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| RYA Super 8 at Derwent
reservoir. Organised by the inimitable David Dobson and involving a
figure of eight race across the wind. If you fall in you won't win...
Scott powered up on his way to victory!
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When the wind blew
it flattened the water
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Connor chases Jane around the first
mark |
Old
chases New
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Joe focussed on gybing |
| 2005
Zone Championship and Zone Selection
In 2005 the RYA decided to run 2
events to select zone squad sailors, both events to be staged at
Carsington water, the first being a Zone championship and the second to
be open training. |
| Part One:
The North Zone Championship was held on the 1st & 2nd of October |
| Day One |
Wind
shifted and moved between force 2 and force 6, meaning races were
delayed and in the end only 2 races counted |
Carsington also claims to be an old
Bronze Age settlement |
Joe with
his Techno
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Scott with a very nice 6.5 metre
sail |
Connor
battling through weed to get out
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Exciting stuff in the high wind
races |
Battling
the gusts
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Battle for the upwind mark |
Scott
gets there first in this race
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Classic: Sailing club yachts pile
through the windsurfers competition zone |
Only 2
races on day 1, so all hope is that day 2 will deliver some more
consistent wind... |
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Day Two |
Winds were
much lighter on day 2, however 3 races were conducted |
The early morning calm hides the
heated discussions with the parents of the windsurfers and the club
officials |
Rigging for
Glory
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The last of the fleets heading for
the competition zones |
Very kind
and much appreciated lift back to the club for lunch
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at the end of the last race the
wind picked up for a fast downwind stretch |
Part 2 at
the end of November...to be continued |
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| 2004 Super
8, October 16th 2004
Dave
Dobson ensures the North East finishes the year with a superbly organised
event at Derwent reservoir, with prizes galore. In 2004 the event was
sponsored by Tushingham and Surfstore who were extremely generous in
incentivising the different fleets to glory. The format is
straightforward: the fastest to gybe 2 buoys in a simple and decisive
Super 8.
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If you've got broadband or you are on a network then click on this thumbnail to view the three and a half mile
reservoir and just imagine the wind in the right direction....
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2 fleets: experts and
naive victims! The North East windsurfers are great fun and whilst the
experts prepare for battle we enjoy a bit of banter.
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So, there's almost no wind and we're
(sceptically) waiting for our turn...and even in these minimum wind
conditions we watch the ''experts'' fighting it out in race #1, totally
grabbing our attention.
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| Kai, GBR 679 sets sail.
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Connor, GBR 678 along
with the only sailor without a dagger-board (me) set off for the start
line.
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The 3 RND sailors in one picture, but not for
long.
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Tension mounts, but the
lack of wind ensures that no-one crosses the start line by default
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...and they're off! Please note my last place
position across the start line - just giving everyone else a sporting
chance.
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''Prince''
Kai, the youngest competitor at 9 years old, was given the Royal treatment
and was given a lift (by the very kind rescue boat) to and from the
start/finish line, ensuring his success on his new Fanatic Ripper board.
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| O.K. so
the wind was at the limit to race.
But who said windsurfing skills are only about
high wind, full on, out of control, macho competitiveness?
This was a great event, full of fun and with
lot's of banter and laughs, where the skills of the competitors were put
to the test and people who can really windsurf were stretched to the
limit.
Dave Dobson was the Master of Ceremonies, making
this a superb, friendly and inclusive event, proving that windsurf racing
is accessible to all and that even though it's nice to win it's also great
to join in.
If you don't go next year you're missing out on
experiencing the spirit of windsurfing and the truth that whatever your
level you can't have this much fun in a day doing anything else. |
2004
Zone Trials, October 9th & 10th 2004 The RYA North Zone conducts trials
for entry to the Zone Squad each year. In 2004 these trials were held on
the 9th and 10th of October. The first day involved training with 2
objectives: to improve board skills and to understand and improve race
starting. The second day was a race day, with 4 fleets and a total of 42
sailors. Top RYA coaches were there to give advice and decide who would be
chosen to go through to the RYA zone squad training programme. |
Carsington Water has an excellent water-sports
centre. Adjacent is the Tourist information Centre with information
on walks, the nature reserve and the multitude of activities.
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Day One briefing. The aspiring youngsters were
split into two manageable groups with dedicated coaches.
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Day 2 and the races were in 2 parts. First off,
was a classic upwind/downwind course where the long-board specialists
excelled. This was followed by a slalom course race in the afternoon.
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When you're only eleven years old there's a lot
to learn...
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...but sometimes high
wind experience can help, even if you get off to a slow start...
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...by the third mark you get in your stride,,,
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...reflexes take
over...
and you power home to a third place...
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Anyway, enough of the serious stuff and out with
the short board to practice chop hopping.
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With over 40 sailors
the beach got a bit crowded, not to mention the start line. The last race
was with the full fleet, creating a comical crash test dummy scenario.
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...and so homeward bound after 2 days of full on
windsurfing.
Unfortunately a fractured fuel line meant the
journey was on the back of a lorry.
Hey-ho...
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