Through the winter, the racing season takes a back seat, and I go to University and study. However, there is some relief: the SWA series!
Last weekend, it was the turn of Bristol and UWE (BrUWE) windsurfing clubs to host 200 student windsurfers from around the country, for an amazing weekend.
Picture by Will Jones
A huge amount of organisation went into the event, and it payed off big time! There was instruction for all the beginners (who are now not quite beginners after Aussie Kiss), who could also get there RYA Start windsurfing certificate for no extra cost, as well as freestyle and racing for all levels. (oh, and two mental parties...).
There was very little wind, I got planing for a few seconds on Saturday with a lot of pumping, a 7.8 Tushingham Lightning, and an RRD Firerace 120, however, that didn't stop the action! The light-wind freestyle competition was good fun, I didn't quite reach the same level as I did at AK, possibly a bit too underpowered. However, Ollie Acton, and Chubsie from Solent had all the moves, and took 1st and 2nd with Dan Lytton from Exeter in 3rd.
Unfortunately Chris Guest was unable to join me in the Team racing, but Bristol managed 5th I think.
I won the Advanced racing, shame it wasn't windy, as last year saw some exciting planing slalom, anyway, can't complain!
A huge thanks to all the SWA sponsors, and all the Bristol and UWE committee who made the event happen.
Busy times for me now, with Industrial Placement interviews, but next stop is Liverpool for their core event: Northern Monkey 2 + 2 = 5. See you there!
