When you're not on the water you can be in it: Club Med Sandpiper Bay Florida
Elin in her hot tub with a view
Aside from Mickey Mouse, Florida is probably best associated with golden beaches. But I've jetted off for a week of watersports nowhere near the ocean.
Club Med Sandpiper Bay is set on the north shore of the St Lucie River - a seven-mile long estuary that flows into the Atlantic.
The water is almost black, but I'm reassured it's because the river is brackish - where freshwater meets saltwater, so it's perfectly clean. And its stillness makes it perfect for watersports.
First up: jet-skiing. Apart from a couple of fishermen, I have the whole stretch of water to myself, and it would take a more restrained person than me not to thrash it at James Bond-esque speeds.
Next: water-skiing. I am thrilled when I manage to stand up on my first attempt - I even glide along for all of five seconds. Predictably, I spend much of my half-hour lesson face-first in the water, yet it's still the most fun first day I've had on holiday in a long time.
All that adrenaline-seeking has left me shattered, so I retire to the hot tub to take in the view - and the free strawberry daiquiris. Club Med is all-inclusive, which is just as well, as the endless list of activities (including paddle-boarding, windsurfing, sailing, basketball, football, yoga, tennis and golf academies and even a flying trapeze) is guaranteed to work up an appetite.
The food has undergone a healthy makeover - granted, you can still get macaroni cheese and fries (this is the US, afterall), but there's plenty of freshly grilled meat and fish, salad and vegetables too.
There's also a new L'Occitane spa - perfect for aching muscles and, as with all Club Med resorts, there's an emphasis on evening entertainment. It's a little Eurodisco for me, but with all the activities on offer, it's easy enough to cry off, claiming an early start. And what better excuse if you've spent a full day on the water?
Nevertheless, the action and nightlife aren't mutually exclusive - as I quickly discover, nothing sorts out a holiday cocktail hangover quite a like an hour of morning yoga watching the sun rise over the river...
A seven-day break at Club Med Sandpiper Bay, Florida, costs from £1,318 per adult, including flights. Visit clubmed.co.uk or call 020 8780 8642 for more information.
