CROFT FARM FLYERS SOAR TO THIRD-ROUND VICTORY

Talented siblings were the secret weapon used by local heroes the Croft Farm Flyers from Tewkesbury to achieve victory in the third round of the RYA’s Team15 (T15) SW Regional Youth Windsurfing Championships last weekend (Saturday 2 August). Held at Wimbleball Lake, the event was attended by teams from all over the north of the SW region, and competition was fierce.

Flyers’ Zak Page (12) flew to triumph in the 5.5m class, while younger brother Fynn (11) came second in the 4.5m class. Sam (13) also competed, though the light winds proved less than ideal for him in the Bic Techno 6.8m class. Ben Bulson (13) won the 3.5m class for the Flyers, with his sister Laura (13) coming a close second.

Fellow Flyer Lee Marrs (15) travels from his home in Coventry to Croft Farm every Wednesday for T15 training – a 120 mile round trip – and made a return journey of over 300 miles to attend this event. His commitment, and that of his family, to T15 was well rewarded when he won the 6.8 open fleet race.

Two of the Wimbleball Wombles team also put in outstanding performances at their first-ever T15 event. Ffion Watkins (10) received a merit prize for determination, and Eben Mortimer-Taylor (11) was awarded one for being the most improved sailor on the day.

B Al Martin (13) took the 4.5m class for the Axbridge Animals, and Seb Cooper (13), of the SCOEC Screamers, was victorious in the Bic Techno 6.8 class. At the end of the day’s racing, the Axbridge Animals were just three points behind the winners, followed by the SCOEC Screamers in third place, and the Wimbleball Wombles in fourth.

This was the third round in the competition for the title of Regional Champions, and an opportunity to compete in the National T15 Champions Cup at Rutland Water in October. The final round will take place at Croft Farm Waterpark on 31 August.

Supported by industry leaders Neilson, Tushingham/Starboard, Ultra Sport/Bic, Windsurf magazine, Boards magazine and Neil Pryde, T15 was set up by the RYA to provide youngsters up to the age of 15 with the opportunity to learn all about windsurfing and improve their skills in a friendly club environment. Weekly training sessions take place at RYA approved centres and clubs and are run by RYA trained instructors and T15 coaches. All safety aspects are taken care of and equipment can be provided to children who don’t have their own kit yet.

THIRD ROUND TRIUMPH FOR SIBLYBACK WINDSURFERS

Local heroes, the Siblyback Water Warriors from Liskeard, scored a very close, but triumphant victory against their young windsurfing opponents when they braved cold, wet conditions during the third round of the RYA’s Team15 (T15) SW Regional Youth Windsurfing Championships last weekend (Sunday 3 August). Held at Roadford Lake, the event was attended by teams from all over the south of the SW region, and competition was very fierce.

All of the races were close and, according to T15 Organiser Ady Davies, the standard is improving: “This is probably the best season so far in the SW South area, and the tension is increasing with each event. All of the sailors are aware how close the competition is and they are puling out all the stops to get to the national final at Rutland.”

As well as achieving victory himself, Warriors’ Louis Morris (15) has been teaching little brother Ross (8) his winning ways – Louis won the 6.8 Techno class, while Ross achieved third place in the 3.5.

Together with Ross, Lucy Greyston (10) and Ross Warren (8), both from Roseland, were sailing the full 3.5m course for the first time, and the three completed all their races amazingly well, with Lucy coming second, and Ross Warren fourth. Winner of the class was Nick Sylvester (12) of the Roseland Wave Riders.

Louis McDonald (12) took the 4.5m class for the Tamar Tigers, while Lucy’s big brother Adam Greyston (13) won the 5.5m for Roseland and Matt Parkinson (15) helped Siblyback to victory in the 6.8m class.

At the end of the day’s racing, the results could not have been closer. The Warriors finished just one point ahead of the Roseland Wave Riders, and only five ahead of third-placed Tamar Tigers.

This was the third round in the competition for the title of Regional Champions, and an opportunity to compete in the National T15 Champions Cup at Rutland Water in October. The final round will take place at Stithians Lake on 30 August.

Supported by industry leaders Neilson, Tushingham/Starboard, Ultra Sport/Bic, Windsurf magazine, Boards magazine and Neil Pryde, T15 was set up by the RYA to provide youngsters up to the age of 15 with the opportunity to learn all about windsurfing and improve their skills in a friendly club environment. Weekly training sessions take place at RYA approved centres and clubs and are run by RYA trained instructors and T15 coaches. All safety aspects are taken care of and equipment can be provided to children who don’t have their own kit yet.