The first of this year’s Eastern Team15 Inter-Club Championship was held at Lakeside Leisure, Peterborough, on Saturday 19 May and attracted youngsters from windsurfing teams Norwich Force Eighth, Grafham Flyers and Stanborough Stormers as well local competitors.  

In cool, drizzly and changeable conditions nine youngsters took to the water at Lakeside under the watchful eye of East Zone head coach Paul Sibley and newly appointed T15 Competition Organiser Anna Bird. Anna said: “Many of these sailors hadn’t competed in too many events before so they all did incredibly well. They improved hugely during the morning of coaching by Paul.”  

For Anna, who recently succeeded Graham Colam as T15 co-ordinator, this was her first event: “A really good event,” she commented afterwards.  

With the predominantly southerly winds ranging from three to 10 knots and swinging quite markedly, judging the wind shifts was an added pressure.  

Joe Threlfall (12) of Lakeside Loafers put in an excellent performance in the 3.5m fleet; after a shaky start he went onto win three out of the five races! Alex Blackmore (8) Grafham Flyers was the youngest sailor on the water and he put in a massive effort throughout the whole day.  

T15 stalwart Madoc Miller (11) Stanborough Stormers dominated the 4.5m fleet, while Sunke Trace-Kleeberg (15) Lakeside Loafers and Alastair Hammond (12) Norwich Force Eighth fought it out for second place.  

Sunke’s younger sister Ishka (14) and brother Janek (12) made it a family affair in the 3.5m class.

The Lakeside Loafers were the overall winners. 

The next round is at Stanborough Park Activity Centre on 10 June.

Supported by industry leaders Tushingham/Starboard and Neil Pryde, T15 was set up by the RYA to help make windsurfing more accessible and appealing to youngsters at a grass roots level.  

Fun and informal training sessions take place at T15 clubs all over the country for kids up to the age of 15, which are run weekly by specialist RYA coaches.  

The T15 inter-club championship takes place regionally over the summer adding a competitive edge and race training for those keen to hone their skills.  

Kit can be borrowed from the clubs and the cost of sessions is kept low.    

To get involved with Team15 and locate your nearest local club visit www.team15.org.uk or contact the RYA 0845 345 0400.