Spray Sprites’ team of young windsurfers made it two wins out of two as the 2013 Team15 South East Inter-Club Challenge Series reached the halfway stage at Rye Watersports on Sunday (23 June).

Sprite Megan Kraft led the way as Eastbourne outfit Spray moved themselves into pole position to wrestle the regional title back from 2012 South East champions, Kent-based Hythe Hotshots, and book their place at the 2013 Team15 Champions’ Cup national grand final in October.

It was a real team effort from Spray as although Megan picked up the Sprites’ only class victory in the 3.5m class it was the contribution from sailors such as Samuel Williams, Louis Miles, Oscar Williams, Luke Leckie and Luke Williams, who all picked up second and third places in their classes, that kept the Sprites’ noses ahead of Hythe Hotshots on the day.

The Hotshots picked up second overall while hosts Rye Rebels were third, with particularly impressive performances coming from young Edward Marsh (3.5m) and Lottie Burden (4.5m), who both took third spots for the Rebels.

Almost 50 young windsurfers from six Team15 clubs across the region descended on Northpoint Water in Rye, East Sussex with the youngsters making the most of classic Rye conditions of lots of Westerly wind and a steady force 4 breeze gusting 6 at points.

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.

Four regional rounds are contested with the Team15 South East crown and a place at the Champions Cup final at stake. The next round, round three, takes place at Hythe and Saltwater SC – home of defending champions – on Saturday 20 July.

Craig Coupe, Team15 regional organiser for the South East, said: “It was great to see 47 competitors from six different clubs competing; it was a really good turnout. Well done everyone and thank you to Rye Watersports for hosting and thank you to the parents and coaches for getting the kit and kids to the event. Onwards we march to Hythe!”

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.

For more information about getting involved at Spray Sprites visit www.eastsussex.gov.uk/spray or find out more about Rye Rebels at www.ryewatersports.co.uk

More information about Team15 can be found at www.rya.org.uk/programmes/team15 or contact 0845 345 0400.