During February, thanks to the association Tri www with whom we actively collaborate, Sands Beach Resort had the pleasure of Marieke Vervoot and her guide dog Zenn as our guests. It’s the second time that Marieke has visited Lanzarote, on this occasion it’s to participate in the Music Marathon in Puerto del Carmen.

Marieke’s amazing zest for life and unerring good humour are both enviable and contagious. At the age of 20 years, Marieke found herself confined to a wheel chair as a result of a rare degenerative disease which she knew little about. But that didn’t stop her from enjoying a variety of sports and fulfilling her dreams by twice becoming World Triathlon Champion in the Paratriathlon category and competing in the Hawaii Ironman competition.

The rapid deterioration of her health has forced Marieke to withdraw from triathlon competition but the Iron Lady doesn’t give up easily and is now looking for new challenges. A great deal of her time now is devoted to motivational talks, swimming lessons for children and practising all kinds of sports. Back in November we had the pleasure of watching Marieke compete in the 2010 Arrecife City Marathon where she won first place in the women’s category with a time of 2:28·36.

Marieke told us that she feels at home in Lanzarote because of the welcome she gets from the people. That welcome is the inevitable response she evokes with her warm smile which makes time spent in her company so life reaffirming.

From Sands Beach, we send Marieke all our love and admiration and we look forward to having her stay with us again during the Lanzarote Ironman competition 2011 when she will be sporting the Sands Beach Active logo on her training and competition wear.

A few days before Three Kings Day, our mascot Buddy went along with members of the animation team from Sands Beach Resort to the Doctor José Molina Orosa General Hospital and to the Insular Hospital Old People’s Home.
Buddy and the team knew it wasn’t going to be easy but we wanted to try to put smiles on the faces of those who really need them and just for a little while, to turn those faces into stars.

We had so much fun with face painting workshops, balloon shaping and a lively mini disco with children singing that it was an unforgettable experience with everyone having a really good time … mission accomplished!

Today we would very much like to thank all the children and the elderly folks whom we surprised with our visit, but who surprised us even more by the affection with which they received us. You all reminded of the meaning of the word humility and of the importance of valuing and respecting all from the very youngest to the most elderly.

From the team at Sands Beach Resort, we send our heartfelt thanks to the staff of both institutions for making us so welcome.

The year 2011 is barely six weeks old and already it has seen monumental events that have changed the faces of Tunisia and Egypt.

While images of protester clashes with authorities have filled our newspapers and TV screens, foreign embassies have issued advice against all but essential travel to both Tunisia and Egypt, creating havoc in the tourism industry of both countries and holiday misery for thousands.
The full implications of the changes in world political terms have yet to unfold but in the short term, those who have had their holiday travel plans cancelled are likely to look to the Canary Islands as an alternative destination.

Lying just 500 miles off the coast of Morocco, the beautiful island of Lanzarote enjoys the same warm, sunshine filled days as Egypt and Tunisia throughout the winter but with higher daily sunshine hours and without the rapid drop in nightly temperature. The arid, flat landscape and uniformly white, low rise buildings are reminiscent of its north African neighbours while its crystal clear waters with their annual average temperature of around 20ºC are a scuba diver’s dream.

In the popular tourist destination of Costa Teguise, Sands Beach Resort is gearing up in order to receive additional guests whose holiday plans have been affected by the situation in Egypt and Tunisia. From its privileged position alongside the lovely salt water lagoon of Los Charcos Beach, Sands Beach Resort offers the highest standard of accommodation in luxury villas and apartments which line the lagoon beach front or surround  palm lined plazas and swimming pools.

Working in partnership with local companies, Sands Beach Resort offers excellent facilities and a host of activities including tennis, cycling, surfing, windsurfing, kite boarding and not least, scuba diving to allow its guests to capitalise on Lanzarote’s deserved reputation as an active holiday destination.

With predictions of around 300,000 holidaymakers looking to book alternative holidays to the Canary Islands, hotels across the islands are likely to see a rapid increase in the demand for rooms at what is already one of their busiest seasons. Sands Beach Resort are currently running their Spring into Action offer of 25% discount on holiday bookings made before the 15th February 2011. Those affected by the crises in Egypt and Tunisia would do well to make early arrangements to book an alternative holiday and take advantage of the savings before places fill up.

Last week Sands Beach Resort played host to triathletes Emma-Kate Lidbury and Rachel Joyce – both girls getting in some warm weather training in Lanzarote and using Sands Beach as their base.
As Emma points out on her blog, winter in the UK is very difficult for athletes in  training terms due to the bad weather conditions and the short daylight hours.

In Lanzarote, the low to mid 20ºC temperatures at this time of year combined with more than 10 hours of daylight make for the perfect winter training ground. Throw into the mix the excellent facilities and superb accommodation at Sands Beach Resort and you’ve got all the ingredients you need for a full fitness regime.
But head to the Wellness Centre alongside the gymnasium and you’ll discover that Sands Beach has even more to offer – the skills and experience of Juan Montero, physiotherapist to the UD Lanzarote football club.

For athletes in warm weather training or for those using Sands Beach Resort as their base during competitions, having the skills of Madrid trained Juan Montero on site adds another dimension to the facilities on offer and can give athletes peace of mind knowing an experienced and valued physiotherapist is on hand.

But you don’t have to be an athlete to enjoy the scented relaxation of a massage at the Wellness Centre, treatments are available to everyone and after a hard day lying by the pool and enjoying the rigours of aqua aerobics and the Shine On dance moves, there’s nothing quite like a massage to relax you before dinner. And once your skin is feeling toned and silky, why not spend a little time in the expert hands of beautician Michaela who’ll ensure that you leave the spa looking every bit as good as you feel.
With Valentine’s Day coming up, Sands Beach are offering a special romantic weekend which includes a couples massage.
Go on, spoil yourself.