Alex placed 2nd in Baja, Mexico @ AWT

Posted on by 2xs
Alex, a West Wittering Ripper, has just competed in the American Windsurfing Tour out in Baja, Mexico - here is Frank (Alex's Dad) account of the event: The AWT event at Baja is a regular feature on our windsurfing calendar and this year was no exception. As we pulled in to Brown Field airstrip right [...]

ISA Stand Up Paddlesurf Worlds – Nicaragua May 2014

Posted on by Emile Kott

ISA Stand Up Paddlesurf Worlds – Nicaragua May 2014

Holly Bassett 16 years old returns from The ISA Stand Up Paddlesurf Worlds in Nicaragua ranked No 11 in the world , in the women’s surf SUP division.
The International Surfing Association hold each year the World SUP surf and flat water Worlds with over 31 different countries competing in Surf SUP, Distance and Technical SUP flat water racing and prone surfboard events. Teams are selected from each countries national qualifying events in Holly’s case she was British Women’s SUP champion in 2013. It is a mini Olympics for Stand Up Paddlesurfing.
The whole event was paraded in country order through the city of Grenada with thousands of spectators – Holly was the UK teams official sand pourer where sand from each country (West Wittering Beach ) was poured to represent surfers uniting from around the world, in front of the ISA panel, Mayor of Granada and the Nicaraguan Minister of Tourism.
Holly was part of a 7 person team from all over the UK -the Surf side of the event was held in La Boquita on the pacific coast of Nicaragua. Each countries Teams were seeded then split into heats of 20 or 15 minutes to compete in riding the waves –Holly’s first heat was against the 2013 World champion from Brazil and top world ranked Costa Rican Surfer. Holly made it through 3 days of heats going through the reportage to get over all = 11 in blistering heat and humidity. Team GB was ranked 12 overall out of 31 countries.
The Team consisted of Aaron Rowe, Matt Barker Smith, Ollie Shilston, Marie Buchanan, riding SUP and prone surfers Andre Le Geyt and Robbo Conner ,plus myself Abi Barker-Smith and Catherine Andre’s girlfriend. The Team crew stayed in Grenada in a small very decent hotel Casa San francisco have to say we had a great time out there even though the comp time was intense.
The competition was super tough most of the women competing are full time professionals –world champions in other sports and full time paddle surfers –for Holly at 16 years old and just starting her GSCEs at Seaford College it was challenging the 10,500 mile trip the time change and 80 degree temperatures!
This ISA World competition has certainly fired Holly up, she competed in the prone surfing relay and was one place out of qualification – so she will compete in more events and aiming for the 2014 National Championships in October this year .
Have to thank also the TEAM Holly Bassett support crew –Jane, Daisy, Rich & Sandy Dale –The Humberstones and Mark Perry for their donations to team Holly Bassett.
The Team was sponsored by Aquapak -Brightstar–Penguin-Lifeproof-ION-2XS-Prosport-Waterbourn-Palmeria Local
Holly has been sponsored by Fanatic, Kialoa, Ion, 2XS, X-train West Witttering and Prosport sunscreen.
Photo credits Simon Bassett –team opening ceremony Rommel Gonzales & Michael Tweddle..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Emile wins Amatuer fleet – BWA Cornwall Event

Posted on by Emile Kott

Emile who worked with 2XS/WWWC for many years clinched a well deserved victory in the BWA Gwithian amatuer division last weekend in some of the biggest wave conditions of the year.

Emile has been riding the new 2014 Goya quads and 4 batton Banzaii sails. If you get the chance to watch Emile windsurfing you will see how full on his windsurfing has got in decent wave sailing conditions.

Here’s what he said:

“This year was the third time I have taken part in the BWA amateur event in Cornwall. I had managed second place twice before and was very keen to try to take the win!

I love sailing at Gwithian – it’s a beautiful spot and on it’s day gives some incredible (port tack) riding conditions.

This year’s event was blessed with solid conditions, helped along by the infamous Jude storm. The amateur event took place on the Saturday when we had solid 4.7 weather with chest to shoulder high sets. There were 24 entrants, including some very solid sailors. To be honest, when I saw the level of sailing, I wasn’t even hopeful of getting through the first round!

I got through the first few rounds, then the judges started to score on 1 jump as well as the 2 wave rides. Sailing at Wittering all the time, I am far from comfortable jumping on port tack but gave it my best.

In the final round, (probably more by luck than judgment) I managed to land a clean backie – on port tack! – still can’t quite believe it… That pretty much sealed the deal.

As always, the event was excellent – every possible minute of compete-able conditions was used in everything from bolt-onshore Marazion mush to scary mast high walls breaking top to bottom on the sandbar at the Bluff.

If anyone is thinking of entering a competition next year, stop finding excuses and do it! We always have a lot of fun – everyone is very friendly and it really does wonders for your sailing. There were sixty something competitors at the Gwithian event and only 2 were from Wittering! – There are some great sailors here who would be at the top of the Youth, Master and Amateur fleets…” ..

Holly Bassett wins 2013 BSUPA Womens Paddlesurf Championship @ Watergate Bay

Posted on by Emile Kott

Holly Bassett competed and won the Ladies division last weekend in the BSUPA National Championships at Watergate Bay Cornwall. The Stand up Paddlesurf event draws competitors from all over the UK with divisions of men, ladies and juniors.

They have to compete in surf and get judged by a panel of trained ISA judges for wave riding style, wave selection and radical moves. Holly has been placed well in previous competitions in the junior section but has never made it through into the final heats of the ladies . This season she was very determined to do her best and get placed in the top three in the women’s division.

The heats last 20 minutes each so its making the most of the waves that come through and the style of riding the judges are looking for. Holly competed on the Saturday and won her first heat, on the Sunday morning the women’s final was held but the result was not disclosed until 5 pm at the prize giving. Former BSUPA British Champion Neal Gent was ripping throughout the event but difficult with inconsistent waves in his heat he was knocked out in a closely fought quarter final; Matt Argyle top wave Sup rider made it also through to the semis.

This year the level of riding has radically improved with new pro surfers entering the competition the SUP surfing standard is getting more radical. I had managed to get through to the 2nd round but lost against Jan Sleigh and Reuben in my second heat –the 20 minute heat felt like a 2 hour session! At the the prize giving we were surprised as the names were read out we realised she was in first place we hadn’t expected this – not only had Holly won the Junior under 16 girls, she had won the women’s and was awarded The Watergate Bay Water Women award for 2013 – “now we have a British Champion in the family it was emotional !”

Holly now has a place at the International Surfing Association World Championships in Nicagura in February .

Well done to all the competitors including new British champ Matt Barker Smith and in second place Aaron Rowe and Louis Harrow Junior champ.

Pics by Simon Bassett /Bob Berry