TEAM 15 CELEBRATES ITS TENTH BIRTHDAY 

The fourth and final event in the Scotland Team15 Inter-Club Championship took place at the weekend (28 August) at Loch Insh Watersports.

It was local team the Loch Insh Monsters who clinched the win to give them a clean sweep in the series and along with the other competitors celebrated not only their win but also Team15’s 10th birthday.

The win secured the Monsters their place at the National Championships, the Team 15 Champions Cup, which will be held at the end of September and the birthday celebrations, which included singing happy birthday and even a Team 15 birthday cake, rounded off the series nicely.  

Event organiser, Robin Nicol, was left asking “Where is my piece of cake?” at the end of the day as the birthday cake was quickly snapped up by all the young competitors after their hard day’s work racing!  

Conditions were tough for the young windsurfers as it felt more like October in the cold and gusty conditions. Nevertheless there were some fantastic performances as all the competitors put in a massive effort. Jan-Hendrik and Frederik Ewers (aged 13 and 12 respectively) from the Loch Insh Monsters took part in the 4.5m class for their first ever event after having been windsurfing for the past few months. Ross McLean also put in an impressive first competitive performance by clinching fourth in the 5.8 class for Largs Wave Warriors.  

Courses were set to make the most of the wind conditions and to suit each of the fleets for the four different classes; 3.5m, 4.5m, and Techno 6.8m but with lots of dropped sails it was more like an obstacle course at times. The 4.5m class was perhaps the most impressive for spectators with so many of the competitors putting in some impressive racing.  

Supported by industry leaders Tushingham/Starboard, Boards magazine and Neil Pryde; T15 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 kids up to the age of 15, which are run weekly by specialist RYA coaches.  

The T15 inter-club championship takes place over the summer adding a competitive edge and race training for those keen to hone their skills.  

Kit can be borrowed from the clubs and the cost of sessions is kept low.  

To get involved with Team15 and locate your nearest local club take a look at our Team 15 page or alternatively call the RYA Scotland office on 0131 317 7388.