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Eddie at Farmoor Last season saw a number of our young windsurfers do well. Congratulations to Nick Morwood and Eddie Short on being selected for the National U19 (IMCO) Squad.
Robbie Swift took second place (first junior) in the BWA Course Racing and second at the Super 8 Finals at Rosas.
Also congratulations to Tara and Ben for competing in the Twiname, their first competition, the first day of which was unbelievably windy. (See below for details of team selection for this season).
The '99 Programme
The South-East's programme aims to offer training and experience of course racing based on three venues : Ardingly Activity Centre, AquaSports at Mercers Park and Bewl Water Sailing Club.
Aspiring racers should be able to use a harness or sail a triangular course The Calypso Junior One Design, 103 and Aloha are the main classes raced, but any long-board will do. Calypso and Aloha boards are available from Ardingly and AquaSports as are 6.5, 103 and JOD rigs, but prior arrangement is essential.
All the dates are given on the Dates and Venues page. If you have any queries then contact me.
The '99 Season
As always we start off at Ardingly Activity Centre 17th April as the regional equipment is based there and can be accessed easily by prior arrangement. It is also relatively safe sailing for the less experienced so don't be afraid of bringing along someone who may be keen but less experienced.
Our second venue is at AquaSports 15th May which, no matter what the wind strength, is always ridiculously good fun. Bewl is our third venue on 25th June and will be preceded by a special Friday evening session where participants will be eligible for prizes as part of the Kent Week.
Volvo / RYA Regional Junior Championships
Bewl Sat 10th JulyThis is a new event and will be open to most board classes and dinghies too. The emphasis will as always be on fun as well as competition, but will also act a selector for our Regional Squad, so be there if you wish to compete in the Twiname, the National Junior Finals in October. If this presents any problem, however, then let me know. Our main aim, as ever, is to build a full squad of windsurfers for the Finals.
RYA Junior Travellers' Series
This comprises three events for the Junior classes of JOD, 103 AND Aloha. The first is at Carsington on the 12 - 13th June and the next is at Farmoor just outside Oxford on the 18th - 19th July. This event is usually combined with the National Schools Sailing Association (NSSA) championships and is always a prime event for young windsurfers as it gives a nationally recognised result for your CVs.
The Travellers' Series culminates at Weymouth, September 11th - 12th, with the National Youth Windsurfing Championships. Both are worth serious consideration and applications can be made via myself or from the windsurf press nearer the time.
RYA 2nd - 6th August
This is designed for young windsurfers keen on improving their skills (and for parents who would like to get rid of you for 5 days). Cost is very reasonable at £115 all in.
As with all the dates and events, further enquiries can be made via me, but please give serious thought as to whether you would be available to represent the South East at the Twiname (remembering you must be under 15 on 31st December 1999, and that it is a two day event - usually the first weekend of the October half term).
This year also sees the start of another racing award scheme. The higher levels are only attainable via the Regional sessions, Inter-Regional Camps or National events.
Guest coaching, freestyle competitions and visits to events are again also planned for this year.
A fee of five pounds is payable on the day. Rescue cover is provided.
See you at Ardingly!
Trevor Jones 01795 873003
RYA South-East Region
U17 Race Training Coordinator
