The Pitsford Pirates team of young windsurfers are celebrating after pulling back a win in the second event of the Team15 Inter-Club Championship series at Carsington Sport and Leisure last weekend (Saturday 15 June).  

Following a defeat to local rivals the Croft Farm Flyers in the first event of the series, the Pirates were back on fighting form, picking up wins in three of the four classes competing.  

 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 second 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.

Teams joining the Pirates and the Flyers were the Carsington Comets and Tallington Tornadoes.  

In strong winds, stand out performances came from siblings Robin (15) and Daisy (11) McAllister who both took first places in the 6.8m and 3.5m classes. Ben McCann (14) also came home with a win in the 4.5m class at his first ever Team15 event!  

Comet Finbarr Brookes (age 9) was also competing at his very first event and secured a 2nd place finish in the 3.5m class. His teammate Lucy Cook (13) finished first in the 5.8m class.  

Merit awards were awarded to James Bulson (10) from the Croft Farm Flyers and Carsington Comet Elliot Keen (13) for their determination to complete their races despite struggling in the strong breeze.  

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. 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 www.team15.org.uk