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With the end of the world at risk last weekend, 150 students headed to Nottingham to take it on together – would they survive to windsurf another day or was it really the end?
Arriving in Nottingham on Friday evening, the students caught up over a beverage or five at the Bag o’ Nails, before moving on to Red Bar to show the locals how windsurfers like to party
Somewhat worse for wear on Saturday morning, but fuelled by bacon and eggs, the windsurfers arrived at Notts County Sailing Club.
The day’s action kicked off with the advanced racing, and the borderline wind conditions meant that pumping action was crucial in many of the heats. With over 20 competitors, it was a tight field. Showing some great gybing and pumping it was Liath Campbell (Durham) who was victorious over Mikey Jarman (Swansea) and Matt Duffin (Bristol).
Liath Campbell - Advanced Racing Winner
After refuelling and re-warming in the club house, the competitors headed back out for the team racing. Defending champions Cardiff were unable to get a full team together for the final, leaving the field wide open. Swift changeovers were the key to Durham’s success, as they managed a clear victory, with Southampton and Swansea fighting a close battle for 2nd and 3rd respectively. These results have certainly shaken up the overall podium standings, meaning it will all be to sail for at BUCS Nationals in April.
Team Racing
1. Durham
2. Southampton
3. Swansea
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Team Racing
The conditions were ideal for the intermediate racing, which lived up to it’s reputation of chaos at the gybe boy. Coming off the back of her success at BrUWE, Izzy Mitchell (Bristol) was once again victorious, followed by Ronan Smith (Imperial) and Niko Bugelli (Liverpool).
Those who didn’t fancy the chilly water kept warm with a spot of sumo wrestling – which for some still resulted in them taking the plunge!
Back in Nottingham, students indulged on Domino’s pizza and put the finishing touches on their ‘End of the World’ costumes – with everything from Angels and Zombies to Mad Max making an appearance as they partied into the early hours.
Sunday morning and the combination of RedBull and some unexpected wind worked wonders in blowing away the hangovers from the previous night. The tandem windsurf, kindly provided by Notts County Sailing Club, was a favourite of many, whilst others opted for the vast collections of kit kindly provided by Boardwise and XPLG. Meanwhile, the beginners showed their racing prowess – Giovanna Siadaoui (Southampton) took victory over Kieran Picford (Nottingham) and Robyn Murdoch (Swansea).
Many thanks to the Nottingham Committee for organising the event, Boardwise and XPLG for providing lots of kit, RedBull for the music and drinks, and Notts County Sailing Club for hosting the event. All photos thanks to Notts County Sailing Club.
The final event of the Core Series certainly was a great one. Next stop – Cardiff Wave for some, then BUCS National in April – where students will go all out in pursuit of both BUCS points and the coveted SWA titles!
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Advanced Racing 1, Liath Campbell (Durham) 2. Mikey Jarman (Swansea) 3. Matt Duffin (Bristol) |
Freestyle 1. Leo Calnan (Southampton) 2. Liath Campbell (Durham) 3. Charlie Wilson (Southampton |
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Intermediate Racing 1. Izzy Mitchell (Bristol) 2. Ronan Smith (Imperial) 3. Niko Bugelli (Liverpool) |
Beginner Racing 1. Giovanna Siadoui (Southampton 2. Kieran Picford (Nottingham) 3. Robyn Murdoch (Swansea) |
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) |
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!
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.
