Past Events

 

Cardiff ‘Rampant Rabbit’, March 14th-16th

The last core event of the year… and our last event as students!

We were ready to take Cardiff by storm. With only the Captain and Social Sec hardcore and committed enough to make the epic journey, we knew we had to go out with a bang, and show those Southern windsurfers how it was done in true York style. Once again they were impressed with our efforts from the start as we were the last to arrive after a 6 hour drive. (This was partly due to our difficulty in finding Cardiff. Apparently Welsh roads are completely different to English ones, especially when it comes to motorway junctions. Or possibly the number 31 just doesn’t exist in Wales. Whatever, we were rapidly becoming confused by this strange land of sheep and windy roads, but eventually Miss Social Sec’s amazing memory of ‘that time she went to Cardiff’ prevailed and we arrived.) And we soon made up for our late start by being the last to call it a night, deciding that we should experience a random Cardiff house party… verdict: UV jackets and drugs are NOT cool, and we do house parties better in York!

The early Saturday morning wake up was made bearable when we were reminded how amazing hosts can be… Rob cooked us bacon. This made him a god. The morning was going well so far. We were ready to take on the Welsh roads once again and find the lake. This proved to be far easier than finding the registration had been. Or maybe we were just better at following directions after some sleep. Either way, we arrived… to a beautiful lake in the heart of the Welsh countryside. Beautiful, and very very still. You see the problem here? There was no wind. What so ever. And (characteristically) there was a lot of rain. (I take back what I said about the sun always shining in Wales; that was definitely not the case this weekend!) Not to be beaten by the lack of wind, the SWA organised some paddle-board racing and a freestyle competition, which was a fine opportunity for the Southampton boys to show off their acrobatic skills. Optimistic that the wind would pick up, we rigged a sail and board and Kate had a nice and relaxing drift across the lake in the occasional force 1 ‘gusts’ and impressed on a smaller board than she was used to. Then, soggy and seeing little point in hanging around, we headed back to the city to catch up with some old friends.

Then it was time for a real Welsh adventure. Confident after our successful mastering of the country roads we decided to go on a hunt for a small local pub, where we could get a big home-cooked meal, and watch the rugby in front of a fire. Our confidence appeared to be misplaced however, when in the middle of a single lane, windy, hilly track, we realised that we were almost out of petrol. This was not good. We had no idea where we were, and had no mobile reception. It was either carry on and hope for civilisation, or turn back. We had to trust our instincts. We carried on. Fifteen minutes later this decision paid off in the form of a ridiculously steep hill and bright lights. We had found a town! We braved the pouring rain and went to the nearest pub. It turned out to be packed with about 200 crazy Welsh rugby fans. Not quite as we had planned, but the atmosphere was electric. We were Welsh for one afternoon only, and watched our boys win the Six Nations grand slam, singing along happily with the other (real) Welsh fans. (We had no idea what they were actually singing. There’s a good chance it was in Welsh.)

Bouncing after our success we headed back into Cardiff and hit the Country Manor hard. We had decided to ignore the springtime theme and do what York windsurfers do best… it was time to get out the Cave Rave gear (and a lot of face paint) for one last time. When we were suitably ‘bevved’, it was time to head into town. Again the Welsh were one step ahead in their plan to outwit the English. There were no taxis. Until 2am. That didn’t seem like a good time to go out. But this was not going to stop our fun, and we made an alternative plan and arrived at the party slightly wetter than we would have liked, but glad to have experienced the streets of Cardiff and the drunken antics of its inhabitants on the day they won the rugby. The party was suitably silly and we made many new friends who were impressed by our raving on the stage. Oh yes. There was a stage, and we dominated it for most of the night, with the occasional visit to the downstairs ‘chill out’ zone, where I discovered that 1950s-style dancing is one of my (many) talents. It was a good night. We did not enjoy going home...

Reminiscent of the Point Break event we made our own breakfast on Sunday morning, as Rob hadn’t made it home (yes, there was a girl involved, but I’m pretty certain it was the girlfriend!) We left super early and made it to the lake before anyone else had even left the city. We were fully prepared for a whole day of windsurfing, and the conditions were looking good. I say ‘we’ were fully prepared; I mean I was. Someone had left her wetsuit in the city. Someone is an idiot. Our efforts were wasted as we had to drive back and get it. By the time we returned everyone was almost rigged and getting on the water. But on the plus side, it was still blowing. We rigged as quickly as possible and got out onto the lake. The wind was deceptively strong and gusty. We struggled a bit in the cold, but overall had a good sail, picking up some pointers from the more advanced windsurfers. The wind picked up a lot later on in the afternoon and eventually defeated us both… I may or may not have been towed in somewhat sheepishly after sailing too far downwind and hitting a moored-up safety boat… Good times!

Finally, it was time to go our separate ways. I was to enjoy the company of freestyle champion Joe from St. Mary’s who very kindly drove me to London (it was almost on his way…) We made an unforgettable stop on the hard shoulder of the M4 to check the windsurf boards were secure on the roof rack… I have never had 70 mph lorries pass so close to me in my life! Kate was left to drive back to her house on her own, but luckily we had planned for this and she was ready to bust out the High School Musical tunes to brighten up the journey. A fitting end to an awesome event.

It seems like this is a long event report. But hey, it’s my last one (sob) and therefore necessary. And windsurf events rock.

Rachel Newstead
Windsurfing El/Capitan

 

LONDON: POINT BREAK Fri 29th Feb - Sun 2nd March (weekend of week 8)

event report will be up soon! 

"Catch your first tube today"

Sat. night party Theme was 'Cult Classics' - think The Matrix, Donnie Darko, The Big Lebowski, Snakes on a Plane, Top Gun, Garth Marenghi's DarkPlace, Arrested Development/Curb, A Clockwork Orange, Rocky Horror, Napoleon Dynamite, 2001: A space Odyssey... yeah :)

 

PONDLIFE! NOTTINGHAM; Friday 23rd - Sunday 25th

As first year rep and wonderfully new to the whole thing, I suppose I’ve been asked to write this to reveal all mad and bad things about the windsurfers. Oh the power.

Pondlife weekend began with a cold day (all of us preparing to get very cold over the weekend). Nine of us jumped into the cars of Dave (us of all wedged between the sails) and Kate; who enjoyed the delights of Leona Lewis, and off we went. We all had the pleasure of Burger King on the way and arrived at Nottingham Uni (after a few goes around the ring road). First stop was the pub (where else) and we all signed in; got given very sexy tank tops and headbands (we will be setting the new campus trend). After an evening of merriment we headed to Alex’s swish student digs for a very comfortable nights sleep… on laminate floor. Some of us minus a sleeping bag… ahem.

Tip for any newbies, ALWAYS bring a sleeping bag.

What better to start the day than the smell of freshly cooked bacon? Sweet. Although that wonderful smell quickly turned to smoke inhalation and the house in danger of a fire alarm. Still, we enjoyed a much-needed cuppa and bacon sarnie to get us ready to go.

First day of windsurfing was first-class for the intermediate and advanced; the freezing temperatures deterring no one. It was awesome to see them zipping across the water and looking very cool. Us beginners struggled through the wind and got rescued when we found ourselves blown to the other side of the lake. Still, a great day of sailing ending with a hot drink in the café and lots and LOTS of layers.

Saturday night; plenty of alcohol at Alex’s, plus the wonders of X-factor on their maHUsive TV. Once sufficiently inebriated we went to the rave party, which saw 150 odd windsurfers glowing and raving into the night. Some quality moves going on, plenty of alcohol and fun had by all. Especially at 4am when two stragglers came to Alex’s and built a glow stick tower from the lamp shade. Sweet.

Everyone a bit worse for wear on Sunday, but the winds much calmer today and a bit warmer, so Kate, Anna, Ed and I were in our element. We had a go at the beginner’s race. With the help of Kate eliminating the competition using dubious tactics and Anna conveniently crashing into another racer (nothing to do with me..…honest) I won. Yet another harness added to the club collection. Looks like I’m going to have to get practicing!

A weekend that went too quickly, we drove back Sunday evening. Kate’s car going via Leeds and everyone having a good snooze (except drivers, hopefully).

Thanks so much to everyone at Nottingham, and you wonderful guys at the club (Rachel, TSN, muah!) who organised it, and Kate and Dave for driving (and not falling asleep at the wheel).

 

It was a blast!

Hannah(First year Rep)

 

AUSSIE KISS 6IX; Bude, Cornwall; Thu 25th - Monday 29th October 2007

Flagship SWA Event of the Year!

Nine York windsurfers headed off on the Thursday evening to make the long journey down to Bude in Cornwall. Two cars packed to the gillies with kit, costumes and banging tunes left the lock up at approximately 7.00pm to make our overnight stop in Winchester (at the Daniels Mansion) which featured Guitar hero and a seriously colour-saturated High School Musical 2.

Friday saw the second leg of the epic journey southwards, after a quick stop off in Winchester town for stetsons, glowsticks and body paint. Arrival at our Caravan later that evening quickly followed by a booze cruise that hit TSN's plastic to the tune of £60 and involved 5 litre flagons of "Cornish Cyder" - Legless but still Smiling. Sweet.

Early rise on the Saturday for our breakfast baps and dirty coffee before heading out to the Roadford Reservoir. The sky was dark but the wind was blowing and the breeze was on. Beginners signed up for their tuition, intermediates and advanced rigged up and powered up. The new club harness appreciated by all who used it - PATLUUUURVE!

Return to the Holiday Park to get togged up for the Wild West themed party - joined by dearly departed Yorkie Erica (reigning AU Sportswoman of the Year - for going to Southampton and getting trashed) plus new flame Tom, who has an excellent beard. After much beverage consumption, green body paint application and general ranching around we stumbled off to the party... 400 windsurfers, 300 kitesurfers, cowboyed up to ****. Highlights of the night involved Erica's manic "dancing"; the extra hour of bar-opening due to the clocks going back at 2am; blind drunk high-five guy and Simon Mac's mate from Leeds who, it transpired, had rubbed herself earlier.

Sunday saw us haul ourselves out of "bed" (i.e. where we fell - Kate found herself wedged in a gap between two mattress cushions that must have looked oh so comfortable at 4am) and back to the lake - where the wind had dropped a little since the gale force that seemed to be rattling through the caravan at about 6am... but most people got in another good days worth of windysurfing before sitting back to watch the freestyle competition in the afternoon - some mad skills were on show. It only then remained for York to clean up on the Raffle and gather our kit before we began the long journey back - rosy-faced, fingers tingling, scabby hands (Rachel); truly knackered but well satisfied.

A massive thank-you to drivers Kate and Dave, and to Captain Rach for sorting it all out :-) :-) :-) Also to Leeds Uni Windsurfers who kindly took our boards back in their van - so Kate used 1/2 as much petrol on the way up as on the way down!

Everyone looking forward to Nottingham in week 7 to do it all again!

-TSN, Windsurfing Events "Secretary"

 

RHOSNEIGR; Anglesea, Sunday 3rd - Wednesday 6th June 2007

York + Nottingham Windsurfing Clubs Joint Trip

4 cars worth of Yorkies made the journey to Anglesea for a 4-day mid-term Summer break with Nottingham Uni Windsurf Club - we were staying in a massive rented house literally *on* the beach. Within 20 mins of arrival we were immersed in the sea... surfing, windsurfing, bbqs, beach football (there were BUSA points at stake), fish n chips, campfires, getting hulked up, lasagne, sleeping on the sand; discovering people passed out on the beach... and of course there was windsurfing: a water start clinic, beginners getting going, pros getting planing; Will showing off... an amazing amazing trip.

Thanks to Sam, Dave, Kate and Will for driving, and to Al at Notts for getting us involved.

- TSN

 

BUSA NATIONALS @ Southampton

Shock! Competitive Windsurfing!

 

 

 

Page Created: 30th Oct, 2007
Last Updated: 4:07pm on 27th Mar, 2008 by Sailing Club