Record year for the North East's junior windsurfers 

Junior windsurfers from across the north east travelled down to Wakefield on Sunday 18th September to take part in the final event of this year’s RYA North Zone Team15 Championship.

Our competitors from the north east come from two teams, the Coquet Crushers from Amble and the Derwent Devils from Durham and include 13 year old Gustavo Takiguchi from Morpeth, winner of the 3.5m class at last month’s Team15 event at Derwent Reservoir.

At the Pugneys event on 18th September, Gustavo moved up a class to the 4.5m class, leaving his brother, 11 year old Leonardo to fight it out for the Coquet Crushers in the 3.5m class. Leonardo managed a very good 11th place, out of a record 22 entries. In the 4.5m event, Gustavo managed 3rd place in his new class, behind Joe Thompson of Pugneys Pirates and Mark Jefferson of the Derwent Devils who had a great battle and were neck and neck throughout the day.

Mark Jefferson was not the only “Devil” to sail into the prizes, 12 year old Katie Tose was 2nd in the 3.5m class with her sister Alyce 7th in the same class.

North Zone teams taking part this year include: • Coquet Crushers (Amble, Northumberland) • Derwent Devils (Durham) • Ellerton Scouts (Richmond, Yorkshire) • North Lincs Invaders (Barton on Humber) • Pugney's Pirates (Wakefield) • Rother Valley Country Park (Sheffield)

RYA Team15 North Zone Round 4 results (to 4th place):

3.5m

1. Jacob Collett Pugneys Pirates

2. Katie Tose Derwent Devils

3. Joe Carter Pugneys Pirates

4. Aaron Hobb Coquet Crushers

4.5m

1. Joseph Thompson Pugneys Pirates

2. Mark Jefferson Derwent Devils

3. Gustavo Takiguchi Coquet Crushers

4. Cameron May North Lincs Invaders

5.8m

1. Kathryn Durham Pugneys Pirates

2. Bailey O’Mara North Lincs Invaders

3. Josh Carey Pugneys Pirates

4. Fiona Anderson Pugneys Pirates

6.8m

1. Matthew Carey Pugneys Pirates

2. Jacob Newton North Lincs Invaders

3. Oliver Anderson Pugneys Pirates

4. Jack Bramley North Lincs Invaders

The North Zone team competition was tighter in 2011 than in previous years. With last year’s winners, the North Lincs Invaders, having a tough time and sailing a young team, the Pugneys Pirates were able to inch ahead and make the most of their home advantage in the final event, winning the event and the overall team title.

The 2011 RYA North Zone Team15 Champions are the Pugneys Pirates from Wakefield and they will go on to compete against all the other RYA Zone winners for the National Final, the Team15 Champions Cup on the 8th/9th October 2011.

2011 is the tenth anniversary of the RYA Team15 initiative which was set up by the RYA to help make windsurfing more accessible and appealing to youngsters at a grass roots level.

Supported by industry leaders Tushingham/Starboard, Boards magazine and Neil Pryde, fun and informal training sessions take place at T15 clubs all over the country for kids up to the age of 15. 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 visit www.team15.org.uk or contact the RYA 0845 345 0400.