Maisie Squibb, on the water

At the end of May, I shall be windsurfing or stand-up-paddleboarding (depending on the conditions) from the Official Test Centre (OTC) to Overcombe and then cycling back.

The reason I am doing this is raise money for the Will Mackaness Trust; a trust that has changed my life!

The Trust was set up in 2008 after Will (Head Boy at Wey Valley School) unfortunately passed away due an aggressive brain tumour. His mother, Pam Govier set up the trust to give other children the chance to experience the thrill that got Will buzzed: watersports, and windsurfing in particular.

In 2010 the opportunity was given to me at Wey Valley School to do a windsurfing course with the OTC. The windsurf course was subsidised by the Trust to make it more accessible for children to do. I jumped at the chance to give it a go and I haven’t looked back since!

I’ve carried on pursuing my love and passion for windsurfing and am now a windsurf instructor and work at the Official Test Centre.

Since I started windsurfing three years ago, I have met an incredible group of people and friends; travelled the country attending events, competed in National competitions, and have also gained a place as a team rider for Puravida, to whom I am grateful for all their support.

All of this stemmed from the opportunity Pam and the Trust gave to me.

This summer I will be off to a windsurfing Mecca (Vassiliki in Greece), where I shall be working as a windsurf instructor at Club Vass.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Pam for the life-changing opportunity she and the Trust gave me three years ago and for her continued support. I wouldn’t be where I am now without her – I am so grateful. To show my gratitude, I’d love to support the Trust and help encourage others to take up sports like windsurfing and share my passion.

When I go to Greece, I’ll be taking a bit of the Trust with me by having the Will Mackaness logo on my sails. I will be so proud to represent and ride with Will!

If you would like to sponsor my crossing from the harbour to Overcombe beach, you can do so here!

www.virginmoneygiving.com/MaisieSquibb Thank you!

It might still be a little on the cold side, but the forecast is looking good, so come down and get involved. There will be plenty of kit to go round, and taster session for windsurfing are available for £15.00. To book yourself on one, call the WPNSA reception on 01305 866000. Look forward to seeing you down the centre!

Check out the action here and head to the OTC Puravida website for the latest info on further events.

Pre-Season Slalom Training Camp ’13 from The OTC on Vimeo.

SB Windwise coaching

Simon Bornhoft Windwise – Saturday 6th July

New video from the weekend, thanks to rising star Sam Latham!

K15 Sam Latham @ OTC Weymouth winter slalom training from Sam Latham K15 on Vimeo.

The start of the competition calendar is quickly approaching and many sailors are getting serious about the pre season training now. Down in Weymouth over the weekend, Si Pettier showed the others exactly how to nail a start! Remember, Ross Williams will be joining the guys in Weymouth very soon for his pre-season training weekend.

Are you thinking of competing in the BSA or any other UKWA competitions this year? Have you started setting some on and off water goals to get you ready? Even sailing with a group and challenging each other could add that vital speed you’ll need to race to the front of the pack. If you’re looking for an active group of windsurfers to join, check out Project Windsurf UK and see what’s coming up in your area!

RYA Advanced Instructor course, get involved!

The Advanced Instructor course has a clinic-based approach, appealing to a wider spectrum. The core content of the instructor course enables instructors to teach the main advanced course in the scheme. In addition, instructors can be assessed during the course to enable them to teach further advanced clinics in advanced carving skills and bump and jump.

Eligibility

Intermediate planing instructor:

Minimum age 18

Minimum of a very competent Advanced certificate holder plus clinics in waterstarting and carve gybing

RYA Powerboat level 2 certificate

Valid first aid qualification*

Evidence of 100 hours logged as an Intermediate planing instructor

If you have any questions or want to book yourself on the course then please contact Sam or Tris.

Head to uk.otc-windsurf.com for more info.

OTC Puravida Sale

The OTC powered by Puravida Boardriders are having a mega sale on the 1st of December, where they will be selling off a huge range of the equipment they stock at their centre in Weymouth. 

“We’re pleased to announce we have a rather large sale day this weekend, displaying plenty of bargains in the WPNSA hangar, whilst having lots more stock to browse in the centre. Boards, sails, masts, booms, extensions … you name it, we have a bargain just waiting to be snapped up.

So if you’re looking for that Christmas present idea, or something to add to your Santa’s letter, look no further. For a list of kit, click here and for more information, get in touch”

Ross will be continuing to run demos and clinics throughout the winter, with the help of fellow Gaastra riders so stay tuned for more details right here on Boards.

You can also follow the latest news from Ross on his Facebook page here. 

Image credits Maisie Squibb.

Ross Williams at the OTC

“To say the demand for tasters has been overwhelming is a bit of an understatement. Each day the site opens to the crowds queuing outside at 10.00am, and each day our schedule of 40 tasters per day is fully booked by 10.15am! Unbelievable. By the end of LIVE site we will have taught easily over 600 first time windsurfers, with many voicing how much they enjoyed it and the desire to learn more. Surely that is a legacy in itself…”

Check out more on the OTC Puravida facebook page http://www.facebook.com/Otc.Puravida

OTC Puravida Boardriders

After London’s Olympic Opening Ceremony on Friday, Weymouth hosted its own take of an opening ceremony on Saturday evening from the LIVE site on the beach. The show was called Battle For The Winds and depicted the struggle against the elements to ensure good conditions for the event. We were honoured to be asked to be part of it by show organiser Jon Beedell of the performing company Desperate Men.

Full story here

OTC Olympic Ceremony - Weymouth

Where – Gwent Adventures, Llandegfedd Reservoir.

What - a family fun and demo day with  local BWA Club members helping to get people on the water windsurfing and paddling (SUP).

Get your mates on the water, teach your kids or anyone who wants to have a go. There will be stacks of demo kit from many of the brands  available and rigged up to check out and try on the water.

Kit to view and try from -

Boards – Fanatic, Starboard, Mistral, Simmer, Quattro and brand new Patrik boards.

Sails – North, Simmer, Ezzy, Naish and Tushingham.

SUP – Fanatic, Starboard, Naish, O’Shea

There will be a BBQ available from Gwent Adventures, and if the weather does let us down there will be an event marquee, changing rooms and an event shelter in the rigging area to keep everyone dry.

OTC/Puravida – All of the equipment  from both centre’s in Weymouth is heading to South Wales and will be available to test and also for sale with many clearance deals.

Wetsuits – there will be a full selection of summer suits available to try and buy.

Puravida Demo Van – (planned but not promised) the boys are working on a kitting out a big wagon with rigged sails and a selection of windsurf boards and SUP’s that can head to the lakes and beaches of the UK which hopefully will be ready for the 29th.

Starboard/Tushingham representative and top windsurf/SUP coach Sam Ross will be on hand with coaching tips.

Sam will be offering free clinic time, demos and rigging advice as well as some SUP coaching for any newcomers to the sport. Sam will also have a selection of demo kit from Starboard and Tushingham to compliment what OTC/Puravida are already bringing.

So far the weekend forecast looks really good with a nice breeze that should work well at the reservoir.

For more info check out the Facebook event page here

Sam Ross demonstrating a new move?