The UKWA has had a terrific year. A year when very few sailors dared moan about the lack of wind. The UKWA Inland Cup series incorporates the main racing classes which includes the TECHNO and RSX fleets.  One class in particular has fared well with numbers – the RACEBOARD CLASS. 

This year, 52 competitors participated on the circuit.  The series championship covered 5 events. Outside the TECHNO fleet,  it’s now the second largest fleet under the UKWA racing umbrella.  If the RSX is never re-instated as the Olympic board then Raceboarding will ultimately take over as the key course racing discipline for all competitors above the Techno Camp age.  Starboard and Exocet have helped the class by delivering brand new boards.  The new Starboard Phantom 377 – has certainly been dominating the head of fleets on the UKWA tour. 

These high performance racing boards deliver the fairest racing for the widest range of venues, and the broadest spectrum of ages and abilities in windsurfing.  The new kit is comfortable, the boards plane easily, they carve gybe and the sails now have such a wide wind band that there is no need to shop for two or three rigs to win regattas.  One is enough.  In fact, Rob Kent who clocked in 4 first positions on the Inland series (winning on minimum points) with just one sail – The Tushingham XR Race 9.5. 

‘Ken Black introduced a few changes to last years 9.5m XR sail as a result of a sail measurement rule change.  The luff is longer and with a higher aspect ratio it is getting the board planing quicker downwind and pointing slightly higher upwind.  The new shaped Phantom Raceboard is a dream to sail and without question faster downwind than the previous years model.  The only problem is that pretty much everyone at the front of the fleet is now on the new board – so there is no kit advantage against my nearest rivals’ says Rob.

Annette Kent won the Inland Cup Series using the 8.5m XR race sail. 

Winning Ways

Final Results:

UKWA INLAND CUP SERIES

Men

1. 1.       Rob Kent   ( Starboard Phantom / Tushingham XR sail)
2. 2.       Mark Kay  ( Starboard Phantom/ Demon)
3. 3.       Chris Gibson ( Starboard Phantom / Tushingham and Demon)

Women

1. 1.       Annette Kent ( Starboard Phantom/Tushingham XR)
2. 2.       Harriet Elles ( Starboard Phantom/Demon)
3. 3.       Emily Kent ( U20 class board)

For more info on Raceboard Competition check out the UKWA website:

www.ukwindsurfing.com.

On Tushingham’s Racing sails.  Check out www.tushingham,com

On the latest BATWING Phantom check out www.star-board.com

Tushingham Edge

Dave Hackford of Tushingham Sails introduces their new 4-batten Edge, which arrives on UK shores today…

The reason the new Edge sail  is special is because never before has Ken Black worked with input from so many riders on developing a range.  It started with the first prototype being biased towards wave sailing. We thought we had it nailed, but then the Freestylers got hold of it and discovered it to be awesome in tricks and manoeuvres.  They then wanted to get the foot reshaped to help with tricks.  Finally came the reports from instructors at the beaches – they loved the lightweight sensation and wanted it to be tweaked for all round easy-ride windsurfing.

JUMP ONTO A BOARD WITH THIS SAIL AND LIVEN UP YOUR WINDSURFING

It’s four battened, straight cut foot, instant power and balanced.  4.2m, 4.7m, 5.2m, 5.7m.  The Edge will appeal to windsurfers who appreciate a more manoeuvre orientated design. Lighweight riders and freestylers will love the Edge’s easy handling qualities, equally as busting the most insane tricks or gently cruising around.

RANGE POSITIONING: The ROCK still commands the pure wave scene.  A top rider in competition or hard conditions, driving at waves, will want the stability and performance of THE ROCK.  The new EDGE targets the rider that is crossing over between wave and freestyle disciplines.  The outline shape lets the freestyler execute all the new tricks. So this is where it separates from the STORM.  The Storm is still the dream highwind freeride sail, delivering a solid drive for any level of sailor on any board, but it is not a freestyle sail.

Tushingham Edge

The Neilson Team show off their new toys...

Recently in Dahab we have just taken delivery of a literal Barn load of kit. The racks are full with more boards and rigs still sat in boxes. The centre now has a full stock of new Starboard boards plus many offerings from RRD as well. There are Tushingham sails from 2.0-8.5 to cover all eventualities, with everything up to 6.5 rigged on skinny masts. Larger sails boast 75% carbon masts with the entire centre on Aeron continuous-head booms.

There is even more focus now on providing the best possible windsurfing holiday, with lower numbers of guests more top end equipment coupled with free tuition for every level.

We’ve had some great conditions out here in Dahab so if you get the chance please come and join us.

Hope to see many of you out here.

Sam and the Neilson Team

For more info check out neilson.co.uk or for more up to date action add Neilson Dahab as a friend on Facebook.

Llandegfedd Reservoir

It promises to be an action packed day featuring:

GPS Speed Challenge with a youth and open senior division.

Wave Q&A session with Chris ‘Muzza’ Murray.

Tushingham / Starboard Demo day.

Massive clearance, ex demo and used gear on sale.

‘Challenge Scott’ Bring ANY sail and I’ll rig & tune it.

At LLandegfedd Reservoir – 1/2 hour from Bristol and Cardiff from 9-5 Sat 5 June.

See you all there.

www.ratrigs.com

Tushingham Sails and Starboard UK have teamed up with Rat Rigs Watersports to host the very first event of the new British Slalom Association series on the beautiful South Wales coast.

Tenby is a little further to travel than your local sailing spot, but well worth the extra miles. It’s a beautiful location that delivers superb slalom conditions in a wide range of wind directions and offers shelter from the ocean swells. The Surflink building, which hosts the lifesaving and rowing clubs, provides excellent shower facilities and there’s an abundance of good campsites and hotels nearby.

Held over the Easter Holiday Weekend, racing will take place from Saturday lunchtime to Monday lunchtime, allowing competitors and families plenty of time for travelling and to avoid Bank Holiday traffic.

A significant change to the slalom series for 2010 will be the racing format for newcomers to racing and those a little nervous about giving it a go. The BSA series will see a ‘Master Blaster‘ class, high on enjoyment without the pressure of battling experienced racers. It’s simple round-the-buoy-and-back racing, following the massive success of this format at the National Windsurf Festival. In between these races, competitors can watch top-level national racing while team riders will offer coaching and demo gear. Every new racer to enter the Master Blaster fleet will go into a draw for a new Tushingham sail, which will be drawn at the prize-giving.

Tushingham’s Paul Simmons comments: “The location is absolutely stunning and a few years ago hosted some of the most exciting slalom racing seen in recent years on UK shores. As well as catering for the elite racers, one of the main aims of the BSA is to provide accessible and fun racing for everyone. Whether you’re a serious racer or just want a good weekend of windsurfing, there’s no better location to give it a go – so come along and make a holiday weekend of it!”

Tenby Slalom Easter Weekend – Sat 3rd to Mon 5th April

More info at www.ukwindsurfing.com and the new BSA website – coming soon.

Or to keep bang up to date with this event, join the MPORA group here