Eastern Region’s RYA Team 15 youth windsurfing championship

by Emma Slater on 26 Sep 2009 Stanborough Lakes, Welwyn Garden City, Herts proved a test of endurance and strength for the competitors in the last inter-club round of the Eastern Region’s Royal Yachting Association’s (RYA) Team 15 youth windsurfing championship last weekend (Saturday 19 September).

In warm, almost windless conditions the youngsters, all under 15 years of age, had to ‘pump’ their way round most of courses. Pumping is the action of jerking the sail of a windsurf board to get forward motion. It’s also hard work.

When a breeze did ripple the surface of the lake it did so from a variety of directions causing confusion with boards aiming in all directions. Despite these difficult conditions the fleets completed four races.

Stanborough Stormers, based at Stanborough Park Activity centre was only formed at the beginning of last season and now has a dozen youngsters taking part in competitive racing. As a new club they are becoming a dominant force in the lower rig size classes, the 3.5 metre, 4.5 metre and now the larger 5.5 metre class.

There were 23 competitors from four clubs, Alton Water Wipeouts (Ipswich, Suffolk), Lakeside Loafers, Peterborough, Norwich Force 8th (Norwich Scouts), and Stanborough. Mitchell Haggerty (14) from Stanborough opened the club’s medal tally by winning the 3.5 metre class, with teammate Katherin Woods (14) coming second and sister Freya (13) coming third.

Stanborough’s two 14-years-old competitors in the 4.5 metre class, Alec Goldstore and Christopher Wright came first and fifth respectively. Norwich Force 8th had three competitors, Robin Pearson (13), Maddie Truscott (14) and Rowena Conway (13) filling the middle order. Robin was presented with a Merit Award for his considerable improvement in skill and technique.

Alton Water Wipeouts (AWW) is the Team 15 section of Alton Water Windsurfing Club, which now has some 130 members, making it one of the largest in the region. A dominant team at previous events and winners of the regional title for several years, they are strongest in the larger rig classes.

In the 5.5 metre class AWW took a commanding lead through Henry Sieffert (12), who posted three wins and a second. Stanborough’s Jamie Earl (14) came second with three second places and a third. Third place went to Harriett Fry (14) from Norwich Force 8th with three thirds and a win in the last race, fourth place went to Freddie Duncan also from Norwich with four straight fourths.

The largest size boards, the Bic Techno 6.8 metre class saw the largest number of competitors and was dominated by AWW. Matthew Barton (14) one of the newly created Team 15 Ambassadors had four straight wins to lift the class trophy. Alex Richards (15) was second, teammate Dean Taylor (14) was third and fourth place went to Connor Jones the sole representative of Lakeside Loafers at the event. He also received a Merit Award for outstanding pumping.

The results means that Alton Water Wipeouts will once again be representing the region at the national youth windsurf finals being held at Rutland Water Sailing Centre on 10 and 11 October.

Supported by industry leaders Neilson, Tushingham/Starboard, Windsurf magazine, 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 find out how to get involved and your local club visit www.team15.org.uk or contact the RYA 0845 345 0400.