Kids in the Midlands region braved 4°C temperatures and howling force 5-6 winds, on Saturday (19th April) for the opening event of the RYA's Team15 2008 Inter-Club Championship. The event took place on Carsington Water near Derby , and saw a demanding programme of seven races across three different sail size fleets over the day.

With a home team advantage and the weather keeping a number of Midlands region teams away, the Comets dominated both the 3.5m and 5.5m fleets posting some impressive results. Ten year old Michael Horsley from Derby won all but one of the races in the 3.5m fleet claiming a comfortable victory for the Comets. Team mate Tom Jackson, 14 from Stoke, did the same in the largest sail size fleet, 5.5m.

Comet Henry Munro, 14 from Uttoxeter, posted an impressive three wins in the 4.5m fleet however ten year old Emily Hall, member of the RYA Midlands Zone Windsurfing Squad, sailing for the Notts County Outlaws, pipped him at the post with one more winning result claiming the top spot and fleet victory.

Henry’s younger brother Tom, 11, was competing at his first ever T15 event and managed to scoop a first place in race five for the 3.5m fleet despite not finishing in two of the previous races. The event Merit Award however was given to Pitsford Pirate nine year old Alice Butts, from Northampton, for her continued perseverance in the 4.5m fleet. Struggling with the high winds in the morning and failing to finish any race she managed to pull three good finishes out the bag after lunch finishing the day in third place.

Saturdays event was the first of four T15 regional events taking place across the Midlands region this summer. The Midlands teams will battle it out over a further three events to earn the title of Regional Champion and a place at the coveted national final the Champions Cup held in October on Rutland Water, Rutland. The next event will take place on 5^th July at Rutland Water at which the teams are hoping for warmer weather.

T15 was set up to provide youngsters, up to the age of 15, with the opportunity to learn all about windsurfing and windsurf racing in a friendly club environment.

Weekly training sessions are run at RYA approved centres and clubs with RYA trained instructors and T15 coaches. All safety aspects are taken care of and equipment is provided so there’s no need to go and buy all your own kit.

Kids benefit from a great social scene as well as learning a new skill.

If you fancy giving T15 a go visit the THE ZONE ZONE where you can find contact details for all T15 clubs (click on their name/photos to reveal more details abou their club sessions).