having deployed to Iraq twice in 2 years, I was twice faced with the prospect of very long periods of leave, and little time to plan anything whilst in theatre. Admittedly, on both occasions it was necessary to have some time alone to reflect on the previous six months away, the near misses, the stresses and mental exhaustion of ops, but it is very easy to dwell on these thoughts for too long and get stuck in a rut. After a few days my mind and body were both itching to do something, almost like withdrawal symptoms from being so continuously active for so long. Without an outlet for this energy, a long period of leave can be another challenge in itself.

After my first tour, I was at home on leave over Christmas. I toyed with a few ideas of something to do, but the usual Christmas and New Year events were soon under way, and it wasn't long before I was reporting back to work, feeling neither refreshed, rested or particularly motivated, and kicking myself for not getting away. I resolved to not let it happen again.

I first started kitesurfing 2 years ago. A short holiday during summer leave provided an opportunity to have a few lessons. Kitesurfing is one of those sports that look exhilarating but almost impossible to ever do. This is definitely not the case, but trying to learn a few days at a time here and there is never going to get you anywhere.

When I was deployed again to Iraq, I knew that I was due another big block of leave after the tour, so some ideas started to take shape. I used all of my POTL to go on a kitesurfing & Spanish course run by a company called Fluid Feeling. As well as kitesurfing, these guys also do Snowkiting, Surfing and other adventure breaks, instructor & freestyle courses and language courses.

Taking that holiday was probably the best thing that I have done in a very long time. The weather conditions were great, so I was kiting all day, every day. This left very little opportunity to dwell on the previous 6 months, as all of my concentration was required. There was absolutely no chance to think of anything other than flying the kite and controlling the board over the water as a massive wipe-out would follow if I did. It was tough physically too - a great way to get rid of any pent up nervous energy or the frustrations of the tour, and the adrenaline rush of mastering the kite and the board and riding over the sea at 20 mph was immense. I have tried skydiving, mountaineering, sailing, diving, gliding (almost all types of AT that are on offer through the Army) and they do not come anywhere near to kitesurfing, particularly as progression is so quick. After a good week you can be well on your way to mastering it.

When I flew home, I felt absolutely invigorated and stress free; I'm still riding the high from the holiday, some 4 months after coming back. I've also reached a level of skill where I can go out kitesurfing on the local beaches, so it has set me up in a brilliant sport for some time to come.

To anyone who is wondering what to do with their time when they get back from ops, I can recommend an adventure sports holiday as the best way to readjust to 'normal' life."