Axbridge at Champions Cup

The Axbridge Animals are certainly no strangers to the Team15 Champions Cup. They have been lucky enough to qualify for the national final five years in a row, making it onto the podium in 2012 just behind current T15 Champions, the Hythe Hotshots.

Head coach, Mark Smith aka Smudge, believes it’s not just the trophies but the ‘buzz’ that youngsters get from windsurfing, that keeps them coming back each year.

“From the moment they get out of the car, to the moment they leave the club, the kids are taking about windsurfing. They are mad for it. When they get off the water you see how much they are buzzing” he explains.

The ‘Animals’ train once a week at Bristol Corinthian Yacht Club with team members travelling from all round the area to take part.  “We have up to 30 T15 windsurfers on the books at the moment and usually on a Thursday we will have about 20 to coach. Luckily along with myself there are seven other T15 coaches!” said Smudge.

“We train every Thursday night for two hours with windsurfers aged 8 to 15 of all abilities. At first kids just want to get out there and have a go, but more often than not they end up hooked and very quickly progress their skill, moving onto more technical kit and larger sail sizes. We have seen a quite a few members of the Axbridge Animals starting at just eight years old who have ended up windsurfing as part of the RYA National squad.”

Smudge believes that although it’s hugely important to encourage the youngsters to improve, the main thing is that they enjoy their sport. “One of the best things about windsurfing is that there is always something new to learn, whatever your ability”.

With such well-structured training in place, it’s no surprise that Axbridge are keen participants in the Team15 Inter-Club Championship.

The Axbridge Animals

Do the Axbridge Animals plan to dominate again in this year’s competition? Smudge believes that it’s all to play for. “Obviously we’d love a repeat performance but this year it’s massively open. It’s great to see new teams joining us in the South Zone and it really opens the competition!

The South Zone Team15 Inter-Club Championship kicked off in in Weymouth with event 1 this weekend (Saturday 05 May) where the Axbridge Animals finished top at the Official Test Centre (OTC).

Zoe Bassett

Eleven year old Zoe Bassett is playing a big part in supporting the team throughout the season as part of her role as a Team15 Ambassador.

“I think we have tough competition in our zone especially with the Oxford Zoomers and the Hythe Hotshots who are current champions, but we train hard every Thursday and our coaches are lots of fun”.

Zoe is one of the many youngsters who have progressed through the Team15 programme into the RYA Zone Squad. As a T15 ambassador, she helps advise the other members of the Axbridge Animals about the RYA Pathway.

Zoe also thinks that windsurfing is a special sport for young people because of the socialising. “It doesn’t matter how good you are, you can still enjoy windsurfing! You meet lots of young people and go to places you wouldn’t normally go to and try something different. I am really excited to be a Team15 Ambassador because I want to help promote the sport so other youngsters can enjoy it too.”

Smudge said: “We are delighted to have Zoe as an ambassador. She is fantastic at talking to other kids about the sport and even if Zoe gets just one other person involved, it will be worth it”.

For those who are have turned 15, at Axbridge there are also plenty of opportunities to join in.

“We encourage the older kids to stay on and help with coaching, giving tips to the younger members. A lot of them come along with their siblings and help with kit as well as startline tips and techniques. There are also opportunities for older members to become Assistant Instructors. That’s the best thing about the windsurfing, there are so many goals, no matter what level you are at” he concluded.

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.

For more information about Team15 and locate your nearest local club visit www.team15.org.uk or contact the RYA 0845 345 0400.

To find out how to become involved with the Axbridge Animals  either as a volunteer or a participant contact Claire Rodgers on 07714 468181

RS:X Youth Racing in Dublin

With over 350 competitors entered and ready to embark on the RYA’s premier youth racing event of 2013, the biggest entry the event has ever seen whilst hosted at Largs Sailing Club, event organisers are urging sailors, volunteers and everyone attending the regatta to come prepared with the weather in mind and to pack cold weather clothing and the correct sailing attire.

Parents and competitors are asked to plan their journeys well in advance and to take extra care when travelling to Scotland.

The current weather forecast for next week is for a light North Easterly wind but with temperatures remaining low for the first part of the regatta. RYA event organisers are asking sailors and volunteers to come prepared as it is intended to complete the full schedule of races across the five days of racing.

RYA Volvo National Youth Squad sailors are reminded that they receive a generous discount from the RYA Youth Racing Programmes official clothing supplier Henri Lloyd who have a quiver of clothing which will enable sailors to perform in the most extreme conditions and keep parents and volunteers warm and comfortable afloat and ashore.

Duncan Truswell, RYA Youth Racing Manager, commented: “The conditions up in Largs are improving all the time, the forecast looks increasingly benign and we are really looking forward to delivering a great event, witnessing some quality racing at one of the UK’s finest venues.”

Tim Hall, RYA Competitions Manager, added: “The safety and wellbeing of competitors and volunteers going afloat is our highest priority, but as the primary purpose of the event is to select sailors to represent GBR in international teams, we expect people to come prepared to race despite low temperatures. We will be planning to race in the prevalent conditions, which on the basis of current forecasts is likely to include low temperatures and therefore we urge everyone coming to Largs to dress appropriately.”

Racing will be held for boys in Laser Standards, girls and boys in Laser Radials and Neil Pryde RS:X 8.5 windsurfers, and for all-boy, all-girl or mixed crews in 420s, 29ers and Spitfire catamarans.

The RYA Youth Racing programme receives generous support from title sponsor Volvo Car UK and official clothing supplier Henri Lloyd. As part of their support for the annual event Henri Lloyd are sponsoring the Volunteers reception during the regatta and giving away some fantastic prizes during the RYA Youth National Championships. Keep an eye out on Facebook for more information and competition details.

For more information on the 2013 RYA Youth National Championships please visit theevent website, ‘Like’ us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

Racing

Now in its 11^th year, the Champions Cup and Inter-Club events are proving as popular as they did when the scheme started in 2001. This year some 740 young windsurfers, from as far afield as Scotland to Cornwall, battled it out at their regional Inter Club events, with some 50 competitors taking part in the West Zone’s event four alone.

“Participation has been great this year with some of the zones experiencing their highest turnout yet”, explained Team15 programme support officer, Sarah Cartwright.

After months of regional competition it was time for the top nine regional teams, made up of 93 young windsurfers, to make their way to Northampton Sailing Club at Pitsford Reservoir (13-14 October) for the Cup event.

Animals, Pirates, Mutineers and Monsters were among the teams preparing for battle.

Chillin inbetween races

Representing the West Zone, were the West Kirby Warriors.  The Warriors clinched their spot in the Champions Cup despite fierce competition throughout the season, after securing three out of four Interclub event wins.

Having missed out on victory in 2011 by just one point, the Axbridge Animals from the South zone finally took the regional win from defending champions of five consecutive years, the Oxford Zoomers and claimed their place at the Champions Cup.

Representing the North Zone was Pugneys Pirates. The Pirates claimed their spot at the grand final in September and team captain, 14 year old Matthew Carey was quietly optimistic for their chances:

“Last year (2011) was our first year in the Champions Cup and since then we’ve learnt a lot. We have five RYA Zone Squad sailors in our team this year, so we should be quite strong.”

Living up to their name, the Hythe Hotshots dominated the fourth and final Team15 South East Zone Interclub Championship to claim their place at the Cup event, while the Pitsfords Pirates, representing the Midlands’, hat-trick of wins secured them their place at the final.

On the water action

Despite some very windy and bumpy conditions in the final Scottish zone Interclub event, the Lock Insh Monsters continued to dominate and clinched their fourth win from four events and with it their place at the Champions Cup.

It was the young windsurfers of St Mawes, the Roseland Waveriders who claimed the South West Zone winners spot following a ‘neck-and-neck’ battle with the Siblyback Water Warriors throughout the four regional events.

There were also some new faces making the final line up.  The Mumbles Mutineers, a team of just four, representing Wales and the Lakeside Loafers for the Eastern region.  Many of the young competitors from these teams were set to experience their first taste of competitive windsurfing at a national level.

And so it was on to the big weekend.  Day one and racers were greeted with a cold and misty morning.  The mist eventually cleared to reveal no wind.  The wind did fill in a little to provide light wind sailing, but this required the sailors to pump their sails at times to get them around the course.

The weather continued to challenge the young racers as the morning’s sunshine was followed by a heavy rain shower, then a hale shower and the threat of thunder at times too.

As the competitors emerged from their tents and campervans on day two (Sunday morning) they were greeted by frost! The sunshine did breakthrough making it warmer than the previous day, but winds remained light and shifty, with non-planing conditions; not easy for any of the sailors!

The competitors sailed on two courses; with the 3.5m and 4.5m sailors completing eight races on the Blue Course whilst the 5.8m sailors and Techno 6.8m completed six races on the Orange Course. All the competitors then took part in a fun race to round off the weekend.

So after two days of racing, fun events and catching up with old friends it was time to reveal the winners and present the Champions Cup 2012 trophy.

After dominating throughout the season in their regional heats and representing their region for the first time in three years it was the South East Zones’ Hythe Hotshots who clinched the win and crowned 2012 Champions Cup Champion of Champions.

“It’s been an amazing weekend; I can’t believe we did it. It feels awesome!” said Hythe Hotshot Lorna Graham (14). “We’d like to thank our coach Marc and our parents for taking us windsurfing”.

Marc Carney who coaches the Hotshots said: “This has got to be the best one hasn’t it! This is the one we have worked for over the last couple of years because the last two years we just missed out on qualifying. The kids have done brilliantly”.

Catching up with friends

As well as the overall winner’s trophy, two special merit awards were presented. Dylan Chase (13) from the Mumbles Mutineers who had only been windsurfing for a year was awarded a Merit Award after dramatically improving his skills in just a weekend, going from 24th place at the start of the weekend to finish 9th place by race four.

“I really enjoyed the weekend. I learnt a lot from all the other sailors and the conditions. I’ve never really sailed on inland water before and it’s nice to have it flat and no salt when you fall in like at home. We definitely want to come back next year with a bigger team!” said Dylan.

The second Merit Award was awarded to Lowenna Penny from Roseland Waveriders for her team spirit after she helped out her younger team mates who were struggling a little during the races.

As well as amazing Champions Cup trophy the Hotshots also won a Tushingham/Starboard ‘Demo Day Experience’ of coaching from professional windsurfing coaches and the chance to try out the latest boards and sails which was presented by professional windsurfing coach and RYA OnBoard Development Officer Sam Ross.

NeilPryde and Tushingham/Starboard also donated the prizes for the class winners and goody bags were given to every sailor with contributions from Prosport sunscreen and the RYA.

RYA National Windsurfing Development Officer Gillian Wright who coordinates T15 said: “Once again we have seen some exceptional talent out on the water with some nail biting close finishes and the atmosphere has been absolutely fantastic all weekend.  We are delighted with how well the event has gone. From the kids and the parents to the coaches and volunteers; everybody’s got involved and really showed their support”.

Champion Cup winners 2012 - Hythe Hotshots

Champion Cup 2012 – The Final Results

1)        Hythe Hotshots

2)        Axbridge Animals

3)        Pugneys Pirates

4)        West Kirby Warriors

5)        Roseland Waveriders

6)        Pitsford Pirates

7)        Loch Insh Monsters

8)        Lakeside Loafers

9)        Mumbles Mutineers

Want to know more about Team15?

Supported by industry leaders Tushingham/Starboard 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.

There are currently 70 Team15 clubs offering fun and informal training sessions 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.

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Team 15 racing

The event will see some 100 young windsurfers from across the country, hailing as far afield as Scotland and Cornwall; battle it out in a bid to win the prestigious title of T15 National Champions 2012.

The windsurfing teams have earned their places after winning a series of highly competitive heats in the T15 Inter-Club Championship that took place throughout the UK this summer.

Amongst the teams desperate to win the title are South West Zone qualifiers the Roseland Waveriders who after remaining neck and neck with the Siblyback Water Warriors all season, managed to triumph in the very last event to claim a place in the final.

2011 T15 Champions, North West Zone’s West Kirby Warriors have enjoyed another successful season with a clean sweep, winning all four of their events in the 2012 Inter-Club Championship. The warriors will be keen to defend of their national title next weekend.

“The Warriors are really excited to be heading back to the Champions Cup! They have worked really hard and have had an awesome season. They will definitely be aiming to hold onto their Championship title” said Assistant Instructor, Oliver Bradley-Baker (16) who has been working with the West Kirby Warriors.

Joining the Warriors and Waveriders out on the race courses will be Hythe Hotshots, Pitsford Pirates, Axbridge Animals, Pugney’s Pirates, Mumbles Mutineers, Lakeside Loafers and Loch Insh Monsters.

The competitors, all under 16 year olds, will compete in four different windsurfing classes, (3.5m, 4.5m, 5.8m, Techno 6.8) pitting their skills against each other, trying to post the best results possible for their team.

RYA National Windsurfing Development Officer Gillian Wright who organises the competition says: “We are very excited about the Team15 Champions Cup this year, it’s always a fantastic weekend with a fun yet competitive atmosphere.

“For many youngsters and parents this will be their first taste of competing at a national regatta. It’s great to see some new teams qualifying and others returning, so we can expect plenty of new and familiar faces. It will be really exciting to see which windsurfing team will be crowned the champions”.

Supported by industry leaders Tushingham/Starboard, 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

Bic Techno Racing: Rowena Conway

The RYA Volvo Zone and Home Country Championships traditionally mark the end of the Junior racing season and the start of a hard winter’s training. They are a key event for any young sailor wishing to be selected for the RYA Volvo Zone and Home Country squads, which are the first step on the pathway to Olympic Classes sailing.

With all nine Zone and Home Country Championship events sponsored by Volvo Car UK for the fourth successive year running, each event provides the country’s most promising young sailors the perfect opportunity to pit their skills against the best of the best in their respective Zone or Home Country and the chance to demonstrate to the RYA High Performance Managers and coaches that they’ve got what it takes to be selected for the RYA Zone and Home Country squads.

In addition to the RYA High Performance Managers, sailors will have the chance to showcase their talents in front of London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic sailors who will be visiting eight venues across the course of the two-day regatta, to inspire the next generation of British sailors.

Racing will take place across the nine RYA recognised Junior dinghy and windsurfing classes including the Mirror, Optimist, Topper, RS Feva, Cadets and the windsurfers on the Bic Techno using the open 4.5, and 5.8 rigs, and the Techno 6.8s and Techno 7.8s – classes vary according to each venue.

In an effort to join up the RYA’s participation development activities and the junior racing programmes for the first time for most of the Zones, the RYA Volvo Zone and Home Country events will offer ‘novice’ regatta fleets for Toppers and Optimists. This is an event for sailors to set themselves an end-of-year goal after training and racing at their local club or RYA training centre during the summer months. It will give young sailors a good learning experience to help start them along the pathway to success.

Duncan Truswell, RYA Youth Racing Manager, commented: “The RYA Volvo Zone and Home Country Championships is always an insightful weekend to benchmark the quantity and quality of sailors coming through from clubs and vying to start their journey within the RYA and class associations regional and national racing and race training systems.

“I am delighted to see that the numbers are up once again and I am sure the coaches and High Performance Managers this weekend will take note of the ever improving level of preparation and competency demonstrated by the sailors, which continues to rise thanks to the great work done by predominantly volunteer coaches and instructors within our network of clubs which often goes largely un-noticed.

“I would like to once again record the thanks of the RYA to the club coaches and instructors, as well as the parents for supporting the young sailors progression in this fantastic sport. I would also like to recognise the support of Volvo Car UK which gives the event greater profile, enables us to deliver bigger and better event experiences for the sailors and provides real inspiration and legacy through the provision of Team Volvo sailors fresh from their successes of 2012. I only wish I could attend all nine and get first hand a real flavour of the enthusiasm and inspiration the sailors will enjoy!”

Nikki Rooke, Head of Public Affairs, Events and Sponsorship for Volvo Car UK, added: “It has been an incredibly exciting summer for British sailing and it’s great to see the morale is still going strong. It looks set to be a fantastic weekend at the RYA Volvo Zone and Home Country Championships and I have no doubt the Team Volvo sailors’ presence at eight of the venues will help to inspire the next generation of sailing talent.”

The 2012 RYA Volvo Zone and Home Countries Championships will be staged at the following venues:

·         The RYA Volvo South Zone Championships – Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, Dorset

·         The RYA Volvo South West Zone Championships – Chew Valley Sailing Club, Bristol

·         The RYA Volvo South East Zone Championships – Weir Wood Sailing Club, East Sussex

·         The RYA Volvo East Zone Championships– Alton Water Sailing Club, Suffolk

·         The RYA Volvo West Zone Championships– Leigh and Lowton Sailing Club, Greater Manchester

·         The RYA Volvo North Zone Championships – Rutland Sailing Club, Rutland

·         Volvo Welsh Youth & Junior Championships – New Quay Sailing Club, Ceredigion

·         RYA Scotland Volvo Youth and Junior Championships – Largs Sailing Club, Largs

·         RYANI Volvo Youth Championships and NI Schools Cup In association with McCready Sailboats – Ballyholme Yacht Club, Co Down

For further information and for the full set of results from the 2012 RYA Volvo Zone and Home Country Championships visit the event website.

The Tushingham Dino, is a popular kids rig, being used by many a whipper snapper around the country. They’ve updated the model for 2013, so Boards found out more about the development and how they have improved it from the Tushingham team.

Tushingham Dino

Who has helped develop the sail? 

The majority of the feedback used to develop the sail has come from schools and centres that have been using the sails in the past.

Who uses the Dino now? 

The kids using this kit are Team 15 sailors like those from the Polkerris Pirates who are looking to progress in all areas of windsurfing, some RYA training schools like Rye Watersports and all Neilson Holiday centres.

What is different about the sail that makes it great for kids? 

Kids want much the same as bigger kids (sometimes known as adults) but the rigs need to be tailored to very different height and weights.

Tushingham Dino

One principal difference with the Dino range is that sail sizes are designed to match different sailor weights more than wind strength. (The 2.0 is for smaller kids rather than force 8 wind). We developed masts that suit the lower loads, this makes a huge difference to the ease of handling and results in a very light rig. The luff lengths are short so with the light responsive mast, easy uphauling and manoeuvring enables a fast learning curve without stress to the body. The sails have been developed to work well in lighter non-planing conditions as well as planing conditions and consequently give good feedback to help develop correct technique. Because of the variation in height in growing kids, there is a long boom cut-out and two clew positions to enable comfortable sailing stance as they grow.

Dino Rigging and Tuning from Tushingham on Vimeo.

Who in particular would you recommend the sail for and why?  

The Dino is designed for kids of all standards from first time out to freestyle, small waves and racing.

Tushingham Dino

What the kids say; Polkerris Pirates Team15 sailors also gave us their feedback:

“I think it feels really light compared to some of the other sails the same size!”

“The colours are really cool, especially with the big skull and crossbones they look wicked!”

“The Dino is awesome because it’s a proper sail so it means I can go out with my Dad on windy days.”

Check out more about the Tushingham Dino on their website here www.tushingham.com/windsurfing/sails/dino

The event is the RYA Regional Championship for each Zone and is aimed at sailors in local clubs under the age of 16 who are racing in the RYA pathway classes, which includes the BiC Techno board.

Bic Techno Racing: Rowena Conway

It is a great first-time event for club sailors, giving them the opportunity to get a real feel of a Championship atmosphere. It is also a key event for any young sailor wishing to be selected for the RYA Zone and Home Country squads.

Each one of the nine venues used are renowned for staging major events and will provide the young sailors with the perfect setting to develop their sailing skills and racing ability whilst under the watchful eye of the RYA High Performance Managers and coaches.

Racing takes place across the nine RYA recognised Junior dinghy and windsurfing classes including the Mirror, Optimist, Topper, RS Feva, Cadets and the windsurfers on the Bic Techno using the open 4.5, and 5.8 rigs, and the Techno 6.8s and Techno 7.8s – classes vary according to each venue.

Competitors are urged to submit their entries, together with the entry fee, online atwww.ryaracingevents.org.uk before 23 September 2012. Due to safety considerations and the size and complexity of the event, entries after this date cannot be accepted. RYA organisers are urging athletes to confirm their attendance and submit their online entry promptly to avoid disappointment.

In addition to the RYA High Performance Managers, sailors will have the chance to showcase their talents in front of Skandia Team GBR and Team Volvo for Life sailors.

Chris Atherton, RYA High Performance Manager, said: “This event is a fantastic Regional Championship and the perfect opportunity for sailors to experience what a multi-class regatta is like. It will provide an ideal platform for the sailors to learn and develop in a competitive arena as well as giving them the chance to rub shoulders with our 2012 sailing heroes.”

The 2012 RYA Volvo Zone and Home Countries Championships will be staged at the following venues:

The RYA Volvo South Zone Championships
Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, Dorset

The RYA Volvo South West Zone Championships
Chew Valley Sailing Club, Bristol

The RYA Volvo South East Zone Championships
Weir Wood Sailing Club, East Sussex

The RYA Volvo East Zone Championships
Alton Water Sailing Club, Suffolk

The RYA Volvo West Zone Championships
Leigh and Lowton Sailing Club, Greater Manchester

The RYA Volvo North Zone Championships
Rutland Sailing Club, Rutland

Volvo Welsh Youth & Junior Championships
New Quay Sailing Club, Ceredigion

RYA Scotland Volvo Youth and Junior Championships Largs Sailing Club, Largs

RYANI Volvo Youth Championships and NI Schools Cup In association with McCready Sailboats
Ballyholme Yacht Club, Co Down

All sailors wishing to be considered for a National Junior Squad OR a Zone Squad place are requested to complete an online application form. This can be found atwww.ryaracingevents.org.uk by following the links to Junior Squad applications.

These and many more event are always displayed on the Project Windsurf UK events page, so head here http://www.projectwindsurfuk.org.uk/events to check out everything that is going on in the UK windsurfing scene.

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

Competing against the Roseland Wave Riders, the Polkerris Pirates and newcomer  Matthew Pinkerton (15), sole representative of the Teign15 team who won a merit award for his efforts, the Warriors won by an impressive seven points. In a complete change from the previous event of the series, the weather was sunny with very little wind, which presented a different challenge for the youngsters, who all did very well in a breeze which was at best 3-4 mph, and sometimes dropped to nothing.

The winning team included twins Ben and Athalie Redgrave (15). While Ben, who took second place in the 5.8m class, has been windsurfing and taking part in T15 for many years, Athalie had only windsurfed for about 45 mins before. She finished 6^th in the same class and received a merit award for such a great achievement.

Winner of the 3.5m class was Jeremy Whale (11) from the Polkerris Pirates, placing first in three out of the four races. Joe Parrott (12) from the Siblyback Water Warriors won the 4.5m class, while team-mate Jacob Henning (15) was first in every race of  the 5.8m class.

However, the pressure is still on with one event of the series still to come, especially as the Roseland Wave Riders dominated the 6.8m Techno class, with Ross Warren (12) first, Paul Carbis (14) second (on his first time in this class) and Lucy Grayston (13) in third. As event organiser Marianne Bryan said: “There is a lot of competitive tension between Siblyback and Roseland. The Water Warriors have taken the lead after this event, but anything could happen at the next!”

As the event took place on the RYAs Push the Boat Out Day, when hundreds of sailing clubs, centres and marinas up and down the country cheered on the sailors of Team GB ahead of the Olympic and Paralympic Games and showcased the sport to the nation, the youngsters also took part in a team relay paddle race with Union Jack flags which was won by the Roseland Wave Riders.

The last event in the series will take place at Polkerris on Saturday 15 September. The winners will go forward to compete in the national final, the Team15 Champions Cup, on 1 October.

Supported by industry leaders Tushingham/Starboard and NeilPryde, 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

The winning team - Siblyback Water Warriors

Warriors Doing Battle

Kev Greenslade runs us through the first windy BSA event of the year:

The waiting was over, after a windless Hayling competition, the forecast for Weymouth promised to deliver.

It was time for the questions would be answered, would Ant Baker’s dominance from last year continue? Who had been training hard? What difference would people’s new gear make? How would the sailors moving up into the pro and amateur fleets fair?

Can Ant Baker reign supreme in 2012?

The new and improved OTC, powered by Puravida Boardriders, were event sponsors with a free hog roast to all competitors, free party and the opportunity to settle any differences on the water, with a gladiator style pugle stick arena, this event was sure to be great fun for all both racing and spectating.

On Friday evening it was hard to imagine what the weekend would bring. Sitting outside the OTC enjoying a chinese, whilst the sun went down over Chesil beach, who knew this would be far from an option come the following morning.

71 competitors woke on Saturday morning, to driving rain and a solid north easterly 14-18 knots. Race officer Paul Sibley set a five buoy downwind slalom course, whilst Brian Tilbury got the master blast fleet underway, making the most of the conditions.

In the masterblaster fleet, with the Page Possie moving up to the race in the amateur fleet there was a new kid on the block in the form off pro kite surfer Dan Sweeny. Obviously having Ant Baker as a boss and windsurfing mentor is paying off for Dan, as he only started windsurfing last year and after a grueling day of 19 races, Dan came out on top in front of Charles Milner and Rob Duggan  (nice one Dan!).

I would also like to congratulate the local T15 team, with Joe Adams finishing fourth in his first ever event, Emma Stevenson first lady and second overall,  plus Scotty (the legend) Stalman finishing eighth overall at just ten years old, well done team, good work!

All images courtesy of Dave White

The amateur fleet is looking fiercely competitive this year, once everyone gets familiar with the heat system etc this is going to be a hard fleet to call, with several sailors capable of taking top honours.

Simon Langley started where he left off last year with a bullet in the first, only to be overhauled by Lee Marrs in the next two finals. Tony Attfield came good at the end to take third. Well done to Kate Strange, finishing fifth overall and first lady, as well as local Weymouth U17, Tom Wells (OTC/Puravida), both of these youngsters will be ones to watch for events in the future.

All images courtesy of Dave White

Lee Marrs’ two wins meant he took the top prize of the weekend, with one weeks free hire from the OTC in Tenerife, well done Lee!

There has been an obvious absence in the pro fleet so far this year, with Alan “all action” Jackson missing the events, for a good reason though, congratulations to Alan and Caroline on the birth of your son, Rory. Big love from everyone on the BSA circuit, we all look forward to seeing the Jackson family soon.

Close racing at the top of the Pro fleet

The pro fleet kicked off with a bang, with most of the usual suspects progressing through to first final.

Everyone was completely on it from the first start, unfortunately yours truly was out in front when the fleet got recalled. On the re run it was James Dinsmore, who would take the honours, with Si “the Hulk” Cofield hot on his heels.

In the second round, I again found myself out in front, but this time a sloppy gybe gave Ant and James the opportunity to slip past. Round three saw a RS:X star, Sam Sills smoking off the start line, managing to hold his nerve with James and Ant breathing down his neck the whole way round, this left James the overnight leader followed by Ant, then Sam in third.

On to the party, a massive thanks to “party Steve” Howlet who spent his whole Saturday getting the party zone ready for action. At 7pm the pig was ready and the beer began to flow, some chilled tunes were spun on the decks from party Steve, whilst everyone ate. Then the local rock band, The Cheap Shots, got the weary limbs of the racers moving and limbered up for some Gladiator action.

All images courtesy of Dave White

With Mark Steen (from Bustinskins) on the mic, myself and Mistral Simmer team mate Simon “Willie Wonka” Pettifer opened up, but wasn’t long before I found myself on the canvas walking off with my head held low. Si continued to dominate, until he came up against Dave White, who finally beat him in three rounds.

The random name generator then selected Reece White, which made for the Gladiator bout of the evening, with the younger of the mighty Whites coming off best. The band and party continued late into the night. Anyone heading off early for an early night was bitterly disappointed, as outside it blew 50 knot plus and chucked it down with rain, which made sleeping well in a van almost impossible.

Jim Crossly FB quote “Omg shit nights sleep in the van! Now got to rig in 40 odd knots and rain, and slip into a wet wetsuit. Here goes 3 2 1″ 

The next morning sure delivered wind, and lots of it, with the forecast to drop and swing, the race crew gave the pro fleet the choice of figure of eight in 40-50 knots or wait for the wind to swing and drop a little. The grim prospect of rigging lots of sails in these conditions meant that the majority voted to sit it out and wait.

All images courtesy of Dave White

At 11.00am the decision was made to race regardless, as the wind showed no sign of subsiding. But sure enough, just as the first race was about to start the wind swung and dropped, to nothing. Shortly after this the decision was made that there would be no more racing this weekend, what a way to end great weekend!

I would like to congratulate everyone that took part over the weekend and thank all those who were involved in making it all happen.

See you next time, Kev.

Kev Greensalde is sponsored by OTC, PURAVIDA, SIMMER, MISTRAL, SPARTAN and C3.

James Dinsmore’s view on the weekend and full results on page two…

The decision, has of course sparked outrage within the windsurfing community, the concern being not only for the Olympians, present and future, that have worked exceptionally hard to get to such a high level, but for how the decision will affect the RYA and initiatives such as Team15.

Team15, delivers a fantastic service to many kids across the UK who are the future of our sport, will it now still receive the funding needed to continue? 

The campaign for kiteboarding to be included in the Olympics was backed by many, including head of Virgin, Richard Branson.

“Delighted to announce kitesurfing has been selected as an Olympic sport. It has just been accepted by the ISAF after a 19/17 vote and there will now be kitesurfing at the Rio Olympics in 2016. This is fantastic news for my favourite sport and kitesurfers all over the world.”

The argument for many, is not against the inclusion of kitesurfing in the Olympics, but why does it have to replace windsurfing?

The decision has already been covered well in the mainstream media, including by the Guardian online, and The Independent put forward this informative piece showing both sides of the argument.

Have your say in the Boards forum…

There is already an online petition, signed by many of the windsurfing community to make ISAF reconsider their decision. Sign it and share. With enough signatures ISAF will be forced to listen, and there is the potential for the decision to be revoked at a meeting later in the year.

Bryony Shaw

How are the British Olympians taking the news?

Bryony Shaw seems as positive as always on twitter, does this mean we could be seeing the bronze medalist racing on a kite in the near future?

BRYONY SHAW ‏ @BRYONYSHAW

My focus on London now seems heightened!! New discipline for Rio… New challenge…!

BRYONY SHAW ‏ @BRYONYSHAW

Windsurfing out of 2016… Old man politics playing with people’s lives…! Wreckless in chopping & changing… http://fb.me/LiO37pVq

BRYONY SHAW ‏ @BRYONYSHAW

Windsurfing is me… I am windsurfing!! http://fb.me/1MwvpITx8

While on facebook Nick Dempsey, is thinking of the next generation:

“Wow, unexpected. That was a big decision and a very sad day for windsurfing. My heart goes out to all the aspiring champions and kids with dreams of windsurfing at the Olympics.”

Nick Dempsey

The Future

It wasn’t so long ago that Olympic windsurf racing changed from Mistral One Design to the RS:X. At the time it was seen as a massive change, anyone that has used both pieces of equipment will know that although both are classed as windsurfing, there are in fact very few similarities.

Olympic windsurfers across the globe adapted and welcomed the new discipline, and while some formula windsurfers moved across, it was on the whole the previous Olympic racers who shone through.

With a great amount of windsurfers that also kite, we have shown that being able to windsurf sets you up exceptionally well for kiting. So could we see a number of our current Olympians, as Bryony said taking up the “new challenge” and still heading to Rio?

Izzy Hamilton

Future British hopeful Izzy Hamilton, though encouraging many to sign the petition and keep her dream alive, already seems to be taking up the kitesurfing challenge:

“So, RSX Racing has been replaced by Kitesurfing Racing, just have to detach my sail and add some string! Lesson booked for Monday, guess I am excited to try something new…”

With the very strong possibility of Weymouth hosting the final Olympic windsurfing event, this surely heightens the pressure for all competing and brings the very real prospect of two lucky competitors taking the final glory.

With Weymouth set to be the final Olympics for windsurfing, will we see any of the current stars in Rio?

The official ISAF announcement:

The International Sailing Federation (ISAF) has confirmed the final event and equipment selections for the Rio 2016 Olympic Sailing Competition.

The ISAF Council voted that Kiteboarding will replace Windsurfing for the men’s and women’s board events and confirmed the equipment that will be used for the Women’s Skiff and Mixed Multihull Events.

The Mackay FX, referred to as the 49er FX, was selected yesterday as the two person women’s skiff and today the Nacra 17 joins the Olympic equipment family after being selected for the two person mixed multihull event.

The 49er FX received the majority of votes from the ISAF Council in the first round after the six evaluation trial entries were narrowed down to just three; the 29erXX, the RS900 and the 49er FX.

There was an equally animated debate on the final morning of the Council meeting at this year’s ISAF Mid-Year Meeting to decide the equipment to be selected for the mixed multihull event. After discussing the recommendations from the Evaluation Panel, the Equipment Committee and the Events Committee, Council voted between the Nacra 17 and the Viper with the Nacra 17 securing the majority.

The final discussion on the events and equipment for the 2016 Olympic Sailing Competition was about the men’s and women’s board events with Council voting in favour or kiteboarding.

In November 2011 an evaluation group was appointed to examine kiteboarding formats with the board events for Rio 2016 defined as ‘windsurfing and/or kiteboarding’. The Evaluation Group recommended that kiteboarding be included in the ISAF Event family including the ISAF Sailing World Cup and the ISAF Sailing World Championships but Council went one step further and selected kiteboarding for the Rio 2016 Olympic Sailing Competition as well.

The ISAF Windsurfing and Kiteboarding Committee will consider and make further recommendations to Council on the implementation of the inclusion of kiteboarding at their meeting in November 2012 at the ISAF Annual Conference.

ISAF President Göran Petersson said, “These announcements mark a new era for sailing and we welcome the new classes into the ISAF family. The equipment selections have fulfilled the criteria set out by the Evaluation Panel and we look forward to seeing the boats not only at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, but the ISAF Sailing World Cup and ISAF Sailing World Championships.

“Kiteboarding has proven to us that it is ready to be included into the list of prestigious ISAF Events and it is a fantastic addition to the sailing programme for the 2016 Olympic Games.”

The events to be contested at the 2016 Olympic Games are confirmed as:
Men’s Kiteboarding
Women’s Kiteboarding
Men’s One Person Dinghy – Laser
Women’s One Person Dinghy – Laser Radial
Men’s One Person Dinghy (heavy) – Finn
Men’s Two Person Dinghy – 470
Women’s Two Person Dinghy – 470
Men’s Skiff – 49er
Women’s skiff – 49er FX
Mixed Two Person Multihull – Nacra 17

These ten events will be featured in the 2012-2013 ISAF Sailing World Cup which kicks off in Melbourne in December and will come together in Santander, Spain in 2014 for the ISAF Sailing World Championships.

The RYA statement on new Olympic Events and Equipment for 2016:

At its mid-year meetings in Stresa, Italy, the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) has confirmed the Event and Equipment selections which will feature at the 2016 Olympic Sailing Competition in Rio de Janeiro.

Following equipment trials held in Santander, Spain, in March, the Mackay FX, referred to as the 49er FX, is the equipment choice for the new two person women’s skiff discipline, while the Nacra 17 was confirmed as the boat to be used in the two person mixed multihull event.

ISAF Council also voted to replace the current men’s and women’s windsurfing events with kiteboarding events for men and women which will feature at the Olympic Games for the first time.

John Derbyshire, RYA Racing Manager and Performance Director, was present at the ISAF mid-year meetings where the votes took place.

“The 49er FX and the Nacra 17 both performed well in the Santander trials and stand to be great additions to the Olympic sailing programme both in terms of the challenge they present to sailors and their visual appeal,” Derbyshire commented.

“The introduction of Kiteboarding, while an exciting prospect for a new discipline, the decision to replace windsurfing with Kiteboarding will of course be a huge blow to the windsurfing community, and we’re disappointed for all those who are working at the coalface of the RYA’s windsurfing programmes to deliver activity and British success on the world stage who will be affected most by this decision.”

“Kiteboarding made a solid case for its Olympic inclusion at the March trials,” Derbyshire continued, “and although a surprise that ISAF has voted it into the Olympic programme at this stage, it appears that the Council of ISAF wished to seize the opportunity, rather than wait until 2020.

“This decision will force the pace of change and the RYA is looking forward to the opportunity of working with Kiteboarders and the British Kitesurfing Association in order to develop the talent pathway for this new event, and to using the strengths of our UK Sport lottery funded high performance system that has become the envy of the world so that GBR is well-placed to deliver the first Olympic kiteboarding medals in Rio in four years’ time.”

Remember it’s ‘more than just a day at the beach’.

To take part go to www.W4CR.org and find a venue nearest to you and come along and be a part of the biggest fundraising event in windsurfing! Remember get sponsored and help us to raise funds.

A great day, for a great cause, for all ages.

We hope that in 2012 our Olympic year we can once again show that windsurfing is very much alive and well and that through the kind generosity and support of our sport we can through the fundraising reach our SunriseSunset target of £50,000

The David Tuttlebee Memorial Trophy will go to the T15 team who put on the best fun/fundraiser event and create a short video to capture their day. Last year this honour went to the Polkerris Pirates.

The Polkerris Pirates, victorious in 2011.

At the 24 venues we have a range of windsurfing, SUP and other water sports companies supporting some of the events; with prizes being donated, kit for hire or testing and coaching clinics all to help with the fundraising, and it’s not too late to get involved!

W4CR ambassador, and British Olympic hopeful, Bryony Shaw will no doubt be on the water this weekend;

“W4CR’s annual fundraiser SunriseSunset for Cancer Research and Cancer Support Care, takes place on Sunday May 6th as an ambassador to the charity I will, wherever I am on the day, be taking to the water to help support this event It’s all for such a great cause so enter, remember get sponsored and help us to make a difference! Thank you.” Bryony Shaw

Dan Aze, taking a well deserved break while windsurfing for 15hours straight for W4CR

‘The tide is turning’ W4CR has made a huge difference to the lives of those living with cancer, the fundraising from events has allowed us to help fund specific cancer research projects, provide funding for cancer care and we have helped individual cases and special cancer equipment needs. Most importantly it’s only possible through our fantastic supporters and their fundraising which enables us we provide help to those who need it, W4CR is today and will continue making a difference!

Thank you to all our supporters and fundraisers. Please join us in 2012 and be a part of SunriseSunset.

More on W4CR at Llandefedd Reservoir 

Ready to go

Preparing to hit the water

Fun on, and off, the water

Fanatic getting behind W4CR

The crowds gather

George Shillito's marathon

Tadhg Al-Hassan, with the Oxford Zoomers,Techno 3.5

RYA Team15 – the future for club windsurfing

Much has changed since 2001 when Bob the Builder topped the charts, Tony Blair was Prime Minister and our economy was booming. It’s true of the windsurfing world too, which has also seen some radical developments over the last 10 years.  Boards have got fatter and lighter, masts have got thinner and the Team15 programme has grown to a point where the UK has one of the finest club structures for young windsurfers in the world.

The RYA Team15 (T15) programme was in embryonic form back in 2001 and in March 2011 celebrated a decade of success.

Arguably, one of the biggest developments in the world of windsurfing in the last 10 years, Team15 was set up to provide not only  a feed into the RYA competition pathway, but if not more importantly, to develop a grassroots programme that made it easier for youngsters up to the age of 15 to get involved in the sport.

It was identified that the best way to do this was by developing a network of clubs that could provide friendly, fun- filled competition out on the water combined with good coaching and supervision.

“The programme looked to ensure that windsurfing skills of all descriptions were nurtured, providing children with a good foundation in the sport, allowing them to take their windsurfing in whichever direction they wanted.

“Suitable kit is also made readily available by the clubs and, essentially, the programme was ready to go”, explained Team15 Manager and the RYA’s National Windsurfing Development Officer Gillian Wright, who has been a driving force behind the programme since its inception.

Coaching

In the formative years of the T15 Programme, a new style of coaching programme had to be developed to underpin the T15 philosophy. Coaches and organisers were ready and willing to go the extra mile in order to ensure that it was a success and the take up was extremely good. Ten years on and many of today’s young windsurfers will undoubtedly have experienced that first thrill of windsurfing under the careful supervision of a Team15 club.

Perhaps the best measure of the programme’s success is to take a look at some of the alumni who have graduated through the ranks of T15. World class sailors such as Izzy Hamilton, the Sills family – big brother Sam and twin sisters, Saskia and Imogen; Youth Olympics Bronze Medallist Kieren Martin; Freewave sailors George Shillito, Graham Woods and Adam Lewis who left T15 to form Team AirBorn are just a few of the ex-T15 sailors who have gone on to greater things and many have become windsurfing instructors of talent themselves.

“Given that the first batch of graduates from T15 are just starting to come through, it’s exciting to think who will burst onto the scene having been nurtured and helped along their way by the programme”, enthused Gillian.

Developing the windsurfing stars of the future is really just the thin end of the wedge, however when it comes to T15.  For every star of the future the programme helps along the way, there will be a hundred or so youngsters who catch the bug for windsurfing for life and will help keep our wonderful sport flourishing.  Beyond everything else, this is what makes this programme so important.

South event 4 - Windsurf fleet at Poole

Champions Cup

Another key aspect of the T15 programme is the Champions Cup.  In order to develop the grassroots competition side of the programme, clubs were encouraged to put together a team of up to 15 children, all aged 15 or under – which is how the programme got its name.

Friendly inter-club rivalry was encouraged, and to give the whole thing a clear structure, teams from the same zones took part in inter- club challenges and vied for the chance to make it to the T15 national Championships – the T15 Champions Cup. It was a foundation which has been built on with great success.

Team15’er Tom Sylvester from the 2010 Roseland Waveriders team said: “The Champions Cup is brilliant. It involves everyone from the younger ones who are just beginning right up to age 15.  I’m 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.”

Today there are currently some 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 and this year’s competition is set to be a corker.

But what’s in store for the future of Team15?

“Naturally I’m very proud of what we have achieved so far, and I’m sure there is more to come from T15. It’s 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”, continued Gillian.

Follow the link below to be taken to the next page

West Kirby Warriors

A hundred young windsurfers from nine teams across the UK, took to the water at Pitsford Reservoir this weekend (08-09 October) to compete in the 2011 Team15 Champions Cup, where the West Kirby Warriors from the West Zone clinched the victory.

After dominating throughout the season in their regional heats, the Warriors won their place in the final back in September. Despite fierce competition they continued to dominate at the national final and were delighted to lift the cup and be crowned this year’s Team15 champion of champions.

“I am really thrilled for the kids as they’ve worked so hard all year. They are the ones who really deserve it” commented Simon Moore who coaches the West Kirby Warriors.

“We are absolutely over the moon to have won first place and when you look at the smiles on the kids’ faces you can see just how much it means to all of us.”

Held at Northampton Sailing Club at Pitsford Reservoir, teams hailed as far afield as Scotland and Cornwall to compete for the title. The youngsters took to the water despite challenging conditions which included at times very little wind at all.

There were plenty of new faces at this year’s event including the North Zone’s Pugney’s Pirates who knocked out last year’s Champion Cup winners the North Lincs Invaders in their regional heats, and the Siblyback Water Warriors who also qualified for the first time.

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.

RYA National Windsurfing Development Officer Gillian Wright who coordinates T15 said: “This year’s event has gone fantastically. We have seen some great races going on and the talent that can be seen out on the water is superb. It’s very exciting to see some new teams coming through and qualifying for the Champions Cup and there has been some really exciting battles going on throughout the weekend.”

Competitors, parents and local supporters also enjoying testing the Tushingham/Starboard and Neil Pryde demo kit which was available to try out throughout the weekend.

Winners the West Kirby Warriors picked up a BIC Techno board for their club which was presented by ex Team15er and member of the RYA Volvo RS:X Transitional Training squad, Adam Purcell. Other prizes were donated from Neil Pryde, Tushingham /Starboard and Boards Magazine.

Special merit awards were given to Oxford Zoomer Alice Read, Rowena Conway and Saskia Walsh from Norwich Force Eighth, Spray Sprite Bruce Partridge, Pitsford Pirate Zoe Bowen and Beth Mickel from the Loch Insh Monsters.

Tadhg Al-Hassan (11) from the Oxford Zoomers who was at the event for the first time said: “I would recommend windsurfing as a sport for other kids to do. It’s a lot of fun, you go fast, all you need is a board, and as long as there is water and wind you can go!

“My advice for other kids would be to learn one step at a time. Sooner or later you will find yourself with huge sails cruising along the water. It’s really fun! I’ve had a great weekend at the Champions Cup and I definitely want to come back next year”.

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.

Champions Cup 2011 Final Results

Racing at the Team15 Champions Cup

West Pennine Team15

There was very tight racing in all classes at the RYA T15 West Zone interclub, held on Saturday 09 July. This was the third of a four event interclub windsurfing series, and was hosted by Hollingworth Hunters at the West Pennine Sailboard Club, near Rochdale.

There were four teams competing from all over the Zone, from Windermere in the North to West Kirby in the West, and competition was very tight both between teams and within teams. Hosts Hollingworth were hoping for a best yet result on their home waters, in ideal conditions of medium winds which allowed nine races in the beginners’ 3.5 metre class, and seven longer races in the other three classes.

In the 3.5 metre class, there was tremendous three way competition between the teams, with the top three competitors separated by only two points. Ollie Mulhall of Windermere Rufwinds took the class, counting four race wins in his scoreline, after a great battle with Oliver Lloyd of West Kirby Warriors and Molly Howell of hosts Hollingworth Hunters, who took second and third places.

In the other three classes, competition was equally fierce, but it was mostly within the very strong West Kirby Warriors team. In the 4.5 metres, which attracted the best turnout of twelve sailors, West Kirby youngsters took all the top three places, with just a point separating the top three, as Oliver Eastwood edged it ahead of Sam Kelly and Frances McNab.

It was the same story in the 5.5 metres, with West Kirby’s Samson King leading a giant team performance, staying just ahead of team mates Will Mooney and George Kenny home.

In the Techno 6.8 metre class, West Kirby’s Charlotte Rutter beat team mate Isaac Bradley Baker for the first time ever to take the class, with Isaac second, while Sarah Jackson of Team Astbury this time broke up the West Kirby grip on the podium by taking third place.

Courtesy of the RYA’s Sail for Gold initiative, there were a couple of gold medals up for grabs in a final race, and Oliver Lloyd and Sam Kelly won gold in the 3.5 metre and 4.5 metre classes, both sailing for West Kirby.

Overall the strength of the overall West Kirby Warriors performance left little chance of a giant killing, and West Kirby duly took their third event victory of the year. On their home waters, Hollingworth Hunters were always in the hunt for second place, but eventually had to concede by just four points to Team Astbury, while Windermere Rufwinds took fourth.

The teams stayed on at West Pennine for a day of coaching the following day with RYA National Coach Ian Roberts, who said, “I’m most impressed with the standards, I’ve got plenty of talent to work with here!” RYA Regional Development Officer Sally Kilpatrick also enjoyed watching these top young windsurfers in action.

The final West Zone interclub will be at West Kirby on 17 September, and the series result will determine which club will go to represent the Zone at the RYA T15 Champions Cup in October.

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.