Croft Farm Flyer, James Bulson, had double cause for celebration as he was crowned an RYA National Junior Windsurfing champion just 24 hours after claiming Team15 class victory for his club at Rutland Watersports, Whitwell last weekend (6-7 July).

The event, the third round of the 2013 Team15 Midlands Inter-Club Challenge Series, was linked with the RYA National Junior Windsurfing Championships, supported by the UK Windsurfing Association (UKWA). Competitors raced in both events simultaneously, getting invaluable experience of racing in high-quality national standard competition fleets.

James, 10, competing at his first ever National Championship event, was competing in the 3.5m Techno class and he wasted little time stamping his authority on the fleet on Saturday, picking up four race wins out of six to convincingly win his Team15 class and lead the national standings at the end of the first day.

And with no wind scuppering any chance of sailing on Sunday - day two of the National Championships – Bulson’s overnight scores ensured that he walked away a double winner and with his first national crown!

James said: “I was very surprised to win the national title. It was my first national competition. I feel really happy. I've recently learnt how to do pumping and it seemed to work quite well. The thing I like most about windsurfing is how quick I can go and learning new things like getting into the footstraps.”

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.

The RYA National Junior Windsurfing Championships is considered ideal for Team15 inter-club sailors and is open to all young windsurfers whether part of a club or not. With national titles at stake, the competition at the front of the fleets is always challenging, but the event is a great experience for all who compete and pivotal in the development of young talents.

Tom Lawrence, team manager of Bulson’s Tewkesbury-based Team 15 team, the Croft Farm Flyers, added:  “I’m sure the other T15er kids will be greatly inspired when James tells them all about his achievements during our training session.

“I’ve run the T15 club here for more than 10 years but although I’m very used to seeing kids progress and develop it never stops being enjoyable watching them succeed. Windsurfing is such great sport as it challenges everyone no matter what the level of ability.”

James had a great introduction to the sport and Team15 with his brother and sister, twins Laura and Ben, competing in T15 events since he was a toddler. They are now 18 and RYA qualified windsurfing instructors, helping to hone the skills of the young windsurfers at Croft Farm’s Team15 sessions.

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