Many are wondering how the decision to remove windsufing as an Olympic sport will affect initiatives such as Team 15, and the younger riders coming up through the sport.

Sign the petition to reinstate windsurfing – Olympic Windsurfing Petition

Boards spoke with the RYA, to find out exactly what this means for us here in the UK, here is an official statement from RYA CEO Sarah Treseder.

Boards will also shortly be posting an interview, with a key person in the battle to keep windsurfing an Olympic sport,  to explain the details on how this decision came to pass and what the strategy going forward will be.

“Whilst the decision to replace Windsurfing with Kiteboarding in the 2016 Olympic Sailing events has come as a blow to the windsurfing community, the RYA remains committed to supporting and encouraging participation in what is a fantastic sport.

Team15 is about introducing windsurfing to youngsters and making it more accessible. Whilst the programme plays a significant role in feeding the RYA Competition Pathway with future talent, a majority of the participants continue to enjoy windsurfing. It is not yet clear what role Team15 will play in the broader kiteboarding pathway, but as these developments progress, Team15 will undoubtably remain a fundamental area of RYA activity.

There are a number of other competitive routes and disciplines that windsurfers can choose to pursue including freestyle, wave sailing and speed. In addition at a youth level, ISAF has confirmed that the 2014 Youth Olympic Games in China will be raced on the BIC Techno and the RS:X class will continue to be raced at the ISAF Youth Sailing World Championships.

RYA recognised training centres will continue to provide windsurfing courses and will undoubtedly continue to train and introduce many thousands of people every year to the sport.”