Welcome to team15. A nationwide network of clubs where the coolest windsurfers aged 15 and under get together every week to have a great time and learn new skills.
Event 1
Venue: Ferry Meadows, nr Peterborough
Date: 26 May 2007
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Close racing and tricky conditions at Ferry Meadows |
There was another strong showing from Alton Water Wipeouts with, 4 competitors and their coach Ian Haywood. Lakeside also entered 4 racers and brought with them their new coach. Tallington Lakes were, once again, represented by Charley Sissons (one of the most determined young ladies you could ever meet).
Changing Winds
Once the rain stopped, early on bank holiday Saturday, we had fine weather for the rest of the day. The wind in the morning was onshore and a force 2, turning cross-shore and dropping to a force 1. This proved rather trying for the 3.5 /4.5 fleet as their course changed from a reach out and back or a figure 8 with a tack either end, to an upwind downwind challenge, completely fooling the 3.5 sailors as one minute they were sailing along and the next going backwards!
The wind did become more stable after lunch, becoming cross shore force 2. A very strong performance by the yellow team (locals lakeside loafers) had them constantly grabbing 1st and 2nd places with Alton Water coming in 3rd.
Some special mentions
Special mention must go to Olivia Dixon, aged 11, sailing for Norwich force 8th who, having struggled in the morning, completed the course five times out of seven attempts and finished 4th out of five in the last race of the day. Mention also to David Strang, aged 12, sailing for Norwich, and Chris Harley, aged 11, sailing for Alton Water Wipeouts who showed absolute determination and did incredibly well considering how new they are to windsurfing.
Both the 3.5 and 4.5 classes were well supported vocally from the shore and one 3.5 sailor was heard to tell his dad in no uncertain terms “I am trying to tack!" The winners in the 3.5 fleet were 3rd Chris Harley, 2nd Edward Cracknell and 1st Joe Dailey, sailing for lakeside loafers. Joe put in a very dominant performance. It could be time for this young star to move up to the 4.5 fleet for the next event.
Talking of the 4.5 fleet, we had 3 competitors and lots of close racing with the lead changing several times during each race. The result always ended up the same, however, with Chloe Smith, aged 14 and racing for Lakeside, finishing 3rd in four out of seven races.
Changing Fleets
Bryony Bennet-Lloyd, sailing for Norwich in her second event, moved from the 3.5 fleet up to the 4.5 fleet and came second - what a talent. Tom Bailey, sailing for lakeside, however proved too strong for the others and won all 7 races on the day. Tom has also changed fleets since last year from the 3.5 up to the 4.5 and, judging by the way he dominated the tricky second race, think he should consider moving up to the 5.5 fleet fairly soon!
Close competition between the 5.5s
The 5.5 fleet was a very closely contested event. The race team couldn't split Rebecca Calder and Jo Harley after 4 races. This meant a 5th race in which Jo, racing for Alton managed to beat team-mate Rebecca. James Hammond, racing for Norwich, was never very far from the first two and finished third.
The 6.8 fleet
The 6.8 open fleet had five competitors, two of whom were on techno 6.8's. Charley Sissons placed 2nd techno. Aaron Murphy, sailing for Norwich placed 3rd overall.
Tom Bennet-Lloyd, sailing for Norwich, won one of the five races and came 2nd in the rest taking 2nd place overall and first techno. 1st in four of the five races and only dropping to 2nd in the last race, meant that David Watts, in his last event, was the overall winner. David sailed for Alton and will turn 16 on the 3rd of June.
Team Winners
The team prize was taken by Lakeside with 19 points, beating Alton on count-back. Norwich were next with 21 points and Tallington scored 35 points.
Thanks
My thanks to Lizzy Watts, a former team 15 competitor and now assistant coach at Alton, for her help both on the race boat and taking pictures and also to my wife Gina for registration and picture taking.
I hope to see you all plus a few friends at Tallington on the 9th of June
Bye for now, Graham.
Winning Team
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We are the Champions!
West Kirby Warriors
T15 Champions 2008
Congratulations!
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Team15
Coach Courses
T15 Coach-Red courses
will now be known as
Racing Instructor Courses
T15 Coach-Freestyle courses
will change to T15 Freestyle Coach!
Check below for course dates.
Have you registered yet?
Click here for pre-requisites.
Courses are currenlty being
organised by RDOs.
More dates soon.
If your T15 club
can get together 4 instructors
we can run a
course at your club!
Contact:
gina.lindholm@rya.org.uk
(scroll down for other courses you have missed)
For information
(previous courses in 2008)
Mount Batten Centre - Plymouth
Course type: Racing Instructor
Weekend course: 27/28 September 2008
Closing date: 5 September
Cancelled: lack of candidates
Lakes Leisure - Windermere
Course type: Racing Instructor
Weekend course: 30/31 August 2008
Closing date: 15 August
Fully booked
James Hamilton Heritage Park - Glasgow
Course type: Racing Instructor
Weekend course: 30/31 August 2008
Closing date: 15 August
Cancelled: lack of candidates
Gwent Adventures - Wales
Course type: Racing Instructor
Weekend course: 9/10 August 2008
Closing date: 25 July
5 candidates on course
Grafham Water Centre - Cambridgeshire
Course type: Racing Instructor
Weekend course: 5/6 July 2008
Closing date: 30 June
Spaces available
6 candidates on course
Wimbleball Lake - Somerset
Course type: Racing Instructor
Midweek course: 3/4 July 2008
Closing date: 30 June
4 candidates on course
Roadford Lake - Okehampton
Course type: Racing Instructor
Midweek Course: 4/5 June 2008
Organised by South West Lakes Trust
Fully booked
Carsington Watersports - Derbyshire
Course type: Freestyle
Weekend Course: 3/4 May 2008
Fully booked
Carsington Watersports - Derbyshire
Course type: Racing Instructor
Midweek Course: 1/2 May 2008
6 candidates on course
Mountbatten Centre - Plymouth
Course type: Racing Instructor
Weekend Course: 12/13 April 2008
Cancelled: lack of candidates
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ADOPT-A-BEACH
The Green Blue is an environmental awareness initiative by the British Marine Federation and the Royal Yachting Association. One of its aims is to educate and promote the sustainable use of coastal and inland waters by watersports participants.
Some of the initiatives have a relevance to windsurfers - especially in achieving cleaner seas and beaches.
Adopt-a-Beach is definitely relevant to T15ers, which is a Marine Conservation Society project supported by the Green Blue.
Check out what parts of the Green Blue are relevant to you