The weekend of 22nd-24th April saw 130 students flock to the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy for an intense weekend of competition. It was all to play for – as results counted for both the students overall rankings across the SWA series, as well as BUCS points up for grabs for their universities. We’ve previously looked at who managed to win the BUCS points, and now we’ll see who came out on top in the SWA series across the year.
The SWA series consists of 8 events throughout the year – we kicked off the season at Aussie Kiss Student Windsurf Festival in Bude back in October, and have then travelled across the country to Plymouth, Birmingham, Cardiff, Bangor, Bristol and Nottingham – before rounding off the competitive season in Weymouth this weekend. Each event carries vital points as students battle for top prizes from sponsors.
Fitting with the theme of ‘The Great Migration’ students arrived in Weymouth from across the country on the Friday night, to set their tents up to form their territory for the weekend. An evening spent catching up in the pub was followed by an early start on Saturday morning as the sunrise woke the competitors somewhat bleary eyed.
The competition kicked off with the racing, with the results counting for the overall racing standings.
The race series was one of the most competitive, with the final standings all coming down to the results at Nationals in Weymouth. Alex Parker from Cardiff showed consistency across the year, and managed to pinch the top spot from fellow Cardiff competitor Amy who couldn’t make the final event. Series sponsor Patrik Diethelm rewarded Alex with a sponsorship for the next year.
In the Intermediate Fleet, Pablo of Bristol had a very successful day – with a 3rd place finish on the day enough for him to win the series overall. In the beginner series, Josh Wilkins took the title for the year, with a tie for 2nd place. A thumb war seemed the obvious way to break the tie – but after a stale mate it was called evens.
Advanced Race Series – sponsored by Patrik Diethelm
1. Alex Parker – Cardiff
2. Leo Calnan – Southampton
3. Matthew Duffin – Bristol
Alex Parker - "There’s been some really good competition and it was a close race for the top 3 at the end, I’m super excited to win sponsorship with Patrik and Sailloft to become part of Team xplg and looking forward to the future with them!”
Intermediate Race Series – sponsored by Horizon Watersports
1. Pablo Tarodo – Bristol
2. Georgina Stewart –
3. Dominic Kay - ??
Beginner Race Series - sponsored by Lagoon Watersports
1. Josh Wilkins – Swansea
=2 Alice Lyons – UWE
=2 Elizabeth Milbank - Liverpool
Exhausted from all the racing on Saturday, the students headed back to the campsite to refuel on some well earned fish and chips, before getting into costume for the evening entertainment. Deer, parrots and some questionable penguins were all in attendance as the students partied like they know how for the final night of the SWA series.
Sunday morning saw the conclusion of the freestyle and team racing series, as well as the final chance to grab points in the overall series.
Freestyle Series – sponsored by Boardwise & K66
Conditions for the freestyle series have encompassed both high and low winds – and it was the competitors who thrived in both that came out on top. Last year’s champion, Charlie Wilson of Southampton, had a fantastic competition on the day, allowing him to retain his crown, and in doing so bag a new boom.
1. Charlie Wilson – Southampton
2. Alex Parker – Cardiff
3. Leo Calnan – Southampton
Wave Series – sponsored by Puravida/Ion
The wave series saw some high level wave riding at both Bangor and Plymouth – we reported on how Matt clinched the title (link to Boards article), and in doing so won £250 of ION vouchers to spend on any of their products. New for this year, the wave series also rewards the most improved competitor. Ben Bulson of Bristol went home with a brand new Vandal sail after showing some serious grit and progress throughout the year.
1. Matt Cox – Plymouth
2. Sara Kellett – UWE
3. Tom Bennett-Lloyd - Bangor
Overall Series Results
King of the Wind - Men's Series - sponsored by Supersaturated
The overall series combine the results across all disciplines – race, freestyle and wave sailing – across all events – testing the students in all conditions. Combining his podium positions from racing and freestyle, Leo of Southampton just squeezed out Alex of Cardiff for the title and kudos.
1. Leo Calnan – Southampton
2. Alex Parker – Cardiff
3. Matthew Duffin – Bristol
Leo Calnan– “King of the Wind "absolutely stoked I won the title, it was close between Alex Parker and I so it could have gone either way!
Queen of the Wind - Men's Series - sponsored by Rushingham
In the female series, the top three had been super close coming in to the weekend – they knew it would all come down to the final competitions. With Amy not making it to Weymouth, it was a battle between two – with Sophie managing to edge Jane by a couple of points and take home a new mast courtesy of Tushingham.
1. Sophie Harvey – Birmingham
2. Jane Paddison – Liverpool
3. Amy Robinson – Cardiff
Sophie Harvey - "This year has definitely been the most competitive women’s series I can remember, so I was super excited to come away with the top prize! Going into the final weekend there was only a couple of points between Jane and myself so we knew that it was all down to the final race and freestyle. We had our share of collisions on the course (sorry Jane!!) but somehow I managed to get the advantage! Thanks to Tushingham for the mast!”
Jane Paddison - "Defending the title this year has not been easy! After Amy won the advanced racing at the Bristol event, beating all the boys as well, I was certain she was destined for the title of Queen of The Wind. Being of a similar standard, Sophie and I have had a friendly rivalry throughout the season, both ensuring we attended all the events as the points all add up! However she would always come out on top and the best gal won - congratulations Sophie!"
Team Series – sponsored by Boardwise
The team race series is arguably the one all clubs want to win for ultimate glory. Going into the final event of the series, Cardiff were leading the way with Southampton and Durham hot on their heels. With their 2nd place finish in Weymouth, Cardiff did just enough to cement the title, and take home £250 Boardwise voucher. Bristol managed to climb up the leaderboard to 2nd with their victory in Weymouth, and were rewarded with £100, whilst Southampton took home £50.
1. Cardiff
2. Bristol
3. Southampton
4. Birmingham
5. Swansea
6. Imperial
Thank you to Weymouth and Portland OTC and North Down Farm for hosting us for the weekend, and thank you to all the sponsors for supplying fantastic prizes – Boardwise, Patrik, Horizon Watersports, Lagoon Watersports, Tushingham, Puravida/ION, K66, Supersaturated and Colwyn Bay Watersports.
A massive congratulations to everyone who competed, and particularly those taking home the titles. The next event for the SWA is Aussie Kiss Student Windsurf Festival in October – be sure to watch out for the date!
