Bad Education - The Story of the Northern Monkey

Last weekend over 130 students braved the forbidding waters of the North West to come to the SWA’s third event of the year: Liverpool’s Northern Monkey 2+2=5! This year was bigger and better than ever, with representatives from over a dozen different universities coming to compete and enjoy some Scouse hospitality.

 



Friday night was a chance to catch up with friends and for the newer recruits to the SWA to get friendly and make some new ones! After registering at the pub, the throng of students invaded Liverpool city centre, and plundered the bar. Needless to say there were some sore heads in the morning!


Ben Page

In true windsurfing fashion, all the sore heads made it to the lake on Saturday morning for a day of light winds and beginner tuition. Clinics and tuition were laid on before the beginner racing which gave everyone a chance to put what they had learnt into practice. Fiona Wells dominated the racing and came out on top! Before heading off to the showers the SUP tug of war was held. Despite valiant efforts from competitors, no one could beat Birmingham!



Ollie Acton 

After a rare warm shower, everyone headed home for a bit of dinner and a chance to prepare for the customary fancy dress party. This year’s theme was: Bad Education. There were some good costumes, some bad ones and some down-right worrying costumes. With wind on the horizon for the Sunday morning, there were excited murmurings across the dance floor.




 

For once the forecast delivered, and the more hardcore (or perhaps less hungover) made it down to the lake early to take advantage of the 30 knots plus wind. This gave the freestylers a chance to get some practice in before the expression session judged by Steven ‘Steve-o’ Hackey. Competitors were pulling moves ranging from monkey gybes to e-sliders. As the wind started to drop, it gave the racers a chance to get out on their bigger sails. The conditions were perfect to make the most of the RRD Fireraces supplied by Boardwise.



Team Racing 

As the wind died off, it was time to pack away the toys and go home. But not before prize giving. Prizes were provided Boardwise, Spartan and Overboard. Prizes went to the following people:



 Results:

 
A massive thanks to all our sponsors, in particular Boardwise for providing all the awesome demo-kit, without which these events would be a shadow of what they are. And last but not least, Charlie Lloyd for providing his water filled board for the ‘guess the weight of the board’ competition.