The summer is over, the nights are drawing in, it’s getting colder and it’s getting windier. This can mean one thing only: it’s time to kick start the new SWA season! Tris Gibbons has the full story:

Last weekend over 500 of the very finest student specimens that the UK can produce converged on a rainy and windswept Cornwall for Aussie Kiss XII – Jury Summons. 

It started as a trickle, but eventually there was a torrent of people pouring into Bude Holiday Park ready to kick start the weekend. It all started in true SWA style with a “quiet” Friday night party. Seeing old friends and meeting new ones is what Aussie Kiss is all about, and seeing your best mates for the first time in months is probably the best feeling in the world. Safe to say that Friday night quickly got out of hand. The combination of Rum smoothies and killer tunes provided by Silecta our resident DJ for the weekend, the party was well and truly booming.

At 7.30 AM the call to get up was given and 500 suffering faces slowly appeared at Roadford throughout the morning, ready for briefing. This year we had over 150 beginners and Getwindsurfing’s Danielle Lucas and the instructor team absolutely killed it on the beginner beach. Super gusty and windy conditions made both teaching and learning difficult, but the sheer number of happy, smiling tells the story of how awesome the day was.

Phil from GetWindsurfing, along with Ollie Acton, Ben Lee and Josh Farmer were on hand all weekend to give clinics, hints and tips to everyone from the freshest faced beginner, to all those freestyle monkeys out there.

“This was our first Aussie Kiss event and Danielle and I were a little unsure what to expect. We were really surprised by the number of windsurfers, especially beginners, who were out braving the elements. We thought the event was well organised and great fun, if you have not been to one yet make sure you go to the next one! We look forward to seeing you guys at more SWA events for some GetWindsurfing coaching in the future”

Phil Richards (GetWindsurfing)

Throughout the day the wind continued to pick up, and it was awesome to see all the intermediates and advanced riders out on the water practising their harness work, gybes and freestyle. All this to the soundtrack of Cate McHugh and Diamond Junkies who performed some awesome sets through the day.

“The weather this weekend was epic. It was great to be able to take out some shiny new kit and with the clinics I learnt tons. Can’t wait for the next event!!”

James Crampton (Liverpool)

As the wind started to die and the dark started to draw in, that could mean only one thing: it was game time. Back at the campsite we were treated to the UK Premier of Andre Paskowski’s new film “Below the Surface”. The amazing footage got everyone super stoked for the party.

Before the band started Olivier Ayache and Jamie Richardson provided the pre-party entertainment in the form of the Legendary Liverpool 16-way Beer Bong! The party was well and truly going now.

As with every year the fancy dress was amazing, with some people taking the theme to a whole new level.

Big thanks to Isaac Indiana who came back to perform to us on the Saturday night. They always knock it out the park, and Saturday was no different.

Sunday morning was perhaps the most painful moment of the entire weekend. The wind and the rain were in full force, along with the almighty hangovers and lack of sleep. But the promise of a super windy day at the lake was too much to resist! Sunday saw free-sailing for the intermediates and advanced riders, along with the freestyle and team racing competitions.

The conditions were really gusty which made it super hard for the freestyle guys to crack their moves out. But crack them they did, we were treated to some big forwards from Ben Page, some Spocks and Vulcans and even a massive Switch Kono from Alex Mitchell!

“Aussie Kiss was awesome this year, windy and sunny (at times)!! To win the freestyle comp on Sunday was a nice surprise, gusty conditions but there was some great sailing going on and the crowds loved it! It was my first SWA trip with Portsmouth University and I look forward to attending more SWA events in the future”.

Alex Mitchell (Portsmouth University)

With the wind starting to die off, the team racing got going. It was a tight fought battle between Solent and Southampton but Solent came out on top. Everyone gave a great display of what could be done on those RRD Fireraces in the tricky conditions.

In order to showcase the excellent instructor talent that the SWA holds, a special award was given out to Jane Paddison (Liverpool) for being “instructor of the weekend” bagging herself a Dahab Apartments voucher.

“Sponge” of the weekend was awarded to Susanna Mazzocca (Birmingham) for soaking up as much windsurfing knowledge as possible and putting it into practice on the water. She won a day’s coaching with Getwindsurfing.

With prize giving done, the worst part of the weekend came: saying goodbye. Good job that Liverpool’s Northern Monkey is only two weeks away!!

“A well organised and smoothly run event! Despite the weather, the event continued as normal and was great to see such a great range or abilities getting out on the water. Thanks to the SWA team for having us, and we look forward to supporting you throughout the year!”

Alfred (Seafarer)

Massive thanks to Bude Holiday Park and Roadford Lake for having us. And another big thanks to all the sponsors who made it down: Boardwise, RRD, Gaastra, Tabou, Patrick, Sailoft, RedBull, Spartan, Seafarer and GetWindsurfing. Without these guys Aussie Kiss simply wouldn’t work.

Also, a big thanks to everyone who performed this weekend to give it such a cool festival theme. You can go and check them out by clicking the links below.

And finally thank you to all you lovely people for making the journey and being part of this AWESOME weekend.

We at the SWA are all super excited for Northern Monkey.

Did you not manage to get to Aussie Kiss? Are you already dying of PEDs? Then make sure you get you and your club down to Liverpool’s Northern Monkey 8th, 9th and 10th November. Tickets are £15 and they’re on sale NOW!

Don’t miss out, get yours now. Bully your president, bully your mates; either way – make sure you’re there.

The theme this year is Woodland Rave, and it is going to be siiiiickkkkk!!!

RESULTS

Freestyle:

1st: Alex Mitchell – Portsmouth

2nd: Ben Page – Southampton

3rd: Charlie Wilson – Southampton

Team Race:

1st: Solent

2nd: Southampton 1

3rd: Southampton 2

BANDS

Isaac Indiana http://www.isaacindiana.com/

Silecta http://www.mixcloud.com/Silecta/

Diamond Junkies https://www.facebook.com/DiamondJunkies

Cate McHugh https://soundcloud.com/cate-mchugh