The Polkerris Pirates youth windsurfing team proved they can win whatever the weather when they beat their Cornish competitors for the third time in the Team15 series at Stithians Lake last Saturday, 13 July.  

Extreme heat and light winds were a vast contrast with the weather in their last event, but the Pirates again proved their skill against the Siblyback Water Warriors, the Stithians Allstars and the Roseland Wave Riders.

The day started with very little wind from the north. It increased later to about 10 mph, which allowed a couple of really good, though testing races around two laps of a triangle course. The sailors were exhausted, with sore hands, from the pumping necessary in the low wind conditions.  

The Pirates had brought their biggest team to date. They once again included the talented Sioufi brothers from St Austell – Oscar (14) and twins Eddie and George (12). The twins, in particular, sailed well although both struggled at the beginning due to the lack of wind and the shifty conditions. Eddie and George finished 2nd and 3rd in the 3.5 class, which was won by team-mate Finn Hawkins (10) at just his second event.  

Luke Bikely (15) was competing in his first-ever T15 event, and he finished with an amazing second place in the 4.5 class, narrowly beaten by Stithians’ Joe Trinder (11), who provided stiff competition. Luke said: “It was a really good day for my first event and it was nice to see what the other team members come back and talk about.”  

The Stithians Allstars could only send two sailors on this occasion, but Joe’s team-mate Tom Smith (13) also won first in the 5.8 fleet – the Allstars could well be a team on the way up!  

The 6.8m fleet was a hotly contested race, with a different leader on each lap of the course. Roseland’s Ross Warren (13) worked very hard to claim first place from the Pirate’s Adam Phipps (13).  

The final event in the competition, which will confirm the regional winners’ place in the national Team15 Championships, will take place on Saturday 21 September at Polkerris Beach.   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 www.team15.org.uk or contact the RYA 0845 345 0400.