Spray Sprites’ team of young windsurfers will represent the region at a major national junior windsurfing grand final after winning the 2013 Team15 South East Inter-Club Challenge Series with an event to spare on Saturday (20 July).

A third successive 2013 regional event victory for the Sprites, this time at Hythe and Saltwood Sailing Club, Kent means the Eastbourne youngsters cannot now be overtaken in the race to qualify for the Team15 Champions Cup final in October with one event to go.

Spray’s ever-improving Louis Miles led the way as he dominated in the 4.5m class with Drew Beeson and Megan Roberts ensuring a Sprites’ 1-2-3 in that fleet, while Megan Kraft once again impressed taking first in the 3.5m class. 

Meanwhile brothers Sam and Oscar Williams both picked up third places for the Sprites, 12-year-old Sam in the 3.5 fleet and Oscar, 14, in the 5.8m class.

No fewer than 30 youngsters from seven Team15 clubs across the South East contested Saturday’s event, the third in the four-event regional series. Reigning regional and national champions and hosts, the Hythe Hotshots, finished second behind Spray with East Sussex outfit Rye Rebels third. 

Jenna Gibson and Zara Petts dominated the 6.8m fleet claiming a 1-2 for Hythe Hotshots while their team-mate Galahad Wisbey impressively won every race on his way to 5.8 fleet victory. 

More than 100 young windsurfers from across the country, hailing from as far afield as Scotland and Cornwall, will join Spray Spites at Pitsford Reservoir in Northamptonshire over the weekend of 12-13 October to do battle for the prestigious title of Team15 national Champions Cup champions 2013.

The competitors, all under 16 year olds, will compete in four different windsurfing classes (3.5m, 4.5m, 5.8m, Techno 6.8) pitting their skills against each other, trying to post the best results possible for their team.

And there are guaranteed to be new national champions for 2013 as the 2012 Team15 Champions Cup winners, Hythe Hotshots from Kent, will not be able to defend their title due to Spray’s success in the South East.

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 each summer adding a competitive edge and race training for those keen to hone their skills. 

The fourth and final 2013 South East event takes place on Saturday 21 September at Bewl Valley SC in Lamberhurst, Kent, where the Sprites would love to wrap up a regional clean sweep before heading off to the Champions Cup.

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