Not been to an SWA event before? Don't know what to expect? What should you bring? Read on to get the low down on SWA events...

No two events are ever the same, but they all tend to follow a similar layout, and they are all awesome! (After years of official SWA events we have yet to go to one which wasn't good)

Having pre-booked your place by paying online, you've already made your life easier, turn up on Friday night at the student union or bar chosen by the host uni. This generally sets the tone for the weekend.

Saturday: everyone heads to the water and where there will be racing/freestyle/tuition etc.

Saturday night: a meal is normally provided at the event, followed by one of the infamous SWA Saturday night parties. These are always fancy dress (with themes ranging from 'Plastic Fantastic', to 'Little Britain' or 'Superheros') and always great fun! A combination of high spirits after a good day's windsurfing, a large concentration of like-minded people and the 'different area code' effect means that these parties are always amazing!

Sunday: everyone heads down to the water again for more competition/tuition. This is then followed by the event prize giving, before saying sad goodbyes (until the next event) to your newfound loves/friends and heading back home exhausted but happy.

What you should bring:

• Warm clothes (We always make the mistake of thinking that we'll either be wearing a wetsuit or beer jacket so don't need a coat, and always regret it!)
• Wetsuit & Buoyancy aid / Harness
• Sleeping Bag
• Fancy Dress

Your president should organise to bring your uni kit and sort you out with a wetsuit etc. if you don't have one, but there is always a pool of kit at the events so don't worry if you're from a smaller uni, there will be some kit for you to use.

Results and Prizes:

The system below is designed to mean that just by entering an event with a low number of competitors, you are not guaranteed a prize. This puts more value on prizes won and means even if there are only two competitors, there is still good reason to try your hardest. It should also help to increase participation as sometimes 1 extra competitor will mean an extra prize is available. It is also meant to ensure fairness between both sexes.

CLICK HERE for an article on how the series points are calculated and series competition rules.

Examples:
Advanced division with 8 girls and 4 boys entering - 3 prizes for top 3 girls, 2 prizes for top two boys.
Wave Event with 2 girls and 10 boys entering - 1 girl prize, 3 boy prizes.
Freestyle Event with 9 girls and 15 boys entering - 3 girl prizes, 3 boy prizes.