On Thursday I met up with Seb down at the Esso Garage again. I arrived a bit earlier and so set off over the far side with the camera in a waterproof backpack. I literally just popped my bag down on the high tide line and went windsurfing. It was super windy and you really had to wait for the lulls to try any freestyle but eventually a landed quite a nice burner and decided to go any find out were Seb had got to. I picked up the bag and shot back over to the gravel pit. I saw Seb briefly but was then accosted by the RSPB, apparently I was disturbing seagulls on the islands and shouldn’t be doing that. After a long drawn out conversation where I was trying to work out if I keep sailing there whether I can be fined or anything and the RSPB guy was just excited to have someone to lecture about seagulls. I am still none the wiser. As it turned out he had been watching me through binoculars for the past 2 days and had made notes on my actions for the entire time. He also had the cheek to tell me that all of the “really good guys” sail out in the middle of the channel. Clearly none of my freestyle including my best ever burner was very impressive! After I got away from him I sailed in the the pit with Seb and Oli for a bit before the water got a bit shallow. Seb very kindly took some photos!

Not really realising it was already 7 o clock we decided to go and have a quick session out the front. After derigging and rerigging it was nearly 8  but we still got a nice little blast about before the wind died.

Hope fully this wont be the last of the wind before the summer doldrums begin!

Keep it Real
Contributed by: Jack K108

Phil sailed really well, warming up to land some massive air funnels and burners.  Charlie, known for making the least effort and leaving everyone wondering if he would even get his wetsuit on, went out to put a great performance, finishing 2nd overall for the youths with some brilliant attempts to land burners and funnels.

Phil came 3rd, although it was very close between him, Max Rowe and Adam Simms who came 1st and 2nd respectively.

Hope you enjoy the photos and hopefully we’ll get some good wind at the next event!

Contributed by: Danielle
Email: getwindsurfing.danielle@gmail.com
Web: http://www.getwindsurfing.com

The forecast initially looked like it was going be be perfect for a low tide session in the West Wittering trench but the wind swung a little southerlyand so it became all about the Esso Garrage!

Every man and his dog from UK freestyle windsurfing was there, including all of the PWA lot, back from their winter trips. They however made the error of staying in the pit just in front of the car park, Phil Richards and myself sailed across the harbour behind the little scrubby islands and found some perfect conditions.

Full power 4.2 weather, perfect flat water and no rocks to scupper you.

I’m certainly going to sail there as much as I can from now on. I think it’ll work in many directions! Phil was windsurfing at a super high level, I however was a little rusty, as can be expected, but that session will certainly go a long way in removing the rust for the UKWA West Kirby this weekend. If youve read any of my blog entries before I am sure that you are aware how much I love West Kirby, so Iam super excited that there is going to be an event there. I feel like it is my home spot despite the fact the I have never lived within 2 hours of it!

Great to windsurf with Phil again!

Contributed by: Jack S.

The Event: On the 31^st March 2012 Bray Lake Watersports had the privilege of hosting the first ever national UK stand up paddleboard finals. Specifically known as the Coke Bottle race series, which comes under the umbrella of the UK Frostbite series, the event aimed to bring together stand up paddleboarding competitors of all levels, from all over the UK. The original idea surrounding the Coke Bottle racing was to develop low key local racing to help grow the sport in pockets throughout the UK.  The recent success of the series coupled with the growth of the sport has lead to a healthy level of participation in the flat water racing disciplines. Over the past 12 months local Coke bottle events have been cropping up all over the British Isles, with the aim of working towards the grand finals at Bray Lake Watersports.

The event was a big success with competitors coming from as far a field as Jersey just to race for the day and to soak up the atmosphere. The event fell on the only cloudy day of the month but this didn’t deter any of the national and local competitors.

After all the competitors had registered, had a cup of coffee and selected their board, the first race briefing took place at 10.15.

All classes raced together round the 1 mile course with John Hibbard (Tushingham and Starboard SUP Guru and Frostbite founder) totting up the result.

There was a vast range of ability throughout the field going from some locals who only had a couple of races under their belts to more seasoned athletes at the top of the sport.  We had UK and Europe’s top pros, including the likes of Mark Slater and Ryan James, racing along side some of our club members and staff.

After three 1 mile races the results were calculated and broken down into different board classes.  At the prize giving the top three racers in each class were given prizes provided by Tushingham and Starboard.

In the Unlimited Class Adam Stilo took the title, with Mark Hatton in second and Bray’s own Simon Hemsley in third.

The 14 foot Class also know as the Pro Class included all the top level racers and was tightly contested.  Ryan James ranked number three in Europe took the title, with Mark Slater (top 3 in the UK) coming second.  Aaron Rowe from Jersey who also qualifies as a junior had an outstanding performance gaining third in this competitive class.

The 12 foot 6 Class proved to have quite a pool of talent with Tushingham’s own Paul Simmons winning, Pete Holliday second and John Harvey third.

The Junior Class was dominated by Aaron Rowe who cruised to the title.  The battle for second place was more of a competitive affair, with Katherine Elston taking second closely followed by Helen White who is normally known for her windsurfing skill.  Well done to Helen considering this was her first real competition.

The ladies competition saw local Linz Frost power through to take first in all the races giving her the title followed by Joanne Hamilton-vale in second and Sandra Elston in third.

The day was enjoyed by all, especially the less experienced competitors who were able to brush shoulders with some of the best in the sport.  Some great performances from Ben, Frostie and Sam Ross saw them all give the top guys a run for their money.

Thanks to Tushingham, John Hibbard, and everyone for making the trip down, bring on the 2012 racing series and see you all at the finals next year.

Bray Lake local results:

Unlimited

1. Simon H

Raceboard

1. Ben
2. Frostie
3. Richard

Cross over

1. Miles
2. Andy

Ladies

1. Lindz
2. Candice
3. Helen

Contributed by: Seb Pape

James arrived with 7 others to a very quiet week for Neilson, allowing each teaching group to have maximum 3:1 student to instructor ratio. Andrew and Rich weren’t all that sure how much windsurfing they would do, if any. This swiftly changed when they heard that their instructor was to be Kat, the only girl on the team! They gave it a good effort on the first two mornings, telling Kat not to take it personally but the afternoons were to be spent on a sun bed, with a beer.

Ollie and Emma were lucky to have Hassan to themselves and spent as much time as possible on the water mastering the harness and by the end of the week both were planing in it too. Emma couldn’t get enough, and on the Neilson non-teaching days was straight in for some extra coaching sessions with Phil. Ollie also was also often not seen for hours, being determined to get comfortable with his harness and go back to Bray with new skills. Their improvement certainly reflects their efforts.

The intermediates, Mark and Tom, were at first thought to be a couple by their Instructor Ben. As he got to know them the signs of a good marriage were showing through as they argued about who was best, always answered each other back and then made up with a kiss and a hug when it was all over. All they seemed to want was to go fast, and both improved in their blasting control and use of the footstraps, as well as waterstarts.

David and James were with Kamal working on duck gybes as well as other technique tuning. James and I ventured out on the tandem on the first day, terrifying other windsurfers in speedy as well as surprising ourselves with the ability to turn it around looking like we knew what we were doing! It was so much fun, James decided to go for a repeat later in the week with Andrew on the front, getting him planning for the first time ever.

As well as achievement on the water, a lot of banter was going on off the water. Emma, Tom and Mark behaved like children most of the week, Andrew and James made notable efforts in Tree Bar along with everyone else’s putting in the effort on dance floor, and the presentation night, even with only 14 guests, managed to make for an amusing, comical evening!

All in all a great week, a lot of fun was had by all!

Neilson is now a very quiet place without them, although Emma left with the hope to return in 2 weeks time. There was also quite a few promises to be at Bray Lake this weekend to show off their new skills…forecast looks windy but will they brave the cold after 25degrees out here….

Contributed by: Danielle @ www.getwindsurfing.com

James’ brother and friend, Andrew and Rich were not sure whether to do much windsurfing, but when the only female in the Neilson team announced she was to be teaching the Start windsurfers this week they quickly decided to give it more of a go!  After a good first morning with Kat, they told her not to be offended but beer and a sunbed would be their afternoon plan, also not to worry for they’d definitely be back for more tomorrow!!

Ollie and Emma were lucky to have Hasan to themselves and got out to work on using the harness, improving those tacks and most importantly to the whole group it seems, learn to go faster!!! Both really enjoyed their lessons and very excited for more to come.  Mark and Tom were pleased to have Ben as an instructor and had a brilliant day blasting around, finding the footstraps for the first times and arguing over who was fastest.  David and James got Kamal to themselves for the morning, and then in the afternoon James and I took the tandem out to speedy for a play!  It was really great fun with plenty of wind to get us flying around and surprisingly we managed some rather smooth turns too!!

In the evening we enjoyed a meal in town with some delicious food and a few drinks, the banter was hilarious, the group, who mostly met each other on the flight over, seemed to get on like they have been friends for years! A good night was had by all and no complaints of any sore heads after those first couple of evenings!

Wednesday was a lighter day for wind but the guys got out and made them most of what wind there was, with a windier forecast ahead.  More dinner plans in town for tonight and a trip to Tree Bar for some pool and dancing is in the plan for afters.

Contributed by: Danielle @ www.getwindsurfing.com

Seven years ago that was me, now however, it still serves as a relaxing weekend break away from my workload, and a great venue to remind myself some of the skills learned that I’ve let lapse a little in recent months for the house, or the garden, or the … blah, blah (you get the idea).

After news of friends ripping it up in Ireland the previous week, the forecast lagged slightly from what was promised to blow through, but there was still enough to play with.  Kit was packed up for a Thursday night arrival in Dale with enough time for a bite to eat and a pint in the pub on arrival and making the most of it.

Friday saw a bit of a shoreline dead zone and interesting swirl in the bay due to the wind direction, but those brave or foolhardy enough to brake the cover of the headland managed to get some good runs in on a sizeable sail.  I know I did, and I knew it.  Man did that hurt – how long had it been?  Longer than I had initially thought by the feel of it.  Come dusk though I was last off the water (as usual), but eventually made The Griffin to recharge the batteries, or so to speak.  A new landlord and new menu made for a welcome change, and plenty of banter to entertain.

We’re never short of a story or few amongst the diversity that comes with being a Bray Lake Member.  And whilst hopes were high when checking weather apps, Saturday conditions saw more of the same so no rush out onto the water was needed.  Some choose to head out with the walking boots in search of the latest arrival of seal pups, or went to check out the nearby prep for the film shoot rolling into town, whilst the rest of us headed to the café for more banter, coffee and maybe a cake before all getting together again for an afternoon on the water.  Still a bit achy whilst hanging off my 7.5m, so obviously still need to get more time out on the water when back home or maybe it’s just my age catching up with me.  Having hit 40 the previous week, and Candice doing the same the following, our 10 strong party roped in old friend and West Wales local Annie to head to Dale Yacht Club for a good meal and a spot of champers (thanks all for the champagne) in celebration or commiseration for the night.

All of a sudden Sunday was here, last chance for a few hours play before loading the car again and hitting the M4.  So long Dale, we’ll be back again in Spring.

Contributed by: Gavin Lambourne

The van was loaded and off we set.  After initial favourable forecasts,  the weekend sadly didn’t quite live up to expectations so our kit never left the van.  Not that it was hardship as we caught up with friends over lunch and a few drinks at The Inn, bumped into several Bray Lake members and other familiar faces so who had time to get on the water!

Plenty of people were not as lazy as us though, so those that took to the water provided entertainment, plenty of photo opportunities and an interesting take on demonstating tricktionary moves with the help of a jet ski…

Despite not making it onto the water this time, all was not lost as got to meet the gorgeous Marcillo and despite his temporary relegation in my attention, Craig took a great picture for me.  Also picked up a few tips from the clinics for when I’m not feeling quite so fussy about the conditions.

Having struggled a bit at last year’s event it was great to see all bars open at The Inn on the Beach for the party, certainly helped things get going quickly and we had great night with a great set from The Heathrow Jets.

We’ll be sure to be in attendance again next year.

Contributed by: Becki Chivers

More Windsurfing Videos

Britain’s stand-up paddlesurf (SUP) champions will be decided in a winner-takes-all national championship event at Watergate Bay in October (download poster).

The Extreme Academy will host the British Stand Up Paddle Association (BSUPA) championships on the weekend of 15th and 16th October 2011 in an event which will attract the UK’s best exponents of this emerging form of surfing.

Competitors will take part in two different disciplines, with divisions for men and women. A long-distance ocean paddle race will see competitors cover up to five miles, requiring skill, technique and stamina; while wave-riding skills will be tested in a performance surfing competition.

Competition organiser Richard Marsh said: “Watergate Bay is one of the UK’s premier watersports venues; from its consistent surf conditions to the natural amphitheatre, it gives competitors the opportunity to showcase their skills, and spectators the chance to see the action.”

The surfing competition in which competitors will show off their tricks on the waves will take place on Saturday, with the distance race from Watergate Bay to Porth and back taking place on Sunday.

Also taking place on the Sunday is the Westcountry Watersports Wave Expression competition, followed at 3pm by a prize giving ceremony.

As well as competing for the championship, the surfers will also battle it out for the coveted title of ‘Watergate Bay Waterman’ sponsored by The Beach Hut. This fiercely coveted title will be awarded to the competitor with the highest combined score from both the men’s wave and distance competitions, who will win a meal for two at The Beach Hut restaurant.

For more information on the event go to www.ipaddleboard.co.uk – for entries please contact the event organiser, Richard Marsh, by emailing masthighltd@me.com.