windsurf open 09

Windsurfing Open 2009

Notts County Midlands Circuit Meeting

The omens were not promising, in spite of the resurgence of interest in Raceboards, which Notts County still races regularly on a Sunday, there was no wind, the lake looked like a mirror.

Even so thirty four boards arrived for racing, with over two thirds of the fleet being raceboards. Itís a shame there were not more juniors there to see there is life after squad training if you donír make the Olympics!

There were a good number of faces from the past including Tom Naylor, Mike Playle, Chris Gibson, Gerry Ball, along with the West Midlands regulars such as Bob Ingram. From the club there were experienced racers such as Ian Pilkington, Russ Towns (still competitive at over 70) and Jason Aldred, who managed to pump a hole in his sail !

It was great to see so many from the club taking part, and just yesterday the RYA are paying for a top level coach to come down Wednesday nights for four weeks to kick start racing at all levels. Everyone is welcome starting at 5.45pm, we can provide much of the kit and it will be free use on Wednesdays. By mid August we hope there will be regular but very light touch racing, so if you can tak, get to windward on a board and not going to get to serious come down! The course will be aimed at improving your sailing and how racing is run, what to look for etc.

After a long breakfast and much sitting around a fitful breeze started up by lunch, and after three very close races, involving a lot of pumping three people were tied on second place, although many juniors couldnít hack the fourth race the adults did, Chris Gibson commented that this regional level racing was every bit s tough and competitive as the National circuit.

After prizegiving many went home having enjoyed a great day of racing in spit of the light winds ñ thanks to race officer John Parr.

Photos by Nochola Aldred - thanks for shots

Results to follow.

Wed 12th August 5.15pm Raceboard star coaching at club - free to members (£5 fee for non members - sailing fee) - more details to follow - Boards article link