North East windsurfing circuit announced

The North East division of the UK Windsurfing Association has announced its racing series for 2021 with eight events scheduled across the region.

The series runs from May to October and will visit both inland and sea venues, with open meetings at Druridge Bay Country Park (Coquet Shorebase), Prestwick SC (Scottish open), Yorkshire Dales SC, St Mary’s Loch SC, Kielder Water SC and Derwent Reservoir SC.

Organised by N.E.W.S. (North East Windsurfers) - which covers the North East of England, the Scottish Borders and North Yorkshire - competitors from further afield are also invited to take part and there is a warm welcome for all ages and abilities.

David Dobson, Chairman of NEWS, said: “Each year we go on tour with the circuit and we’re very grateful to all the clubs for having us. The events provide a great weekend to enjoy your windsurfing whatever your age or skill level and we have young competitors from Team 15 clubs right up to windsurfers in their 60s and 70s.”

The format is designed to make the series as accessible as possible. The entry fee is £25 for an adult for the weekend or £15 for a youth windsurfer, and camping is available at many venues.

The events are staged over a weekend with a minimum of three races scheduled for each day. A competitor’s best three results are used to calculate the weekend’s finishing positions, so those unable to make the whole weekend could do just one day. There is no pre-entry requirement for taking part, so competitors can simply rock up and race.

David, a Team 15 competition co-ordinator for the North Zone for 13 years, adds that the regional opens provide an ideal stepping-stone between T15 inter-club meetings and attending national UKWA events: “It bridges that gap between club and national events and helps young windsurfers to build their confidence, and they’re very welcome to come along.”

Racing classes taking part at N.E.W.S. events include, Raceboard, RS:X and Techno 7.8, 6.8, 5.8, 4.5, (3.5 providing conditions are suitable). There is a Club Class for novices or less experienced club racers, and shorter courses are available for younger competitors with smaller rigs. Racing normally starts around 1.00pm Saturday and 11.00am Sunday.

Save the dates!

Following a resurgence of interest in watersports and windsurfing following last year’s lockdowns, N.E.W.S. is hoping for a busy and vibrant return to the water for the 2021 season. Subject to Covid restrictions allowing, the 2021 N.E.W.S. race programme is as follows:

• May 8/9^th – Druridge Bay Country Park (Coquet Shore Base)

• May 22/23^rd – Kielder Water SC

• June 12/13^th – Prestwick SC (Scottish Open)

• June 26/27^th – Berwick Upon Tweed SC

• July 10/11^th – Derwent Reservoir SC

• July 31/ Aug 1^st – Yorkshire Dales SC

• Sept 4/5^th – St Mary’s Loch SC

• Sept 25/26^th – Kielder Water SC

• October 9/10^th – Derwent Reservoir SC

N.E.W.S has a Facebook group @N.E.W.S Windsurfing or for further information, email David Dobson , davidgdobson@outlook.com or call 077 2026 1519, or visit UKWA North East.