Reports suggest that the tragedy occurred after the windsurfer became separated from his board.

Lifeboats and the Coastguard were scrambled after dog walkers raised the alarm but the man was pronounced dead upon arrival at Wansbeck Hospital.

Sea conditions at the time were said to typical and a spokeswoman was quoted saying that the weather “was favoured by windsurfers”.

Our condolences go out to the persons family.

The full story can be found here

RAF WInchman - pic John Tuttiet

Richie Cessford backloop

The Bank Holiday weekend saw windsurfers from as far as Aberdeen and Yorkshire descend on Northumberland for a new amateur wavesailing event organised by Northumbrian Windsurf Club committee member and owner of Newcastle’s favourite Paddleboard and Windsurfing School Boardskillz, Joe Thwaites.

The event was originally planned to take place in April but with marginal wind forecasts and very little swell the organisers decided to postpone it until windsurfing nirvana presented itself.

Joe said “The whole concept of the Slam was to establish a credible local wavesailing competition run around a near perfect forecast which last weekend certainly delivered.”

Saturday brought 4-6ft waves and a steady F5-6 cross offshore wind at Mouth of Budle Bay which was ideal for jumping on the way out and near perfect down the line riding on the way in. The judges decided that an expression session was the best format for the day which worked really well from a spectator perspective, as all competitors’ risked injury and kit damage to impress the judges with huge back loop attempts and last minute top turns on some fairly unforgiving waves.

Steve Carragher

Day 1 ended with John Critchley from Harrogate and Toby Edmunds from Aberdeen taking the silverware closely followed by Steve Carragher and Richie Cessford, both Northumbrian Windsurfing Club members.

The wind stayed for Sunday so the faithful ignored their aching limbs and regrouped at Mouth of Budle for round 2 of the Slam. Steve Carragher was taking no prisoners and was first up wind and making the most of the dropping swell closely followed by Richie. The waves were getting a bit messy and the wind went nuclear just after lunchtime so it was decided we should seek shelter in Budle Bay for some flat water drag racing and some freestyle. Ultimate speed prize for the day went to Steve Boyd but the judges felt local vet Steve Carragher’s wave exploits and general style made him the overall winner with Navy boy Richie Cessford from Newcastle getting overall runner up, courtesy of some impressive freestyle and some large aerial moves on Day 1.

Steve Carragher

The organisers would like to thank Pryde Group and Zero Gravity Distribution for their generous donations to the prize fund, local photographer Gavin Duthie for taking some first rate photos on the Saturday and all those who came along to support the event.

Joe went on to say, ‘Looking forward to next year we hope that more people will travel to what is probably some of the prettiest coastline in the UK to compete in a competition that aims to stand for  guaranteed wind and waves, great prizes (not just for winners), good banter and a party to rival any.

For more information on next year’s Northumberland Wave Slam or to find out more about learning to windsurf please visit www.boardskillz.co.uk, the boardskillz facebook page or call Joe on 07779 127230.

Wave Slam flyer

Update from Joe Thwaites at Boardskillz: “After several weeks of zero wind it appears we may have a decent forecast and more importantly some swell this coming weekend. It’s a Bank Holiday so we’re conscious that many interested parties may already have plans. That said if there is enough interest we’ll run the competition Sat/Sun. We’re asking that people post on the boardskillz facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/boardskillzcouk/259364652216 to show their interest so we can establish whether it’s worth running the event at such short notice. Updates will also be available on the Northumbrian Windsurfing Club Forum and the boardskillz.co.uk website.”

Once renowned for events like the Tynemouth Rollercoaster and the North Sea Cup there has been very little in the way of coastal competition in the North East for a number of years. Thankfully Northumbrian Windsurfing Club committee member and keen local wavesailor Joe Thwaites has taken it upon himself to address this pitiful lack local competition by pulling together the Northumberland Wave Slam. Alongside local sailors finally being able to pit their skills against each other the event aims to attract interest from the Cumbria, North & West Yorkshire and Scotland.

As Joe points out “we’re blessed with an amazing stretch of unspoilt coastline up here with some excellent sailing locations offering everything from full on down the line to classic bump and jump conditions”

The event has already attracted some sponsors who’ve donated some fabulous prizes which will be raffled off amongst entrants. Up for grabs there will be everything from winter suits and harnesses to fins and sails.

Many BWA amateurs have expressed interest already seeing the event as an excellent warm up opportunity to the forthcoming events in Wales and Ireland.

For more information on booking up and accommodation please visit www.boardskillz.co.uk or call Joe on 07779 127230.