The amateur fleet of the BWA (British Wavesailing Association) is without a doubt growing stronger by the year, with more and more entrants coming for their first shot at competition. If you love wavesailing, at what ever level, the BWA is the place to be. Boards catches up with a few previous competitors who will be taking on the competition again this year…
Name: Will Rogers
Sail No: K834
Fleet: Amateurs
2012 results: I only competed in the Cornwall event and it really fired me up for the whole tour this year!
Where have you been training? Bigbury, Daymer Bay and Gwithian, although there’s not been much wind this winter I have been doing a lot of SUP surfing to keep fit and get a better understanding of the waves.
What did you want to improve after 2012 season? My port tack wave riding.
Do you think you’ve achieved this? Hopefully but not much training time…
What competitions will you take part in this year? All of them I hope, but some will be a bit of an on forecast decision as I have to conserve my valuable annual leave.
What are you aims for this year? I would love to be able to finish top 5 in the ams.
Have you changed/improved your equipment or equipment choices for this year?
My gear stays the same, using the Tushy Edge, works well as a freestyle and wave sail for me.
Fighting talk…Who are my main rivals? All the damn students who get to go windsurfing all year round and get better.
Name: Will Barrett
Sail No: K733
Fleet: Amateur
2012 results: 5th Overall
Where have you been training? Sunny Witterings
What did you want to improve after 2012 season? Consistency in changing conditions and heat fitness; I’m always knackered after a heat!
Do you think you’ve achieved this? The fitness only comes with heat sailing but I’m trying to sail more intensely for shorter sessions when I go out. Having a young family and a busy job also means they have to be short!
What competitions will you take part in this year? The BWA Cornwall Event and the Puravida Southcoast Expression Session
What are you aims for this year? I’d like to try and get a top 3 finish. Just keep improving a pushing myself. Sailing with my mates and pushing each other too.
Have you changed/improved your equipment or equipment choices for this year? Got some sick new Severne S1’s, some Simmer boards and some support from the Puravida team too.
Fighting talk…Let’s go big.
Name: Jony Price
Fleet: Ams
Where have you been training?
Wales, Ireland, or wherever I could find the best conditions
What did you want to improve after 2012 season?
Wanted to get more time on the water and get more confident to go out and ride bigger waves.
Do you think you’ve achieved this?
Definitely, scored loads of epic sessions this winter back in NW Ireland
What competitions will you take part in this year?
Rhossy and Ireland…the rest depends how skint I am.
What are you aims for this year?
More time on the water, and find bigger waves to ride.
Some better comp results would be nice too.. hopefully we get some decent conditions!
Have you changed/improved your equipment or equipment choices for this year?
Yeh – Puravida sorted me out with some new Vandals and Tabou after I kinda demolished my quiver..
Fighting talk?
Nah, leave the fighting for the pub.
Name: IAN ‘CHUCKY’ ROSS
Fleet: Formally Ams, now going full time judging!
2012 results 7th Wales, 1st Ireland, 1st Tiree, had to judge in Cornwall.
Where have you been training? The pub and in my bedroom.
What did you want to improve after 2012 season? My attitude.
Do you think you’ve achieved this? Not really, it’s still pretty bad.
What competitions will you take part in this year? According to the rules I move into the pro fleet this year but luckily I have the excuse that I’m needed on the judging team for the pros. I’d like to have a go in Tiree, if we have the budget for an extra judge.
What are you aims for this year? Not be such a dick.
Have you changed/improved your equipment or equipment choices for this year? I bought some new pants which are nice, and also have O’Shea wetsuits, Simmer Blacktips 2013 and a secret weapon of a board that I made myself.
Fighting talk…I am the Judge and my decision is probably final. There aren’t any rivals in the judging van. On the water, I’d be lucky to beat anyone!
Name: Liam Ellis
Sail No: K405
Fleet: Amateur
2012 results: 5th BWA Rhosneigr
Where have you been training? Rhosneigr, North Wales
What did you want to improve after 2012 season? My forwards and frontside riding.
Do you think you’ve achieved this? Definitely, takas are becoming more frequent!
What competitions will you take part in this year? Hopefully all of the BWA tour.
What are you aims for this year? I would like top 3 overall.
Have you changed/improved your equipment or equipment choices for this year?
I was always sailing on a single fin, so this year I have got hold of a Simmer Flywave Quad and changed from Simmer Icons to Blacktips.
Fighting talk…Haha, not sure about the comment, but I would like to beat Tom Bennett-Lloyd if he’s competing this year!
