Windsurfing Report 2015 Season

Rear Commodore ASA (Windsurfing)

Lt Col D E Hinsley RAMC

Introduction

This years racing has been busy beginning and ending with the Interservices Windsurfing Championships due to the deferred 2014 championships. The racing continues to be of a high standard with events well attended with sailors of all ages and abilities.

Racing

The change in fleets from Open (Top flight), Intermediate and Novice to Freeride (FR) 1-4 more accurately reflects the stages of development. FR1 is top flight sailors capable of planning in 10knots on Formula equipment. FR2 planing on recreational boards. FR 3 Non-planing but in second (or more) year of sailing. FR4 Beginners. This format proved to be a success ensuring that each fleet was a relatively level playing field.

The Open Forces Championships were held in Hayling Island in June 2015.The RAF contingent enjoyed notable success with Wing Cdr Pete Daulbybeating Wing Cdr Simon Kent to complete the 1-2. Capt Jason Hill RLC was the highest placed Army sailor in the FR1 fleet.

The Army Championships were held at Hayling Island in July 2015.High winds provided the backdrop for exciting racing and a tough schedule of 24 races over the week. More races than I can remember ever being completed at an event before. The physical fitness of the fleet was tested to the max.

FR1 was won by Gnr Chris Cunningham RA narrowly beating SSgt Rob Hickley R Sigs. FR2 was won by Sgt Kerrison RA and FR3 won by LBdr Edwards RA to complete a Royal Artillery clean sweep.

The RLC, though, were narrow victors over the RA in the Inter Corps Championships.

Interservices events

Interservices Course racing was re-organised by the Army in April, having been postponed from Oct/Nov 2014. The winds delivered and the racing produced a clear winner in Flt Lt Mark Thompson RAF, beating Lt Col Dave Hinsley AMS into second. The Army team had strength in depth and were belated crowned 2014 Interservices champions.

In September, the 2015 event was hosted by the RAF, held in Portland Harbour. The Royal Navy pulled out all the old guard against a young Army team (many who had not previously raced at Interservice level). The Army Team ran the RN close but the RN teams experience on racing on Formula equipment was the difference in the end and their one young sailor, AB Eskdale(Ex RSX squad sailor) was unbeatable on the day and ran out adeserved winner of the individual Interservices championships. The depth of the Army squad (with many more senior sailors unavailable) and continued development of our young sailors bodes well for the future and will pave the way for future Army domination of the sport.

Training

Courses at AISTC remain well subscribed with a continued need to push intermediates to attend further courses.

Overseas sports tour – Exercise Extreme Surf 5 – Jericoacoara, Brazil Sept/Oct 2015

The decision to move the Sports Tour from Maui to Jericoacoara was a difficult one based on the world class conditions that Maui has consistently delivered.

Jeri is also well known as one of the best locations in the world and didn’t disappoint. 12 sailors attended, 5 officers and 7 other ranks. The standard of sailor ranged from intermediate to advanced. The wind was consistently F6 with the largest sail sized used by anyone was 5.4m. It blew every single day. The location offers small waves and a conveniently placed sail centre. The advantage of this location was for the entire team to train together and learn from one another. It will be considered for future sports tours.