Tenby to the Gower by windsurfer

Steve North reports: Four Pembrokeshire windsurfers (plus support boats) have each committed to windsurf a 30km crossing from Tenby to the Gower. The Windsurfers (in age order!) are: David Stockwell; Owen Bowen; Steve North & John Pym.

Obviously we need the right conditions (wind strength, direction and swell) but the consultation and planning are done – and now we are ready to go!

Why?

Well firstly, looking out from Tenby South beach we’ve often wondered how challenging it would be to windsurf all the way across to the thin stretch of Gower coastline you can make out on a good clear day.

Secondly, because we can do our bit for CHARITY; supporting the following great causes:

• RNLI (50%) – Should need little introduction, the RNLI have saved 139,000 lives at sea since 1824!
• Macmillan (30%) – Providing practical, medical, emotional and financial support for those affected by Cancer.
• Tenby Surf Lifesaving Club (10%) – helping everyone enjoy Pembrokeshire beaches safely.
• Liam’s Dream (10%) – A local Pembrokeshire initiative to help a young boy with Spastic Cerebral Diplegia.

And of course this is where you come in – If you feel you can help, then PLEASE donate anything you can afford.

The easiest way is online via: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/TenbytoGowerWindsurfers

Or we will accept cash or cheques!

Many thanks – wish us luck (and wind!)

Steve

UKWA Freestyle, by Josh Willmot

This weekend sees the third rounds of UKWA Cup course racing and UKWA Freestyle in Wales: UKWA National Championships Cup 3 and UKWA British Freestyle Tour 3. Here’s the lowdown for the event…

Date: Sat 25th – Sun 26th June

Venue: Mumbles Yacht Club, 746 Mumbles Road, Swansea SA3 4EL : Club Tel: 01792 369321

Sailing takes place in the safety of Swansea Bay, which is situated at the start of the Gower Peninsula; designated by the National Trust as an area of outstanding natural beauty.

The Club has good shower, toilet and changing facilities and upstairs there is a large bar, with views over the bay. Free internet access is available (ask for password at the bar).

About The Cup Series: The Cup Series’ objective is to provide high quality racing for Techno OD 6.8 & 7.8, RS:X, Raceboard and Formula.

Racing will take place on a variety of courses, depending on conditions. Whilst these events will attract the top Course Racers from the UK and abroad, if this is your first event, do not be deterred - you are most welcome. Make yourself known to the Race Office and we will not only welcome you, but we will make every effort to make your first event a memorable and enjoyable experience

Series Scoring: The UK National Champion will be decided by the British Open at Weymouth on Oct 1st & Oct 2nd (in conjunction with the RYA), plus one’s best 4 results from the 5 Cup events.

FREESTYLE IN WALES This weekend also sees the UKWA Freestyle Tour (3) heading for yet another new venue alongside the Course Racers again, who I’ve heard through the grapevine are very impressed with the show we put on at Minnis Bay.

I’ve been told that Swansea and the Mumbles is a lovely area with great windsurfing conditions, but never having been there myself I have no idea of what to expect and looking at all of the forecasts over the last few days I wasn’t expecting too much. However, over the last 24 hours there has been a steady improvement towards conditions I reckon we’ll all enjoy, check out the Windguru forecast, Saturday’s showing 14 – 22 knts SW now and Sunday is looking more interesting as well with plenty of sunshine and building South Easterlies.

I’m off to Cornwall for a couple of days wavesailing before travelling up to Wales, see you all there. Trevor Funnell.

For further freestyle information contact:Trevor Funnell, email t50rev@freedom255.com

Entry: You can enter on the day. Pre entry to all events saves you money. You receive a 10% discount if you pre-enter for 1 event or enter 4 events to receive a 20% discount. You can pre-enter online at http://ukwindsurfing.com/events/entry/?event=234 up to 10pm on the Monday prior to each event.

Camping: THERE WILL BE A SMALL CHARGE FOR PARKING. THE METHOD OF PAYMENT WILL DEPEND ON THE BAY YOU ARE IN. PLEASE SEE BOB AT REGISTRATION.

There is a large car park opposite the club for overnight parking. Parking is tight so only take up one bay and be in the middle of it. Please take extreme care when arriving and departing, we do not want any accidents.

Overnight parking is available for cars, vans, motor homes & caravans but only in designated areas (see Bob). Note they do not permit caravans on site but we have got away with it in the past. Make sure the hitch is not visible and it would be best to time arrival to, say, after 7pm when the car park attendants go off duty.

PLEASE NOTE THERE IS NO CAMPING FOR TENTS. YOU WILL NEED TO BOOK ONE OF THE LOCAL CAMP SITES.

Other: Starboard Phantom Demo Kit. Do you want to try Raceboard, but don’t have the kit? Problem solved…

The Raceboard Class has two Demo Starboard Phantom boards available for you to try. The boards will be available at all inland and cup events although you will need to book them in advance. The class may also be able to arrange rigs by prior arrangement.

Our thanks to Dave Hackford at Starboard/ Tushingham for the loan of the kit.

Go to the info page and look under Racing at the Starboard Phantom demo boards document to see if a board is available then mail your request to racing-09@ukwindsurfing.com

Accommodation: Local B&Bs and hotel – The following shore-side accommodation is within walking distance of the club (some within staggering/crawling distance!) and all have excellent views of the bay. NB: of the Mumbles Road addresses, the higher numbers are nearest to the club.

• Alexandra House, 366 Mumbles Road, 01792 406406.
• Beach Leigh, 99 Mumbles Road, 01792 542350.
• Carlton Hotel, 654/656 Mumbles Road, 01792 360450.
• Coast House, 708 Mumbles Road, 01792 368702.
• Norton House Hotel, Norton Road, Mumbles, 01792 404891.
• Patricks, 638 Mumbles Road, 01792 369926.
• Rock Villa Guest House, 1 George Bank, 01792 366794.
• Shoreline Hotel, 648 Mumbles Road, 01792 366233.
• Southend Guest House, 742 Mumbles Road, 01792 360753.
• St. Anne’s Hotel, WesternLane, Mumbles, 01792 369147.
• Tenby House, 738 Mumbles Road, 01792 360795.
• Tides Reach, 388 Mumbles Road, 01792 404877.
• Waters Edge Hotel, 374 Mumbles Road, 01792 401030.

Further information: www.ukwindsurfing.com Course Racing racing-09@ukwindsurfing.com

Freestyle freestyle@ukwindsurfing.com