Young windsurfers from south-west clubs had a very successful time at the British Youth Sailing South and South West Windsurfing Regional Junior Championships hosted by Bristol Corinthian Yacht Club (BCYC) at Axbridge Reservoir last weekend (10/11 June).
The region’s windsurfers did well in all classes, representing six SW clubs. In particular, the Techno 6.8 class saw a clean sweep for the SW, with George Ebdon (WPNSA) taking first place, Wilfred Coulton (BCYC) in second and Oliver Ebdon (Weymouth Warriers OTC) in third.
Saturday was all about training from a great coaching team led by SW and National Class Coach Emma Labourne with South Lead Coach Rachel Horton and Jenny Roberts, a member of the British Sailing Squad. With light winds, the sailors concentrated on board handling, slow-speed starting manoeuvres and pumping.
The full day of racing on Sunday had more wind, and the windsurfers had lots of fun and learning. The 4.5m Regatta Fleet had an action-packed morning with 11 ‘Master Blaster’ races. The Championship fleet completed four races in a gradually building wind. After lunch the Regatta fleet sailors joined the Championship fleet and all completed three races on a windward leeward course. Rachel, who was supporting the Regatta fleet, commented: “How well the youngsters progressed over the day – it was great to see them out joining in with the older sailors in the afternoon.”
BCYC was very welcoming, providing a BBQ on Saturday night, and many of the sailors and their parents camped on site. A big thank-you to Race Officer John Allen, who volunteered to run the windsurf racing, and all the parent helpers. The club was also very busy hosting the Somerset and Dorset Sea Cadets District regatta at the time, and it was an added bonus to be able to invite their windsurfers to join in with the Championship racing on Sunday.
Regional Performance Manager Duncan West said: “It was a wonderful weekend of windsurfing and it was great to see all the sailors getting out on the water enjoying themselves and working hard. For many this was their first racing event with sailors from other clubs and it was inspiring to see them all socialising in the evening too. We are very grateful to BCYC for all the hard work and for making all the windsurfers and their parents feel so welcome over the weekend.”
The BYS South West Dinghy Regional Junior Championships, hosted by Royal Torbay Yacht Club and supported by Paignton Sailing Club, will take place next weekend, 17/18 June.
