Three young windsurfing members of the RYA South West Zone Squad will be inspiring even more young people to get involved and progress in windsurfing, after being selected as new RYA Team15 (T15) Ambassadors.

Zoe Bassett (11) from Charlton Kings, Lucy Grayston (14) from Truro and Joe Parrott (13) from Minions were officially awarded with their ambassador certificates, along with youngsters from across the country, at the RYA Techno Easter Camp in Weymouth on 13-14 April.

The role was created to recognise RYA Zone and UK Squad windsurfers who play an important part in the education of other T15 sailors, many of whom are new to windsurfing and windsurfing competition.

Zoe  will now help to develop her T15 windsurfing club, the Axbridge Animals, promoting T15, the RYA Racing Pathway and the RYA Zone Squad Programme. She will also become a point of contact for other young sailors who may need advice about how to move forward in the sport.  She said: “I am really excited to be a Team15 Ambassador. Windsurfing is really really good fun and you get to make loads of friends”.

Lucy  will be fulfilling the same function for the Roseland Waveriders, who train at Roseland Paddle and Sail: “I like to support my Team15 club as without Team15 I would not be where I am now, it got me into windsurfing! I also enjoy helping others and showing them what you can achieve if you really try. Team15 is a great programme and I hope it keeps going and inspires even more youngsters to go windsurfing.”

Joe, who will carry out the role for the Siblyback Water Warriors, said: “I have already encouraged some of my friends to try windsurfing and some are now members of our Team15 squad. I would like to work towards a coaching qualification myself so that I can teach others and show them what fun windsurfing is.”

“The windsurfers who have been selected are hugely enthusiastic and have all shown that they’re willing to share their skills and knowledge with other young sailors. Hopefully we will see even more Team15ers progressing through the RYA pathway,” explains RYA National Windsurfing Development Officer Gillian Wright.

If you’re a windsurfer in the RYA Zone Squads you can apply to become a Team15 ambassador. Visit www.Team15.org.uk for more information and an application form.

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 or contact the RYA 0845 345 0400.