Unstoppable Axbridge Animals windsurf to national finals

by Susie Nation-Grainger on 20 Aug 2010 Team15 - Young windsurfing team the Axbridge Animals have triumphed over their South West rivals the Croft Farm Flyers winning first place at the regional final held at Croft Farm on Sunday (15 August).
Once again, the Savage family from Western Super Mere, Alex (14) Isabelle (13) and Georgina (11), put in a fierce performance on the water with both Alex and Isabelle winning second place in their classes (6.8M and 5.8M) and Georgina (4.5M) clinching a first.

11 year old Jake Cowan, from the Animals was chuffed after winning first place in the 3.5M Class having only been sailing for three months. The competition was also the first time he had sailed onto a full course.

Close behind Georgina in the 4.5M Class was Croft Farm Flyer Jack Bassett (10) whose sister Zoe (8) also competed in the championship in the 3.5M Class. Jack managed to beat Georgina in one of her races but took second place in the remaining four.

One youngster that did manage to beat a Savage was Lou Brown (12) who has been a member of the Animals for the past three years. He clinched first place in the 5.8M class leaving Isabelle in second place. Also competing in their class was Laura Bulston for the Farmers who despite suffering from Pharyngitus showed huge determination as she put on a brave face and took part in all her races.

Croft Farm Flyer Ben Bulson has been improving all season and finally got his win fighting off fierce competition from RYA youth squad member Alex Savage who finished a close second.

Axbridge Animals team coach Andrew Lucas has remained proud of the all the competitors throughout the season.

'The youngsters have been fantastic throughout the season and have grown in skill and confidence. The flyers gave us some tough competition last weekend and we are delighted to have made it through to the National Finals. We will be training as hard as we can to be in for a chance to be this year’s Champion Cup winners.'

The Axbridge Animals will compete in the National T15 Champions Cup at Northampton Watersports Centre Pitsford this October.

Supported by industry leaders Tushingham/Starboard, Windsurf magazine, Boards magazine, Neil Pryde and Boardwise, 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.

www.team15.org.uk