It came down to the wire, with the title winner being decided at the very last event; this just goes to show what an abundance of talent the UK and Ireland have produced of late. Any number of the top sailors could have taken the top spot, but it was Jamie Hancock who took the tile win after impressive performances at every event.

At the beginning of the year though it was John Skye who looked in a solid position after coming fourth in Wales and winning Ireland. But as family commitments took over Skyeboy  took himself out of the title race.

Sam Neal

Jack Hunt. Image credit Simon Crowther.

Chris Murray. Image credit Simon Crowther.

The likes of Sam Neal, Jack Hunt, Chris Murray and Andy Chambers performed well throughout the year to earn themselves top 10 positions on the tour, but they couldn’t quite make it into the elusive top five.

Adam Lewis. Image credit Simon Crowther.

John Skye in Ireland. Image courtesy BWA/Dave White.

Andy Bubble Chambers at Rhosneigr. Image credit BWA/Dave White.

Fifth place this year went to Adam Lewis who started off the year with a bang, taking second in Rhosneigr, but despite incredible results on the PWA this year Adam couldn’t quite follow up the success in Ireland or Cornwall.

James Cox. BWA Cornwall. Image credit Simon Crowther.

The starboard tack master James Cox shone in Ireland taking a fourth position, and then managed two better in Cornwall to finish second. Coxy has certainly shown that not competing on the PWA tour is no disadvantage, particularly when conditions like his home break in Bournemouth come through!

Ben Proffitt winner of the Tiree expression session. Image credit BWA/Dave White.

Last years champion Ben Proffitt looked dangerous throughout the year, taking two third positions and a fifth things did not come together quite as Proffitt would have wished this year. Still a stand out sailor in a variety of conditions Proffitt’s sailing is far from slowing down and we are sure he will be back with a vengeance next year.

Phil Horrocks. Image credit Simon Crowther.

It was again exceptionally tight for the final top spot, this time between the Gaastra/Tabou team mates Phil Horrocks and Jamie Hancock. Going into the final event in Cornwall Phil looked to be in a commanding position, but he knew as well as anyone that anything could happen. A very tricky draw for Phil saw him struggle to progress, whilst Jamie dominated his side of the draw. Regardless of draws we are sure all sailors agree, to win you have t beat everyone, and that’s exactly what Jamie did. Congratulations to all pro competitors this year and thank you for putting on a fantastic show.

Jamie Hancock. Tiree 2011 image credit John Carter.

Before we look forward to the 2013 tour Boards catches up with the title winner himself:

Jamie Hancock. Image credit BWA/Dave White.

Name: James Hancock

DOB: 16.09.84

Sail number: K218

Years competing: 10

Best previous results: UK Wavesailing Champion 2009, Indoor jump champion, 9th Klitmoller 2010, PWA Rookie of the year 2011.

Title you have won this year: British Wavesailing Champion

Why and when did you first start competing?

I grew up learning to windsurf with my Dad at Hill Head beach in Lee on the Solent. At the time there were loads of really good windsurfers around like Chris Audsley, Jack Hunt, James Cox and they had all been windsurfing longer; Chris was even competing on the world tour. I was loving windsurfing and wanted to be as good as them and the rest kind of followed by entering junior contests on the Isle of Wight.

How did you get involved with competition?

After going to a junior contest I was hooked. I wanted to make it to the pro event and at the time that was my only goal. After doing a junior contest then coming in and watching the pros was amazing, I couldn’t even have imagined at the time to have made it to that level.

Jamie Hancock. Image credit Si Crowther.

As a kid did you dream of becoming a champion?

Not really. Just wanted to be good enough to sail reef breaks with my friends who were better than me.

Did you love competition straight away?

I liked the events and the people. Competition is something I was quite used to as I already had a sporting background. I played a lot of sports at school and also played squash for Hampshire and had previously travelled the country to some open junior contests. I think I made it to top 20 U19′s in the country when I was 14, that is what I did with most of my time until I got on the water and windsurfing.

What has helped you progress from learning how to compete to winning a title?

I’m not really sure. I have never had a problem competing. My problem is that I think I’m often too reserved in competition and fear mistakes more than going for it, that is something I’m going to work on.

What equipment have you used on the UK tour this year?

I have two Tabou wave boards, and two sets of Gaastra sails. I like to use the Gaastra Pure’s when the waves are a bit smaller and for any onshore and then I like to use the Gaastra Manics for proper wavesailing and stronger winds. I used my manics in Wales and my Pure’s in Ireland and Cornwall.

Jamie Hancock. Image credit Si Crowther.

Why do you use this equipment?

I have been sponsored by Gaastra / Tabou for a eight to nine years and I love the brand, the people but mostly the products. They suit me really well and have never had a bad piece of equipment in all those years.

What is it about your set up in particular that you like?

I really like having two different types of sails, they give me something different and better options for whatever the conditions are. I really love the boards this year too. I have an 80 litre board which is my competition board and that really helps.

Who else would you recommend a set up like this?

Literally anybody that wanted to sail the conditions I do. I wouldn’t recommend it to my Dad because he likes blasting in the solent. The Tabou Da Curves have five fin slots so it allows anybody to have their favorite fin set up, I often change my K4fins around. The sails feel great too but I also know that equipment choice is mainly down to personal preference, what I use is good and I like it, but it can also be good and for people not to like it as much.

Check out the full Pro Quiver feature with Jamie here.

How and where have you trained for the series this year?

Cape Town. That is where the Gaastra / Tabou wave sails development and photoshoots take place so it works out really well. It is port tack and the whole tour is port tack so as a starboard tack sailor I try to be there for as long as possible each year. Ideally I would like to travel to New Zealand and Chile but financially it just isn’t possible.

Jamie Hancock testing in South Africa

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

I go to the gym quite a bit when I’m at home. I did play a lot of football but I picked up a couple of injuries and decided to give it a bit of a break.

What are your plans for winter?

I plan to be in Cape Town again.

Will you be sailing here in the UK too?

Ross Williams is back and also Timo is around. At them moment I have been on a few trips with JC and those guys. I absolutely love sailing in the UK, it is my favorite time of the year!  I may also head to Ireland before South Africa.

What are you aims for competitions in 2013?

To compete on the World and UK Tours.

Follow more about the BWA tour right here on Boards and on their website http://www.britishwavesailingassociation.com/

James Cox. BWA Cornwall. Image credit Simon Crowther.

It’s been entertaining watching one of our local sailors standout on the BWA windsurfing tour this year. Anyone who sails in the Bournemouth area, will know, that when in the right frame of mind Jim Cox (Coxy as he is known) can windsurf as good as the top pro’s. In recent years, I would say that he had always been on too smaller kit in competition. I would always sail a board 10 litres bigger than he was on.

When the quatro quads came out though, you could see he started sailing his 85 like he would a 75 – recently he upped it even further and tried their quite interesting 110 litre wave board. Maybe the biggest board on the market for this type of sailing. Competitions are never held in ideal conditions, well a 6 – 8 minute heat is never ideal and the more volume under your feet the better – unless of course the board cannot turn, which is why most stay on smaller boards.

The other thing about Coxy, which is good for the rest of us aspiring amateurs, is that he spends most of his time sailing here in Bournemouth, with Gregg, myself, his brother Tim and recently Jamie Hancock who has moved here. We sail at, as you may know, a gnarly beach break called Southbourne. It’s generally cross on, has quite a bit of water movement, but can get hell of a wave for a couple of hits. Coxy doesn’t spend his winters sailing abroad every single day. Most of the time he spends every single day in a log cabin at the end of his garden talking to his computer in Binary and PHP, and also trying to answer a million emails at once. If you ever phone him, the first thing he says is, can’t speak right now… I usually just txt, saying when and where – hopefully he will be out for a power session.

Since he came second at the weekends BWA event, narrowly missing 1st place (he couldn’t find a ramp for a second jump), I though’t maybe he would converse with me if I put an interview up on the blog. So here we are.

James Cox. BWA Cornwall. Image credit Simon Crowther.

What kit were you using throughout the competition?
On the Friday I used the 110 litre quad all day with a 5.2, which is an interesting combination. Smallest sail to keep that part of it light. With a board that big I didn’t need a big sail to get planing.

What size boards were other people using?
Most on 95′s and 85′s. I don’t think people usually think about using a wave board so big as a 110, a lot of people are curious.

Why do you think no one uses boards that big?
Because they havent tried them, the other reason is that as well as they turn, they are not as responsive as a smaller board for obvious reasons. Even so I did get one of my best turns the whole weekend. Interestingly it wasn’t that light on the Friday, it was very patchy 5.7 to 4.7, coming through in really long gusts.

What were you using on Saturday?
84 litre Quad LS?

How did that feel in comparison?
Really grippy turning on a wave. felt good to be on smaller board finally and more control, there was a lot of whitewater.

Do you think the big board made the difference in competition

I think it helped me maintain my speed in the turns when others were not.

The final of the first round was run on Saturday morning, it was really cold. (In the final Jim beat Andy Chambers and Ben Proffit – Jamie came first)

What was it like waiting around all day for the double?
After the final finished, I came in got changed immediately, listened to music in the grass sand dune area. I was enjoying watching people windsurfing. I didn’t practise before my heat, I had a bad ankle so had to preserve that. A forward in my heat against Ben made my ankle worse.

What was it like beating Ben?

…..for this answer to this question and many more head to the Windsurf Britain blog right here. 

Find out more about Quatro range here.

Ben Proffitt

Though not perfect conditions, the top sailors still shone through and proved why they are at the top. Full heat by heat analysis can be seen at the bottom of this post, (Boards will be following all the action over the weekend in the same way so stay tuned!) but it was James Cox, Ben Proffitt, Jamie Hancock and Andy Chambers that made it through to the final. The final was sailed in the fading evening light, it looked tricky to get on the set waves but all sailors were ripping; the result is yet to be announced but we will let you know as soon as it is. Who’s your tip to win?

On route to the final there were many exceptionally close heats; Andy King went out in a marginal decision over Timo Mullen and Phil Horrocks, then Horrocks lost out in an equally close heat with Proffitt and Hancock. On the other side of the draw Sam Neal almost beat Andy Chambers in a very close man on man heat, but Chambers advanced and continued his run of form all the way to the final. This only goes to prove the exceptional level of all the pros and how it really is close at the top!

Registration is currently underway for all amateur fleets so we will be able to fill you in on full entry lists tomorrow morning. The BWA are again expecting a great turn out for all fleets and with the winds looking strong tomorrow morning it should be a quick start for a fleet or two!

As well as our instagram images which you can view here,  the hugely talented Simon Crowther is around taking some exceptional shots all weekend which we will share with you as soon as possible, along with Dave White’s gallery of official BWA shots too.

Boards will continue the coverage of the BWA Cornwall Classic over the whole weekend so stay tuned for all the action!

Event plan:

Friday - 8am briefing for pro’s at Sandsifter unless another beach is nominated.  Amateur registration from 8pm till 11pm at Sandsifter.

Saturday - 8am registration for all fleets at Sandsifter, amateur registration until 9am.  Briefing for all fleets 9am.   Monsters ball at Sandsifter from 9pm – Halloween Dress Code!  BWA Awards if no forecast for sunday.

Sunday - 9.30am briefing at Sandsifter car park all fleets.  4pm Prize giving unless otherwise stated.  BWA Awards.

Check out page two for the intro to the event…

All headed to Balevullin, where we were greeted with light winds from the right and small waves. As the day progressed and the tide moved in the waves built slightly which meant head judge Mark Hoosegood called the women’s and youth’s fleets onto the water for their first rounds.

The youth fleet headed out first in a ‘trial’ heat to test out the conditions, unfortunately by this point the higher tide meant that the waves were now sheltered from the wind behind the headland making it even lighter and trickier.

After eight minutes the youth competition was called off, as from the start the wind was very light but Tris Levie shone, managing to get some great waves in the challenging conditions.

Most of the women got on the water before the heats took place; Justyna Sniady took to the water for the first time since breaking her foot and carefully managed some runs whilst Debbie Kennedy showed why she has won the previous years events with some solid riding. Unfortunately the women’s heats didn’t get underway at all, but on a positive note two more female competitors turned up today to push the numbers up to an incredible 11. Dave White took the opportunity to get all the ladies together for a mini photoshoot on the beach, so watch out for these piccies very soon!

Before the winds picked up Ben Proffitt, Andy ‘Bubble’ Chambers, Phil Horrocks and Chris ‘Muzza’ Murray gave some tuning advice to the other fleets. Light wind days up here are the perfect opportunity for picking up lots of tips on equipment, technique etc, so every day the conditions do not deliver activities like this will be arranged.

Tomorrow, along with images, we will provide a run down of the top tuning tips from the guys involved in the chat and will continue to do this with any other advice offered from the  pros. So, up next we will have further coverage of today’s activities hopefully with some reporting from the windsurfing action too!

Elimination ladders:

Pro ladder

Amateur ladder

Master's Ladder

Youth ladder

Ladies ladder

Check out the previous gallery and intro to the day on the page below….

With all shots from top photographer John Carter both showcase the talents of incredible riders, in equally incredible locations.

The 2013 Windsurfing Calendar was shot on location at Gnarloo, Margret River, Spreckelsville, Esperence and Maui’s north shore; John Carter takes us on an introspective of today’s world of new school wavesailing.

Victor on the cover

Cue a style clash between windsurfing’s old guard and the progressive lines of the sport’s next generation.

Calendar Specifics:

Size: A3 (297mm x 420mm).

Format: Portrait (ring bound w/ wiro hanger at top).

Paper: 210 GSM.

Printing: Full bleed single side edge to edge digital printing.

View: 14 pages, one month per page + cover & preview page.

Photographer: John Carter.

Sailors: Victor Fernandez, Scott McKercher, Philip Koster, Nik Baker, Iballa Moreno, Ricardo Campello, Ben Proffitt, Levi Siver, Mark Angulo, Jaeger Stone and Keith Teboul.

Locations: Gnarloo, Hookipa, Margret River, Spreckelsville, Esperence and Maui reefs.

New for 2013 is the UK Breaks Calendar, celebrating all that is great about British shores. 

Timo on the cover

Ever wonder why the British Isles continually father some of the finest wave sailors on the planet? Lineage of this calibre isn’t born out of warm water and tropical beaches, it’s forged from the harsh brutality of Atlantic swells, battering low pressures and unforgiving, isolated slabs.

Littered with world class reefs and beach breaks, we blow the lid on what the British Isles really have to offer – Introducing The 2013 UK Windsurfing Calendar.

Showcasing 13 awe inspiring images from windsurfing’s homeland, shot by the lens of John Carter and digitally printed onto super heavy weight paper. The UK’s never looked so good, nor has your wall.

Calendar Specifics:

Size: A3 (297mm x 420mm).

Format: Portrait (ring bound w/ wiro hanger at top).

Paper: 210 GSM.

Printing: Full bleed single side edge to edge digital printing.

View: 14 pages, one month per page + cover & preview page.

UK Breaks Calendar Overview

Photographer: John Carter.

Sailors: Jamie Hancock, James Cox, Paul Hunt, Chris Murray, Andy King,  Timo Mullen, Ross Williams, Phil Horrocks, Ben Proffitt and Ian Black.

Locations: Kimmeridge, Bigbury, Boscomb, Gwithian, Tiree, Ventnor, Sennen + Cornish, Welsh & East Coast Reefs.

Both calendars are available to purchase at http://www.openshutcalendars.com 

If it’s incredible wave shots, from both the UK and abroad you’re looking for, make sure you check out the new Boards Autumn / Winter Wave Annual on sale now!

Four British windsurfers, Boards editor Amy Carter and BWA competitors George Shillito, James Cox and Steve Thorp guide you through their beloved sport and how it is affected by the weather.

George Shillito in action

From those taking their first steps on a board through to windsurfing addicts who follow the forecasts daily, we are all eager to find the right conditions and enjoy them to the fullest. Luckily for us the UK provides a brilliant range of windsurfing weather and locations for everyone, but first things first, what is windsurfing?

A windsurfer basically consists of a board, mast, boom and sail. The principle of windsurfing is simple; you stand on the board, with your feet roughly shoulder width apart, and hold the sail up with your hands. The aim is to control the board and execute all the different manoeuvres with a variety of techniques. When you learn to windsurf it will be in a safe, calm environment where you can get to grips with the theory and techniques of the sport. After mastering these you can move onto sailing in more challenging conditions and continually improve your windsurfing ability.

Windsurfing – fun for all!

George Shillito, a regular on the BWA (British Wavesailing Association) Tour and manager of a successful watersports centre, knows all about introducing new people to the sport. George shares his knowledge on getting started in windsurfing, as well as how the weather will affect your first, and all future, sessions on the water.

“For windsurfers, checking a forecast is the blood line that links the first-time novices to the international-travelling, wind-battered professionals. For each and every windsurfer checking the forecast kick-starts a chain reaction of religious routines, preparations and difficult deliberation as to what kit to take, where to take it and why take it there.

Just a few days ago I found myself explaining to a group of keen beginners that their ideal forecast which they should be searching high and low for is a steady force three (on the Beaufort scale) and a Northerly wind making the water nice and flat down here at Polkerris Beach on the South coast of Cornwall. As I found myself uttering these words I was quickly confronted with the question “what’s the windiest you’ve ever been out in?” to which I had to answer “a good force nine to ten!!”

As you can imagine this opened the flood gates to a barrage of questions which got me thinking; what is it that windsurfers look for that make an identical forecast spell disaster for some, but offer perfect conditions for others?

For your first steps on a windsurf board, flat water with a constant light wind (Force 2-3) are more or less ideal to enhance your learning experience, as at this stage you are what is referred to as unconsciously incompetent. You know don’t know what you’re doing as you have never done it before, but then again you have nothing to compare yourself to and your brain is working over-time to ensure you stay upright and resemble something similar to what the instructor is saying nearby. In short, there is much too much to be thinking about to worry whether a small gust maybe just about to collide with your sail as everything you are doing requires thought. For this stage the safer the water the better, so learning at any RYA training centre will insure certain, high quality standards are met.

Once you’ve been bitten by the windsurfing bug you’ll quickly succumb to the excitement and intrigue of learning more and it will soon have you back out on the water. As your experience grows so to do your limits and the gentle winds no longer produce the new arousal levels you are now accustomed. This is due to the fact that as you do more, more of what you are doing becomes subconscious and you do things without thought. Whereas previously you worried about where your hands and feet were, now it comes naturally to you, so your brain has more space to start thinking about new quarrels that it has not encountered before, such as water state and wind inequalities.

As time goes by what once was you perfect forecast is now just seen as a light bit of fun on the water with friends or used to learn new skills for windier days when things happen much faster.

Once you reach planning level (when you overtake your bow wave ie go pretty fast!) you will naturally find yourself well on your way to becoming a fully-fledged windsurfer and will have no doubt chosen a discipline you want to focus on.

Windsurfing, like any other sport, has a few main disciplines one can focus their attention on and for each the dream forecast is always slightly different. Most windsurfers don’t necessarily chose which discipline they want to take part in, rather the local beach, lake or area of water set the parameters for what is possible. So below is a list of the main disciplines and for each one I have explained, in short what each require in terms of forecast and kit.

Freeride / Bump and jump: This is the main type of discipline recreational windsurfers take part in. Ideally they look for about eighteen to thirty knots and use non-specific, go anywhere, do anything boards allowing them to make the most of any wind-blown chop for jumping or sheltered flat water areas for carving manoeuvres.

Wave: The more extreme end of the windsurfing spectrum. Wave is when windsurfers use waves as stunt ramps for high jumps and tricks such as forward or backward loops. They then surf the wave on the way back in combining bottom and top turns. They have to be on the brink of planning as the boards they use are much smaller (70 – 95 litres) to allow for control on the wave and in the air, ideally twenty-three knots (plus) with wave size anywhere from waist to four metres high or bigger!

Top freestyler Gollito in action. Image courtesy Fanatic/Tom de Brendt.

Freestyle: The skateboarding of the windsurfing world. It relies on doing explosive, sliding and spinning manoeuvres on completely flat water, the flatter the water the better. Again this relies on the windsurfer planning but it uses slightly bigger boards (90 – 105 litres) than wave so they can get out in similar winds to freeride, about eighteen knots plus. Freestyle is normally best when a stretch of water, across the wind is sheltered by a low lying wall, sand bar or spit of land for constant wind but has no fetch (area for chop to form on the water).

Race: This discipline is in itself split into many different categories which incorporates almost all wind strengths from RS:X which is used in the Olympics (please sign the petition to keep it in at: http://www.change.org/petitions/isaf-keep-windsurfing-as-olympic-discipline# ) designed specifically for use all over the world at different venues, inland and costal. Formula which has kit that can get planning in about eight knots of wind and Slalom which can be done in some of the highest wind speeds nature can put out.

All of the aforesaid disciplines do at some stage interlink and defining them can sometimes be difficult. I have used wind strengths for a typical windsurfer but that is not to say that for all of the above there will be many exceptions. Lighter/more skilled sailors will be able to get going earlier, slightly different conditions will allow different opportunities and as kit progresses people are able to get out more and more.  So a forecast to a windsurfer is like opening a book with the same content, yet arriving at an infinite amount of different endings. Depending where you are on your windsurfing journey be sure to check the forecast so you can arrive at your own conclusions as you can be sure the person next to you at your local spot will have arrived at a slightly different one!”

As you progress with windsurfing and sway towards one or other of these disciplines, following the forecast becomes a little more exciting. While it maybe easy to get out on some flat water to go freeriding, you may crave a perfect wave to improve your wave riding or some ultra flat water to learn the new freestyle move.

For many following the forecast and searching for their own personal ideal condition becomes an addiction, James Cox an avid competitor well known for his meteorological knowledge explains why and what many look for in a forecast.

James Cox. Image credit Duncan Dumbreck.

“Windsurfers do not have the luxury of booking a court or scheduling a regular after work slot of leisure activity; we wait for the weather to decide when the games can begin. And as a keen windsurfer I know, and thoroughly enjoy, the process of being finely tuned in to the weather forecasts in anticipation of the next brewing storm and the next chance to hit the water. We wait for the latest forecast updates to plan our week ahead. Most often work and social engagements are planned around the windsurfing and the weather.

A chase makes life more exciting and following the weather is exactly that. As a windsurfer you will have your own ideal conditions that you will be looking for – your own idea of perfection! For Steve, George and Amy this will most likely be something such as raw big surf and strong winds; whereas for another individual it might be moderate winds on a secluded and sheltered lake. So we will all be concentrating on the weather forecast, but we might be hoping for different things.

This is just one of the reasons why Windsurfing is such an incredible sport. The weather constantly changes the playing field making every session unique. There is no good or bad weather in windsurfing – only good weather! But as suggested  above, it’s the extreme weather conditions that keep the most experienced windsurfers perpetually hooked.

James Cox in action. Image credit BWA/Dave White.

Finding the right weather for your ability is only a part of what we look for (and something that the Met Office website www.metoffice.gov.uk  does very well), it is also very important to know which locations handle those conditions the best and which are most suited to you ability level. This is something that Bigsalty Weather www.bigsalty.co.uk focuses on. So in unison these websites allow you to track the weather and locate your ideal location based on the conditions.

The most important weather indicator that you want to look for when windsurfing is of course wind speed and direction. A learner might look for a wind speed of 7-18kts (F3 Bft – F5Bft). This is windy enough to get a response from the sail but not too windy to be out of control. Wind direction or more specifically wind orientation is something else we look for.

As you gain experience of a local area, you may find that a particular wind direction suits one location over an alternative. Indeed you may also find that a specific wind direction may accentuate the wind speed due to a thermal enhancement (e.g. sea breeze) or acceleration due to topography. Beach orientation and sea bed topography also effect what wave action will be present at the beach. This is where the above weather forecasting sites above can help, but it’s also extremely beneficial to pay attention to these localised effects yourself.

Generally speaking, if you are getting in to windsurfing for the first time you don’t have to worry too much about too many detailed weather factors (I am assuming you are taking advice from an instructor) but by making an effort to understand them you can make more sense out of the forecasts available to you and perhaps read between the lines.

As well as wind speed and direction, I personally look at tides and the wave (also known as swell) characteristics: wave height, wave period and wave direction. Broadly speaking, wave height tells me how high the waves may be, wave period tells me how much energy and power the waves will have and the wave direction tells me what angle the waves will need to wrap through to reach my favourite beach. Tides will also affect the waves on their approach to the shore but this effect varies greatly from beach to beach.

Understanding the weather is part of the rich and exciting experience of being a windsurfer. You will never completely master either of these things, but this means there is always something new to keep you hooked.

Essential weather and information websites to take with you on this journey are:

• The Met Office (www.metoffice.gov.uk )
• Bigsalty Weather (www.bigsalty.co.uk)

Additional weather sites that are frequently used are:

• Windguru (www.windguru.cz)
• Magicseaweed (www.magicseaweed.com)”

Live updates to commence very shortly.

BWA Ireland John SkyeBWA Ireland Phil Horrocks. Image courtesy of BWA/Dave White.

BWA Ireland Rob Jones. Image courtesy of BWA/Dave White.

BWA Ireland James Cox. Image courtesy of BWA/Dave White.

BWA Ireland Timo Mullen. Image courtesy of BWA/Dave White.

BWA Ireland John Skye in action. Image courtesy of BWA/Dave White.

Big Salty provide some of the best forecasting available for the UK and International waterman (and lady!) For 2012, they have would like to know what YOU think of the website and any suggestions you may have. Read on to find out more.

A whole load of toys just waiting for James Cox to use!

“Calling all existing bigsalty.co.uk or bigsalty.com weather users. Big Salty Weather is running a survey whereby anyone who fills it out before the end of February can have the chance of winning a prestigiuous Big Salty hoody. The Big Salty development plans mean that they have got a lot to squeeze in to 2012 so all entries will help make a difference. You can do that HERE”

Catch your slice of the action HERE for UK forecasts, or for global forecasts HERE.

George Shillito on the charge

Wednesdays conditions offered much more waves with better size, longer rides and wind switching between cross and cross-off. As well as the contest area there was stacks of freesailing going on and a busy day at Gowlane! Worth mentioning that parking on the beach was the only option and Jeff Scott scored first place with a huge stuck mobile home, and runner up was the Tushingham Boys with a good burial of the front end!

Pros:

George Schillito gave the standout performance of the day with some awesome waveriding and smashed his way through the first few heat nocking out one of the hot favourites James Cox early on. His run was only stopped by Bubble who was also coming up the ranks to get back at a podium chance. Despite a very close heat Bubble clinched it and went on to score 3rd place just ahead of Rob Jones. Adam Lewis was firing again and clinched 4th today.

George on Tushingham quoted “Great day and real stoked with my riding, the judges gave some positive feedback and it was very close with Bubble!”

It was hard to separate Rob, Lewis and Bubble with the scores coming pretty close. Adam has shown some expressive freesailing and stood out with some great rides in his heats but Bubble was solid and consistent to rack up what the judges wanted to see!

Bubble “Ireland delivered today and I enjoyed the conditions with a big improvement over yesterday for me. I ran better heats and just made sure I took my time and held out for the bigger sets”

Phil and Ben patiently waited to do battle, and Phil was keen to beat Ben and run a third heat to challenge for the top spot. Once again the Funsport boys shone through as the top seeds, but it was Simmer rider Ben pulling off more consistent and fluid rides and landing takas on the wave to secure his first place that will now be very hard to beat!

Ben said “It was a tough wait all day guessing what kit to use in the changing conditions, and there was a good bit of banter with Phil…but I was just glad to get out there in the best conditions of the week!

Masters:

Chris Goldfinch from SX Waterports climbed up a place today and was tapping at Danny’s heels giving him a good challenge for 3rd, and if they get some more heats it’s all to play for. The real battle though has been between Mark lloyd and Dave White – both these guys have been ripping and Whitey has just managed to keep Mark in 2nd Place. Credit has to go to Dave White, despite the tricky winds he looked light as a feather and nimble as a ballerina on his feet and really stood out I all the masters heats.

Women:

The lead has been back and forth between both of the very talented female competitors, both saying how great it would be to have more women getting involved on the tour. These ladies could easily give the men a run for their money and the heats were great to watch. With both riders on Simmer, it was the Pura Vida Teamrider Sarah Bibby that kept hold of 1st place.

Katie told us “Today I really got on great with my new Moo Custom and enjoyed all the heats, hoping for more tomorrow. Sarah has come back from her travels and is really ripping, she totally deserves 1st place”

Sarah “ I enjoyed better waves today, but Katie’s riding was so good and each heat finished close. I didn’t expect to win so I was pleased with the results!”

Amateurs:

Emile, Stef, Jeff and Craig all got back in to the double elimination to do battle and try and get through to the top seeds. Jeff and Emile got straight through only to go head to head and it was standout performances from jeff like this all day that just kept him going up the ranks. It was only when Alfie had to defend his 4th place with some stylish riding that Jeff’s run came to an end.

Jeff Scott “The wind was in the ideal direction and riding was super fun with long rides on the bigger sets. I was stoked to get through so many heats today getting up to 5th place”

Nile beat Alfie, and went on to challenge Lewis. His local knowledge proved key with the wave selection and despite one real high scoring wave from Lewis Nile had 2 more to get him a spot in todays final with Aleksy Gayda.

Nile won the first heat and Aleksy had to defend hard with another round. The wind kicked in and jumping was back on, so 17 year old stepped up his game and looped his Simmer Sail with ease, adding some stylish riding to impress the judges and keep the top spot yet again.

Chris from SX Watersports who support Aleksy said “ we are real pleased to support him with Simmer and his progress already this season has been amazing! It’s been a cracking event and look forward to more wind if we are lucky”

So the results can still change in the next few waves depending on what comes through! Stay posted… Jim Pura Vida – BWA

Pro Champions

PROS

The 2010 BWA UK Wave Tour has once again delivered with many top places going down to the wire at in the final round in some of the most spectacular and challenging conditions seen at Gwithian, Cornwall. Spurred by his fantastic PWA results, Ben Proffitt (Simmer) finally took the crown he has worked so hard for with consistent wins in Ireland and Scotland. Chris Murray and George Shillito (Tushingham, Starboard) delivered consistent performances to take well deserved 2nd and 3rd respectively. Further stars to watch in 2011 will undoubtedly be Sam Neal (JP, Neil Pryde) and Richard Jones (Fanatic, North). The big question…after a giant-slaying 2010, will Andy ‘Bubble’ Chambers (JP, Neil Pryde) hang up his freestyle hat and cause more upset to the pros in 2011? Of course the fleet result was upset by the non-attendance of other stars such as Phil Horrocks (JP), John Skye (RRD, RRD), Timo Mullen (Starboard), and James Cox (Ezzy) who missed events and then lost valuable points in a savage and uncompromising 3-event tour which gave no charitable discards.

2010 Pro Champion: Ben Proffitt (Simmer, Funsport)

Vice Champion: Chris Murray (Tushingham, Starboard)

3rd: George Shillito (Tushingham, Starboard)

AMATEURS

There was a real Anglo/Scot battle in the amateurs as Adam Sims and Scott McDowell raged war in their respective countries. But with Sims pulling an epic performance out of the bag in Gwithian, Scotty finally fell to his dagger.  Ian Gibson gave a die-hard performance to come a close 3rd next to new kid on the competition block, Jim Brookes-Dowsett in fourth. With the new rules sending the top two amateurs into the Pro fleet in 2010 it will be exciting to see how Adam and Scott progress and upset the pros fleet!

2010 Amateur Champion: Adam Sims

Vice Champion: Scott McDowell

3rd: Ian Gibson

WOMEN

2010 saw some very welcome new faces for this fleet with a standout performance from Debbie Kennedy who took 1st place in both Tiree and Cornwall to secure a Champions title. Close on her heals and one to watch for 2011 is Jody Ward who put in consistent performances in her first year of wave competition to take the Vice Champion place. Katie McAnena took 3rd overall despite only making one event. Busy studying to become a doctor she has assured us that she will return in 2011 to contend for the crown.

2010 Women’s Champion: Debbie Kennedy

Vice Champion: Jody Ward

3rd: Katie McAnena (RRD)

MASTERS

You think the pros are competitive…think again! The Masters fleet was a ferocious battle between RAF sailors and our old favourite Big Davey.  Despite taking a win in Gwithian with an epic mast high wave performance, Big Davey had to settle for 2nd as RAF’s own Craig Hamilton took the 2010 crown. Big Davey commented, “It is so hard to find the will to beat the RAF guys as they are far too nice. It was much easier when I could scrap with Nigel [Treacy] on the wave!” The other ‘nice guy’, Russ Jenkins took 3rd overall place to show the UK that when it comes to competition, the RAF does the job well.

2010 Masters Champion: Craig Hamilton (RAF)

Vice Champion: Big Davey Edmiston

3rd: Russ Jenkins

YOUTHS

2010 saw the return of Aleksy Gayda.  Aleksy put in a performance most pros would be proud of securing 1st place in Cornwall and overall 2010 Youth Champion, a great birthday present.  Newcomers and ones to watch for 2011; Rhosneigr local Liam Ellis and George Bolwell took 2nd and 3rd overall.

2010 Youth Champion: Aleksy Gayda

Vice Champion: Liam Ellis

3rd: George Bolwell

The 2010 competition season is not yet over, as we have the inaugural Welsh Wave Sailing Amateur Champs ready to be held on the first windy weekend in November at Broadhaven. Sponsored by Pura Vida and Funsport and hosted by HavenSports, this event will see ‘amateur’ sailors battle in the Welsh waves with the Pros showing up to ‘show off’ their sponsors latest kit and their talents on the water! And of course the BWA Team are already working on the 2011 season. We hope to release event dates before Christmas so in the meantime, enjoy the autumn winds! See below for the 2010 BWA Overall Championship Results.

BWA Team

2010 BWA Championship Results

Pros

Wales Ireland Scotland England Points

Ben Proffitt (Simmer) 0 0.7 0.7 6.5 7.9

Chris Murray (Starboard, Tushingham) 0 7 8 4 19

George Shillito (Starboard, Tushingham) 0 9.5 8 6.5 24

Sam Neal (JP, Pryde) 0 9.5 5 13.5 28

Richard Jones (North, FanaMc) 0 9.5 10 9.5 29

Phil Horrocks (JP) 0 3 dne 0.7 29.7

John Skye (RRD, RRD) 0 2 3 dne 31

Timo Mullen (Starboard) dne 4 dne 3 33

Andy Chambers (JP, Pryde) dne dne 2 6.5 34.5

James Cox (Ezzy) dne dne 4 6.5 36.5

Michael Archer 0 15.5 10 13.5 39

Murray Saunders (Goya) dne dne 7 15.5 48.5

Jack Hunt dne 15.5 dne 11.5 53

Andy King dne dne dne 2 54

Graham Woods (Goya) 0 5 dne dne 57

Alan Jackson (Starboard, Tushingham) dne dne 5 dne 57

Rob Jones (Pryde) dne 6 dne dne 58

Adam Lewis (Starboard) 0 9.5 dne dne 61.5

Steve Jarvis dne dne dne 9.5 61.5

Dave Horrocks dne dne dne 11.5 63.5

Oisin Van Gelderen (JP, Pryde) dne 13 dne dne 65

Dan Gardner (Moo, Simmer) dne 13 dne dne 65

Ronan McGuire (Moo, Simmer) dne 13 dne dne 65

Jan Sleigh dne dne dne 15.5 67.5

Jamie Hancock dne dne dne 17 69

Ams

Adam Sims 0 0.7 2 0.7 3.4

Scot McDowell 0 2 0.7 5.5 8.2

Ian Gibson 0 dne 4 7.5 42.5

Jim Brookes‐ Dowsett 0 dne 3 14.5 48.5

Simon Sweeney 0 dne 6 14.5 51.5

Julian Leach 0 9 dne 19 59

Niall Melon 0 3 dne dne 65

Steven Roberts 0 4 dne dne 66

Joseph O’Callaghan 0 5 dne dne 67

Tim Watson 0 6 dne dne 68

Greg King 0 dne 6 dne 68

Toby Edmunds 0 dne 6 dne 68

Tom Lotocki 0 7.5 dne dne 69.5

James Wilson 0 7.5 dne dne 69.5

Robin Hennessy 0 dne dne dne 93

Emile Kott dne dne dne 2 64

Robert Sheldon dne dne dne 3.5 65.5

Duncan Sheldon dne dne dne 3.5 65.5

Lewis Merrony dne dne dne 5.5 67.5

Ryan Humphrey dne dne dne 7.5 69.5

Will Rogers dne dne dne 10.5 72.5

Andy Buchanan dne dne dne 10.5 72.5

Ed Chapman dne dne dne 10.5 72.5

Clyde Waite dne dne dne 10.5 72.5

Kristan Arens dne dne dne 14.5 76.5

Jefrey Scott dne dne dne 14.5 76.5

Vince Freeman dne dne dne 20.5 82.5

Gethin Edwards dne dne dne 20.5 82.5

Ed Buchanan dne dne dne 20.5 82.5

James Thorne dne dne dne 20.5 82.5

Ladies

Debbie Kennedy dne dne 0.7 0.7 10.4

Jody Ward dne dne 2 2 13

Katie McAnena (RRD) dne 0.7 dne dne 18.7

Louise Emery (Simmer) 0 2 dne dne 20

Helen Bainbridge dne dne 3 dne 21

Karina Pirhonen 0 dne dne 3 21

Sarah Frymann dne dne dne 4 22

Charmaine Randall dne dne dne 4 22

Youth

Alexi Gayda dne dne dne 0.7 10.7

Liam Ellis 0 0.7 dne dne 10.7

George Bolwell dne dne dne 2 12

Ashley Couchman dne dne dne 3 13

Masters

Craig Hamilton 0 0.7 2 3 5.7

Davey Edmiston dne 2 4 0.7 6.7

Russ Jenkins 0 4 0.7 2 6.7

Mark Lloyd 0 3 3 5 11

Danny Geereedhary 0 7.5 6.5 6.5 20.5

Damien DeBacker 0 6 6.5 dne 26.5

Chris Willcock 0 7.5 6.5 dne 28

Ben Abel dne dne dne 4 32

Gerry Willcock 0 5 dne dne 33

Mike Poole dne dne 6.5 dne 34.5

Jon Kershaw dne dne dne 6.5 34.5

David Naylor dne dne 9 dne 37

Steven Carragher dne dne 10 dne 38

* Prepared by N Treacy on behalf of BWA. All queries should be addressed to nigel@britishwavesailingassociation.com

Phil Horrocks – all photos by Simon Crowther

PHIL HORROCKS (JP) wins single elimination but all to play for in the double!

It was dark when the Pros met for Skippers Meeting this morning! But once daylight emerged, Gwithian was looking very tasty; cross offshore, mast high in the sets. It took a while to drag flags, judges and kit upwind where the wave had a better shape, but then the 18 Pros started off just after nine in the morning with 18 minute heats, two waves to count.

A welcome return to the Tour for Jan Sleigh who is now living in Newquay, but he was up against the Giant Slayer of the day, Dave Horrocks (younger bro of Phil). Dave was on fire in the port tack/Cape Town ish conditions. He then went into a heat with Timo Mullen (Starboard), Sam Neal (JP/NeilPryde) and Ben Proffiit (Simmer) and came second, knocking out the current BWA tour leader. But his fine run was stopped in the next round by Andy Chambers (JP/NeilPryde).

The usual suspects got through to the last eight; Andy King (Goya), James Cox (Ezzy) Jamie Hancock, Chris Murray (Starboard/Tushingham). This was Jamie’s first BWA event of the year and he was looking good the day before but landed an aerial late into the pocket in his heat and damaged his calf muscle and had to pull out the competition. So into the last eight and Andy King and Phil Horrocks got past James Cox and Chris Murray (who was really going for it and getting some of the biggest aerials) and Timo Mullen won over Andy Chambers and Dave Horrocks.

It was decided to hold a four man final so after one heat break the four were sent out. Phil was ripping, his bottom turn and top turns were linking nicely, choosing the right wave and had a cracking aerial to confirm his first place. Timo did clock the biggest aerial of the competition but didn’t gather enough points to make it into second. That place went to local boy Andy King who got plenty of very controlled aerials and towards the end of the heat trying backloops of the lip! Chris Murray came fourth, really consistent and more ballsy than normal, his fourth finish is much deserved and of course he could do better as the double has already started.

South-westerly winds are forecast for Saturday and of course the amateurs, masters and ladies register tonight at the SandSifters in Gwithian.

Thanks goes to the event sponsors after a cracking day one; Pura Vida, RB Sails, No Limitz, SandSifter and K38 Safety.

BWA Team

See Boardseeker’s day 1 movie here

James Cox and a mugful of Lifeboat Tea. Photo: Gregg Dunnett

UK Wave Tour Pro and Southbourne local James Cox, has been unveiled as an ambassador for the Lifeboat Tea Extreme Tea celebration of the ordinary people that do extraordinary things for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).

James is embracing the Extreme Tea initiative by Lifeboat Tea, the tea brand that raises vital funds for the charity (which is entirely funded through donations), by representing Lifeboat Tea both on and off the water.

James said of his involvement with Lifeboat Tea: “I feel extremely privileged to be given the post of a Lifeboat Tea ambassador.  Like many of us who spend so much time on the water, I have seen my fare share of bad weather and I have a massive respect for the job the RNLI performs. Myself and my friends know how important it is to assess risks before venturing in to the water but we are aware that sometimes things can happen that can put you outside your comfort zone and in danger regardless of how prepared you are.

“Although I have never needed the RNLI called out for me; for the above reason, I can’t be sure this will always be the case. It’s because of this and the fact that so many of my friends spend time in the sea that I strongly want to help raise support for the volunteers at the RNLI through the Lifeboat Tea campaign.”

Lifeboat Tea is inviting people to follow James and share their own Extreme Tea photos via the Lifeboat Tea website (www.lifeboattea.co.uk/extreme), Facebook and Twitter. Lifeboat Tea costs £2.09rrp and is available from leading supermarkets such as Waitrose and selected Tesco and Asda supermarkets. It is also available in RNLI shops.

James is sponsored by: Quatro International, Ezzy Sails, Lifeboat Tea, K4 Fins and Big Salty Weather

James, sans cuppa...Photo: Gregg Dunnett