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We can now bring you the updated video from the BUCS Windsurf Nationals held at Calshot.

Enjoy

SWA T Shirts for the BUCS event

BUCS Windsurfing Championships

held in Calshot was yet another testimony to the way student events are growing.

With approximately 300 competitors registered to compete even with up coming exams the Student Windsurfing tour is one of the best followed events we have seen.The SWA always provide plenty of sporting action alongside lifestyle alternatives for people to participate in. This was no exception.We have to say a massive thanks to Calshot Activities Centre, Southampton University, SWA as well as Club Vass, Tushingham Sails, Goya, Gaastra, Boardwise, Spartan Wetsuits, Kai Sports, Solent Sailboards, Beachbum Beanbags, Plasma Clothing as well as boards magazine and windsurf mag for supporting the event.

The emphasis of the event is on competing with BUCS points up for grabs, the best of the windsurfers always appear to compete for the titles on offer. So with a registration and reunion party on the Friday night as people arrived Calshot Activites Centre the weekend began in earnest.

Saturday morning and winds were light, with the forecast predicting a change of direction and not much increase in the wind things didnt look good. So with an announcement at briefing, under the redbull tent, that the racing would start at 10.30 there was frantic action with people rigging their kit as fast as they could.

The advanced sailors managed to get out first on the Solent side of Calshot, whilst the much bigger fleets of intermediates and beginners were setting up on the inside of the spit by Calshot Activities Centre. The forecast was a little sketchy with the possiblity of the wind dropping completely, so races were underway as soon as everyone was ready. With only one race completed for the intermediates the wind dropped completely leaving most fo the fleet with a swim back to the shore and a cheeky catch up with friends along the way. Time to call lunch in the hope that the wind would fill back in in.

The competitions were restarted about an hour or so later and a good number of races were run in all categories, enough to enable results to be calculated. With the advanced category staying the longest on the water the students slowly started to disperse to their tents, vehicles or dorms to prepare for the evenings final celebrations of the year. ExPix again were on hand to capture the many varied, amazingly colourful, somewhat comical and downright inventive, costumes

We give the award to best group to (photogenically speaking of course) .......UEA for being a great idea bringing the old theme of pirates into the 21st century. Pirates usually speak in a strange language (these should), have weapons (these did) and run riot (again THEY DID) heres the image of our favourite costumes ! 

The evening party was once again a boat trip on the Solent, whilst everyone danced, drank, watched the ExPix slideshow or managed to get into places they shouldnt ..... but we wont name names (you can check out the galleries to see who was hiding where they shouldnt have been and I believe there may be ....well there is video of the two 'stow aways' escaping their hideaway !)

As the boat came back to Calshot, it was time to pack down the equipment to move it to one of the hangars for the drum and base session. We managed to get a few images in here too but left the hardcore party animals to enjoy the last tunes without having to beware of the sober cameraman who may be capturing them at their worst.

Sunday morning it was time for the team races. This race is a favourite of many of the students, kit supplied by boardwise so everyone had the same equipment, riders of different levels, a cold northerly wind and rain made for an interesting race program. Several people had to be rescued due to the cold (thats what they say) but our hat comes off to the competive, and dogged determination of the all girls team ...one of whom was wearing a shorty putting all the guys to shame!!

With racing over and still a reasonable wind blowing, the lagoon became the centre of attention as people started an impromptu freestyle jam. Again considering the conditions there were somepretty niffty moves sliding under the radar as well as a few big wipe outs. Committee members started to drag people off the water for the presentations being held inside the activities centre.

With Cardiff coming out as overall winners of the BUCS Nationals 2010 its was time to pack up and head home ...... till the next event !

To see a small gallery of images available to the public click here

If your registered you can view ALL the images click here

See you there guys .....hopefully

Results

National Races

Advanced Men

1 Alex Tricke (Durham)

2 Dave Williams (Cambridge) sponsored by Simmer and RRD

3 Koray Ezer (Sussex)

 

Advanced Ladies

1 Sarah Bibby (Southampton) sponsored by Simmer, Quattro, Pura Vida & Boardriders

2 Maeli Cherel (Southampton) sponsored by Vandal, Fanatic, Spartan, Fourbaords

3 Emily Hall (Bath)

 

Inter Mens

1 Luke Dowdeswell (Bath)

2 Ben Milton (Cardiff)

3 Adam Kewely (Nottingham)

 

Inter Ladies

1 Ricci Marshall (Cambridge)

2 Leah Pickering (Cardiff)

Emma Shrimpton (Loughborough)

 

Beginner Mens

1 Jack Welch (Portsmouth)

2 Jamie Richardson (Liverpool)

3 Stuart Fawke (Birmingham)

 

Beginner Ladies

Emma Mathias - Jones (Nottingham)

2 Sarah Wienberg (Liverpool)

3 Harriet Winfrey (UEA)

Team Racing

1 Cardiff

2 Cambridge

3 Southampton

 

Series Winners Annual

Boardwise / SWA Freestyle Series

1 Matt Yeates (UCL) sponsored by Tushingham, Starboard

2 James Goody (Cardiff)

3 Joe O'Callaghan (St Mary's) sponsored by Severne, Boardwise

 

Kaisports SWA Ladies Series

Ladies

1 Sarah Bibby (Southampton) sponsored bySimmer, Quattro, Pura Vida

2 Maeli Cherel (Southampton) sponsored by Vandal, Fanatic

3 Rebecca Kellagher (Bath)

 

Goya SWA Wave Series

1 Stef Hilder (Southampton) sponsored by Goya, Mormai, Boylos

2 Seb Willis (Cardiff) sponsored by Windwise

3 Steve Jarvis (Southampton) sponsored by Vandal, Fanatic

 

Tushingham / SWA Race Series

1 Seb Willis (Cardiff)

2 James Goody (Cardiff)

3 Matt Yeates (UCL) sponsored by Tushingham, Starboard

BUCS 2010 PRE EVENT Press Release

The BUCS Windsurfing Championships 2010 will be held once again at Calshot and ExPix will be Media partners for this years event.

Date Friday 30th April - Sunday 2nd May 2010

Location Calshot Activities Centre Calshot Spit Fawley, Southampton Hampshire SO45 1 BR www.calshot.com

Hosted by : The University of Southampton, Calshot Activities Centre & Student Windsurfing Association (SWA)

Sponsors: Club Vass, Tushingham Sails, Goya, Gaastra, Boardwise, Spartan Wetsuits, Kai Sports, Solent Sailboards, Beachbum, Plasma

Media Partners: ExPix Board Magazine, Windsurf Magazine

Now in its 10th year the BUCS Windsurfing Championship comes to Calshot Activities Centre on the 30th April - 2nd May 2010. As part of the British Universities & College Sports (BUCS) Championships, the event, which is hosted by the University of Southampton, SWA and Calshot Activities Centre is the SWA season Finale.

8P1C5209Starting with registration at the renunion party on Friday night, the competition will begin on Saturday 1st May. Running for two days, over 300 students from Bath, Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, Cardiff, Durham, UEA, Exeter, Imperial College, Liverpool, Loughborough, Nottingham, Leeds, Portsmouth, Plymouth, Southampton, Saint Mary's, UWE, Sussex and Swansea, Universities will take part in a series of competitions.

The Beginner race will take place on the sheltered water on the inside of the spit, with an emphasis on fun and learning. The intermediate racing will see a very large fleet going around a slightly more challenging course, ith the signature SWA photo finish on the beach. The advanced racing will take place on the Solent. Competitors will tackle a ling and tricky course, with a start / finish line just off the beach to allow the best view for spectators. The team race between universities and worth the most BUCS points will also take place on the solent using the SWA's one adam simsdesign kite, around a more simplified course. Last but by no means least; an impromptu freestyle competition will take place, wind and the scheduling permiting.

The event has attracted huge support from industry who will be on hand with demo kit and on land clinics. Red Bull are providing an events base where a university band will be playing on the Saturday afternoon and the ExPix team will be on hand to capture all the days action.

The 'Saltylocks' themed boat party will leave from Calshot Spit on the Saturday night. On board will be the ExPix team with a display of images fromt he days action together with live updates of the night time antics!

8P1C6426The final prize giving of the series will take place on Sunday afternoon. With prizes sponsored by Club Vass, Tushingham Sails, Goya, Gaastra, Boardwise, Spartan Wetsuits, Kai Sports, Solent Sailboards, Beachbum, Plasma and ExPix.

Special thanks go to BUCS, Calshot Activities Centre, the University of Southampton, Southampton University Windsurfing Club, the sponsors and media partners and all of the  University Windsurf Clubs; without whom this event would not be possible.

 

 

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