Sara at Gwithian. Image credit Slackography. 

Sara Kellett

Name: Sara Kellett

Age: 18

From: Totnes, in Devon

Years Windsurfing: about 7

Favourite Discipline: Wave

Local Spot: Bigbury

Occupation: Student

Sponsors: None

How did you get into windsurfing?

I first tried it when I was on holiday in the Maldives when I was 9. It was a beautiful place, but at that time of year there was very little wind. Because of this I found it very difficult and frustrating as would just drift down wind and couldn’t turn around.

It wasn’t until a few years later when my Dad and I saw a whole load of windsurfers out at Roadford lake that we decided to give it another try. After a taster session we started regularly hiring kit, and after much perseverance and a lot of falling in, we became hooked!

Sara, already a strong sailor in the waves can pull a few high level freestyle moves too!

What other sports do you take part in?

When it’s not windy I do a bit of surfing and slacklining.

What do your friends think of windsurfing?

When I asked them they said they think it’s cool, but don’t really get it……..

For the last two years I have competed in the BWA Cornwall event. To be honest I have found them pretty difficult. I get very nervous and there is always so much that you have to think about, so I find it hard to totally enjoy myself and relax. At the last event I came back through the doubles and did about 5 heats one after the other. After this I feel a lot more confident that I know how things work, so that should help.

Sara at Gwithian. Image credit Slackography.

Also the competitions are a great way to meet lots of other windsurfers, and it definitely pushes your windsurfing level.

This year I plan to try the Rhosneigr event as well as Cornwall again, but would love to try the whole tour some time in the future, maybe 2014.

I learnt on the lake, but it was always quite a long way to drive so as soon as I felt ready I started sailing down at the coast as it is much nearer. From here there was a natural progression into wavesailing. At first I would only go out on days when the waves were very small/non-existent, but as time went on my perspective of small got bigger and bigger. I think it really helped that there were lots of inspiring locals who I would see ripping up the waves. It made me see what was possible.

Sara Kellett

It’s a toss up between two.

Firstly I will never forget this sail I had a Wimbleball Lake. It was the only time I have ever sailed there and it was pretty windy. It must have been the first time I properly started planning. All I remember is zooming along in the footstraps, sticking my bum out and practically sitting in the water to try and hold the sail down.

The other was more recently. It was a lovely day down at Bigbury with a WNW wind and it was sunny for a change. I had been trying loops for several years by now and must have crashed hundreds. I was beginning to think they were actually impossible but I was coming towards a nice ramp so I sheeted in, looked behind me, rotated and some how, when I landed I was still on my board and sailing along. By this point I was so used to landing on my back in the water that I could hardly believe it. That’s the thing with windsurfing, things always happen when you least expect them.

Well at the end of June I finish my A-levels and am taking a year or two out before going to Uni. First I will hopefully be off to Vassiliki to work as a windsurfing instructor for Ocean Elements. I get back just in time for BWA Gwithian, and would then like to go somewhere sunny, windy and wavy for the winter, just can’t decide where….

Boards celebrates with Naish by looking back at some of the best images of the man himself from distinguished windsurf photographer Darrell Wong. The gallery below depicts stand out moments on the water from Naish, to find out more about Darrell Wong please see his website here. 
Robby Naish 1980 Robby Naish 1984 Robby Naish 1984 Robby Naish 1984 Robby Naish 1988 Robby Naish 1989 Robby Naish 1990 Robby Naish 1993 Robby Naish 1994 Robby Naish 1994 Robby Naish 1996 Robby Naish 1998 Robby Naish 2005 Robby Naish 2006 Robby Naish 2010 Robby Naish 2011

EXTERIOR

INTERIOR

With one complete interior and exterior the boys hit the road for their first major trip, the long drive down to Tarifa. On arrival their clinic awaited and then it was photo shoot time. These pictures were taken just yesterday and show the final finished beast. If you fancy taking on your own project then Colin is certainly worth chatting to as he will point you in the right direction and offer some sound advice.

A final word from Colin – “A really big thanks to everyone that made it happen, we are stoked to be on the road and she is behaving beautifully”.

More here – windsurfcoaching.com/blogs/news

It’s been a long hard 3 months but getting some good feedback and every one loves the van. Finally just finished an unreal week clinic in Tarifa so nice to have a nice van with everything we need!

FINAL SHOTS

The Solent Boys

One of the newest members to the SWA Circuit, Solent Windsurf Team was set up only two years ago.  From meeting on their first day at University the boys knew had one thing in common, a love for watersports and windsurfing.  Keen to compete at the 2011 BUCS nationals, Adam Chubbock and Ollie Acton quickly set up the windsurf team at Solent, enabling them to enter the event.

Since then the team has grown considerably, consisting of students of all abilities with a passion for windsurfing and having a good time.

Solent Team

Being in Southampton means the boys have access to some of the South Coast’s great windsurfing locations. Those keen on freestyle head east to Hayling Island or West Wittering for perfect flat water locations, whereas those looking for waves head west to Highcliff or K-bay.

The 2011-2012 academic year proved a great success for the team, with a good number of new club members all attending the SWA events around the country.  Former World Champion Sam Sills joined the ranks, furthering the progression and ability within the team.  The finale to the year included many awards at the 2012 BUCS Nationals and Solent University’s Sports Awards, including:

SWA Team Race Champions

SWA Freestyle Champion – Ollie Acton

BUCS Team Racing Champions – Adam Chubbock, Sam Sills and Ollie Acton

BUCS Individual Racing Champion – Sam Sills

Solent University Sports Man of the Year – Sam Sills

This year the boys are pushing for even more success, attending every SWA event.  The next event is the BUCS nationals at Calshot where most of this year’s tour titles will be decided.  With the Solent boys on home turf they are fired up to dominate!

Ollie Acton

Name: Ollie Acton

DOB: 15/04/1990

I started windsurfing about 7 years ago and really got into it after a holiday to Dahab with my Dad.  I have competed at several UKWA freestyle and slalom competitions, as well as the majority of SWA events.

Ollie Acton, switch chachoo

I’m supported by a local shop on Hayling Island called AndyBiggs Watersports.

I windsurf because it’s so different to any other sport I’ve tried!  I have made some great friends through windsurfing and there aren’t too many sports where travelling around the world is the norm.

Watersports Studies and Management – 3^rd and final year.

Solent Windsurf Team has given me the opportunity to travel around the country, make new friends and compete at the legendary SWA competitions.

My most memorable moment with the team was at our University’s sports award evening.  They presented us with our SWA winnings in front of all the other sports team, on top of that we were awarded with sports team of the year and Sam won sports man of the year, a great  advertisement for our windsurf club and our sport in general! SWA Events have really helped push my own ability but also publicity where through the articles and reports sent out by the SWA Tushingham noticed me and I have recently become a team rider.

Adam Chubbock

Name: Adam Chubbock

Nickname: Chubsey

I tasted windsurfing when I was about 14 but didn’t fully get hooked until I was 18 working in a windy area of South France.  The place was full of good windsurfers flying around and I knew I had to get involved.  Since then my life has changed completely (for the better).

This year I have competed on the full Student Windsurfing (SWA) Tour, which includes Racing, Freestyle, Wave Riding and Team racing. The tour has

Chubsey

taken us all over the country and we have had a lot of fun on the way.  It has been my first year competing in the waves which I have really enjoyed (even managed to finish joint 2^nd).  I have also competed in the UKWA amateur slalom series, which I would recommend anyone to get involved in.

There is no other sport like windsurfing, it has taken me to some amazing places

Who let the Bears out? Bristol SWA!

and I have met some awesome people along the way. It’s more like a way of life really, always offering new challenges and opportunities.  I owe a lot to windsurfing and the amazing experiences I’ve had because of it.

Coaching is another aspect of the sport which I love.  Working at Club Vass for the last three years has enabled me to share my passion for windsurfing and take my coaching to a new level.   I also dabble in a bit of DJing at the famous Globalshots raves.

Apart from a degree in Facebook; Watersports Management 3^rd Year

I am very proud of Solent Windsurf Team and everything we have done in the last two years, from having the best fancy dress on the tour, to winning the BUCS nationals.  We have such a positive attitude within the team and some very talented individuals, I like to think we are a good advert for the university and windsurfing in general.

Sam Sills, Adam Chubbock and Ollie Acton.

DOB: 15/04/93

Years windsurfing and windsurfing level: 10 years, Olympic Transitional Squad

Why you windsurf:  Freedom man

What are you studying?  Yacht and Power craft Design

What do you like about Solent Windsurf team? We smash the party, then we smash the race.

There has been two: winning sports man of the year 2012 at the university sports awards and drawing a permanent tash on Ian from Boardwise and making him part of our crew!

Why do you think you’ve been so successful as a team? We have legendary Zen guru Adam Chubs to guide us.

How often do you hit the water and where do you go? Most weekends, Weymouth or my home back in Cornwall whenever it’s windy.

Solent Windsurf Team would like to say a massive thanks to our sponsors; we couldn’t have done it without their help and support:

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/solentwindsurfteam

Like your students a little more feminine? Check out the Exeter Ladies feature here on Boards. 

The Boards ‘Hidden Talents’ series catches up with some of the most talented young British windsurfers around, in this installment it’s time to find out more from freestyler Ben Lee.

Ben Lee

Name: Ben Lee

Age: 24

From: Peterborough

Years Windsurfing: 10

Favourite Discipline: Freestyle

Local Spot: Rutland and Grafham (inland) and Hunstanton for coastal sessions, soon to change to the south coast though.

Occupation: Recruitment Consultant for Marine Resources

Sponsors: Gaastra, Tabou, O’Shea Clothing, Studio Husky, Hytner Exhibitions

How did you get into windsurfing?

When I was about 14 I went on holiday with my parents to Greece and they suggested that I give windsurfing a go as I had been sailing for many years. I gave it ago and have been hooked ever since; I came back to the UK and my Dad kindly bought me some kit and it carried on from there.

Ben Lee

What do your friends think of windsurfing?

HAHA that is a very good question! A lot of my friends now are windsurfers, but a few that I used to go to school with don’t realise what you can do with the sport and how many different disciplines to the sport there are. They see me as just blasting around and falling in a lot, instead I blast around try and do some tricks… then fall in a lot.

What is your experience of competitions so far?

I have done a few of the UK competitions, I also took part in the EFPT events last year in France and the UK.

And your future aims for competition?

I hope to take part in all the EFPT and UK events this year and improve my overall ranking in both competitions

Have you always been into freestyle, if not when did you move across into this niche? 

I started off with the racing on long boards, and did a small bit of T15, I also went on a few RYA training camps which were great for the racing side of the sport. I then left that and gave formula a go and did the inland series in the UK. I then got into just blasting around, until a few of us where I used to work started to talk about freestyle and I decided to give it ago. At first I didn’t really get anywhere with it, then I went to Dahab to work in 2010 and I saw a massive improvement in my freestyle.

Ben Lee

What is your most memorable moment in windsurfing?

One of the biggest moments I have had is competing on the EFPT and getting a ranking in Europe for my freestyle; seeing as I only started freestyle a few years ago and originally deciding to do the sport as a something to do at weekends.

Another massive moment for me was the opportunity that I had to travel to Brazil and windsurf Jeri for three months as well as working in Dahab for two years with Neilson.

What’s next in store for you on and off the water?

Off the water I have just got a new job in Southampton, so I will be moving down there soon but it is still in the marine industry so I won’t lose all contact with watersports.

On the water I just hope that I can get out whenever it is windy and do as much freestyle as I can, as well as going to Europe this year along side all the UK events

Find out more about Ben at  www.benk109.com by Studio Husky and Ali Hardy.

Boards catches up with one of the most promising names moving from the BWA youth scene into the Amateur fleet, Liam Ellis. Regularly seen ripping it up in Rhosneigr, Liam is sure to make an impact on the tour this year, especially at his home spot. 

Liam Ellis. Image credit No Idea Productions. 

Name: Liam Ellis

Age: 19

From: Anglesey, North Wales

Years Windsurfing: 9

Favourite Discipline: Wave

Local Spot: Rhosneigr

Occupation: Watersport Instructor

Sponsors:  Funsport, Slacklinz

How did you get into windsurfing?

I was bought a taster session when I was 10 to go windsurfing at Plas Menai; ended up loving it and managed to get hold of some kit from a family friend and that was it!

Liam Ellis

Liam Ellis

Liam Ellis. Image credit BWA/Dave White.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What do your friends think of windsurfing?

A lot of my friends are quite into watersports which is really cool, means we can be on the water together and share some brilliant sessions!

What is your experience of competition so far? And your future aims?

I started to compete in the BWA tour in 2010 in the youth fleet, although there wasn’t too many entrants at the comps I entered I still really enjoyed entering and attending because of the action you get to see. The people at the events are awesome  and I gained some good competition knowledge. I ended up 2nd in youth both in 2010 and 2011, in 2012 I only managed to do the Rhosneigr event where I ended up in 5th which I was over the moon with! This year I am hoping to travel to all the events and will try to finish as high as possible. I am really focussing on my skills this winter and hope it all pays off!

Liam Ellis. Image credit BWA/Dave White. 

What is your most memorable moment in windsurfing?

Probably quite recent, I have been focussing on my riding a lot and I think just before Christmas I scored some brilliant sailing and managed to get my first taka! I couldn’t of been happier! I am now able to pretty much get round them whenever I try but maybe not sail out of it! Practice makes perfect though ey!

What’s next in store for you on and off the water?

I think I am going to keep pushing my sailing as much as possible. I now live in Rhosneigr so it means I can go on the water whenever I want and working at Funsport also allows me to be as close to the beach as possible. I am planning on sticking around here for this year to focus on the BWA tour and also teach windsurfing, surfing and SUP at Funsport! I am trying to to keep my blog up to date this year too! Check it out here http://liamellisk405.blogspot.co.uk there is also a little clip of a taka crash in there too!

Team 15 race action at the Champions Cup

The Coates family, together with other keen windsurfers at Kielder Water Sailing Club, were keen to develop their own T15 club at Kielder having previously been involved with rival local club the Pugneys Pirates.

“Windsurfing at Kielder Water Sailing Club was set up by two of the oldest members of the club (both in their 80s) who were part of the huge windsurfing fraternity back in the eighties” Brian explains.

“The Kestrels only started last September and we had 20 T15 members. We are hoping to get even more youngsters signed up this season as for the very first time we are taking part in the T15 Inter-Club Championship.

“Kielder Water is a large lake, a great place to windsurf with plenty of space to learn, develop and to have fun, whether you have been windsurfing for years or just a few weeks. A small bay which is semi-enclosed by KWSC’s jetty is ideal for beginners, after which the headland point is the target and then into the wide open space of Kielder Water for a blast across the lake” he continues.

Christina Coates

Windsurfing certainly runs in the Coates family as Brian’s daughter Christina (15) who is a freestyle expert, also instructs the newly formed Kielder Kestrels (when she’s not competing with the team). Christina was awarded the RYA North East Young Sailor of the Year Award at the London Boat Show for her work volunteering with the club.

 “I am looking forward to using my skills to help the Kielder Kestrels in their first year in the Inter-Club Championship. Everyone is really looking forward to a full season of windsurfing, racing and freestyle at Kielder” said Christina.

The Kestrels will be competing in the North Zone alongside current T15 Zone Champions the Pugneys Pirates from Wakefield, the team which Christina previously competed with and gained her valuable windsurfing experience.

“I do think there will be some friendly rivalry with the kids from Pugneys, we have as we will have some of their members competing including me!” explains Christina.

But for the Kestels it’s not just the winning that counts.

“For us it’s about the fun! This will be the first year that we will take part in the Inter-Club and we see it as a fantastic opportunity for the youngsters to advance their windsurfing skills and have fun out on the water. The great thing about racing is that competitors have to learn to use the wind in the correct way to get an advantage” said Brian.

Not only will it be the first time the Kestels compete but they will also be welcoming junior windsurfing teams from across the North when they host the North Zone Event 3 for the first time in July.

Christina coaching

“We are a little nervous about hosting a T15 event for the very first time” Brian Admits. “However it will be great to be able to showcase our venue and I’m sure the kids will be pretty excited about it! Hopefully we will have a bit of an advantage too on home waters”.

With the new season just around the corner the club were delighted to find out that they has been awarded a grant of over £2,250 from the Eric Twiname Trust to purchase the final pieces of windsurfing equipment needed for the Team15 sessions.

“We are hugely grateful for the funding provided by the Eric Twiname Trust and our thanks go to the trustees not only for their support but for the straightforward way in which you apply for the funding. Having decided to take part in the Inter-Club it came to the rescue just at the right time and will provide us with six new Dino rigs.”

Pugneys

The Kielder Kestrels will be busy preparing for the season with Team15 sessions taking place on the fourth of Saturday of every month followed by a race day on the Sunday.

“Although the Kestrels are only open to junior windsurfers of fifteen years and under, everyone from beginner to expert is welcome at Kielder. We are open to windsurfers of all abilities from complete beginner upwards” Brian concludes.

Supported by industry leaders Tushingham/Starboard and Neil Pryde, T15 was set up by the RYA to help make windsurfing more accessible and appealing to youngsters at a grass roots level. Fun and informal training sessions take place at T15 clubs all over the country for kids up to the age of 15, which are run weekly by specialist RYA coaches.

For more information about Team15 and locate your nearest local club visit www.team15.org.uk or contact the RYA 0845 345 0400.

To get involved in windsurfing at Kielder Water Sailing Club visit www.kielderwatersc.org

If you missed the previous feature with Barrie Edgington check it out here. 

Debbie Kennedy

 Name: Debbie Kennedy

Years competing in waves: Three

Best previous results:    2010 – 1^st BWA Tiree, 1^st BWA Cornwall, 1^st Overall BWA

2011 – 1^st BWA Tiree

2012 – 1^st BWA Ireland, 1^st BWA Tiree, 2^nd BWA Cornwall

Title you have won this year: British Wavesailing Association Ladies Champion

Why and when did you first start competing in wave sailing?

It was completely by chance when a friend invited me to go to Tiree in 2010. It was not long after I’d started learning to wave ride but Id always wanted to go so I thought, why not and I’m very glad I did!!!

My sister and I were involved in longboard racing as kids, which was great fun and yes, I had all sorts of crazy windsurfing dreams but school then uni took over. When I started to kitesurf, chasing wind and waves became the norm and resulted in a move to Cornwall in 2009. I never imagined I’d start windsurfing again, so the last few years have been a total whirlwind for me with such a steep learning curve, there’s been no time for dreaming, it’s been a reality!!!

Debbie Kennedy at Big Bay

I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with the comps! I get quite nervous checking forecasts, choosing which sail to use and waiting for heats but when the green flag goes up, adrenalin just kicks in. Although it never feels like I sail quite as well as I would freesailing, as long as I know that I’ve done the best I can during those minutes Im happy. Listening to feedback from the judges has been really encouraging and key for learning how to compete well – making sure to wait for the set waves!!!! The comps have really pushed my riding forward and I’m proud to be part of the growing popularity in girl’s wavesailing.

Debbie carving round a bottom turn

Debbie throwing some spray!

My sails are Hot Sail Maui Firelights, which are super lightweight and manoeuvrable but also powerful, I absolutely love them!!!! The Chinook kids boom I use has also been amazing because of its super skinny diameter, which really helps the problems I have with arm cramps and it’s incredibly lightweight too. During 2012 I had a pair of secondhand twin fin boards (81L and 68L), which I recently swapped for a 62l single fin for my trip to Cape Town because it was the smallest production board I could get. I’ve realised how much difference the fin makes changing to a 17.5” Black Project MiniEpic fin and plan to spend more time testing out different set ups with the Black Project fins. I also hope to get another bigger board for UK summer conditions.

Debbie Kennedy, at on of her home spots of Gwithian

I don’t “train” – I sail whenever I can because I love it!!! I taught myself to waveride by watching and copying the guys with a sneaky head start from my kite wave riding. In Cornwall the wind can be pretty light but there is usually the option to find a down the line riding spot. Sailing in these conditions has been key to learning to wave ride so quickly, giving me the skills of selecting waves, timing and making the most of each wave …add a bit of wind and it just gets easier! I started and finished 2012 in Cape Town, which has become an annual pilgrimage for me and I was also lucky to spend a few weeks of August in Sidi Kaouki, Morocco where we scored a couple of super wave days. Nowhere beats my home spots in Cornwall though where I rarely miss a session!!!

I don’t have any plans for 2013 other than to keep enjoying being on the water as much as possible, riding the waves and avoiding jumping!!!! I’d like to say big thanks here for all the time and work that goes into the events, all the guys and gals I have so much fun sailing with and to Hot Sails Maui’s Chris Freeman who has supported and encouraged me so much the last three years – your all awesome!!!!

It looks like the 2013 women’s tour will be hotly contested, we will of course have all the news and coverage from all BWA events right here on Boards.

Barrie chats about his role as a coach working with the squad and with Nick; how his role differs in training compared to his involvement during regattas; the pressures coaches face, the qualities required to be a successful coach and what he loves about coaching.

Check out more videos and interviews on the RYA You Tube channel here. 

Over the winter many of the UK’s windsurfers head to sunnier climes, but who’s going where and why? In this feature we will regularly catch up with a variety of windsurfers who are seeking some winter sun and wind.

Next up Quatro and Goya rider, Tanya Saleh has been on some incredible trips of late and she now reports from Puerto Rico.

Tanya Saleh

Where are you? 

Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. This place is insane! Like a cross between Mexico, South America, and the Carribean with sick waves and really friendly people.

What conditions have you had recently? 

The main spot to sail here is called Shacks and it’s usually float out and ride in wave sailing. It’s not the most consistent place which is probably why PR isn’t famous for windsurfing, but we’ve had it pretty good and been on the water about 60% of the time. The waves have ranged from small knee high to well over mast high close out bombs.

The best days have been those somewhere in between when it’s cleaned up nicely. Shacks can’t handle a big swell so it just resulted in giant closeouts everywhere. Getting out with the flukey wind on the huge days was like the gauntlet. Shacks is on our doorstep but if you want flat water you could drive to Dorado (two hours) which has a big lagoon inside the reef. The only way to drive here is just like the Puerto Ricans; break lights and indicating are not necessary and if in doubt, floor it!

I’m really loving getting into surfing these days and there are some great waves around the north west of the island. Because of the inconsistent wind, this is probably a better destination for windsurfers who also like surfing, kitesurfing, or island exploring. If you are expecting to be windsurfing every single day then this definitely isn’t the place for you.

Tanya Saleh

Who have you been sailing with?  

Darin unfortunately broke a rib during the first week so he’s been beach bound with the camera for a few days

Tanya Saleh

What equipment have you been using most of the time? 

I’ve been using my Quatro 78 litre quad LS and a 4.7 Banzai. I am in love with this combination; 78 litres is usually a pretty big board for me but this one is something else. It gives me the extra volume to get out easily in light winds, but I don’t feel over-boarded at all on the way in. It always used to be a sacrifice on the wave if I went out on a larger board; I knew it would feel like too much on the wave, but not anymore. This board is awesome, and the Banzai’s are super light and really responsive. Thanks Zero Gravity!

What’s in store for you next?

We leave here at the end of this week and then back to Bristol. In a couple of weeks I’m heading to San Diego for a little surf and hopefully by the time I get back to the UK again it will be warming up. To be honest I’m then planning on staying put in the UK for a while, I’ve finally gotten to know some of the South Wales windsurfing crew (who are awesome) and getting the spots dialed so I’m looking forward to some sailing around home over spring. In the pipeline for summer could be a revisit to Baja; I miss it so much after having left San Diego, and we might try to time that around the AWT.

Colin Dixon

Who is behind WindsurfCoaching.com?

Founded by Colin Whippy Dixon with Marco Welde, we’re committed to using the latest technology combined with a friendly fun attitude to improve your windsurfing technique. To get in your head on the water, we use Gopro cameras, mics and headphones to get the most of your time with the dream team.

How did the team come about?

We wanted to start a dream team of the best instructors in the world, so people can get the best out of us.

Windsurf Coaching online!

How does the website support what you do on the water?

The website was built by Charlie Ellington from Speech Bubble Marketing. He sat down with us to find out how the website and the marketing around it could help us sell the GoPro DVD and promote our clinics.

Charlie is an expert in online marketing, he started Speech Bubble to fuse his love of windsurfing and any action sport with a solid degree in marketing. After designing the site, he still works hard to promote the Windsurf Coaching brand.

What useful info can someone expect to see now, and in the future, on the website?

You can now find all the information you need, book the deposit on a course, or pay in full now and get a 10% discount.

We are currently updating the website with the mega van blog, we’re on a mission to build the ultimate windsurfing van. In the future you’ll see photos from the clinics and more coming in the future! You can register your interest now for UK clinics in Autumn.

What is next for the Windsurf Coaching team? 

We have some exciting things going on with a Euro tour stopping at a few of are favourite spots, including Greece to work at Club Vass for three months and then we will be back to the UK to tour for another three months.

Marco Wedele

To book a clinic with Colin and Marco head to windsurfcoaching.com - pay full price now and get a 10% discount. Places are limited so early booking is recommended.

To find out more about Charlie and Speech Bubble Marketing head to speechbubblemarketing.com

Ric Cleworth

Name: Ric Cleworth

Age: 24

From: Sutton, Cheshire

Years Windsurfing: 12, maybe more!

Favourite Discipline: Freestyle

Local Spot: Where ever I’m working!

Occupation: Joiner/ Carpenter/ Windsurf Coach

Sponsors: Fanatic UK, Boardwise, Ion, Globalshots

How did you get into windsurfing? 

When I was maybe 9 or 10, my parents put me on a multi-activity course in the summer holidays; to keep me out trouble at a guess!

It was at Astbury Sail Sports, I did all the usual water sports but I knew straight away windsurfing was for me! I owe a big thank you to Ali Yates the owner of this centre for making me watch lots of Jason Polakow videos to show me what and epic sport it was I was getting into; as well as being an inspiration herself of course.

What do your friends think of windsurfing?

Well most of them when they first hear about it think I probably nip backwards and forwards on a big white thing, hanging onto a triangle like thing. However, I think now thanks to the power of the internet and online media they are all pretty clued up on what windsurfing is and think it’s a really amazing sport! I would say most people are shocked and ask how can they get involved.

Shaka!

What is your experience of competitions so far? And your future aims for competition?

I came through the RYA racing scheme, so these were the first competitions I did. Starting out with Team 15 where I competed around the north west, I then went onto competing representing the north west in the zone squad and having won the Eric Twiname title with a lot of help from my parents and coaches at the time Ian Roberts and Ali Yates I was selected to represent Great Britain. I was in Team GBR for three years, training daily in the gym, on the water at the weekends and competing all over the world with great friends and coaches; it was a truly fantastic way to spend my teenage years.

Now competing in freestyle, I have competed in Greece, Egypt and the UK. My aim in 2012 was to finish in the top 4 of the Pro Fleet; I managed to finish 3rd overall, which was really great! My aim for 2013 is to attend all the freestyle events again and I would like a team Fanatic podium, Max, Oscar and I.

Ric Cleworth

Ric Cleworth

Ric Cleworth

Have you always been into freestyle, if not when did you move across into this niche?

As a racer, I never got much time to short board as we spent as much time as possible on the race gear. There were times when it got simply too windy for the race gear and I got to a point where I could vulcan my Evo 74 for about three years but I didn’t get to focus on freestyle properly until I left Team GBR when I was 18 and went to Egypt with a good friend Scotty. Here, I met the guys from Club Vass who offered me a job and having worked with them for three years back to back I would say I’m well into freestyle!

Night time action

What is your most memorable moment in windsurfing?

Arghh there’s too many! A couple of years ago in Vass it was about 2.00am and Wildwind, the sailing centre next door, were having their party night. We noticed it was getting windy, which is unusual for Vass once the sun has gone down; of course with some liquid persuasion and 4.2 weather it didn’t take much for us to get rigged up and out there, the moon provided just about enough light and we had a truck on the beach with its head lights on and the speakers pumping! With a good sized crowd on the beach cheering us on we did all the moves our slightly boozy minds would let us! It was a great atmosphere and all though a couple of us landed the moves on the beach and if I remember rightly Tommy ‘two pumps’ did sail into someone, we all had a very memorable windsurf!

Enjoying the waves too

What’s next in store for you on and off the water?

Obviously, like all of us I hope to sail whenever it’s windy here in the UK and I would like to maybe get to Jeri again at the end of this year, if not Cape Town in the new year!

As for off the water, I just this week qualified as a Joiner/Carpenter and I plan to work hard and save hard so I can get those trips to nice countries!

Check out more Hidden Talents, and other interview here on Boards.

Edd Seater, with his shiny new North Sails and Fanatic set up! Image credit Georgina Craig Harvey.

How did you get involved in windsurfing?

I have been windsurfing for just under two years now. I got into it after getting a job in the restaurant at Club Vass. A combination of epic hours, lots of wind and tips from some of the best instructors in the world meant I could progress quickly.

Where are you now?

I am now an intermediate planing instructor and getting ready for another season!

What have you been up too this winter?

I have been out in Dahab since October, gaining more teaching experience and improving my personal sailing. It’s been great…sunny and windy all winter, happy days!!

Any sponsors?

Yes! I have just got my first sponsor, Drift Innovation. They are a company that make extreme sports based action cameras, similar to GoPro, however they are more user friendly. The newest model, the Drift Ghost HD is the one I use, and it is epic!

They are waterproof so you don’t need to worry about water housing’s, they also have a small LCD screen on them which allows you to change settings and view your last recording or photo whilst on the water!!

You can check out all the info on the Drift camera here, and with Tech Trial you can even try before you buy!

Edd Seater. Image credit Georgina Craig Harvey.

Drift HD Ghost

What are your plans for the future?

I’m heading back to Vass this summer, so will be pushing to get my advanced teaching qualification. I’m planning a trip out to Brazil in October for six weeks which, hopefully, will be where I can really improve my personal sailing.

Also now that I’m working with Drift Innovation, I want to use my new camera equipment to teach with. The simplicity and versatility of the Drift Ghost HD will allow me to get great angles and footage of my students windsurfing, giving them the opportunity to view and analyse their sessions throughout the week.

Kieren Ronan

Name: Kieren Roan

DOB: 17/08/1979

Years competing: Two

Best previous results: None

Title you have won this year: UKWA 1st Amateur Freestyle

Why and when did you first start competing? How did you get involved in competition?

I started competing in 2010 at a UKWA freestyle event held at my home spot of Hunstanton, on the Norfolk coast. As it was on my doorstep I thought I had to give it a try! I was pleased to see events held on the east coast and hope to see more come to Norfolk in the future.

As a kid did you dream of becoming a champion?

Of course. Everyone dreams of that don’t they?

Did you love competition straight away? What has helped you progress from learning how to compete to winning a title?

I enjoyed it and felt it would help me to improve my level so I’ve carried on. What’s helped me progress is understanding that the best way to get through heats is to land a variety of moves. I’ve tried to work on my consistency and I practice in a variety of sea states.

Kieren at the UKWA Freestyle in Wittering

What equipment have you used on the tour this year?

Hot Sails Maui Bolts from 3.7 to 5.6 and a Tabou Freestyle 90

Why do you use this equipment?

I’ve used Hot Sails for a number of years and have always been impressed by their build quality and performance. I’m just about to get the Hot Sails Freestyle Pro’s, which look awesome and will hopefully help me to do well in 2013. I’ve had the board for three years now so I know exactly how it behaves in all conditions which helped for the events.

Kieren Ronan

How and where did you train for the series last year?

I had a sneaky year and managed to fit in Fuerteventura and Vass on Bubble’s clinic, but mainly train at my perfect home spot of Hunstanton and all along the Norfolk coast up to East Runton.

Have you just trained on the water or what do you do off the water too?

My training is purely on the water. I work full-time shifts as an engineer and have an 18 month old little boy (my bit for the future of windsurfing) so I don’t get much spare time!

What are your plans for the winter? Sailing here in the UK? Or heading abroad anywhere?

I’ll be sailing as much as possible at home and hoping it’s not too cold.

What are you aims for competition in 2013? UK and International events?

I’ll be doing the freestyle events again this year. My aim is to sail well and keep pushing my level forward. I hope the freestyle tour continues to grow as it’s a great way to improve and also a good excuse to go away windsurfing for the weekend. For those of you thinking freestyle is just for kids, take a look at my DOB!

I feel I’ve improved more in my thirties than I did all through my twenties through competition and focusing on my sailing.