George Shillito on the storm chase…
“We were actually already planning a trip to Cornwall for a completely different reason – to meet our vicar about our up coming wedding! Having Gwithian as my local spot for 6 years, I knew when I saw the forecast at the beginning of the week I knew it was going to be MASSIVE – very convenient timing for such a trip!!
“Then during the early part of the week rumours started swirling around that RBSC was coming to town and suddenly the entire windsurfing community went mad!
“Due to the meeting I was running late for the start and knew I risked missing the whole thing if I didn’t just get in the car and drive. To be honest it didn’t even cross my mind to take kit to begin with. With all the media (especially in London) predicting the biggest storm ever and the added factor of the RBSC I couldn’t be sure I had a small enough sail!
“On arrival I was stopped by the police!! Hayle was in grid lock and I ended up parking over two miles away with the rest of the journey on foot. At this point I was pretty glad I didn’t have my kit with me, as it was impossible to get anywhere near the beach!
“A who’s who of local and national windsurfers were stood on the cliffs at the Bluff by the time I had arrived and the atmosphere was awesome. Despite the driving hail and howling winds no one seemed deterred – even non windsurfers had braved the weather to witness the incredible scene before them, despite being slightly less prepared than those used to standing on beaches in storms! Helicopters, jet ski’s, giant waves, howling winds, huge down pours and 4 of the best windsurfers in the world were what greeted them and what makes this event what it is. Truly EPIC! Even those who don’t know the faintest thing about windsurfing appreciated what an awe-inspiring, completely hardcore and extreme concept and competition the RBSC is!
“Also, Brawzinhos aerials were literally insane!!! I have never seen anyone hit the lip so late in such critical places on such a heavy shore break! That was definitely a highlight!”
