LITTLE RIPPERS
West Wittering Windsurfing Club ran for the second year its junior
windsurfing training scheme called "Rippers week". Twenty-four children

took part in the three day course which is aimed at developing junior
windsurfers from the ages of 5 to 15 and is part of the RYA junior
windsurfing iniative called TEAM 15.

Rippers was started by Simon Bassett of 2XS as an idea to get young people

into the sport of windsurfing, most children are not taught
windsurfing until the ages of 9-11 years old, but with new equipment and
simplified teaching techniques, children as young as 3 years old are able
to go windsurfing.

During the course, 18-20 August, West Wittering had ideal conditions for
the youngsters; low tide in the shallow lagoon and light winds. Some of
the younger children by the end of the course were happily sailing upwind,
tacking and gybing. The older kids who were on their second year of the
course were learning new freestyle tricks and will be ready for
competition training next year. At the end of this course a small
freestyle competition was held for the advance groups with an 8 year old
girl, Natalie Dobson, being the eventual winner.

The Rippers Windsurfing Course is not just about learning to windsurf but
also having as much fun as possible – beach games such as Neucome, a form
of beach volley ball, beach football, bodyboarding, powerkite flying and
beach BBQ’s were all part of the week.

For further information about Rippers Courses for next season call West
Wittering Windsurfing Club @ 2XS, Rookwood Road, West Wittering,
Tel: 01243 512552 and check out our website for pictures and story of
this years event www.2xs.co.uk.