The event, hosted by Oxford Sailing Club at Farmoor Reservoir on 6 June 2010, was the first of four championship events taking place at clubs around the region. Under 16 year olds compete in four different fleets.  

The Zoomers were up against stiff competition from Thames Valley teams Manic Monkeys (Bray Lake) and Queen Mary Skimmers (Datchet), and also Southampton's Calshot Flyers and the Academy All Stars from Poole.  

The race starts for all the fleets were fiercely contested. The closest racing was in the 6.8m fleet, where the lead was held by all of the top three sailors at some point. The Zoomers' Guy Dixon (14) just pipped Calshot Flyers' Dan Wilson (12) to the victory leaving the Flyers' Lucy Taylor (13) in third, rueing getting caught in traffic for the start of her last race.  

The Zoomers' Millie Mitchell swept to a win in the 5.8m fleet despite sailing the wrong course for her first race. She put that disappointment behind her and showed her strength taking firsts in races 2, 3 and 4 - a superbly impressive performance from the local 15 year old.  

Merit awards for sterling efforts went to Calshot Flyers' Ben Tweedle (8) who battled past a lot of older and more experienced sailors to finish a superb seventh in the 3.5m fleet, and Aiden Liddy (14) from Queen Mary Skimmers, competing for his third year, who won his first 6.8m race, beating more experienced sailors in the process.  

Having stepped up his sailing with zone squad trials this first bullet could be the first of many more for Aiden. Aiden said on being presented his award: "Super stoked is better than super soaked!"   This was a family event. Current UK male and female Race Board Champions Rob and Annette Kent watched daughters Rebecca (10) and Emily (12) compete in their first Team15 event for Calshot Flyers, with younger sister Rebecca collecting the techno award in all girls podium for the 3.5m fleet.  

Penny Wilson, a former Olympic windsurfer, saw daughter Emma (11) sailing in the 5.8m class just miss out on the podium in fourth for the Flyers, while brother Dan (12) sailed well to take second in the 6.8m class.  

Nearer home, the Todd family from Oxford had Flora (13), competing in the 4.5m fleet for the first time, finish a credible second while sister Molly (15) finished third in the 5.8m fleet.  

There were gentle winds for a busy day of racing. The storm clouds threatened thunder and lighting, but thankfully never delivered.   Team15 Competition Organiser Chris Lewis said: "We could not have hoped for a better start to the 2010 season: a great location, a great turnout and most importantly great racing. All the sailors performed superbly and have really set a high standard for the rest of the season."  

The team posting the best results over the four events will be crowned Regional Champion and will represent the South Zone at the Team15 national final, the Champions Cup, held in later in the year.  

Other event dates are:  

• Queen Mary Sailsports - 26 June 2010
• Calshot Activities Centre - 24 July 2010 FC
• Watersports, Poole - 12 September 2010  

Supported by industry leaders Tushingham/Starboard, Windsurf magazine, Boards magazine, Neil Pryde and Boardwise, Team15 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 Team15 clubs all over the country for kids up to the age of 15, which are run weekly by specialist RYA coaches. The Team15 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.