Lewis Merroney loops on the way in. Pic: Dave Kitson

Pura Vida Boardriders, BWA Wave Expression Re-Run Oct 4^th 2008-10-06

 
After the fairly windless weekend prior we watched the forecast all week until Saturday looked like a sure thing and it came in true to the windguru! (Writes Jim, of Pura Vida Boardriders.)
 

By 12 o’clock I arrived to a packed beach with about 20 windsurfers out at Newton, Porthcawl and another 20 ready for action!  Quick de-brief and we all went sailing as the tide dropped and swell picked up, most out in the cross shore well powered 4.7m weather.  After an hour or so of explosive sailing the waves had really picked up so we called everyone in and then ran the half hour madness ‘Expression Session’.  About 30 sailors hit the water and stepped up their game for the Judges!

 

With wind right on the inside we saw some sweet rides and good jumping all round with a good 10 sailors really standing out on the day. 

In the end 3^rd place went jointly to locals Jamie Cattle and John Greatrex who both displayed equal talent on the face and in the air and spent plenty of time close in for the audience!  Seb Willis showed some lively sailing and freestyle moves in the strong winds really impressing on the day. 

Martin Thomas (formerly of Wind Addiction) was back on the water for his first session in 7 years and was looping end over end on his first run!  Having just turned 40 he’s back on top form and was literally tearing and looping it up taking him straight in to joint 2^nd with Seb. 

The real stand out Sailor on the day had travelled down from West Wales that morning fully charged up and ripping on his worst tack!  Lewis Merroney was looping on the way out and back in repeatedly and showed us some inspirational riding too, for the whole session and whole day in fact he was giving it 100% and fully deserved the top spot!


A big thanks for all the guys who turned out, it’s great to see so many people on the water for these relaxed and fun events…..windsurfing is back to it’s best in South Wales!  There will be plenty more to come and anyone is welcome so please keep and eye on puravidaboardriders.co.uk for more information.


Thanks again to Simmer, Naish and O’Shea for their support and prizes.