10 experience gifts to give this Christmas

Stuck for a Christmas present? An experience gift gives someone a day out to look forward to, and an eola gift voucher lets them choose the date that suits them. Here are ten ideas for every kind of adventurer, each with a voucher you can buy online today.

Ski and snowboard vouchers

Norfolk Snowsports Club near Norwich sells credit vouchers that can go towards ski and snowboard lessons, open practice or tubing, plus coaching saver packs for regulars. In South Wales, Cardiff Ski & Snowboard Centre offers lesson packs and recreational passes, from private lessons to a five-lesson kids' pack.

Further north, The Hill, home of Ski Rossendale in Lancashire, has a credit voucher that can be spent on its ski and snowboard lessons or family tubing sessions.

White water rafting in Cardiff

For the thrill-seeker who has done everything, Cardiff International White Water in Cardiff Bay is home to South Wales' only white water rafting course. A credit voucher can go towards rafting, the indoor surf wave, the climbing wall or a kayaking course, so they can choose their own adventure.

Surf lessons

A surf lesson voucher is a great excuse for a trip to the coast. Kent Surf School in Broadstairs is family run and keeps its classes small, Porthcawl Surf School teaches on the South Wales coast, and Saltburn Surf School runs group lessons and a junior surf academy on the North Yorkshire coast.

A voucher means they can wait for warmer water in summer, or brave the bigger swells and quieter beaches of a winter session.

Source: Kent Surf School

Kitesurfing and wing foiling lessons

Kitesurfing takes a few lessons to master, so a voucher towards a course is a great gift for someone who wants to learn a new skill. Edge Watersports in Exmouth is run by Steph and Eric Bridge, one of the world's best-known kitesurfing families, and teaches kitesurfing, wing surfing and paddleboarding.

In Poole Harbour, Easyriders sells packages including one-to-one kite tuition, plus hire cards for kites, wing foils, paddleboards and kayaks.

Paddleboarding gifts

Paddle Richmond, based by Richmond Bridge on the Thames, sells five- and ten-session passes for hire or group lessons, ideal for someone who has caught the paddling bug. In the Lake District, Paddleboard The Lakes launches from Newby Bridge onto the River Leven, a short paddle from the foot of Windermere.

On Cornwall's north coast, Big Green Adventures at Crantock runs paddleboard tours up the Gannel Estuary as well as surf lessons, and sells lesson packages as vouchers.

A day at the lake

Lake centres make a good family gift because there's something for everyone. Llandegfedd Activity Centre near Pontypool offers sailing, windsurfing, paddleboarding, kayaking, archery and axe throwing, while Wimbleball Lake Activity Centre sits in Exmoor National Park, with sailing, paddleboarding, kayaking, high ropes and archery.

In the city, Liverpool Watersports Centre in Queens Dock sells family tickets and pay-and-play passes as well as credit vouchers.

Open water and sea swimming

For the swimmer in your life, Lisvane and Llanishen Reservoirs in Cardiff sells open water swim and cold water dip class passes, as well as yoga sessions. In Plymouth, Ace Swimming runs a guided sea swim group with safety cover for those with some cold-water experience, plus technique clinics and private sea swimming coaching.

Source: Ace Swimming

Fishing permits for anglers

South West Lakes Trust Trout Fishing sells day, half-day and evening permits for lakes across Devon and Cornwall, including Roadford, Siblyback, Stithians, Burrator and Colliford, and a credit voucher lets them choose where to cast. In North Wales, Llyn Brenig is a well-known trout fishery stocked with rainbow trout for fly fishing, with pike fishing in winter.

Coasteering and adventure days

Anglesey Adventures runs coasteering, rock climbing, abseiling, family gorge scrambling for ages 8 and up, and kayaking on Anglesey and across North Wales. On the Northumberland coast, KA Adventure Sports in Beadnell offers coasteering, paddleboarding, surfing and kitesurfing lessons between Bamburgh and Howick. Both sell credit vouchers, so the lucky recipient can pick their adventure.

Family fun: donutting and laser tag

For a gift the whole family can share, Alpine Snowsports Aldershot sells family donut passes for three, four or five people, plus ski lesson packages and holiday camp passes. Cornwall Laser Tag in Newquay and The Outdoor Ed School, which runs woodland laser tag at Alice Holt, Wendover Woods and Parley, both sell credit vouchers too.

How eola gift vouchers work

Most providers sell a credit voucher, which works like a gift card: you choose the amount and the recipient spends it on whatever they want to book with that provider. Some also sell vouchers for set packs, such as lesson bundles or session passes.

Each voucher page lists what's on offer. Check the expiry and terms before you buy, and if you're gifting a summer activity such as surfing or paddleboarding, make sure the voucher lasts into the warmer months.

Want more ideas? Browse every activity on eola to find a provider near the person you're buying for.

-

Looking for a booking system to help you run your outdoor activities? eola is dedicated to helping instructors and outdoor activity centres share their passion with more people, and you can sell gift vouchers alongside your bookings. Find out more at our watersports page.

Looking for more inspiration? Read the top places to go skiing in the UK, 5 places to go kitesurfing on the South Coast and 5 reasons to try winter surfing in the UK.

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn to keep up with the latest updates and adventure activities near you!