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Water Sports
Kids interested in sailing and windsurfing can learn with a former Olympian at this Ritz-Carlton resort. Paul Stoeken, a Virgin Islands Olympian who participated as a windsurfer in the 1996 and 2000 games, teaches children ages five to 12 how to master the winds at his year-round camp. Typically, kids learn sailing in the morning aboard Optimist Pram boats designed specifically for children.
Following lunch with the group, kids switch to windsurfing. Tethered to instructors, the kids learn balance, footwork and how to read the winds in a few feet of water off the resort's beach before venturing into deeper areas. The sessions, which cost $85, run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. With advance notice, Stoeken can customize the program to focus on all-day sailing or windsurfing. Family lessons and outings are also available.
Your daily resort fee covers your use of Hobie cats, paddleboats, kayaks windsurfers and snorkel equipment. The infinity-edge pool also entices kids and adults.
Kids Program
The Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas offers a Ritz-Kids activity program for ages 5 to 12, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The program, which will operate for even one child, is busiest during Christmas and New Years, as well as during spring break. The children's facility, a large room with windows, is outfitted with colorful beanbag chairs, craft materials, games and children's drawings. Kids make paperweights from shells, tie dye pillowcases, fashion beaded jewelry, play games on the lawn and go for rides on the property's Hobie Cats. The resort lacks a playground.
The resort does have a teen room equipped with couches, television, computer and Nintendo Wii. Generally, the room opens from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., when teen occupancy is high.
Private On-the-Water Excursions
Another nice touch: the Lady Lynsey, the resort's 53-foot catamaran. You and your children can book a variety of family-friendly outings from snorkel excursions to outings to St. John to pirate sails, available Christmas and New Year's, when many families are in residence. Treasure maps, bandanas and toy swords add to the swashbuckling fun.
Destination Club
It's important to realize that the Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas has two areas: the resort side and the fractional ownership area called the Destination Club that is on the other side of the cove, connected by a short path. It's easy to forget about the Destination Club when at the hotel because you don't really see the fractional ownership buildings from the resort area's beach. Even though the resort books only hotel rooms, resort guests may use the Destination Club facilities. You should. Although the resort area's beach is small and cramped, you can -- and should -- walk over to the Ritz's Destination Club next door. Shaded by sea grape trees, that longer, less crowded beach is much more appealing.
The Destination Club area also offers more grass for romping, two volleyball courts, one of which is at children's height, a main pool, a kiddie pool and a fenced "serenity pool" for ages 16 and up.
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