Event 3
Venue: Roadford Watersports, nr Lifton
Date: 5 August 2007

Event 1
Venue: Bewl Windsurfing, Lamberhurst
Date: 29th April 07

A sunny start at Roadford

I awoke with the sun streaming through my tent window. No wind and the damp from the previous weeks soaking through my ground sheet. Geoff was snug in his van with Fred the cat. I got up and found Ross and Shauna from the Roadford Staff who gave me a lovely room for registration and lent us a kettle of hot water. Geoff had run out of gas and we needed a caffeine fix to set us up for the day.

Registration was underway and people started arriving. Luke, the Siblyback Water Warriors Coach, was seen driving round the site with a van full of kit and a number of boards looking through the front widow.

Adam Rutter was keen to get his Roadford Wreckers rigged, suited and booted so they could go out and test the water. Other teams were a bit more laid back and didn’t want to hurry them selves; in holiday mood, I guess! With the reservoir totally full it halves the walking distance from Signing to Sailing and gives a massive course area. There were novice windsurfers on several teams, two courses were laid, one close to shore and one that went far out into the lake.

Dexter leads the way

Adam and Geoff anchored the committee boat (orange plastic tub) about 20 metres off shore opposite a white triangular marker on the bank. Race one started in a fairly orderly fashion as some of the newer, smaller sailors hung back and watched Dexter West, Dan Grayston and other regular racers contest the start. They quickly realised that this was not such a good plan as one or two had barely started when Dexter rounded the leeward mark to start the second lap. Dexter held his lead to the end giving the Tigers first blood with Jack Warren and Dan Grayston of Roseland in close attendance.

Tricky finishing

We decided to have an on water briefing to explain the "Grand Prix Finish" because some of the newcomers sailed an extra lap. There were still some puzzled faces (coach included) when we sent them off for race two but everyone stopped at the right time in the end. Some gentle encouragement from Adam Rutter pursuaded the hesitant sailors to push up to the start line and, as a result, they had a much better race. Top three places remained the same but Louis Morris and Victoria Forrest Mitchell were up there with the leaders.

Time for one more race before lunch and this time Jack got the better of Dexter while close battles continued right through the fleet. After three races, Nat Warren was leading the 5.5 fleet and Ross Bromhead led the 4.5s. Adam Grayston was clear ahead in the 3.5 fleet with a very close fight for second between Henry Wahl and Adam Squire. On the novice course, Tiger, Stephen Muller and Water Warrior, Athalie Redgrove, led the way.

Change and change about

After the break we decided to add variety by sailing the course in the opposite direction. This was great for the competitors but the line judge had a terrible time trying to read race vest numbers through the sails. To save Geoff pulling out any more of his hair, race five reverted to the original direction.

For the last race we set a Windward Leeward course with a long beat and just one lap. Dexter led home Jack and Louis, while Vicky F.M. headed the 5.5s followed by Nat and Saskia Sills. Next came the 6.8s with Dan Grayston, leading Chris Belair and Ross Bromhead, and Imogen Sills rounding out the top ten.

Scores and awards

The computer worked it’s magic and sorted them all into fleets to find the winning team. This turned out to be very close, only a couple of points in it. But, once again, the Wave Riders from Roseland took the prize giving them an unassailable position in the team competition and a trip to the Champions Cup.

A brief discussion with the club coaches sorted out the merit awards. For the most improved sailor, having only learned to windsurf last week, Sandy from Roadford. For outstanding team spirit, Athalie Redgrove from Siblyback.

Adam Rutter, on behalf of South West Lakes Trust, thanked the sponsors, club coaches and organisers for their great efforts and support.

Team winners  - Roadford Wave Riders

Report written by:
Ady Davis
T15 CO - South West Zone (South)

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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