Windsurfing Events

For previous event reports, click here

For upcoming event information, click here

What are Windsurfing Events?

These are fantastic weekends away organised by the SWA (Student Windsurfing Association). All the Uni windsurfing clubs in the country meet up to strut their stuff and chat some breeze; normally there's about 300 people; can be as many as 800; from every corner of the UK.

These events are for literally *any* ability -> there are beginner, intermediate and advanced divisions. Tuition and clinics are provided; and are often given by real Windsurfing pros. An SWA event is one of the best places to learn to windsurf, since you get a full weekend to immerse yourself (literally); also since windsurfers are generally a top bunch then you'll end up having loads of fun whatever.

What happens?

Leave on the Friday from York, then arrive and register (having sorted most stuff out online beforehand). Everyone meets up and does sociable things, often in a bar. Accommodation varies according to the event, it can be anything from a hotel or youth hostel to caravan to sleeping where you fall in a student house.

Saturday we get up early and go windysurfing on the local lake. The wind will be gusting, the sun shining and the water balmy... All equipment is provided, there's beginner tuition and intermediate and advanced clinics available for those who want to get some new skills.

Saturday evening then descends into a *massive* themed party - toga, tribe, wild west, nu-rave... these parties are some of the best nights you'll have at uni. There's not much more to say - you'll just have to come to one to discover the awesomeness for yourself.

Then, Sunday, we haul ourselves out of bed/sleeping bags/sofas/ditches and get out to the lake again and partake in the SWA tradition of windsurfing in the previous nights costume (little chilly in a toga...). There might be some racing or freestyle competitions which are pretty fun; look out for some crazy dismounts. The day is tied up at about 4-5pm with presentations and chat. Then we all go home, skin tingling and satisfied and absolutely shattered. Amazing.

How much do they cost?

Price varies from event to event... but generally the event itself costs between £20-£30. What does this include?

  • All equipment hire - wetsuits, boards, masts, sails, booms, harnesses... hire of all this kit for a weekend would normally cost about £80. So you're winning already.
  • All tuition and clinics - which would normally cost £20-30 /hr on top of kit hire
  • Some form of bed / accommodation for two nights
  • Entrance to the mahoosive saturday night party
  • Breakfasts or Saturday night grub or both, depending on how the event is organised
  • The awesome windsurf crowd... priceless.

Basically, friggin good value for money for an adventure weekend away from Uni.

You have to be a member of the SWA; this is a bargainous £5 for *lifetime* membership and can be bought here (follow the links to first register and then join).

You also have to be a member of the York AU (join here) - this is very very important and you must bring proof of membership.

Then, all that remains is to pay transport costs to get there (petrol and/or minibus hire), bring some money for food and alcohol (if that's your thing) while you're there and that's it. If you're a member of YUSWC (£15 for the year) then we will subsidise your share of the transport cost.

Its worth remembering that an SWA event is a FULL WEEKEND AWAY, trying an amazing sport, having expert tuition and top-of-the-range kit provided, partying the night away and having an absolute whale of a time away from humdrum uni life of essays, labs and the library; and the same old Toffs, Ziggys and Gallery; Windsurfing events really are fantastically good value for money.

That sounds ace; how do I find out more?

  • check out this year's windsurfing events on the calendar or in a bit more detail on the 'Upcoming Events' page
  • have a browse of the snaps and reports from previous events here
  • Check out the gallery here or on our facebook group
  • join the mailing list
  • join the YUSWC facebook group here
  • come on a social and have a chat
  • check out the SWA events pages here
  • drop us an email at sailing@yusu.org
  • email the Windsurfing Events "Secretary" Tom (aka TSN) directly on trsn500@york.ac.uk; or facebook stalk him down...

 

Hope to see you out there soon!

 

 

 

Page Created: 29th Oct, 2007
Last Updated: 3:27pm on 11th Dec, 2007 by Sailing Club