LOCAL WINDSURFING TEAM PITSFORD PIRATES KNOCK COMETS OFF COURSE

Local windsurfing aces the Pitsford Pirates, are on cloud nine today after winning the third round of the RYA’s Team15 (T15) Midlands Region Youth Windsurfing Championships held on their home turf Pitsford Water, Brixworth. 2007’s regional champions the Carsington Comets from Derby have been dominating the competition so far this season and looked to be on course for winning the championship however Saturday (26th July) saw the Pirates turn the tables and claim the pivotal event victory.  

Conditions were tricky, extremely hot coupled with very light winds demanding the sailors to pump their sails backward and forward to make any head way meaning strong physical fitness was a big advantage.

This was a real challenge for all competitors but the Pirates took it in their stride fighting off tough competition to pull out some impressive performances across the 5 sail size classes contested.

The 5.5m class belonged to the Comets with Henry Munro, a consistent performer throughout the championship, winning all but one of his races claiming class victory. The 6.8m class consisted of just one competitor Notts County Outlaw Rebecca Ogden from Nottingham who had no trouble winning her class victory!

The remaining classes were comfortably won by the Pirates with 10 year old Alice Butts, the youngest in her class, winning the 4.5m contest and brothers Jo and Luke Patrick winning each of their classes, 3.5m and 6.8m Techno respectively. Jo’s performance was especially impressive as this was the first T15 event he had ever raced at having windsurfed for just 4 months! Event Organisers Ben Hodgson was so impressed that Jo was presented with a special merit award for ‘best newcomer’.

Saturday’s event was the third of four T15 regional events taking place across the Midlands region this summer. Having won round three the Pirates have now opened the competition up. If they can win round four, which takes place on 30th August at Chase Sailing Club near Walsall, by enough points they will be crowned regional champions and go forward to represent the region at the national final the Champions Cup held in October on Rutland Water, Rutland.

Supported by industry leaders Neilson, Tushingham/Starboard, Ultra Sport/Bic, Windsurf magazine, Boards magazine and Neil Pryde, T15 was set up to provide youngsters, up to the age of 15, with the opportunity to learn all about windsurfing and windsurf racing in a friendly club environment.

Weekly training sessions are run at RYA approved centres and clubs with RYA trained instructors and T15 coaches. All safety aspects are taken care of and equipment is provided so there’s no need to go and buy all your own kit.

Kids benefit from a great social scene as well as learning a new skill.

If you fancy giving windsurfing or T15 a go visit the T15 website www.team15.org.ukwhere you can find contact details for all T15 clubs. There is also a list of all RYA clubs and centres with contacts on the RYA website www.rya.org.ukwho will be more than happy to advise you on how best to get started.