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SWA Series
- 2015-2016
Here’s the lowdown on the latest stop of the Student Windsurf Association Core Series – BrUWE Wet Dreams 7 – hosted by Bristol and UWE Universities.
Kicking off the new year of student windsurfing, 150 students were undeterred by the chilly February temperatures and arrived on Friday for the traditional night of catch up, eagerly anticipating the weekend’s activities.
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Early on the Saturday morning the students headed to Bowmoor Lake, not so well rested but fuelled by bacon and eggs, and ready for a full day of activities. RedBull were around to provide some much needed energy as well as music to set the scene. Swanky demo kit was kindly provided by both Boardwise and Patrik Dielthelm UK for the students to play with at their leisure.
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By lunchtime, the wind was still not quite living up to what many hoped for, but the decision to run the Team racing regardless was made. This saw the first outing for the brand new Tushingham Concept race sails, thanks to a generous grant from Sport England. With fourteen teams entering the heats, it was bound to be a close competition. Eventually the top four teams making it to the final were the top 3 teams from the previous event - Up The Brum – and Southampton. Cardiff pulled off some quality changeovers and three solid legs to maintain their position at the top of the podium, followed by Bristol, and Southampton.
Team Racing Results:
- Cardiff
- Bristol
- Southampton
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Those who didn’t fancy the water instead turned their attention to the giant inflatable obstacle course! |
Saturday night party |
The Saturday night saw students indulge in a night out in Bristol, kitted out in their best (somewhat sparse) costumes fitting the theme ‘Wildest Fantasies’. Memories were made and rapidly lost as the students showed what they could do in the club as well as on the water.
Somewhat bleary eyed, they returned to Bowmoor on Sunday for a big day of windsurfing. Kicking off the action was the advanced racing, where Amy Robinson from Cardiff sailed both a fantastic heat and final to take the top spot, leaving the boys behind. James Arney from Bristol and Alex Parker from Cardiff rounded out the podium.
Amy winning the racing (by William Lang)
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(by William Lang) |
The intermediate racing was a particularly spectacle, with the light wind resulting in a pack that ultimately collided, much to the crowd’s amusement. The final even delivered some planing conditions that Pablo Andrew-Andalaft Tarodo from Bristol was able to take advantage of, heading past fellow Bristol competitor Izzy Mitchell and Georgie Stewart of Swansea. The beginners also showed how much they’ve progressed already this season, with Ed Sweet-Escott (Bristol) taking the win, ahead of Josh Wilkins (Swansea) and Luke Jones (Liverpool). |
With no chance of high wind, competitors in the freestyle competition showcased their best lightwind moves – everything from upwind 360s to headstands! In the end Alex Parker of Cardiff took victory over Thomas Francis (Cardiff) and Adam Ouzeri (Imperial).
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A BrUWE event wouldn’t be complete without jelly wrestling and the obligatory battle between the Bristol and UWE presidents. The mess quickly escalated with many windsurfers fancying their chances in the ring! |
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The next stop on the core series is Nottingham Pondlife XII on the 26th-28th February – visit www.studentwindsurfing.co.uk for tickets !!!
Results:
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Advanced Racing 1. Amy Robinson (Cardiff) 2. James Arney (Bristol) 3. Alex Parker (Cardiff) |
Freestyle 1. Alex Parker (Cardiff) 2. ThomasFrancis (Cardiff) 3. Adam Ouzeri (Imperial) |
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Intermediate Racing 1. Pablo Andrew-Andalaft Tarodo (Bristol) 2. Izzy Mitchell (Bristol) 3. Georgie Stewart (Swansea) |
Beginner 1. Ed Sweet-Escott (Bristol) 2. Josh Wilkins (Swansea) 3. Luke Jones (Liverpool) |
It is a well documented fact that 2000 years ago the Mayans predicted with terrifying accuracy the world's end. Much to our relief, December 2012 rolled round and the earth survived, which in turn lead many to denounce the prophecy as “hocus pocus nonsense”. That was foolish. In a startling revelation, archaeologists today revealed that they confused the ancient Mayan for “20” with v
ery similar words for “pond” and “life”, a simple mistranslation which sets a very different date for the apocalypse - PONDLIFE 12.
Date:26th – 28th February 2016.
We at Nottingham invite fellow windsurfers from around the country to share with us the end of day. We will provide:
· 2 huge nights out in Nottingham’s finest and cheapest establishments.
· 2 nights 5* accommodation in the heart of Lenton.
· 2 action packed days on the water, featuring beginner/ intermediate/ advanced racing, freestyle competitions, beginner windsurfing lessons, clinics, and demo kit from Boardwise and XPLG, with Michelin star food to accompany.
· Lakeside entertainment to include big name DJ sets, Redbull entertainment systems and live music.
· Breakfast, HOT lunch Saturday and Sunday and DOMINOS pizza will be provided on Saturday night.
Tickets are on sale now, and cost £20 for a Windsurfing ticket and £15 for a Party/XSWA ticket (includes everything except windsurfing). Eight instructor tickets are also available at £10 (you will need to teach a session)! Ticket sales will close at midnight on Thursday 25th Feb.
As usual we will be windsurfing at Notts County Sailing Club, a 20 min drive from Nottingham which features heating, a clubhouse with view of the lake, warm showers and if you can handle it: a bar.
Nobody knows what face the apocalypse will be wearing. Zombies? Aliens? Natural disasters? It’s up to you to decide.
See you all on the 26th Feb, and good luck.
Now, this is a story all about BrUWE
And how we want to be great like Louis
And you should take a weekend, just come on down
We’ll give you all great adventures in Bristol town
In the west country area, hungover and dazed,
The lakeside, is where we’ll spend most of our days, (Bowmoor lake)
Chillin' out maxin' relaxing' all cools
Jumping on inflatables cause dem are da rulez (Yes, inflatables)
When a couple of guys, in their wetsuits were stood,
The wind’s blowin’ up, and they’ll want a warm hood (Forecast pending)
Ready for the races, excited and scared
Their reps from last night might just get repaired
She’d begged and pleaded for me to stay
“You can’t go windsurfing on valentine's day”
I gave her a Gin and then told her to sip it
Then packed our kit bags and revealed her ticket
Second night, yo there’s no hope,
Southampton are here as the slutty pope
Is this what the party of windsurf is like?
Hmmmmm this might be alright.
I whistled in the morning, that bacon was a plus
then went to sleep, in the back of our bus
woke up by the lake, watching wrestling in jelly
It’s gotta be time for free food in my belly
I rolled to the shore for a basic clinic
But I
was to drunk to try and mimic
I looked at the carnage,
and dismounted my board
To bury my face for the T-Osborne award
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Get your kit packed, your fancy dress prepared & dancing shoes at the ready, it’s time for BrUWE Wet Dreams 7 - Seven minutes in Heaven-Wildest Fantasies
On Friday 12th February until Sunday 14th February
Itinerary:
Registration: Cider press 20.00 then onto party venue 1
Saturday: Bowmoor Lake 9.00
Wildest Fantasys Party: Venue 2
Sunday: Bowmoor Lake 10.00
What you get:
• 2 x nights luxury* accommodation in a wonderful windsurf host house
• 2 x Hangover-busting breakfasts
• 2 x lunches at the lake
• Entry to all competitions
• Dinner on Saturday night
• Entry to 2 out-of-this-world parties
• One magical weekend of (fuzzy) memories!
The weekend of the 5th-7th February will see Rhosneigr beach host the second event of the Puravida SWA Wave Series.
Back in December the students went head to head with an insane forecast of 6m waves and 50 knots at the first event in Plymouth. After some nail-biting rounds, Matt Cox was victorious having managed 7 proper turns on a logo high set, snatching the victory from Sara Kellett, who went all out in the big waves.
These two are likely hoping to build on their success with some great competition at Bangor, however they will be facing tough competition from those who narrowly missed the podium, as well as a few notable absentees, including defending series champion Louis Morris of Bristol, who suffered an unfortunate incident involving a roof rack en route to Plymouth
We chatted to some of the podium potentials about what they were expecting, and who they were expecting to bring the big tricks.
Matt Cox – Plymouth, Tabou/GA Sails
PlymEx Result: 1st
Are you going to Rhossy?
I am going to Rhossy, I don't have huge expectations for the competition though I've been off the water for the last month with a shoulder injury so i'm mainly looking forward to getting sailing again and having fun in conditions that I don't normally get to sail in.
Been out much over winter?
It has been a pretty good winter until I tore my shoulder been windy pretty much everyday
Biggest competition:
I would say my favourite to win is either Ben page or Tom Bennett-Lloyd. But Sara Kellett might just surprise them both.
Sara Kellett – UWE, Tushingham/Starboard/Mystic
PlymEx Result: 2nd
Are you going to Rhossy?
I came 2nd at Plymex which I was super happy with. I should hopefully be able to make it to Rhossy, especially if the forecast looks good. I love windsurfing there as the waves are really playful and good for both jumping and riding. Also last year there were quite a few girls competing which was great to see. It's a good place to learn the basics of wave windsurfing if there is anyone out there thinking of trying it for the first time.
Been out much over winter?
I got a bit of sailing in over Christmas when it was nice and warm and windy, but hardly been on the water the whole of 2016 because of exams and uni and stuff. Hopefully I'll be able to get on the water this weekend for some practise.
Biggest competition:
To win I suppose I just have to hope for a bit of luck. but if Louis Morris and Ben Page are there and on form it will be a tough competition. Then there's Matt Cox who won down in Cornwall, and Tom Bennett-Lloyd who's a bit of a local Rhossy sailor so either of them could win it too.
Louis Morris (photo by Simon Burgess)
Will Matt manage to stay top of the podium? Or will local sailor Tom Bennett-Lloyd pull off a home victory? Whatever happens it promises to be a great weekend of windsurfing, tickets available now!
