2nd at BKSA Watergate shambles 04/24/2012
This weekend saw the BKSA Round 2 of the Racing and a Wavejam at Watergate Bay, Cornwall. After the last event in Clacton and the poor organisation we were all hoping for something better at Watergate. Turning up early to find no boat and only 2 guys on the race crew plus a jetski and driver left us all a bit bewildered as to how it was gonna run? well it did run but only just witha total mess up of the racing in onshore 18knt wind with 6 ft waves. after needing to adjust the start they then put the flag up while all but 1 of us were on the beach as we were told the start line was being moved due to it being in amongst the breaking waves and dangerous on our big boards with big fins. 4 of us then sailed the course within all the time limits due to being able to cross the line from the beach! we then did 2 more races and came in to be told only 1 Ollie Bridge finished. the race was later scrapped at a same as everytime meeting afterwards in the pub. onto the wave jam and with the judges not really knowing what they were meant to be doing and scoring on we eventually settled with a overall impression wave jam with 3 heats of 6 and a 6 man final. i won with some strapless trickery including some back loop kiteloops and a nice jesus walk and a few turns in the onshore on the 9 rebel and 6'0 wam. that night we went to the pub and after a meeting had a burger paid for by the BKSA. nice one ;) Sunday came and windy around 28knts onshore and 6-8ft mess. at the briefing Racing was called off and it was said wavejam same as saturday with 20min heats. being the first to pump up my 9 rebel i got ready and asked the race crew when my heat was only to find out off another rider i wasnt even down? couldnt believe it so ran over to Dickie and said 'whats the hell is goign on' to him then flipping a coin and putting me in the heat starting in 2 mins. couldnt believe it but ran and got in amongst it. i pulled some more trickery and a nice few waves with a backroll off the lip even, only to find out i had come 4th in my heat? after i asked what was going on and seeing some of the scores for just going along no turns from the others, found out they were judging wave riding today as it was bigger. 'what' shouldnt they have said at the briefing. that was then it for the day at just after 12pm when we should of been kiting as it was windy. there wasnt even anything for the paper when they came at 12.30. well ended up 2nd in both the racing and waves after a really poor event and think I will just concentrate on the KSP World Tour, where its done properly from now on. had a sick surf monday to make up for it on the 6'. Bring on Guincho ferry out 22nd may. ye ha video from this weeks all time sessions coming soon. new Resin8 surfboards kite models going sick! peace 1 Comment 3rd BKSA Course Racing Watergate 04/21/2010
So first event of the year was run fri , sat, sunday and suprise suprise, no wind. Even with the dismal forecast 15 riders still made the journey down, all kitted up with the latest course boards and kites ready to show off their hard winter training. Friday and the wind was dead offshore but around 10knts so after a press release for the launch of kitesurfing in the UK we all headed out to start race 1. With a shifting breeze the course had to be adjusted and by the time it was ready for us to start the wind switched off and we all had to be rescued. I was feeling pretty confident with my speed against the others though and keen for more wind over the weekend. Well a gentle sea breeze did come in and averaged at 6mph on saturday. 2 races were held but i was so underpowered on the North ltd while Denzil and Jason were flying on there big wide boards. Was pleased with my starts but had my soul destroyed as both races they flew past pointing 30 degrees higher upwind! New boards on the way so should not be a problem for the next event. Still 3rd is ok to use as a discard! Going to keep the training up so i can continue on my quest for 2 British Titles this year, Waves and Racing! Thanks to my sponsors for their continuing support, North, Resin8, Freeriders and West and most of all my family and amazing girlfriend Tara ;) who was loving it on the jet ski. pics by Joe Cockle |