Over 300 students from Bath, Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, Cardiff, Durham, Exeter, Imperial College, Leeds, Liverpool, Loughborough, Nottingham, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Saint Mary’s, Southampton, Sussex, Swansea, UCL, UEA and UWE Universities, took to the water over the Bank Holiday weekend at Calshot Activities Centre for the BUCS Student Windsurfing Championships.
Despite light winds on Saturday, racing began with the advanced riders sailing on the Solent whilst intermediates and beginners sailed in the lagoon. Undeterred by a spontaneous wind shift lull mid way through the races deeming many competitors opting for a tactical self rescue, the championships were soon in full swing.
With a display of outstanding ability and technique, Sarah Bibby from Southampton University sponsored by Simmer, Quattro, Pura Vida & Boardriders took the Advanced Ladies title whilst Alex Trickle from Durham University showed amazing determination and skill to clinch the Advanced Mens.
Sunday brought with it stronger winds and perfect conditions for the university team races. With pride at stake and BUCS points to play for, the relay team racing was even more competitive given the rider’s mixture of abilities and a 20 strong fleet of SWA one design kit (Techno 283 and Tushingham Express 7.5)
The first race was gripping from start to finish. The students were clearly showing their competitive mentalities with dedication extending to the race up the beach for an entertaining finish. After three races however, the cold wind began to take its toll. It had blown up to 5.5m weather and despite being unable to feel their hands and feet, competitors soldiered on, fuelled largely by a mixture of rivalry, true grit, and copious amounts of Red Bull. A few universities had to drop out of the third and final race due to kit malfunctions. Cardiff University took the title with Cambridge 2nd and Southampton 3rd.
Due to tidal time restraints and a looming presentation, there was little afternoon for a freestyle competition. An impromptu free sailing freestyle jam finished off the afternoon, the cream de la cream strutting their stuff to a huge audience demonstrating the variability within he sport and the intermediates taking advantage of all the 2010 demo kit available.
The final prizing giving of the series took place on Sunday afternoon with prizes sponsored by Club Vass, Tushingham, Goya, Gaastra, Boardwise, Spartan Wetsuits, Severne, Kai Sports, Solent Sailboards, Beachbum Beanbags and Plasma Clothing.
Special thanks go to BUCS, Calshot Activities Centre, The University of Southampton, Southampton University Windsurfing Club, all the sponsors and media partners and all the University Windsurf Clubs; without whom the event would not have been possible.
The BUCS Windsurfing Championships are the finale for a series of ‘core’ events which run throughout the academic year. These core events are organised and hosted by various universities and associated student windsurfing clubs throughout the country. In 2010 the events were held at Cardiff, Bristol and Nottingham at Llandegfedd, Axbridge and Rutland reservoirs.
Formed in 2000, the SWA raises the profile of windsurfing by promoting the sport at universities. There are now in excess of 50 Student Windsurfing clubs throughout the country with approximately 2500 student members.
Date: FRIDAY 30TH APRIL – SUNDAY 2ND MAY 2010
Location: CALSHOT ACTIVITIES CENTRE, Calshot Spit, Fawley, Southampton, Hampshire SO45 1BR, www.calshot.com
Hosted by: THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON, CALSHOT ACTIVITIES CENTRE & STUDENT WINDSURFING ASSOCIATION (SWA)
Sponsors: Club Vass, Tushingham Sails, GOYA, Gaastra, Boardwise, Spartan Wetsuits, Kai Sports, Solent Sailboards, Beachbum Beanbags, Plasma Clothing
Media Partners: ExPix www.expix.co.uk Boards Magazine, Windsurf Magazine
RESULTS:
NATIONALS RACES
Advanced Mens
1. Alex Trickle (Durham)
2. Dave Williams (Cambridge) sponsored by Simmer & RRD
3. Koray Ezer (Sussex)
Advanced Ladies
1. Sarah Bibby (Southampton) sponsored by Simmer, Quattro, Pura Vida & Boardriders
2. Maeli Cherel (Southampton) sponsored by Vandal, Fanatic, Spartan, Fourboards
3. Emily Hall (Bath)
Inter Mens
1. Luke Dowdeswell (Bath)
2. Ben Milton (Cardiff)
3. Adam Kewely (Nottingham)
Inter Ladies
1. Ricci Marshall (Cambridge)
2. Leah Pickering (Cardiff)
3. Emma Shrimpton (Loughborough)
Beginner Mens
1. Jack Welch (Portsmouth)
2. Jamie Richardson (Liverpool)
3. Stuart Fawke (Birmingham)
Beginner Ladies
1. Emma Mathias-Jones (Nottingham)
2. Sarah Wienberg (Liverpool)
3. Harriet Winfrey (UEA)
Team Racing
1. Cardiff
2. Cambridge
3. Southampton
SERIES WINNERS – (Annual)
Boardwise Freestyle
Mens
1. Matt Yeates (UCL) sponsored by Tushingham, Starboard
2. James Goody (Cardiff)
3. Joe O’Callaghan (St Mary’s) sponsored by Severne, Boardwise
Kaisports Overall Freestyle/Wave/Race
Ladies
1. Sarah Bibby (Southampton) sponsored by Simmer, Quattro, Pura Vida
2. Maeli Cherel (Southampton) sponsored by Vandal, Fanatic
3. Rebecca Kellagher (Bath)
GOYA Wave Series
Mens
1. Stef Hilder (Southampton) sponsored by Goya, Mormai, Boylos
2. Seb Willis (Cardiff) sponsored by Windwise
3. Steve Jarvis (Southampton) sponsored by Vandal, Fanatic
Tushingham Overall Mens Race
1. Seb Willis (Cardiff)
2. James Goody (Cardiff)
3. Matt Yeates (UCL) sponsored by Tushingham, Starboard
More information is available via www.swa.co.uk or by contacting Jo Edmondson Media Partner, [email protected] , Al Delaney, SWA President [email protected] or Sam Burnett, SWA Media Manager [email protected]
About BUCS
British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) is the national organisation for higher sport in the UK. It represents 150 universities and colleges and manages the development and competition programme for 50 sports. For more information visit www.bucs.org.uk or join our facebook page at www.facebook.com/bucs
Jo Edmondson
