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North Zone Training Weekend at North Lincs & Humberside Sailing Club 01/02 December 2007
 Big Thanks! 

North Zone (Windsurfing) Training weekend was held at North Lincs & Humberside Sailing Club on Saturday & Sunday 01/02 December 2007.  From a club perspective it was a privilege to hold this event and we hope to be included in future planning.   The top Windsurfing Coaches from the North Zone (considered to be the best in the UK) were giving on water coaching as well as video feedback to the participants.  It was good to see Richard Hamilton, one of the top Windsurfers in the UK and a member of NLHSC, who along with fellow Club member Alex Griffiths are part of the North Zone Coaching Team.

 We could have not hoped for better conditions as the wind was blowing hard on both days and exceeding 30 knots at times.   With wind chill there were some frosty fingers and a fine display of matching yellow marigold rubber gloves to keep the chill off – you would think that a sports glove manufacturer would be able to produce a version in black!

 We had a visit from the Scunthorpe Telegraph taking shots of the event and of George Bowles – National Windsurfing Squad, Emma Labourne, Robert Griffiths and Max Bushell taking part in their first Windsurfing Zone Squad event.  

 We owe a great deal of thanks to all the volunteers for making the event such a successful weekend with people commenting that they were made to feel very welcome.  There were some 103 participants and supporters (if Brian’s counting was correct) who were fed and watered for the two days, the Club House was cleaned and re-cleaned muddy boots an’ all and 26 tired but happy Zone Squad Windsurfers returned home following a long but successful weekend. 

 It must be reflected that Club members commented it was good to see the Club so busy and full of life.  We hope to be asked again to hold future Windsurfing & Sailing events on this scale.

 THANK YOU.  

John Bushell

Download John`s windsurf newsletter 16/11/07

Congratulations to Robert, Max and Emma on their selection for the North Zone squad.

Congratulations to George Bowles on his National squad selection.

"After what I think I can say was a hard years sailing I recently received my letter telling me that I had been selected to join the Techno National Junior Squad. This  will include many more weekends of training with the squad in places like Weymouth, Hayling Island and Grafham water. It will also open up opportunities to enter more international competitions like the European Championships to be held near Rome, Italy at Easter. I am looking foreword to the fresh challenge and hope all goes to plan!! George"

Chasewater Techno 293 Training 26/27 October 2007

 Emma Labourne, Robert Griffiths and Max Bushell attended the Techno 293 Open Training Event held at Chasewater Sailing Club which took place on the weekend of 26/27 October 2007 to take part in the open training but also to show off their sailing abilities hoping for Zone Squad selection.   There were some 38 windsurfers taking part in the event most seeking selection and others taking part in the training gaining valuable instruction.  

 The lake is situated in a country park on the edge of an area of natural beauty called Cannock Chase.  There was plenty of water to sail on, limited rigging space but there was a good beach gently sloping off into deeper water to fine tune those beach starts.  

 On Saturday morning it was an early start for Robert travelling from Barton to Chasewater, Emma and Max had a lay in as they were camping near by - although I am sure they would disagree.  Rigged and ready to go they set out onto the water receiving coaching from several National Coaches.  There was a strong on shore wind giving ideal sailing conditions.  The morning session included a warm up run, practicing on the water tacking and gybing and a session on the shore in trimming their rigs to get the most out of the sail according to the conditions.   Following lunch our team took part in a number of races which were videoed and critically analysed at the end of the day in the warmth of the club house with the coaches offering valuable advice and training tips.   A warm down session completed the day. 

 Sunday morning a gale blew hard bringing with it heavy rain.   The on shore support crews (mums and dads) where feeling the chill and got absolutely drenched whilst our three experts where in the comfort of their winter wet suits, marigold rubber gloves (yellow being a popular colour) and testing balaclavas (it was pretty chilly).  After an on shore warm up it was time to decide what sail size to use, selections made and out they sped.  A sight to behold with all three plaining their way across the water at high speed, hooked into their harnesses and stepping to the back of the boards… fantastic!  Again they were filmed to analyse later.  As the day went on the wind fluctuated from being very strong, to a moderate wind.  But the last race was near impossible for us to observe due to the amount of rain falling but more difficult to sail in.  Reports after the final race from our competitors were that the rain was coming down so hard and with their speed on the water the rain was stinging their faces.  There was a white mist on the water with the rain splashing back off the lakes surface; Max described that, “It was like sailing on thin air.”  The day ended with a briefing and analysis and a warm down.

 Whether or not our club members get selected for the Zone Squad, it was agreed that they represented our club and showed that they sail to a very high standard.  Well done Emma, Robert and Max!

 John Bushell

A few new pictures of George and Richard. (click to enlarge)

Pugneys results here. Well done everyone.

(Max and Emma were still out on the water)

 

Results from Coquet. Here
Well done everyone who competed.

 

Well done to all in the North Lincs Invaders team, what a fantastic turnout, hope you all enjoyed it.
Results here

Event 2  Venue: Covenham S.C., Louth Date: 24 June 2007 Flaming June in Covenham Clear blue skies, temperatures hovering around the 20 degrees C mark and all embraced by a constant F3-4 breeze – now that would bring the competitors out in force, and who knows we may even top the 50 entries mark.. The signs however on the preceding day were not good – overcast skies, no wind and spasmodic torrential downpours, coupled with the odd thunder storm Sunday dawned and showed little sign of improvement. The drive down from Durham to Covenham did little to whet the appetite as the prospect of paddling races loomed large against a back drop of motionless trees and overcast skies. With the sailing club now only a couple of miles away there was the first sign of a light breeze and pulling into the car park shortly afterwards, lo and behold the Covenham crew had even surpassed their organisational efforts of last year and had provided wind! Ideal conditions With the appetite stimulated and competitors already beginning to fill the car park, things were looking better already. A quick discussion with host club organiser Derrick Hall and it was decided to lay two separate courses using two distinct areas of the reservoir. The direction of the wind was in the main cross-shore which was going to be ideal for the 3.5 & 4.5m fleets, while it would also provide an opportunity for some upwind work with the 5.5 & 6.8m fleets. With host club Covenham Cyclones (Smart Life), eager to maintain their winning start to the season they would have to face the stiff challenge of a full strength Pugneys Pirates (Tushingham Sails) team and the emerging talent of a very young North Lincs Invaders team both intent on taking home the overall Team trophy. Impressive numbers and impressive performances With a total entry of 42 competitors and a record entry of 21 in the 3.5m fleet, competitors were briefed by their respective race officers and courses explained. The sheer number of entries in the 3.5m meant separate starts for both them and the 4.5m fleet, while the 5.5 / 6.8 / and 6.8T fleets combined to form one large fleet. With Race Officer Chris Hall and his team keeping up an amazing tempo, the 3.5 & 4.5m fleets completed 5-6 races before lunch, (which just goes to show the benefits from having an early start). In the 3.5m class Tom Harding (PP), Robert Griffiths (NLI) and Joel Peacock (PP) set the early pace recording top three placings, although they were pressed hard by Nicola Dinsdale (PP) who took a couple of thirds. Performances in the 4.5m class were equally impressive where Luke Raistrick (PP), Kieran Burley (CC) and Emma Laybourne (NLI) consistently posted top three results, despite early pressure from Emma Brown Bolton (PP) who took a first in race 1 and Max Bushell (PP) who sailed well to take second in race 4. In the combined 5.5 / 6.8m/ 6.8T fleet, consistent performances by Mark Sutton (PP), Andy Thompson (CC) and Joe Moore (CC) saw them each record almost consistent first places in the first three races with only Kieran Henderson (CC) stopping Andy Thompson taking 3 bullets in the 6.8m fleet. The last race before lunch saw blackening skies and a sudden increase in wind speed with competitors planing around almost the entire course. With the darkening skies heralding a heavy downpour, lunch proved a convenient break and provided an opportunity for a carbohydrate top-up. Covenham Cyclones show their strength The afternoon’s racing continued at a steady pace with competitors keen to maximise their time on the water. With the 3.5 & 4.5m fleets completing a total of 10 races the early pace-setters, continued to demonstrate their consistency, although good performances by Jordan Howram (NLI) saw him take 2 thirds in the 3.5m fleet, while an equally good result in race 7 saw James Snowden (CC) improve upon his performance to take a third place. In the 4.5m fleet, Luke Raistrick (PP), Kieran Burley (CC) and Emma Laybourne (NLI) sailed consistently well to take the first three places overall, despite sustained pressure from Max Bushell (NLI) and Emma Brown Bolton (PP) Mark Sutton (PP), continued his domination of the 5.5m fleet taking a further 4 bullets ahead of Isaac Cooper (CC) and Mathew Earp (PP), while in the 6.8m fleet Andy Thompson (CC) just managed to keep ahead of team-mate Daniel Hufton to take first place by 1 point, with another Cyclone, Kieran Henderson taking third. Tom Dickinson made it a clean sweep for the Cyclones by taking first in the 6.8T fleet ahead of Joe Moore (CC), and Josh Brown Bolton (PP). Centre Principal, Judith Templeman very kindly presented the individual awards, prior to the announcement of the overall winning team, which again saw a close run contest between Covenham and Pugneys. However it was Covenham who took the trophy on their home patch by 2 points to make it 2 wins out of 2 with two events to go – the tension mounts! Team winners - Covenham Cyclones  Report written by: David Dobsom T15 CO - North Zone

 

Robert Griffiths receives his trophy for 2nd place in the 3.5m class.

Emma Labourne receives her trophy for 3rd place in the 4.5m class.

 

Results from Bridlington.

From the left :- Alex Griffiths, 2nd RSX. Richard Hamilton 1st RSX. George Bowles 3rd Techno

North Lincs Results here
Photos here If anyone wants any copies of any of the photos email me tim@windsurfnorthlincs.co.uk. The number of the picture is at the bottom of the image when viewed in the slideshow. Bear in mind that the size of each photo is approx 3.5Mb.

 

Well done George !     1st place
George Bowles competing at the Eric Twiname Championship 2007, Rutland, 13-14 May. First place in 7.8m Techno class. See rya website -http://www.ryaracingevents.org.uk/

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