Make a splash this summer

The schools have broken up, and millions of us will be packing our bags and heading off on family holidays. A recent survey* has shown that the number one thing British kids love to do on holiday is spend time playing in the pool or on water slides.

As a result, family experts First Choice are launching a brand new Splash programme featuring the very best holidays, perfect for those who love swimming. It features 13 fantastic properties situated in, or next to amazing water parks. A new advert to support the new brochure also airs today. The programme is brought to you by First Choice’s Cool Pool Tester Tommy Lynch, who was given the enviable task of trotting the globe trying out water rides and selecting the very best for inclusion in the portfolio.

As a result of his findings Tommy has rated each water park with his own Splashometer – giving marks out of ten for speed and thrill factor. The score out of 10 is a combination of how many body slides, speed slides, multi-lane slides, tube slides, feature slides, lazy rivers, wave pools and kids slides each hotel has.

We have created a logo for each type of slide and this sits on each hotel page. Tommy has put together his top tips for kids and ‘big kids’ alike, for making the most out of water rides this summer:

1) Know your slides. There are Boomerangoes, Masterblasters, Sidewinders, the Kamikaze. There are so many different slides, all with something in common - they are great fun. The higher the faster, is the general rule. ‘Speed slides’ are the straight water slides – simple, but fast and furious that will fire your down to the ground at the speed of light.

2) Some rides that look gentle, can sometimes be the most exhilarating. My favourite is ‘the Bowl’ looks innocent enough, but it really feels like you are being washed down a plug hole! Not for the faint hearted.

3) Gentlemen, don your Speedos! Lightweight swim shorts will always make you go faster than long baggy swim shorts which will drag you back.

4) Ladies, chose your bikini wisely if you want to spare your blushes. I’ve seen many a red face and floating bikini top at the bottom of water rides. Bikinis tied held together by bows are simply just not going to survive the ride.

5) Sun cream is of course an absolute must in waterparks in the summer. But apply extra on the backs of your legs and back for extra speed.

6) For maximum speed lie back with your head slightly raised and arms folded across your chest – you will be more streamlined like a torpedo.

7) On fast slides, extend your legs but cross them at your knees. You’ll go faster and it will also prevent the common condition known as ‘the wedgie’!

8) If all this speed gets too much and you want to relax and top up your tan, the lazy river is the perfect way to pass the day. Lie on your inflatable and watch the world go by as you enjoy these go-slow rivers

9) Little ones don’t need to be left out. Tots love the water and most water parks have lazy rivers, tots slides, tipping water buckets and splashy-splashy playgrounds.

10) Finally, be safe: Always read the rules and directions. Listen to the water park supervisors, always check the person before you has cleared the splash pool before you set off, and always apply very high factor sun cream regularly.

Prices for Splash holidays start from £325 per adult and £169 per child staying at the Grand Ucel in Ovacik, Turkey on a bed and breakfast basis for seven nights departing on Monday 10th May 2010 departing from Gatwick.

For further information or a brochure visit firstchoice.co.uk.

*Survey undertaken by First Choice of 1000 holidaymakers in December 2008, showed that 92% of kids swimming or spending every day around the pool.