The weekend before last, the elite of the student windsurfing world descended on Gwithian in Cornwall to compete in the BWA Pura Vida Cornwall Classic (in association with Franklin & Marshall). For the second year in a row the forecast for the classic was full power, attracting the biggest names in British wavesailing including Ben Proffitt, Phil Horrocks and Chris ‘Muzza’ Murray. Everything was set for an epic weekend and with the series titles in contention for most fleets things were bound to be tense.
A small team of dedicated wavesailors from the SWA (including sponsorship manager Sam Burnett) headed down a week early (after Aussie Kiss) and scored some clean waves, and a bit of practice. Others travelled from as far as 400 miles away just for the competition. There was a huge turnout with SWA and ex-SWA members making up a large portion of the fleets. Representatives from Bangor, Bristol, Bath, Cardiff, Southampton, and Exeter were all present making for a posse of over 25!
In the Amateurs the SWA had it’s largest turnout with nearly a dozen members making up part for a 40+ strong fleet, including last years K3D Wave Series winner Steve ‘SJ’ Jarvis, head honcho Beaker, committee members Duncan and Sam, and ex Southampton student Stef Hilder.
In the Ladies fleet the SWA also dominated the fleet of 13 with ex Southampton student Sarah Bibby taking 2nd place for the event and winning the series overall and Jo Wright Exeter Uni. taking 3rd place in her first wave competition.
Then to the judging panel where the SWA were represented by ex Southampton student and the man behind Turf Dog, Mike Archer, who is out of action due to a knee injury.
Looking to the future, and one to watch out for is Tom Bennett-Lloyd, who took second in the event and the series win, and will be starting university next year.
Incidentally the SWA wave series sponsored by Pura Vida Customs will be kicking off in November. These competitions are a super friendly way to have a go at competitive windsurfing. With North/Fanatic demo kit available and a load of enthusiastic SWA waveheads there is no better way to start competing. That is how the vast majority of SWA wavesailors cut their competitive sailing teeth.
More from the SWA at www.studentwindsurfing.co.uk
