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Ardingly, 18th April
As usual, the South East's season began with a strange mix of conditions : sunny but with enough of a cold northerly to see shortboards planing (honestly) and hands chilling. Two races were held on a box course with Tiff and Jordan newcomers in the JOD class unable to match the more experienced Nat, while our other newcomers, Joel and Alec fought it out on the 103's. Andrew, "fresh" from the RYA Easter Camp at Calshot, took Aloha's honours over Alan, last season's Aloha class winner.
Product prizes donated by Kent Windsurfing were also distributed to last season's class winners and runners-up. Thanks go to Mike and Sue for their continued support.
AquaSports, 16th May
In complete contrast this session saw summer shorties dug out of retirement and lashings of sun cream applied. The wind was still in the north east gusting to F3 which gave occasional planing around a box course. During the early afternoon a figure of 8 slalom course was run in order to improve gybing. Andrew again took the Aloha's and Joel's younger brother, Paul, in his first experience of racing won the 103's. Unfortunately time ran out for Tom and Charles from AquaSports Saturday club, but hopefully we'll see you on September 5th.
Again, many thanks to the Centre Principals Chris and John for their support.
Ferring, 21st June.
This will be a first for sea training and (hopefully) some shortboard sailing at Ferring - turn right at Worthing beach and keep going. Reports from the first of these three RYA/BWA sessions with coaching and demos by Ant and Mike Birt were very positive - waves in windy SW conditions but relatively easy sailing. As this is designed to coincide with the national "Try Windsurfing Week" why not come down and "Try Waves" ? Also for this week everyone is being asked to put their boards on top of cars to draw attention to the sport - worth trying to persuade parents on this one. Maybe your "surf caddies / sponsors" could also be talked into taking up one of the other offers of the week : "Try for a Tenner - Learn for a Ton " ? Think of all the kit they could then be persuaded they really need to progress !
Bewl, 11th July
This will be the next "inland" race training session and I would like to use this as the preliminary selection for the Twiname Junior Final. This will be at Rutland (October 17- 18th) which is only a short hike compared to previous years and the South East will be looking to put in a team of seven with a maximum of three in any one class, ie JOD, 103, Aloha.
RYA Junior Travellers' Series
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New for this year this series comprises three events for the Junior classes as above. The first at Carsington will have already passed, but the next event is at Farmoor just outside Oxford on the 18-19th July. This event is combined with the National Schools Sailing Association (NSSA) championships and is always a prime event for young regional windsurfers as it gives a nationally recognised result for your CV's.
The Travellers' Series culminates at Weymouth, September 19-20th, 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 Summer Camp, Rutland 27-31st July
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 enquiries can be made via me but please give serious thought to whether you would be available to represent the South East at the Twiname (remembering you must be under 15 on 31st December, 1998 and that it is a two day event - always the first weekend of the October half term).
Hope to see you at Ferring or Bewl - ps don't forget to show this newsletter to your parents!
STOP PRESS!
There will be a prize of an Aloha to 1st Newcomer, and rig to 2nd Newcomer at the UKBSA
Christchurch event 20-21 June!
Trevor Jones 01795 873003
RYA South-East Region
U17 Race Training Coordinator