South and South West young windsurfers enjoy Regional Junior Championships

Nearly 50 young windsurfers from the South and South West regions took to the water last weekend (18 - 19 September 2021) for the 2021 RYA British Youth Sailing (BYS) Regional Junior Championships, at Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy in Dorset.

The BYS Regional Junior Championships consist of a number of regional regattas that happen simultaneously to form a countrywide celebration of sailing. Introduced this year, the new format of a standalone BYS Regional Junior Windsurfing Championships has been developed, in consultation with windsurfers and coaches, to help grow youth windsurfing.

During the first day (Saturday) the more experienced sailors received expert training from the South BYS Regional Training Group (RTG) Lead Coach Lewis May, with assistance from National Class Lead, Rob York. Whilst those new to windsurfing took part in fun OnBoard Fleet activities.

Sunday was dedicated to fleet racing, with a fantastic turnout of 46 sailors racing in the four fleets: 4.5m, 5.8m, 6.8m and 7.8m. With some tight racing, a mix of South and South West sailors featured across the top three spots across the fleets. View the full results here.

Duncan West, RYA Regional Performance Manager for the South and South West said: “We were blessed with some great weather and it was a really great weekend for windsurfers of all abilities. It was really pleasing to hear from the coaches how well the young sailors progressed during the final day of racing.”

The youngsters were awarded their prizes by Team GB athletes Tom Squires, from South region based club Oxford Sailing Club, along with Emma Wilson, fresh from their experiences of Tokyo 2020.

Tom spoke to the youngsters about his love of windsurfing whilst Emma, who won Britain’s second ever female windsurfing medal with a bronze in Tokyo, remarked upon her similarities with those taking part: “I just love seeing all the kids getting out on the water and enjoying windsurfing. It’s so cool to see how excited they are just to be out there having fun with their mates. I’m just like them really – a kid with a big grin on my face.”

Duncan remarked: “The youngsters loved meeting local boy Tom as well as Emma, and thoroughly enjoyed getting their autographs and taking photos with them. Listening to Emma speak about how she loves windsurfing and the sheer joy of taking part in the Olympics was inspiring for all the youngsters.”

The RYA Values and Behaviours Award was presented to a young OnBoarder, George Ebdon from The OTC (The Official Test Centre) in recognition of his resilience during the Saturday’s OnBoard Fleet.

Andrew Simpson Water Sports Centre, Portsmouth, was the South club with the largest contingent of sailors (12) at the Championships, whilst the South West club with the most sailors was OTC / Weymouth Wave Riders. Windsurfers from South region clubs, Oxford Sailing Club and Hayling Island Sailing Club were also represented at the event.

Duncan added: “The windsurfing Championship aims to help grow windsurfing participation in clubs throughout the UK. Here at the South and South West event it was great to have so many clubs from across both regions attend. I would like to thank OTC and WPNSA for hosting the event and helping give our young sailors from the South and South West the opportunity to windsurf in this fantastic location.”

The South and South-West event took place at the same time as the East and London & South East region event at Datchet Water Sailing Club, along with a North Region event combining the North East & North West, plus Midlands and Wales regions at Glossop Sailing Club.

This is the first of two championship weekends of sailing and windsurfing action for youngsters in the regions. The second event, specifically for dinghy sailors, will take place over the weekend of 25 – 26 September. Among those who take part are some of the South and South West’s most promising young racers, as well as a host of kids getting their first taste of sailing.

As Duncan concludes: “After the great windsurfing action, I’m really looking forward to the dinghy sailors doing their stuff. With three fleets and over 200 youngsters taking to the same water at Weymouth, it will be another busy weekend.”

The weekend will include an OnBoard fleet for newcomers, a coached regatta fleet for those developing their racing skills and a championship fleet for experienced racers.

The Regional Junior Championships are an inclusive festival of sailing for under 16s regardless of ability, but with a championship element for serious racers.