Louis Morris has already reported from the course racing at Whitwell, now we hear from the team 15 group that Louis coaches too!

The weekend of 6 July saw ‘Team Cornwall’ take part in the National Junior Windsurfing Championships supported by the UK Windsurfing Association (UKWA) at Rutland Water, Whitwell.

‘Team Cornwall’ dominated the competition with Siblyback Water Warriors Team 15 member Joe Parrott (13) gaining National Junior Champion status (6.8 Techno). Louis Morris, Siblyback T15 coach, took first place in the 9.5 Raceboard fleet and T15 racers Adam, Lowenna, Lucy and Gemma all finished in the top 3 in their classes.

Supported by the UKWA, the National Junior Windsurfing Championships runs alongside the UKWA Inland Championships (Round 4) and the Rutland Marathon, a sponsored charity race in aid of Action for Children. This fun national event is open to all young windsurfers whether part of a club or not providing an opportunity for participants to race alongside other young windsurfers from around the country. With a record 93 entries the only thing missing was the wind and the 30 degree heat made this one of the toughest events this year.

Saturday morning saw racing in very unstable and shifty winds and junior Joe Parrott from Minions put in 2 good results in the Techno 6.8 class but was heavily penalised in race 3 for being over the line at the start. Louis Morris from Trethevy put himself far ahead with two bullets in the 9.5 Raceboard class and Gemma Grayston kept ahead in the under 20 Raceboard class. The final results would be determined on Sunday and everyone was praying for more wind.

Light offshore airs on Sunday saw the main course fleets head out to the start, and both completed one race in about 4 knots for most of the time. Louis took 2nd in Raceboards and then the fleet went ashore to wait for more wind. The enthusiastic Techno sailors had to make do with biking, the climbing wall or bungee running as the wind refused to return with the race officer unable to run any further races.

With windsurfers only completing 3 races the worst score was discarded and young Joe Parrott could forget his penalty points and finished as National Junior Champion 2013. Louis Morris was the overall winner in the 9.5 Raceboard class. Veteran and Siblyback coach Paul Wright finished 6th Supervet.

This unofficial team came together as a result of the South West’s junior windsurfing organisation and its appeal to families. Louis Morris started out aged 12 in Team 15 at Siblyback and is now leading the national series and will be a strong contender for a top 3 place at the forthcoming World Championships in the Czech Republic.

Team 15 was set up by the RYA to help make windsurfing more accessible and appealing to youngsters at a grass roots level. Fun and informal training sessions take place at T15 clubs all over the country for youngsters up to the age of 15. The highly successful T15 club, the Siblyback Water Warriors coached by Paul Wright welcomes new members to try windsurfing.

For more information about the Siblyback’s T15 Club and any other activities available at the popular Outdoor + Active Centre please call 01579 346522 or email [email protected].