The RYA North Zone Team15 Inter-Club Championship came to town at Pugney's Country Park. The home fleet of Pugneys Pirates gave the visitors from Northumberland, Durham and Lincolnshire a warm welcome, even though the temperatures out on the lake struggled to make double figures. 

The young windsurfers, all of whom are 15 years of age or under, sail for their local team and the team with the best score at the end of the summer wins the RYA North Zone Team15 Inter-Club Championship, earning a place in the National Final, the Team15 Champions Cup. Teams competing at Pugneys Country Park were:·        

• Coquet Crushers (Amble, Northumberland)        
• Kielder Kestrels (Kielder Water, Northumberland)        
• Derwent Devils (Durham)
• Pugneys Pirates (Wakefield)     
• North Lincs Invaders (Barton on Humber) 

In the 3.5m class, the two 12 year olds, Charlotte Morrison from the North Lincs Invaders and Archie Dodd from the Kielder Kestrels fought a close battle all day, with the overall lead changing hands several times. At the end though, Charlotte won the class by two clear points, with Archie second followed by two Pugneys Pirates, Jasmine Lowe and Kate-Lynd Smith in third and fourth places. 

The 4.5m class was even closer with five youngsters sharing race wins across the seven race series. The overall class winner was 13 year old Aaron Hobb sailing for the Coquet Crushers, with Kielder Kestrel, 14 year old Jane Vallance, one point behind in second place.

Of the seven races, Jane won three of them but had to forfeit the final race and settle for overall second place. Third place went to Coquet Crusher Leonardo Takiguchi, with Pugneys Pirates Jacob Lowe and Jack Darlison in fourth and fifth places. 

So far, things hadn’t been going according to plan for the Pugneys Pirates on their home waters, but the 5.8m and 6.8m classes made up for it. 15 year old Pugneys Pirate Thomas Sambrook had a clear win over his closest competitors in the 5.8m class, leaving fellow team member Joe Carter and Kielder Kestrels brother and sister duo Philip and Sarah Heywood to fight it out for second, third and fourth places. 

Likewise, the 6.8m class was a clear win for the Pirates with 14 year old Fiona Anderson winning five out of seven races. Derwent Devil Mark Jefferson and Pugneys Pirate Tom Darlison tied on points for second and third places, with fourth place going to Coquet Crusher Gustavo Takiguchi. 

2013 was a successful season the the Pugneys Pirates fleet, winning the team title in four out of four meetings this summer. This means that the Pirates have held on to their 2012 title of RYA Team15 North Zone Champions and will represent the RYA North Zone at the Champions Cup on 12-13 October against all the other UK Team15 Zone Champions. 

“The kids have worked hard training throughout the year unless the lake was frozen!” said Nicola Dinsdale, a member of the Pugneys Pirates scoring team. “Their dedication shows in their performance and the effort they put in will continue as hopefully they will put on a good show at the Champions Cup!”

“It’s really good to see so many young members of the team doing well,” continued Nicola. “It’s really encouraging for another good season next year”. 

Team15, which is now in its 12th year, is an RYA initiative set up to 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. Kit can be borrowed from the clubs and the cost of sessions is kept low. 

The event at Pugneys Country Park on Sunday 15 September was the final event for David Dobson, RYA North Zone Team15 Event Co-ordinator since the programme started 12 years ago. David’s hard work and dedication will be hard to equal, as Nicola Dinsdale explains: 

“I've been involved in Team15 since I started racing as a ten year old and he's been a constant presence; working hard to ensure that the spirit and competition remains strong and great. His dedication has been greatly appreciated and the effort that he puts in makes the events the success that they are!”  

To get involved with Team15 and locate your nearest local club visit www.team15.org.uk or contact the RYA 0845 345 0400.