Will Rogers reports from the UKWA Freestyle Round 2 and EFPKT Round 1 at Minnis Bay, Kent – 28-30 May 2011. Photos by Julia Slack.
Sponsored By:
Nik Baker of K66 for Ion, Fanatic and North
Graeme Fuller of Surf Sales for Dakine
Dave Gollick of Windsurfing Fins
Round 2 of the UKWA Freestyle tour, encompassing the first round of the European Freestyle Pro Kids Tour (EFPKT) scored some superb conditions over the bank holiday weekend at a sunny and windy Minnis Bay.
North Kent delivered 15-20 knots on Saturday followed by 20-25 knots on Sunday allowing a stunning display of freestyle trickery by all competitors, including top World Tour Riders Andy ‘ Bubble’ Chambers and Adam ‘Ginge’ Sims. Side/offshore winds, produced relatively flat conditions on the inside, but some very challenging and confused ‘whitstable chop’ on the outside – some big moves going down close to the promenade created a great atmosphere on the beach for spectators and competitors alike!
Two complete rounds were completed on both Saturday and Sunday for all fleets, allowing 1 discard and 3 rounds to count towards the final positions.
In the Pros, Bubble (JP/Neilpryde) put on an impressive display of consistent power moves to take a convincing 1st place. Adam Sims (RRD) and John Palmer (Juice/Serverne) both put on an impressive show, with Sims narrowly beating Palmer to 2nd due to his more consistent sailing in the lighter day 1 conditions. Will Rogers (RRD/Chinook/KBAY) went into day 2 in 3rd place in front of Palmer, but couldn’t match John’s performance on day 2 finishing in 4th Overall.
The Amateurs sailed in the Pros competition rounds to give them the best experience. Nick Bentley (K3d) showed the best consistency of spocks, flakas and forwards to take the top spot, new faces to the tour Richard Van Aken and Steve Thorne (Wet’nDry Boardsports) both fought hard for 2nd place, but eventually Van Aken took the lead.
In the EFPKT fleets, Tim Russanaars and Oscar Carmicheal had a close battle for the top of the podium in the under 17’s, Both throwing some big Culos in an impressive show. In the end, Russanaars took 1st, with Carmicheal in 2nd. Chasing hard in 3rd was Josh Sparks. The Under 20’s saw UKWA regulars Sam Conroy and Alex Mitchell having a close battle with Conroy taking the glory. The under 15 fleet showed incredible windsurfing talent, with 11 year old West Kirby local Ike Bradley Baker taking the win over Harry Davis. Both Sailors are defiantly ones to watch for the future!
As a bonus to the weekend, Trevor Funnell organised for the supporting girls (Julia Slack and Lara Johnston) to have a heat to get the feel of what competition is like. Both came off the water after showing the judges a display of smooth carve gybes, chop hops and duck gybes totally buzzing and hungry for more competition in the future!
Sunday closed up with an Expression Session, with best and biggest moves winning. An incredible display of some of the latest moves including Culos, Burners, Konos, and double spocks. This was won by Sims for a really high Matador in the Pros, Tim Russenaars for a great shaka in the Youths and Josh Sparks for an awesome forward in the Juniors.
Many thanks, for a brilliant weekend organised by Trevor Funnell in association with the UKWA. Thanks, for the Sponsors, Judges (Julian Da Vall, Mike Archer and Ruben Petrisie). and of course Minnis Bay for giving us some sick conditions!
Next Event is at Mumbles, Wales on 25th and 26th June – check details at ukwindsurfing.com. After this weekend, it’s NOT to be missed! If you have never competed before remember you get a discount off your first event with your 1st year of UKWA membership so why not come along, get involved and enjoy an amazing weekend on the water!
Results:
Pros
1st Andy Bubble Chambers
2nd Adam Sims
3rd John Palmer
Amateurs
1st Nick Bentley
2nd Richard Van Aken
3rd Steve Thorne
EFPKT
Under 20’s
1st Sam Conroy
2nd Alex Mitchell
Under 17’s
1st Tim Russenaars
2nd Oscar Carmicheal
3rd John Sparks
Under 15’s
1st Ike Bradley Baker
2nd Harry Davis
Pro Expression Session Winner. Adam Sims
Youths Expression Session Winner. Tim Russenaars
Junior Expression Session Winner. Josh Sparks
