Getting started

These are some of the common misconceptions held up as ‘daunting’ reasons why potential newcomers to the sport never go any further than thinking it might be a cool pastime reflects Amanda Van Santen, RYA Chief Instructor, Dinghy and Windsurfing.

There are arguably more routes than ever before into taking those first tentative steps on to a board, yet the common reasons not to remain all too well-worn.

Amanda and Gillian Wright, RYA National Windsurfing Development Officer, make it their raison d’être to explain to the population at large –adults and kids – why these ‘reasons’ are nothing more than myths.

Here Amanda and Gillian provide their top tips on getting started in the sport.

At the very earliest point of thinking you may like to learn to windsurf, have a look at the Where’s My Nearest section of the RYA website. You may have already decided that there can’t possibly be anywhere local to you cater for windsurfing as you live in the middle of the country or the middle of nowhere. But there are some 250 RYA Training Centres running windsurfing courses in Britain and overseas so chances are you actually won’t have to travel too far at all. The RYA Start Windsurfing course is for adults and Windsurfing Stage 1 is for juniors.

Amanda Van Santen

Not at the start anyway. RYA Training Centres can provide you with all the kit and equipment you need including a wetsuit. The only things you may need are something for your feet and your own swimsuit. A common mistake is newcomers buy equipment that’s not appropriate for them, either too big and they progress off of very quickly, or too advanced, which hampers progression. We recommend not even thinking about investing in your own equipment until you reach Intermediate course level.

The language specific to windsurfing can be baffling and off-putting to an outsider. A key part of our Instructor training is they are taught to keep language simple so people can understand it, the same language is then as you continue to progress throughout the whole scheme.

We try to get people on to the water as soon as possible. There is a bit of simulated activity on shore to start with but one of the great things about windsurfing is pretty much everyone can go in a straight line by the end of session one. Windsurfing is about technique, which is why size, age, gender etc. don’t matter and you can improve pretty quickly. At the end of a two-day course people generally can get up and move on the board, sail across the wind, downwind, upwind, tack, gybe and understand how to put the kit together. Seeing quick improvements is really motivating for people to keep on wanting to get better.

NWF, the perfect place to catch up with other windsurfers.

Like with any sport the more you do it the better you will get more quickly. Most RYA training centres and windsurfing clubs have a ‘pay and play’ facility to hire kit and get out on the water. Many centres offer ‘pay and play’ discounts for students on their training courses, to encourage them to practice, while others are aligned with windsurfing clubs where people can get discounted hire. When practicing new techniques, stay in a comfortable Force 1-3. People don’t realise how much conditions can affect ability to learn.

Gillian Wright – Team15 champs cup 2011

Windsurfing is a massively social sport, even right from the start. There is a lot more fun to have if there are a few of you, so you can learn and progress together. People of all ages are much more likely to continue with a sport if they have an emotional and social attachment with it. Hook up with like-minded people in your area.  Find a club or group via the RYA (www.rya.org.uk) or Project Windsurf-UK (www.projectwindsurfuk.org.uk) websites or if you’re 15 or under look for your nearest Team15 club. This is one front on which Team15 has been so successful; the emphasis is on being part of a club with your mates.

When the time comes to buy your own kit and equipment make sure you get the right stuff you need for you to be comfortable on the water. Learning can be made easy by taking RYA courses, either locally or on holiday overseas, where all the equipment is provided and suitable for your level. When you’re progressing the kit you can hire will be appropriate to your standard, and change as you progress. But get it wrong when buying your own and you could stop yourself wanting to go! Start with a good fitting wetsuit and buoyancy aid; if you are warm and comfortable then you will want to go more. Buying your own board and sail will help you get out more often. Get good advice before you invest depending on budget.

Take time to think about your options with windsurfing equipment.

Learn how to put your board on your roof rack securely. It’s quite simple, but only if you know how. If you don’t have a car, can’t drive or don’t have sufficient storage, don’t stop let that stop you buying your own kit. Some clubs and centres offer storage for a small fee.

A badly rigged sail can hinder progress. If you buy from a centre or shop, they will show you how. If you buy second-hand ask the seller or a more experienced windsurfer to show you. Someone in your windsurfing group can help you.

Do I need to say more!

Find out more about RYA Windsurfing training courses at www.rya.org.uk

Windsurfing at NWF

Love to Windsurf?  Then why not join the association that supports you?

Join the RYA today and benefit from:

• Free third party insurance
• Representing your interests and defending your rights of navigation
• Personal advice and information on a wide range of windsurfing related topics
• Free sail numbers for Gold Members
• Legal advice on buying, selling and other windsurfing related matters
• The latest news delivered to your door or inbox by RYA magazine and e-newsletters
• Boat show privileges including free access to the exclusive RYA member’s lounge
• Discounts on a wide range of products and services

Get more from your boarding; support the RYA

Want to know more?  Call 0844 556 9556 or email member.services@rya.org.uk or join online at www.rya.org.uk/go/join

New to windsurfing? Find out more about getting into the sport in the Basics section here. 

On the face of it, windsurfing is a fairly straightforward sport; you head to a windy waterside location, rig up your sail, attach it on to your board and get out there with the hope of some high speed sailing, spectacular jumps, perhaps pulling off some fancy freestyle, whatever floats your boat, or in this case, board.

On the other hand, windsurfing is far more than this. By getting involved in a sport as absorbing as windsurfing, you are, one way or the other, tapping into a lifestyle as well. This might manifest itself in small ways; little things like the Naish sticker in the back of your car window and subtle differences in your clothing, but it’s still marking you out from the crowd. For others, the effect of windsurfing on their lifestyle can be all consuming: This can even be as drastic as jacking in your job and heading off to distant shores to chase wind and wave.

The point is that, in taking up windsurfing, consciously or subconsciously, you become part of a community. It’s not always obvious, because windsurfers are generally a fairly disparate group, but it’s there all the same. This all brings us rather neatly to Project Windsurf-UK, a new initiative set up by the RYA to tap into that sense of community and forge stronger links.

Windsurf Plymouth, an active group on Project Windsurf - UK. Image courtesy John Warren www.h2ophoto.org

How does it aim to do that? The RYA believes that social networking is the key and at the heart of Project Windsurf-UK is a rather nicely put together website which allows you to sign up and share ideas, thoughts and experiences with other windsurfers either through blogs or an online forum. In addition to this, you can inspire others by uploading your latest photos or video footage.

The RYA’s Gillian Wright has been the driving force behind the project and she explains a little more about the basic concept:

“With Project Windsurf-UK we wanted to create a focal point within the windsurfing scene, which would not only bring windsurfers together into local communities, but would also inspire people who haven’t been out for a while to dust off their kit and get back out there.

The crowds gather for W4CR. Many of whom share their experiences on Project Windsurf - UK.

Just as importantly we want an easy mechanism to be able to promote every windsurfing group and club across the country and a single website publicising all local opportunities to get on the water. 

Windsurfers love to share and discuss their experiences, and the sport lends itself to spectacular photos and footage, which should generate even more interest. For keen windsurfers, this will also be a great way to get in touch with other windsurfers and share tips and experiences.”

The website will also provide the perfect platform for windsurfing clubs and groups which have already been established to further promote their various activities. Whether you’re a club or just a loose collective of mates who windsurf together, you can register and you’ll be given your own page where you can post comments and chat to other members, provide links to your own website if you have one and generally just let people know what’s going on and what your group is all about.

Continue on page two…

Bubble in action at NWF 2011

Project Windsurf-UK, a brand new initiative dedicated to windsurfers across the country, was officially launched last weekend (3-4 September) at the National Windsurfing Festival at Hayling Island.

The initiative, created by the RYA, aims to promote windsurfing clubs & groups in the UK, and link individual windsurfers with these groups, encouraging more people go windsurfing more often, linked with the added social aspect of the club/group environment.

Project Windsurf-UK invites windsurfers old and new to sign up and share ideas through blogs and forum posts, upload windsurfing photos and videos, and to join a local group as an online member.

Registered groups can further promote their activity through their own group’s pages, post events and link to their own website if they have one. Most importantly, the project aims to get those people chatting online out on the water windsurfing with their group. With more people getting out on the water the more it will help raise the profile of windsurfing to the wider population.

“We are delighted to be able to introduce Project Windsurf-UK. We believe it is a fantastic way of promoting windsurfing and connecting with groups easily across the country. It will encourage people who haven’t sailed for a while, to find a group in their area and dust off their windsurfing kit”, explained RYA Windsurfing Development Officer Gillian Wright.

“For existing windsurfers it will enable social connections to be made, where it doesn’t happen naturally”. Gillian continues, “But first we need existing clubs and groups to register, so the connections can be made”.

Project Windsurf-UK also provides new groups and clubs without a website, with a free template website tool enabling them to develop their own website within a website; making it even easier for people to see what they have to offer and get in touch!

Gordon Roach who is part of the Trent Windsurfing Club, halfway between Nottingham and Derby, said: “Our club is based in the Midlands and we are always looking for ways to get our members to be more active and we think this will really inspire them. Project Windsurf-UK is also the perfect tool to put us in touch with potential new windsurfing members.”

The Sussex Numbnuts are one of the virtual windsurfing clubs already signed up to the project. Created by passionate windsurfers Ian Kraft (Krafty) and Gary Parks who windsurf at Eastbourne, their profile states: “We simply have fun on and off the water. We arrange social events, training, demo days and support the guys and girls who represent Spray Sprites T15. We aim to promote the sport along the South coast”

Any kind of windsurfing group or club can register, providing their intention is to encourage regular windsurfing activity on the water as part of a social scene. So ‘virtual’ or roaming clubs can sign up, as can sailing clubs who have an interest in windsurfing, existing windsurfing clubs, ‘commercial’ windsurfing clubs attached to training centres, and the project provides an ideal lead on for ex-Team15 sailors to create their own local group.

Signing up is easy. Simply register as an online member and follow the step by step guidelines on the website homepage.

Check out Project Windsurf-UK at www.projectwindsurfuk.org.uk

Windemere Ruf Winds

Windsurfing clubs across the country are getting into the party spirit and taking to the water in celebration of the RYA Team15’s 10th birthday. With balloons, birthday cake and plenty of activities for the kids and their parents, Team15 clubs will be hosting their very own parties throughout the summer to mark the special birthday.

The first party was held at Lakes Leisure Windermere (30 April) where 20 young windsurfers took to the water for sailing and windsurfing races, fun games and lots of birthday cake back on the shore. The youngsters even had the opportunity to share their sailing skills with their parents who joined in with some of the races.

Alex, age 13 and member of the Windermere Ruf Winds said “We really enjoyed the thrill and privilege of sailing on Windermere. The cake was a bonus too on such a wonderful day. I look forward to spending many more afternoons enjoying myself afloat with Team15.”

RYA Windsurfing Development Officer Gillian Wright who was instrumental in developing the Team15 programme said: “We are very excited to be celebrating our 10th anniversary, and now that the weather is getting warmer we hope that more and more Team15 clubs will host their own parties. We’ll also be giving Team15 birthday cake and bunting to clubs who do want to join in with the celebrations.”

Created in 200l, Team15 was initially developed to form a network of windsurfing clubs and to introduce more youngsters into competitive windsurfing, introducing the sport to youngsters aged 15 and under, of all backgrounds and abilities.

If you’re a Team15 club who would like to hold a 10th birthday party please return your pre-event forms to stephanie.bull@rya.org.uk.

Supported by industry leaders Tushingham/Starboard, Boards magazine 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.

The T15 inter-club championship takes place regionally over the summer adding a competitive edge and race training for those keen to hone their skills.

Kit can be borrowed from the clubs and the cost of sessions is kept low.

To get involved with Team15 and locate your nearest local club visit www.team15.org.uk or contact the RYA 0845 345 0400.

Happy birthday Team15!

National Windsurfing Week

Not long now until the start of National Windsurfing Week 2011, an 8-day event which aims to raise the profile of windsurfing and introduce more people to this great sport.  Billed as a ‘celebration of all things windsurfing’, the week will see windsurfing festivals, competitions and taster sessions happening across the country and it’s not too late for you to get involved.

Running from the 01 – 08 May 2011, National Windsurfing Week, now in its fourth year, is the perfect opportunity for first timers to get out on the water and give the sport a go, or if you sail more regularly look to develop your skills further.

Some of the events already scheduled for the week include; fundraising events for Windsurfing for Cancer Research in Birmingham, Torpoint and Hayling Island; beginner taster sessions in Northampton, Plymouth and Cornwall; open days in Bromsgrove, free lessons in Berkshire and Bedfordshire, as well as improver clinics in Berkshire and Cornwall. Check out the National Windsurfing Week website for a full list of events and locations.

Gillian Wright, RYA Windsurfing Development Officer and a key figure behind the week said: “It’s great that the windsurfing community has mobilized itself on such a big scale to promote the sport and I think it’s going to really help get windsurfing noticed. I hope that people will really make the most of it and come along to the events taking place across the country and have a go for themselves.

“But, as well as wanting to see a new crowd of people try windsurfing for the first time, I am also keen to see people on the water during National Windsurfing Week who may have considered themselves windsurfers in the past, but have perhaps neglected the sport over the years. It would be fantastic to see these people dusting off their kit and getting out on the water, joining in at their local venue and remembering what it is that they loved about windsurfing.”

The campaign also has the backing of Skandia Team GBR’s Nick Dempsey, National RS:X Windsurfing Champion, who officially launched this year’s event back in March at the RYA Volvo Dinghy Show. Nick said: “Windsurfing is an amazing sport and National Windsurfing Week will give more people the chance to experience that for themselves. I think 2011 is going to be a great year for windsurfing!”

To find out how you can get involved in National Windsurfing Week – either as a participant or a club/training centre – and for a full events listing visit www.nationalwindsurfingweek.org

National Windsurfing Week, by Paul Wyeth

There are just two more weeks until the start of National Windsurfing Week 2011, an 8-day event which aims to raise the profile of windsurfing and introduce more people to this great sport. Billed as a ‘celebration of all things windsurfing’, the week will see windsurfing festivals, competitions and taster sessions happening across the country and it’s not too late for you to get involved.

Running 1-8 May 2011, National Windsurfing Week, now in its fourth year, is the perfect opportunity for first timers to get out on the water and give the sport a go, or if you sail more regularly look to develop your skills further.

Some of the events already scheduled for the week include; fundraising events for Windsurfing for Cancer Research in Birmingham, Torpoint and Hayling Island; beginner taster sessions in Northampton, Plymouth and Cornwall; open days in Bromsgrove, free lessons in Berkshire and Bedfordshire, as well as improver clinics in Berkshire and Cornwall. Check out the National Windsurfing Week website for a full list of events and locations.

Gillian Wright, RYA Windsurfing Development Officer and a key figure behind the week said: “It’s great that the windsurfing community has mobilized itself on such a big scale to promote the sport and I think it’s going to really help get windsurfing noticed. I hope that people will really make the most of it and come along to the events taking place across the country and have a go for themselves.

“But, as well as wanting to see a new crowd of people try windsurfing for the first time, I am also keen to see people on the water during National Windsurfing Week who may have considered themselves windsurfers in the past, but have perhaps neglected the sport over the years. It would be fantastic to see these people dusting off their kit and getting out on the water, joining in at their local venue and remembering what it is that they loved about windsurfing.”

The campaign also has the backing of Skandia Team GBR’s Nick Dempsey, National RS:X Windsurfing Champion, who officially launched this year’s event back in March at the RYA Volvo Dinghy Show. Nick said: “Windsurfing is an amazing sport and National Windsurfing Week will give more people the chance to experience that for themselves. I think 2011 is going to be a great year for windsurfing!”

To find out how you can get involved in National Windsurfing Week and for a full events listing visit www.nationalwindsurfingweek.org

Happy birthday Team15!

Under an arch of Team15 balloons and matching orange and black beverages, friends, sponsors and some special ex Team15ers officially started celebrations marking the 10^th anniversary of RYA Team15, at the RYA Volvo Dinghy Show 2011 (05 March).

Created in 200l, the grassroots windsurfing programme was initially developed to form a network of windsurfing clubs and to introduce more youngsters into competitive windsurfing.  Introducing the sport to youngsters of 15 and under, of all backgrounds and abilities. Today there are currently 70-80 Team15 clubs from a far afield as Cornwall and Scotland with many of them putting their windsurfing skills to the test in the Team15 inter-club championship.

“We are very excited to be launching the first of Team15’s 10^th birthday celebrations here at the show” said Team15 Manager Gillian Wright, who was fundamental in setting up the programme.

“I am very proud of where we have got to today and it is fantastic to see the youngsters progressing from Team15 to succeed in a variety of windsurfing disciplines including racing, freestyle and waves. Whatever they go on to do, we hope that they will continue to windsurf long after their Team15 days.”

Freewave sailor, George Shillito, who not only learnt to windsurf with the Team15 Axbridge Animals but also runs his own team, the Polkerris Pirates in Cornwall, joined the celebrations in support of the programme.

George said: “I am delighted to wish Team15 a very happy 10^th birthday. It is a fantastic programme and it has enabled me to travel the world doing a job I love. I would not have got to where I am today without it and I can’t wait to see even more kids getting out on the water and learning to windsurf. ”

Sailing sisters Imogen and Saskia Sills also turned up to help wish Team15 a happy birthday. The twins first learnt to windsurf with the Team15 Roadford Wreckers and have gone on to windsurf with the RYA in the BIC Techno National Junior Squad.

Imogen Sills explained: “Team15 offers a huge amount of opportunity for youngsters to get into windsurfing. We wouldn’t have got to where we are today without it. It is really great and we will continue to encourage other people to get involved with Team15.”

For more information about Team15 visit: www.rya.org.uk/programmes/team15/Pages/default.aspx

RYA Windsurfing

A WINDSURFING WEEKEND AT THE RYA VOLVO DINGHY SHOW 2011

After a successful return last year, windsurfing will once again be making an appearance at the RYA Volvo Dinghy Show 2011.

From expert talks and sailors to special birthday celebrations, this year’s show has plenty of activities on offer; all completely dedicated to windsurfing.

Talks

For those sailors who have always wanted to give windsurfing a try, check out the Windsurfing for Dinghy Sailors talk by Tris Best which can be found in the Coaching Area (11:00am both days in the Panorama Hall). Tris is the owner of the Windsurfing Centre OTC in Weymouth and Tenerife. He was also the Test Editor for Windsurf magazine and is very well respected in the windsurfing industry so is the perfect man to give advice on how to get started, what equipment to choose, and how to progress in the exhilarating sport of windsurfing.

Windsurfing Champion

The show will also provide the opportunity to get up close and personal with Team Volvo for Life and Skandia Team GBR’s Nick Dempsey who is the windsurfing RS:X 2009 World Champion and an Olympic Bronze Medallist. Nick will be giving an exclusive Olympic update at the show and will be sharing his future plans and ambitions for the upcoming games. Catch Nick’s talk on the main stage in Hall 2 at 13:45 on Sunday 06 March. If you have any questions for Nick you can submit your question by emailing asknick@rya.org.uk.

National Windsurfing Week

Nick is also ambassador of National Windsurfing Week (NWW) and the Windsurfing 4 Cancer Research (W4CR) charity and will be officially launching this year’s event at the show (10:45am in the Panorama Hall). NWW will run from the 01 to 08 May, providing an ideal opportunity for windsurfing enthusiasts to create ways to get as many people out on the water as possible, be it from racing events to charity fundraising to windsurfing taster sessions.

Gillian Wright, RYA Windsurfing Development Officer and a key figure behind the week says “We are delighted to have Nick’s support for National Windsurfing Week this year. NWW really brings people together which is such an important part of any sport and this year we hope to see even more people taking part, whether it’s with a windsurfing school, a shop, a club or just with your mates there are so many ways people can get involved with the event’’.

W4CR – Sunrise Sunset May 1^st

A very popular way to get involved with National Windsurfing Week is charity fundraising and kicking off NWW is the Windsurfing 4 Cancer Research (W4CR) ‘Sunrise to Sunset’ fundraising fun day with the slogan ‘more than just a day at the beach’. Sunrise Sunset events will be simultaneously taking place across the whole of the UK involving many RYA centres, clubs and T15 teams. The big challenge this year is to get ‘more than a thousand windsurfers on the water at midday.

David Tuttlebee Memorial Trophy

This year will have significant poignancy as David Tuttlebee; founder of the W4CR charity sadly lost his battle with cancer and passed away last year. The ‘David Tuttlebee Memorial Trophy’ has been created and will be awarded to the Team15, youth windsurfing club who put on the best fun fundraising Sunrise Sunset event, take part in helping to achieve the challenge by getting as many windsurfers on the water and their commitment to raising money for the charity W4CR.

To find out more about NWW and the Sunrise Sunset Challenge visit the windsurfing area in the Panoramic Hall at the RYA Volvo Dinghy Show and talk to one of the organisers. You can also register your interest at this year’s NWW event by going to www.nationalwindsurfingweek.org

or to take part in the Sunrise Sunset Challenge go to www.w4cr.org and enter on-line.

Team15 celebrates 10^th birthday

RYA’s grassroots windsurfing programme Team15 will also be celebrating its 10^th birthday this year and to mark the occasion the official birthday party will be held at the RYA Volvo Dingy Show on Saturday 05 March (11:30 in Panorama Hall).  Join in with the fun as we look back over the past 10 years to see how the programme has grown.

Team15 manager Gillian Wright who has created the programme and has worked on it from the beginning said “We are delighted to be celebrating our 10^th birthday at this year’s show. It is fantastic to see how Team15 has developed over the years and we now have more youngsters learning to windsurf with the programme than ever before and we hope to see this number continue to grow.”

Exhibitors

Finally, don’t miss the opportunity to check out the latest gear at specialised wetsuit company Spartan Wetsuits or to visit Action Van, who offer a part or full conversion service to people with a strong interest in outdoor pursuits including windsurfing. If you fancy taking a course, the Official Test Centre will also be exhibiting at the show with experts on hand to answer any of your questions. All these exhibitors can be found in the windsurfing area in the Panorama Hall.

Get your tickets

Tickets brought in advance cost just £11.00 for adults (£9.00 for RYA members and £8.00 for RYA Gold members), children 16 or under; accompanied by an adult, just £5.00 a ticket and go free on Sunday (maximum two free of charge child tickets per adult).  Children who are RYA members go free of charge all weekend.

Tickets can also be purchased on the door for £13.00 adult and £7.00 child, but if you want to beat the queues and save money then book online now at www.dinghyshow.org or call the ticket hotline on 0844 811 0409.

Champion Cup winners, North Lincs Invaders. Pic: RYA / Jon Parker

In near perfect conditions, sunshine and lots of wind it was victory for the North Zone Champions the North Lincs Invaders this weekend (9-10 October) as they reclaimed their title of Team 15 (T15) Champion Cup winners and lifted the 2010 trophy

After dominating throughout the season in their regional heats the Invaders clinched their place in the final and were determined to reclaim the Champions Cup. North Lincs coach Mark Butler commented “It is absolutely fantastic. We won last year and the kids have all been training really hard in preparation. We feel really great and we are chuffed to bits to be taking the trophy back home once again.”

The competition in action. Pic: RYA / Emma Slater

With a change of venue for 2010, Northampton Sailing Club at Pitsford Reservoir, the event saw over 100 young windsurfers in nine teams hailing as far afield as Scotland and Cornwall take to the water. There were some new faces at this year’s event including East Zone’s Norwich Force Eighth attending the final for the very first time. In Team15 spirit they were made to feel very welcome by all the competitors and proudly chanted their motto wherever they could: “Norwich Force Eighth- small but mighty!”

The competitors whizzed around two courses in four different classes 3.5m, 4.5m 5.8m, and Techno 6.8m competing in nine different races and one fun race to round up the weekend.

Smiling member of the Pitsford Pirates. Pic: RYA / Emma Slater

T15 Manager Gillian Wright commented “This year’s Team15 Champions Cup has been absolutely brilliant. The kids have been working really hard out on the water and they have all had a fantastic time.

“We have been in a new venue this year, it’s a lovely piece of water and they have really looked after us.  The standard of sailing has been really high and each year the competition goes from strength to strength. We will be looking forward to next season starting again in April/May 2011 and we hope to see even more youngsters windsurfing with Team15.”

Winners the North Lincs Invaders picked up a ProKids Formula Board for their club courtesy of Tushingham/Starboard with other prizes coming from Neil Pryde, and Windsurf magazine. All the competitors were also presented with goody bags from Animal who sponsored the event.

Special merit awards were given to Spray Sprite Heidi Jabbari and Lucy Budge from the Norwich Force Eighth. The Oxford Zoomers picked up prizes in the fun race and the North Lincs Invaders also won the quiz.

Tom Sylvester from the Roseland Waveriders said “The Champions Cup has been brilliant. It involves everyone from the younger ones who are just beginning right up to15. I am now in my final year and Team15 has been so good. I love getting out in the wind and getting the speed going.

“My advice for other youngsters who want to windsurf is to find a Team15 club, join as quickly as possible and get out on the water lots.”

Spray Sprite Heidi Jabbari said “I love taking part in a sport that is different and I want windsurfing to be a part of my life. I will definitely keep sailing after Team15.”

“One of my favourite things is the BBQ after windsurfing and meeting other people at the Champions Cup, the other teams are really friendly”

Supported by industry leaders Tushingham/Starboard, Windsurf magazine, Boards magazine, Neil Pryde and Boardwise, 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. The T15 inter-club championship takes place regionally over the summer adding a competitive edge and race training for those keen to hone their skills. Kit can be borrowed from the clubs and the cost of sessions is kept low.

To get involved with Team15 and locate your nearest local club visit www.team15.org.uk or contact the RYA 0845 345 0400.

Champions Cup 2010 Final Results

Team15 action

BATTLE COMMENCES FOR THE TEAM15 CHAMPIONS CUP 2010

This weekend (15-16 May 2010) marks the start of the 2010 Team15 inter-club Championship when Team15ers from Scotland and Wales hit the water for the first rounds of the championship in a bid to make it to the nation final held in October.

Battling it out in the first round at Loch Insh will be local challengers the Loch Insh Monsters, Clyde Barracudas, Monikie Maniacs, East Kilbride Eagles, Tiree Extremes and Strathclyde Mutineers. Having won the Team15 Scottish series three years in a row the Loch Insh Monsters are keen to hold on to their title.

Over in Wales, Llandegfedd Reservoir in Gwent will host an exciting first round in the Welsh Zone seeing last year’s winners the Reservoir Dogs take on the Bay Boardriders, Menai Dragons, Mumbles Mutineers, Surf Dale Super Team15 and the Welsh Windwackers.

Running from May to October, the Team15 Inter-Club Championship will up to see 65 Team15 clubs battle it out across zones. The winning teams at the end of the whole series will represent their zones as they compete in the national Team15 Champions Cup in October.

RYA National Windsurfing Development Officer Gillian Wright says: We are anticipating it being another fantastic series leading up to the Champions Cup in October having had many new Team15 clubs sign up this winter. Competitors’ always put in 100% so we can expect some very close heats this year and many newcomers winning the Merit Awards.”

Supported by industry leaders Tushingham/Starboard, Windsurf magazine, BOARDS magazine, Neil Pryde and Boardwise, 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. The T15 inter-club championship takes place regionally over the summer adding a competitive edge and race training for those keen to hone their skills. Kit can be borrowed from the clubs and the cost of sessions is kept low.

To get involved with Team15 and locate your nearest local club visit www.team15.org.uk or contact the RYA 0845 345 0400.