80COMPSTUDENT WINDSURFING ASSOCIATION
Stop two:
PlymEx (Plymouth/Exeter)
Plymouth and Exeter jointly hosted 'Plymex' for the 7th Year
in a row, making it the longest-running SWA wave event to
date. PlymEx is normally run at either Gwithian or Marazion
beach in Cornwall and the accommodation provided by the
Plymouth University windsurf club.
This year, much like the Swansea event, we were presented
with some rather unusual northerly winds. This made it
bitterly cold, but having witnessed similar forecasts for the
most recent BWA Cornwall event it was decided that
contestable conditions were on the cards. On the Saturday
this suspicion was proven correct with good waves and
cross/cross-on starboard tack conditions. Even the sun came
out for a bit which made everyone happy.
Rob Loescher (Sheffield Hallam) took the top spot in the
competition, closely followed by Shaun Ashmore
(Manchester) in second and Alice Read (Plymouth) in third.
Jim (Puravida): “We were faced with freezing temperatures
and challenging winds in Cornwall, but as the snow melted
and the sun came out all the students stepped up to the
plate and took it on at Gwithian. I have to say how stoked I
am to see the sheer progression in the riders’ skills and
experience between events! They learn so much from the
comps and the other riders that their own skills are coming
along rapidly – you can really see what it’s all about on the
Student Wave tour.”
Alice Read (Plymouth Uni Competitor): “With large amounts
of whitewater, it was hard to get out the back, however, the
waves were a good size to have a go and get some points (in
the competition). After the final heat, the tide was beginning
to come in and make the conditions on the beach
unfavourable so the day came to an end on the water and
everyone came in for the prize giving.”
Stop three:
Rhossness (Bangor)
Rhossness is another long-running SWA event, hosted by the
wonderful Bangor University Windsurf Club (with help from
local heroes Funsport) and run on the famous Rhosneigr
beach. Rhossness is also one the most reliable SWA events
for providing epic forecasts. It was already looking pretty wild
before the naughtiest of student windsurfers had taken the
first sip of their £1 north Wales pints. With Met Office storm-
force wind-warnings in places for Saturday and Sunday
(thanks Storm Freya), the advanced wave sailors were super
excited about putting their smallest sails to good use and the
intermediates and beginners were looking forward to putting
their only sail to some sort of use.
Saturday dawned and most of the students had made it back
to their respective accommodation. Brekkie was served by
the wonderful hosts and before noon a decent portion of the
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WIND
SURFING