Sout East Event 2
Venue: AquaSports
Date: 10th June 07

Record turnout at Aquasports

The second RYA T15 South East Inter-Club event on June 10th was raced at Aquasports, with racers of all ages for the Bewl Blasters(Yellow/Y), Aquasports Aquanauts(Blue/B) and Hythe Hotshots (Red/R) competing for the individual category prizes and the combined Team Prize.

Once again, the popularity of T15 racing was shown when before a single race had even started, the record for the South East Zone’s number of competitors was broken yet again with 33 racers!

The sun was shining on the teams before the start, and even the occasional wetsuit was ditched for boardies and a rash vest during the pre-race briefing. Unfortunately the wind wasn’t at its best meaning sail pumping and good starts would be vital for getting a good place in the races to come.

Keen racing in the 3.5m class

The 3.5m class were the first to show the rest how it’s done with eleven keen racers setting off for the line. Harvey Mason (Y12) of the Bewl Blasters got off to a surprisingly good lead, winning the first race of the day (having not windsurfed for over a year or ever taken part in Team 15’s.)

He was chased for second place in the first race between the ‘Ladies in Red’ who had an exciting finish. Catriona (R1) came second and Zara (R2) came third. During the second race, Hamish Munro-Faure (Y11) pumped his arms off moving himself up the pack after a shaky start. Eventually, in the final race the wind actually blew and Alex Teckham (Y10) played a blinder and took the marker port side and gained speed.

Overall in 2nd place was Fredo Edwards of Hythe Hotshots, who too got equal points with Harvey Mason, but the extra 1st place just won it for Harvey! Toby Styles of Aquasports took 3rd place, having been 1 of 4 different people who managed to get first place in one of the individual races.

Alex Barry dominates in the 4.5m class

The 4.5m class wasn’t quiet so close, with Alex Barry (R15) of Hythe Hotshots winning every one of his races minus the discounted race. Oliver Benston (Y9) of Bewl did fantastically against this Zone sailor, managing to come 2nd in 3 of his races, coming 2nd overall and earning the vital points for the Blasters. Cameron Moffat (Y8) of Bewl also came 1st in the second race, with some determined pumping over the finish line and took 3rd overall.

A big battle in the 5.5m class

The 5.5m class was a two horse race all the way between Glen Sullivan (Y7) of Bewl Blasters and Thomas Addison (R10) of the Hythe Hotshots, with the uncertainty of the starts in the first race making it all the more exciting. In the fourth race the wind dropped, and everyone was taken by surprise by the start hooter, having not expected the race to start. Scott Mason found himself being cut up by his younger brother Harvey; and yells of starboard and much ruder things were heard. However, in the end Glenn won the 5.5m class by a point, and Thomas won the 5.5m Techno class and 2nd in the 5.5m class, leaving Scott Mason (Y2) of Bewl Blasters to take 3rd place.

Stuart Hards excels in light conditions

The 6.8m free class was the only Bewl free class, leaving Stuart Hards (R5) of Hythe to battle it out with Charlie Wilson, Ben Lee-Cross and Gerrard Walker of the Aquasports team. In the end though, Stuart Hards won every single one of his races despite the light wind conditions, with Charlie Wilson (B15) coming 2nd every time, and Ben Lee-Cross (B5) taking 3rd place, earning more important points for the Aquanauts.

A 6.8m duel

Finally, the 6.8m Techno class, the favourite for those hardcore windsurfers, was raced by only 2 competitors. Rupert Munro-Faure (Y1) of Bewl and Conor Wells (B3)of Aquasports lead the pack of all the classes all the way, battling it out between the two of them for that 1st place. In the end, Rupert won every race getting 1st place, and earning extra points for Bewl.

Bewl Blasters come out on top

After all the races and individual awards, it just left us with the Team Award. Bewl Blasters hadn’t won the award for years but this was their turn! Having done so well in their individual classes, getting 3 wins, 1 second and 2 thirds, they got their deserved 1st place. In 2nd place were Hythe and 3rd place Aquasports.

Thanks to all the competitors, coaches, parents, Aquasports facilities and the wonderful BBQ. The day’s racing was successful and enjoyable, and we can’t wait for the next one!

Team winners - Bewl Blasters 

 

Photos courtesy of Ian Kraft

Report written by Scott Mason
 

We are the Champions!
West Kirby Warriors
T15 Champions 2008

Congratulations!

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(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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