Sportscotland Superstars on the island of Cumbrae, near Largs, were the hosts for the final round of this year’s RYA Team15 (T15) interclub series on Saturday 23 August. T15 is the nationwide network of windsurfing clubs for youngsters of up to age 15.
35 competitors came from all over Scotland, made up of four teams, the hosts, the East Kilbride Eagles, Clyde Barracudas and the far travelled Loch Insh Monsters, from near Aviemore. The visiting teams, who all surf on inland waters, seemed to enjoy the taste of sea air and conditions, because after enjoying a successful day’s competition on Saturday on Cumbrae, many young windsurfers stayed on to join a huge fleet of yachts, dinghies and catamarans in the Round Cumbrae race on the Sunday.
Winds rose from medium to brisk during the day, but the young surfers coped well, despite this for many being their first time on the sea.
Most popular class was the 3.5 metres, and here home advantage paid for Tristan Levie, of the Sportscotland Superstars. Tristan took four of the nine races sailed, to beat Rory McKeachan of Loch Insh Monsters into second place, with fellow Monster Jan Goldbeck third.
In 4.5 metres, Dean Hargreaves took a remarkable six wins from seven races to win the class for the Monsters, backed up by team mate David Taylor in second.
Rhys Cornfield returned to form in the 5.5 metres to win a second class for the Monsters, but it was a close contest. Callum Kerr of Clyde Barracudas equalled Rhys’s three race wins, and finished just two points behind in second.
Euan Spalding gave the East Kilbride Eagles a class win in 6.8 metres, then it was the turn of the fourth team to put a class win on the score board when Jordan O’Hara took the Techno 6.8 metre class for the Clyde Barracudas, with team mate Ross Kenmuir in second. All of which helped reduce the gap on leaders the Monsters, but the Monsters still took the team prize, with the Barracudas second, Sportscotland Superstars third, and East Kilbride Eagles fourth.
But all four teams landed a class win to give encouragement for next year’s competition. Many of the top kids from the Scottish teams now hope to gain membership of the prestigious RYA Scotland windsurfing squad over the winter.
After winning all four interclub events this year, the Monsters now look forward to representing Scotland at the Nations Cup in October, competing against the top teams from each Home Country and Region.
The event was marked by a great turnout in the beginner class, the 3.5 metres. Organiser Cyril Dowson said,”All the kids in the 3.5 fleet did very well as the wind kept going from strength to strength, and I’m delighted to see the 3.5 metre class growing in numbers at every event.”
Supported by industry leaders Neilson, Tushingham/Starboard, Ultra Sport/Bic, Windsurf magazine, Boards magazine and Neil Pryde, T15 was set up by the RYA to provide youngsters up to the age of 15 with the opportunity to learn all about windsurfing and improve their skills in a friendly club environment. Weekly training sessions take place at RYA approved centres and clubs and are run by RYA trained instructors and T15 coaches. All safety aspects are taken care of and equipment can be provided to children who don’t have their own kit yet.