BUCS Windsurfing Championship 2010

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

Enjoy

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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.

Heres a quick video teaser of the weekend .... sign up to the newsletter on the home page so you can be notified when the full version is released ;-)

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EG2D5975 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.

EG2D6000 EG2D5987 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, EG2D5774 EG2D5777 EG2D5812 EG2D5869 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 EG2D5883 EG2D6000 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 EG2D6090 EG2D6074 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

EG2D6383 EG2D6369 EG2D6375 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 ! EG2D6354

The evening party was once again a boat trip on the Solent, whilst everyone danced, drank, EG2D6449 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. EG2D6705

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 EG2D6796 EG2D6801 EG2D6878 EG2D6887 determination of the all girls team ...one of whom was wearing a EG2D6863 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 some EG2D7154 EG2D7151 EG2D7041 EG2D7259 EG2D7100 pretty 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.