Croft Farm Flyers’ team of young windsurfers are celebrating after clinching their first ever Team15 Midlands Inter-Club Challenge Series event win at Croft Farm Waterpark on Saturday (18 May).

The Flyers, who switched to competing on the Midlands Team15 circuit last year, made the most of home advantage as the Tewkesbury youngsters picked up wins in three of the four classes while there were also special merit awards for two of the Flyers’ sailors.

Team15 is the RYA’s youth windsurfing development programme helping make windsurfing more accessible and appealing to kids aged 15 and under at grassroots level. The Team15 Inter-Club Challenge Series takes place regionally over the summer adding a competitive edge and race training for those keen to hone their skills.

This was the first of four rounds taking place over the summer, with the Team15 regional crown and a place in October’s national Team15 Champions Cup final at stake.

Among the stand out Flyers performances included Lolly Dickens, who was sailing for the first time this year after a long lay-off from the sport with injury. She quickly got back in the game and rose to the top of the 3.5m board fleet to take the overall 3.5m class win.

There were also class wins for Daniel Ludlow (5.8m) and Matt Dickens (6.8m) while James Bulson and Alexander Teague both picked up merit awards, James for impressing on his move up to the bigger 4.5m fleet and Alexander for perseverance.

James’ brother, Ben, and sister, Laura – both Team15 graduates – made sure it was a real Bulson family affair as they helped out and coached the teams both on and off the water.

Croft Farm Flyers train each week at their Wednesday Club. There are more than 80 Team15 clubs nationwide. Fun and informal Team15 sessions are held weekly, kit can be borrowed from the clubs and the cost of sessions is kept low.

Saturday’s event was also part of national RYA ‘Push the Boat Out Weekend’. RYA ‘Push the Boat Out’ saw sailing clubs and centres across the country inviting local people to come and ‘have a go’ at sailing and windsurfing, providing the perfect chance for everyone to get out on the water and celebrate a national weekend of sailing.

To get involved with Team15 at Croft Farm this year visit www.croftfarmleisure.co.uk or to find out more about Team15 visit www.rya.org.uk/programmes/team15