SWA founder James Potten was spotted on the main stage at the Earl’s Court Boat Show helping to officially announce UK ‘National Windsurfing Week’. The week itself will be taking place from 3-11 May 2008 and the organisers need your help….

The first event of the SWA series has set a bench mark for the series this year. Over the weekend of 23^rd-25^th November, over 150 student windsurfers made their way up to Nottingham for Pondlife IV, the first core event in the 2007/8 SWA series.  

 The forecast suggested that conditions were to be windier on the Saturday so the decision was made to run freestyle on the Saturday and racing on the Sunday. The freestyle fleet were fired up as conditions were perfect for 5.0m-5.8m and the competition strong. The standard was higher than ever with a range of new-skool moves being performed early in the heats. The final came down to a showdown between Southampton’s Seb Graham and Imperial College’s Chris Beng, fighting it out for top place. The final was extremely close but the judges vote put Seb infront by half a point with Chris coming 2nd and Steph Hilder (Southampton) taking 3^rd place. The ladies also put in a good effort with Sarah Bibby (Southampton) showing she has what it takes in the stronger winds to beat Liss Earle (Exeter) and take first. 

The rest of the day was filled with some beginners tuition and lots of free sailing with demo kit kindly provided by Boardwise and Ultrasport. Saturday was finished of at the Party back in Nottingham. The “New Rave’ themed party rocked with plenty of fluorescent colours and glow in the dark paint.

Sunday was all about the racing. Fleets in all three divisions braved another cold day and rigged up ready to hit the water and open the SWA Club Vass Race Series. Planing conditions put pressure on the advanced fleet and this time it was the other Graham Brother’s time to shine. Al Graham showed good technique, fitness and determination in the final to accelerate away in the final. Cardiff also showed they have what it takes with James Goody coming 2^nd in the advanced fleet and highest place lady Sarah Gaskell coming 8^th overall.

Thanks to SWA sponsors Club Vass, Boardseeker.com, Naish, RRD/EZZY, Boardwise, Starboard/Tushingham, Boohai, Bic sport, F2 and Turfdog. Thanks also to Dave Nobles and Run and Jump for their support for the event.

If you haven’t managed to master the online sign-up system yet, then sweet talk a computer-literate friend to help you sign up for the following event, the notorious 'Wave X' event hosted by Exeter, from 30^th November to 2^nd December. 

Last year the event proved to be the windiest of the year as 50+ knots of wind and huge amounts of whitewater crashed into the beach at Bigbury meaning only a few brave soles ventured out and a whole load of kit was broken. 

This year the waveheads have returned with stronger and shinier kit and are preparing themselves once again for the event of the season as the wind is forcasted to be Force 7+ and 25ft of swell... Watch the website for the video footage that will be shot at the event. More importantly, the fancy dress theme is ‘Lady and the Tramp’, so if you are one of the fool hardy people attending the event then get your thinking caps on (or take the easy option and borrow a cardboard box for the occasion). 

BA UPDATE >>

As you must surely be aware by now, evil British Airways (and I don’t use that word lightly…) have decided to refuse carriage of boards, both windsurfing and surfing. (More information on SWA website)

To give you all a brief update, an ‘Early Day Motion’ (EDM) has now been raised in Parliament to gain support for the petition amongst MPs and the RYA, BSA and BCU are urging everyone involved in these sports to contact their local MP and get them to register their support for the motion. In the motion Davies says: “This house notes with concern that British Airway's decision to ban surfboards, windsurfers and canoes from its flights will vastly increase the costs and difficulties of travelling to such locations outside of the UK as well as acting as a barrier to tourists wishing to travel to the UK to surf, windsurf and canoe; notes that the sporting equipment used are usually no heavier or cumbersome than musical instruments or golf club sets; and calls on British Airways to urgently reconsider its decision to ban surfboards, windsurfers and canoes from all flights.”

 If you wish to contact your local MP and ask them to support the motion you can find their contact details by visiting www.theyworkforyou.com .  An EDM number for the motion will be posted on the RYA website in due course and once active, details can be found by visiting edmi.parliament.uk/edmi

QUICK-QUESTION BOX:

Beaker (SWA director)

SWA: Which windsurfer do you most admire, and why?

Beaker: It has to be Peter Hart, he may not rip as hard as the top guys but he has been the face of UK windsurf development for so long and he can still out dance me at parties...

SWA: What do you think of wetsuit gimp hoods?

Beaker: For use on the water or just casual daywear, they are this seasons must have!

As if all of these windsurf events weren’t enough to keep you in constant need of a clean supply of pants, the SWA have also teamed up with Club Vass (our first ever ‘Platinum’ sponsor) to offer super cheap deals on holidays in top locations, that are arguably just a little warmer than Britain.

 First off is the trip to DAHAB, EGYPT from 16^th December. The spectacular price of £399 includes the following:

• Flights and transfer

• Half board accommodation (amazing buffets by the way!)

• Tuition by some of the best in the business

• Kit hire -fins not insured!

As timing is tight, and the deadline has passed, if you think you might be keen, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. as a matter of EMERGENCY!!

 If the winter months are proving testing on the finances, and you can’t join the 30 lucky individuals already destined to set off to Egypt, do not fear… as there is another spanking holiday opportunity just around the corner…

Vassiliki, Greece – 22^nd June 2008

Already set to be “like Aussie Kiss but abroad”, this is destined to be immense – the biggest post-exam SWA holiday ever! Again the price is only £399 allowing you more time to save your pennies – and anyone who has even been to Vass before, the consistent wind conditions, and gently sloping beach make the area perfect for all levels, and Vass itself has everything – including awesome food and nightlife (although I’ll concede there is a distinct lack of waves…)

As ever the SWA Committee have been tirelessly working away to keep things running smoothly (think swans on a lake, all calm and sophisticated up top, and crazy legwork underneath) – and you saw the results at Aussie Kiss this year – so a huge thank you to them! There is plenty more to come…

You may or may not be aware, but President Sam carelessly allowed his spleen/appendix/body part to explode so has been poorly for a while – but we are pleased to announce that he is back on form, and keen for plenty of banter from all you universities out there.

This year new platinum sponsors Club Vass are  awarding a holiday for two to Club Vassiliki to the winner of the race series and a half price holiday for two to the most improved beginner. The SWA are also organising some killer holidays to Club Vass resorts. 

Boardwise continue to show their support for the freestyle series by offering up a brand new Starboard Flare as first prize for the overall freestyle series. Newcomer Joe O’Callaghan won in the light winds at the opening event AK6. With last years winner, Sam Stevens, no longer officially competing in the SWA and series favourite John Palmer out with a shoulder injury, the series is still wide open. 

The SWA Naish Ladies series is also underway with Liss Earle (Exeter) currently leading the freestyle for the ladies but Sarah Bibby (Southampton) now leading overall after a consistant affort in the and freestyle at Nottingham. All is still to play for to win the first prize for the series: a Naish sail. 

The SWA RRD/Ezzy Wave Series will also be be kicking of in style with the Exeter ‘Wave X’ 30^thNov - 2^nd Dec. This event gained legendary status after last years epic conditions at Bigbury. The event was tagged ‘the windiest SWA event ever!!!’ and hopefully this years event will live up to it’s reputation. Competion will be hot as there is a brand new Ezzy Wave sail up for grabs for the series winner! The second event will be held in Cardiff on the following weekend 7^th – 9^th Dec. 

Add into the mix even more event prizes from Starboard/Tushingham, BooHai, Bicsport and F2 and there is no excuse not to get involved. The SWA would also like to welcome new sponsor Turfdog and welcome Adam back to the world of student windsurfing.