NATIONAL WATERSPORTS FESTIVAL TO LAUNCH NEW ‘NWF JUNIOR’ EVENT IN MAY 2014

The National Watersports Festival (NWF), incorporating Windsurfing, Kite Surfing, SUP (Stand Up Paddleboarding) and Kayaking, is a fun event designed to allow anyone, at any level in their sport, to take part. NWF started 8 years ago in Hayling Island, Hampshire and has grown into the largest festival of its kind in the UK.

The idea of "NWF JUNIOR" has been under development for some time. The concept is to encourage youngsters of all abilities, between the ages of 8 - 16, to attend a national event. Although there are established national youth pathways for racing, NWF JUNIOR is designed to cater for both as the vast majority of youngsters who are not part of this pathway or don’t necessarily wish to develop their racing skills. The mix is designed to be 20% Novice 70% Intermediate and 10% Professional and as with the NWF, the mentality is very much ‘roll up your sleeves and get stuck in!

Using the established NWF model, NWF JUNIOR will be a youth coaching camp for all NWF disciplines, delivered by an industry collective. The coaching and mentoring will be conducted by the stars, professionals and idols of each of the NWF sports, who have kindly volunteered their time to assist with the development of our stars of the future!

The inaugural event will take place at Stithians Lake (Cornwall) on 3rd-4th May 2014.

The venue means that NWF JUNIOR can deliver all disciplines of Kayaking, Kitesurfing, SUP and Windsurfing in the safety of inland waters, but also gives the option of moving to the coast for certain disciplines if required. The site has camping, showers, refreshments and offers great hospitality, plus there are plenty of other attractions on site to keep non-watersports family members occupied! More information on what is available can be found at www.swlakestrust.org.uk/lakes-and-facilities/the-lakes/stithians-lake

The Trade will also come equipped with their latest toys and professional team riders, all in support of this initative. More information will be distributed in due course. Watch this space! 

http://www.nationalwatersportsfestival.com/

The windsurfing book for young people

"Go Windsurfing!" is a windsurfing book for young people published by the Royal Yachting Association.

Written and illustrated by Claudia Myatt, "RYA Go Windsurfing!" offers easy reading style and engaging content to children aged between 7-12 years old.
 
The entertaining and clear format takes the reader from the beginnings through to starting to race and what they need to know to stay safe while out windsurfing. There is also an informative section at the back which explores Windsurfing amazing facts.

"I got wetter researching RYA Go Windsurfing! than all the other watersports put together but it was huge fun. The book is designed to take readers on a journey right through the windsurfing education from the early falling-in stages up to the moment it just clicks and the board takes off!", explains Claudia Myatt.
 
How to rig up their board, learning to steer, who invented windsurfing and how fast can a windsurfer go are some of the issues featured in "RYA Go Windsurfing!".
 

At only 7 years old, Ali Gunem from Alacati, Turkey is already speeding past the experienced sailors with his iSonic 97 Carbon and his 4.0m² sail.

Ali Gunem started windsurfing with his father at the age of 4. Two years later, he had his own board - a Kode Tufskin 122 - and was holding on to a 1.5m² sail, which he quickly swapped for a Futura 111 and a 2.0m².

After just a few weeks, Ali switched again to a ProKids S-Type 72 on which he mounted a 2.5m² sail. And the miniature super-hero got planing on his first outing! Thanks to the smaller and more maneuverable board, within weeks Ali nailed his first jibes and was definitely hooked. A typical summer day for him now involves 3 to 4 hours on the water . . . (read more)

Watch a nice video and find out more about this miniature super-hero by clicking here!