I’ll give you a clue. It wasn’t Roman Roads, Roman Blinds or a Roman Holiday.

We are the ordinary ‘Weekend Warrior’ Windsurfers and Saturday SUP-erstars. We are the Peoples’ Popular Front! (Or was it The Popular Peoples’ Front?) Whatever. We want to know;

“What has the NWF ever done for us?”

Well, it did bring us the biggest windsurfing and SUP festival in the UK, with events designed specifically around recreational sailors / SUPers like you and I. And the biggest trade show in the industry, with all the latest gear on show and demo. And the opportunity to rub shoulders with the pro-riders you see in the magazines, get advice and even race alongside them. Fair enough, you might say. But other than that, what HAS the NWF ever done for us?

OK – there’s the incredible, floodlit Night Windsurfing. And the simple, Master Blaster races with literally oodles of great prizes. Races for ladies and juniors. And don’t forget the classes for pre-2000 and pre-1985 long boards, Wind-SUPs and fancy dress, so literally everyone could take part and win, whatever their age, gender, kit or skill level.

Then there are SUP team challenges; SUP Polo, Mega SUP, Sup Tug o’ War and even SUP Yoga, chill out evening SUP and SUP Adventure tours of the lake. 3K and 5K technical races and, if you do both SUP and windsurfing – you can take part in both disciplines.

And if you think “I would LOVE to give it a go…” – but have never tried SUP-ing or windsurfing before, there are free taster sessions.

Oh – and there are free coaching sessions. Of course there are the free coaching sessions. But not just with anyone. These are with the top windsurfing gurus, such as Peter Hart, Simon Bornhoft, Jim Collis, Jem Hall, Colin Dixon, Phil Richards and Danielle Lucas, all of whom are champion sailors in their own right.

Then the NWF chose the largest man-made reservoir in Western Europe as the venue, which is perfect, calm and safe for all the on water activities, whether you’re a big kid, little kid, novice or expert.

But I nearly forgot to mention the Hovercrafts for you to play with? And the amazing aerial fireworks display from a pair of gliders who performed for the Queen? The European Red Paddle Junior SUP Championships? RYA’s Team 15 running junior skills camps and Supercross race? And a zoo, rock climbing, playground, cycling /walking, boat rides and crazy golf?

And the parties? We don’t even need to mention the parties. Goes without saying, the parties…They’re an NWF institution. Live bands; rocking into the night, both Friday and Saturday to top off all the excitement…

So, apart from the biggest windsurfing / SUP festival AND trade show in the UK, races that everyone can join in, hundreds of fabulous prizes, brand new kit to try out, taster sessions, the Night Windsurf, free coaching sessions with the best in the business, the sensational parties, live bands, not stop entertainment for all the family at the perfect venue for beginners and intermediates; WHAT HAS THE NWF EVER DONE FOR US?!!!

Jackie Lambert

Make sure that you don’t miss out on the greatest celebration of our favourite sports in the UK. Book your tickets today to find out what the NWF can do for YOU!

The National Windsurfing Festival runs from 2-4^th June at Rutland Water. For more information and online entry, see www.nationalwatersportsfestival.com