Cardiff World Wave was the latest Student Windsurfing Association to take place. With a rather ‘iffy’ forecast on the cards, the students weren’t about to let a lack of wind and baltic temperatures slow them down. We hand over to the SWA to summarise the event…

“No wind and no waves; competition cancelled. But the party must go on!

Despite the call to abandon windsurfing due to the non existent wind and swell forecast 60 students still travelled west to Cardiff. The windsurfing was replaced by a weekend of partying and an epic day of paintballing.

“I’m not really here for the windsurfing, I’m just here to make friends” – Gareth Bevins

On the Friday evening of arrival the students gathered and hit the town. Tiger Tiger was the venue of choice. The drinks flowed and the dance moves went down till the early hours.

“Tiger is like; next level good!” – Joe Shuttleworth

Guest celebrity Mr Mugatu (AKA Tom Firth) of Zoolander fame brought some class to the venue. The SWA were delighted to have Mr Mugatu join us in Cardiff and we welcome his modelling talents at any future SWA event. Just whatever you do don’t touch his hat! Don’t believe me? Then ask Adam Harris.

Saturday saw the students unleash their lack of forecast frustration by covering each other with paint. The battle was fierce, medals for bravery earned and recognition given for skilled shooting. None will agree with this more than the bottoms of Rachael Ince and Alex Powell.

Beaten up and covered in mud, it was off to Puravida HQ in Cardiff for a well deserved cup of tea, some windsurf movies and a browse round all the shiny toys.

Back in Cardiff the evening’s events got underway, with good food, many drinks and an epic house party before heading to the famous Cardiff SU for more drinking and dancing antics.

Sunday just came too quickly, if only the weekend could last longer. Gradually throughout the day students headed back to their home university sad to leave but happy in the knowledge that there is only 2 weeks till the next SWA event where we can do it all over again. Let’s hope this time we get some windsurfing in!”

Puravida Wave Trilogy Round 2: Cardiff World Wave

The third and final event of the Puravida Series will be hitting Portsmouth on the 24th of February. For more information check the SWA website.

Kicking off on the evening of Friday the 10th of February, Cardiff World Wave promises to be a weekend packed full of windsurfing competition, demo gear and some epic partying. Cardiff University are hosting the second round of the Puravida Wave Trilogy and due to their location, the forecast will dictate which beach will have the SWA descend upon it – Porthcawl, the Gower and Pembrokeshire are all potential locations.

Cardiff World Wave

Demo equipment will be provided by Puravida Boardsports and Fanatic/North with some great prizes up for grabs.

Racing SWA style

Saturday night will see students from up and down the country partying it up in Cardiff Uni’s SU and as usual, fancy dress is compulsory! The theme is ‘worldly’, so dress up in an outfit definig your favourite worldly destination…

Fancy dress at the SWA's Aussie Kiss event

For more info or to sign up for this great event, check out the SWA website or Facebook page.

A Moreno twin - not guaranteed to be attending the Llandegfedd Demo!

Cardiff’s Rat Rigs Surfshop, Starboard and Llandegfedd Windsurfing Cub present their Starboard / Tushy demo day, barbeque, fun racing and coaching day, Saturday 4th June 2011. They can’t guarantee a Moreno twin, but can promise Jamie Gibbs, Sam Ross and Scott Harrison and a great day on the water in South Wales!

• Starboard and Tushingham Demo day

• BBQ

• Fun racing and competitions.

• On the day deals on equipment from Rat Rigs.

• FREE Sam Ross Coaching for LWC members.

Fast-track your windsurfing with Sam’s unique and insightful coaching (join the club on the day if you haven’t already done so), score some amazing bargains and enjoy the craic.

For more info call Rat Rigs on 02920 621309 – www.ratrigs.com

Corus Sailing Club at sunset

Finally , after 30 years in the waiting Corus Sailing Club open their water to windsurfers this weekend. Situated right next door to the M4 between Cardiff and swansea this spot is very exposed to all wind directions and will provide high performance flat water fun and an exceptional environment in which to improve.

Llandegfedd Windsurfing Club will be descending on masse this Sunday (21 November) along with Rat Rigs Cardiff to “test the water” , as per usual there will be plenty of gear to try out, and bargains to be scored – if there’s anything specific anyone wants to see or try , call Scott at Rat Rigs on 02920 621309 by Saturday to get it into the van!

Corus Sailing Club will be racing around lunchtime on sunday so we will need to steer clear of their course – apart from that it’s open season on speed, speed and more speed.

Welsh Yachting will also be running a weekend of training with their new coach, Rich Mills. If you fancy it you can have a weekend’s coaching (sat &sun) for £30 (or £50 if you need kit) if you fancy this call Rich on 07921 818325 or email him at rich_mills@live.co.uk

See you all there !

Rat Rigs Surf co / 029 20 621309 / www.ratrigs.com

Scott Harrison at Llandegfedd, by Mike Walklin from Gwent Adventures

Llandegfedd Windsurfing Club, in conjunction with Rat Rigs Cardiff and Gwent Adventures presents the Llandegfedd Oktoberfest bash, this Saturday 30 October.

With the inland season drawing to a close we will be rounding it off with a grand finale of windsurfing goodness.

Weather permitting we will be running fun slalom, GPS speed, technique clinics, barbeques and the inagrual Llandegfedd swap meet – buy , sell and try equipment.

We will be planning a host of winter activities too – holidays, trips to the coast and other inland spots, socials , dont miss out…

The forecast looks excellent so we’ll see you all there then!

Cheers – Scott

Scott Harrison – 029 20 621309 / www.ratrigs.com

Stef Hilder

Stef Hilder has won the GOYA SWA wave series. It was a great tour with conditions in Exmouth and Cardiff completely firing! He’s been working hard to get his level up to the top of its game and it paid off big time clenching 1st place in Exeter and second in Cardiff.

A great Tour, and Stef now has his GOYA eclipse 5m ready to help him rip harder for longer. Well done Stef!

Stef receives his Goya Eclipse 5m

Llandegfedd Reservoir

It promises to be an action packed day featuring:

GPS Speed Challenge with a youth and open senior division.

Wave Q&A session with Chris ‘Muzza’ Murray.

Tushingham / Starboard Demo day.

Massive clearance, ex demo and used gear on sale.

‘Challenge Scott’ Bring ANY sail and I’ll rig & tune it.

At LLandegfedd Reservoir – 1/2 hour from Bristol and Cardiff from 9-5 Sat 5 June.

See you all there.

www.ratrigs.com