Witterings Charity Paddle Race 2010 – a huge success

Posted on by Emile Kott
The annual Witterings Charity Paddle race went ahead on Sunday 22nd August in aid of the Sussex Snowdrop trust. The annual event organised by 2XS, X-train and The Shore Surf Club had 28 competitors who paddled on surf boards, SUPs, Kayaks, prone surf boards and outrigger style kayaks. The fun event has been going for 5 years and locals from the Shore Surf Club and West Wittering Windsurf Club compete with others for fun over the 1/2 mile between East and West Wittering beach.

The poor August weather didn’t put off the competitors who raced up the shore line at low tide. The starts were staggered – kayaks went first followed by prone surfboards, surfboards and finally SUPs. The whole idea of the event is fun: to bring the community together between East and West Wittering and raise some money for charity.
Plenty of families were at the event, children under 10 taking part as well as the oldest competitor at nearly 70 who made the distance. The local CDC patrol service, PUMA safety were on hand for safety backup along with a jet ski from WWWC and lifeguards from West Wittering Beach.
It was good to see plenty of entrants from WWWC: Chris Mclaron, who raised nearly £360 and was behind me on a SUP, James and Archie Mellor and Holly Bassett. James, Sasha and Steve Arnell Smith as well James Randall who won the prone surfing. Oliver Chiperfield, who was the first non outrigger kayak and showed how running 5K three times a week can change your fitness. It would be good to see a few more next year.
Keith Rathbone won the overall event on his 18ft outrigger, Simon Bassett was 1st SUPer, James Randall 1st prone paddler, Nicoli Rotterman 1st surfer, Holly Bassett 1st lady and first junior SUP, James Anrell Smith first junior surfer and the Crawford brothers 1st junior kayak. Chris Mclaron won the award for the most money raised as well as Roger Wilson for being the oldest competitor

Organisers Adriano Roldan, Graham Taplin and Simon Bassett were all very happy with the result – not only was the event good fun but also we raised over £1150 for the Sussex Snowdrop trust. Next season’s event is planned for the Sunday 24th July 2011.

Thanks to all who helped run the event: Adriano, Tony, Graham, Sue, Clive, Will and Russell on the Barbie, the Shore Surf Club, Keith and Martin from Puma safety, Chris, Adam, Andy, Bobbie and Jane from X-train and West Wittering lifeguards Will, Ali and Jenny.

Results:
1 Keith Rathbone 9H Other Crafts / Sea Canoe 17:05
2 Rick Knight 4F Kayak 17:38
3 Simon Basset 1D SUP race 21:25 (1st SUP)
4 Oliver Chipperfield 21F Kayak 22:38 (1st Kayak)
5 Nick & Oscar 25F Kayak 23:46
6 James Randall (life guard) 18G Prone Paddle Board 23:50 (1st Prone Paddleboard)
7 C Mc Larnon 7D SUP 25:14
8 Billy & Charly Crawford 5F Kayak Junior 25:20 (1st Junior)
9 Peter Symms 29A Surfboard 25:36 (1st Surfboard)
10 James Mellor 26D SUP 25:39
11 Nicolai Roterman 20A Surfboard 25:48
12 Graham Taplin 3G Prone Paddle Board 27:14
13 Ken Harmer 11D SUP 27:20
14 Brian James 6D SUP 28:13
15 Steve Smith 15D SUP 29:39
16 Chris Dixon 10D SUP 32:53
17 Russell Taplin 2A Surfboard 33:51
18 Mary Roterman 14B Surfboard Ladies 34:29 (1st Ladies Surfer)
19 Chris Watkins 13G Prone Paddle Board 37:14
20 Adriano 22A Surfboard 38:55
21 Shane Geary 8A Surfboard 39:14
22 Holly Basset 28A SUP 40:02 (1st Ladies Junior)
23 Dave & Archi Gammon 19H Other Craft / Outrigger 41:19
24 Sharon Taplin 24E SUP ladies 42:40
25 Sasha Arnell Smith 16F Kayak Junior 43:50
26 Archie Mellor 27D SUP Junior 44:32
27 James Arnell Smith 17C Surfboard Junior 46:12
28 Roger Wilson 23G Prone Paddle Board 47:05

Emile’s Feedback on Fanatic Quad 79

Posted on by Emile Kott

Emile:
I tried this in the week. I have to admit to being sceptical at first. I was, however, hugely impressed.

Sailing out, the board seems to grip a lot more than modern mono-concave singles or twin fins and I was getting a lot more floaty airs than I normally do (on a 5.3, fairly well-powered). It seemed to cut into wind on take-off a lot better than other boards I have tried, making it ideal for rocket airs or backloops in onshore conditions!

The board is slightly later to plane than my New Wave single fin but not annoyingly so and it was getting going fine in the marginal wind that I started my session in. I found that this was remedied by pointing slightly deeper downwind than normal to unstick it. Once going, it sailed through the lulls very well and was really happy popping over the messy stuff.

On the way in, it is very playful and definitely loves full rail carves more than the back foot twin fin style. The waves were not great by any stretch of the imagination but I did have a few magic moments getting the odd nice smack.

I am really looking forward to checking out the RRD quads to see how they compare. However, on the back of that session, I am DEFINITELY buying a quad this year!

If you want to try the Fanatic this weekend, and I highly recommend you do, be sure to give Chris or Roscoe a call on 01243 513077

Jem’s Feedback on the new RRD Quad 92 so far

Posted on by Emile Kott

JEM:
Psc, baja all good and just sailed my quad 92 for first proper time and it was really damn good, i am very happy. Was full power 5.5 and then gusty 5.0 with some chest high sets coming in.

FEEDBACK SO FAR
Felt quick to plane, very controllable and good speed, went upwind very high. Easy to sail and secure through the gybe and you could really drive hard in the exit, more like a single fin.

In riding it was pretty loose, still working on the riding, but it good grip and drive through the turns.

Jumps were good too, off small chop and waves and it rotated well through forwards, with a short and compact feel to the board.

Tacks were also very stable.

COMPARISON
All in all it feels bigger and easier than the twin 90 so far.

COMING UP NEXT
I will play around with fins and other things and give you more feedback when we get bigger waves and i m more tuned into the riding.

Peter Hart announces his coaching dates at West Wittering this autumn and overseas this winter

Posted on by Emile Kott

Coaching legend and WW local Peter Hart, by very popular demand, is running another series of courses here in the early autumn.

You’ve seen the DVDs. Now experience the real thing. No one does it better you WILL improve beyond your wildest expectations!

Witterings Clinics
1st Sept: LADIES DAY (aka Birds on Boards)
Standard: Planing in the harness
A chance to relax and excel in like-minded company

6th-7th Sept: SLICKER CORNERS (general skills)
Standard: Planing in the straps and harness
Nailing the tacks and gybes on and off the plane

15th-16th Sept (one day course – windier day chosen): JUMP AND LOOP
Standard: Sailing a sub 100ltr board in breaking waves
Control your air with the aim of nailing a big one!

To book or for more information on any of the above courses, please call Chris or Roscoe on 01243 513077

The West Wittering Lagoon: the perfect carve gybing arena.

Only the finest company on a Peter Hart course

If by then, you are dreaming of warmer climes, check out Peter’s foreign schedule.

The Overseas Clinics
12th-20th Oct: General Skills
Location: Dahab, Egypt
Standard: Planing in the straps

16th-30th Nov: General skills and waves
Location: Mauritius
Standard: Sailing sub-120ltr board on the sea

8th-18th Jan: General skills and waves
Location: Jeri, Brazil
Standard: Sailing sub-120ltr board on the sea

To book the abroad courses, please call Sportif on 01273 844919

An Evening with John Skye and Jem Hall, Crouchers Hotel, 2nd September

Posted on by Emile Kott

On 2nd September at Crouchers Hotel, between 6 and 8pm, top world cup windsurfer John Skye and coaching guru Jem Hall will present the brand new Version 4 (2011) RRD Quad and Single Fin Waveboards.

2XS will have the first public preview of the Hardcore Quad, Wavecult Quad and Hardcore single fin waveboards.

John Skye, who has been developing the boards with Roberto Ricci in Hawaii and South Africa will be on hand to discuss the performance of the boards. Jem, who will just have returned from Baja, Mexico, will have the latest information on the new Wavecult Quad.

We are also working to have a preview of the new Windsurf Movie 2. Lloyd Van Royen has kindly let us use his hotel as the venue.  Crouchers Hotel is easy to find on the Birdham Road, very near Chichester Marina. For full directions, please see the Crouchers Website.

If you think you might join us, RSVP to simon@2xs.co.uk as soon as possible.

More Team15 information

Posted on by Emile Kott

Rosco and the guys at West Wittering Windsurf Club have give us this further information about the Team15 sessions at West Wittering. If you are interested, please get in touch by calling 01243 513 077

Timing
You must be at West Wittering Windsurf Club, rigged and ready, 30 minutes early.

Please Pre-book
Pre booking is essential for us to plan our staff and equipment needs.

Kit and Cost
The cost is £12 per session; please bring your own kit if you have it. We can provide gear if you don’t have any.

T-15 will follow the RYA plan to develop youngsters’ windsurf skills and racing skills every 2 weeks on thursday from 4.00pm till 5.00pm. Followed by some sunday dates at the end of the summer. This is the next stage after beginner windsurfing.

5th, 19th August

Sunday 5th(10.30am), Sunday 19th (10.30am) September,

Sunday 3rd (10.30am), Sunday 17th (10.30am – raceday)October

Race Days
31st August and 17th October 2pm-4pm

Coaching
We will be working on developing all point s of windsurfing concentrating on figure of 8’s planing, fast tacking, gybing start lines, basic rules, wind shifts and finish lines.

T-15 is also about social interaction so kids and their “beach crew” can have fun meet other windsurfers and naturally (without mum and dad pushing to get out on the water).

Mum and Dad
Mums and Dads can help on the water -this is not like our rippers intense coaching it’s more of group coaching and general skills -your involvement can be to help learn about coaching and help carrying gear to and from the beach.

Sail Rigging
We do want kids to rig their own sails to improve rigging skills and understand wind speeds and tuning decisions so please don’t rig their sails

Book Now
So please book the sessions you want and ensure you’re there 1/2 hour BEFORE the session as we will start on time… Call 01243 513 077 to book sessions now.

Cheers Roscoe and team