Spray Sprites’ team of young windsurfers will represent the South East at a major national windsurfing grand final – the Team15 Champions Cup - after completing the formality of wrapping up the regional title on Saturday (21 September).

The Eastbourne youngsters ensured they sealed a Team15 Inter-Club Challenge Series clean-sweep by claiming victory at the fourth and final regional event of 2013 at Bewl Valley SC to reclaim the South East crown they won in both 2010 and 2011.

Last year regional honours went to Kent rivals, the Hythe Hotshots, who showed they were more than worthy winners by going on to see off the challenge of the other eight regional winners to claim the overall national Team15 Champions Cup. 

Now Spray are looking to follow in the Hotshots’ footsteps with a regional and national double when the 2013 Team15 Champions Cup takes place at Pitsford Reservoir in Northampton next month.

Craig Coupe, South East Team15 regional co-ordinator, said: “Hopefully Spray Sprites will be able to retain the Champions Cup for the South East! “It was a good turnout of 28 youngsters from four clubs for the last event, which was sailed in a consistent breeze of 8-10mph even with a little bit of sunshine! It rounded off a great season for the South East Team15 programme.

“There are a few family members competing at most of the events and this creates a really positive, family atmosphere with lots of people meeting other parents from other clubs. As a result everyone seems to have a good day, not just the sailors.” 

Dominant Megan Kraft once again led the way for the Sprites at Bewl Valley, the 13-year-old completing a four-event grand slam in the 3.5m2 fleet while her teammate Drew Beeson, 14, saw off a strong challenge from clubmate, Louis Miles-Coppard, to win the 4.5 m2 fleet. 

However with the best five overall results from each club counting towards the final standings, the contribution of Sprites’ other sailors were invaluable as second places for Miles-Coppard and Sam Williams (3.5m2) and thirds for Lucas Hay (3.5m2) and Luke Williams (6.8m2) ensured Spray Sprites finished ahead of the Hotshots in second, and Rye Rebels, for whom Jack Stannard (4.5 m2) produced the stand out performance, in third.

Meanwhile, Ben Temme and Tom Cunningham from the host club Bewl Valley Vipers impressed in the 5.8m fleet, with Ben first and Cunningham third, with Hythe's Galahad Wisbey sandwiched between the Vipers lads. Just two points separated the three boys.

In another nail-biter in the 6.8 fleet, Hotshots' Jenna Gibson edged out her clubmate Eilidh Hards by a single point, Jenna claiming three race wins out of six to Eilidh's two.

Team15 is the RYA’s youth windsurfing development programme making windsurfing more accessible and appealing to kids aged 15 and under at grassroots level. 

The regional Inter-Club Challenge Series takes place over the summer adding a competitive edge and race training for those keen to hone their skills. 

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.

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