Poor weather conditions for the pro windsurfing competition at the Tiree Wave Classic, meant that all focus was turned to the kids T15 inter club competition being held on Loch Bhasapol today.
The T15 competition was organised by the Tiree Windsurf Club, the Wave Classic Community Management Group and the RYA and 30 sailors, all aged 15 and under, took part. The fleet included 23 young sailors from four mainland T15 clubs -
- East Kilbride Eagles
- Clyde Barracudas (Lochwinnoch)
- Loch Insh Monsters (Kingussie)
- Monikie Maniacs
With a good breeze on the loch in the morning it was decided to hold several races on a variety of courses. As the wind dropped Freestyle coaching clinics with pro sailors were held in the afternoon. This was followed by a team freestyle competition with sailors from the Pro fleet from The Tiree Wave Classic joining the T15 teams. Tiree Extremes were joined by John Hibbard, Clyde Barracudas by Ruth Elliott (last year’s Triple Crown winner) and Darren Mitchell, East Kilbride Eagles had Graham Woods on their team, the Monikie Maniacs were joined by George Shillito and Chris Murray joined the Loch Insh Monsters.
Robin Nicol, RYA T15 Coordinator for Scotland, said: “This was a great event and it was fantastic to see the pro’s coaching the enthusatic young sailors all afternoon. Our young Scottish sailors will really benefit from the huge experience of the pros.”
The governing body of windsurfing, the RYA, have established youth windsurfing clubs, T15 Clubs, across the UK. These clubs take part in inter-club competitions that then feed into the zone squads and the national squad. With 45 kids on the island (aged between 6 and 14) learning to windsurf The Tiree Windsurf Club launched its own T15 section – The Tiree Extremes - and today’s competition during the Tiree Wave Classic week was its first inter-club event. This event is open to all visiting windsurfers
Will Wright from The Tiree Wave Classic Community Management Group, said: ”Today’s T15 event is an exciting development for The Tiree Wave Classic week as it will really help to bring the event home to Tiree by recruiting the local kids who are, after all, the pro windsurfers of the future. The T15 competition was really borne out of a huge demand and interest from our younger windsurfers and mainland clubs. There has been loads of enthusiasm amongst competitors and the T15 network leading up to today’s event. This has proved to us just how popular windsurfing is on the island and throughout the UK amongst the younger age groups.
“We actually benefited hugely from the lack of wind that has affected The Tiree Wave Classic competition as a number of sailors from the pro fleet came down to lend their support and chat to the younger sailors.
“This year’s competitions will act as a pilot and judging by the success of today’s competition it will become an annual event during Tiree Wave Classic week. Hopefully word will spread encouraging more sailors from T15 clubs from throughout the UK to take part next year.”
The Results for the freestyle competition were as follows:
- Team Competition winners Loch Insh Monsters
- T15 Individual Winner – Jamie Beese of Tiree Extremes
- Special award to Rachel Armatage of Loch Insh Monsters and Adam Liddle of East Kilbride Eagles.
- George Shillito won the extra points for his team for the best Pro moves.
