SARAH HILDER – 1ST LADY
This was my sixth year in Tiree, and every year has provided a variety of conditions and is always an adventure. The journey from Cornwall was 12 hours and had the usual M6 traffic and essential stop at the Tebay Farm Shop services for some delicious food. On the way home it was more intense. The 4 hour ferry didn’t arrive until 3pm in Oban, so we drove all evening and night to arrive in Plymouth at 3am to start work the next day. As I had crashed badly the day before, instead we made our way straight to A&E for an x-ray on my arm (there wasn’t an x-ray machine on Tiree), thinking it would be quicker to get through at that time on a (now) Monday morning. It wasn’t. 4 hours later at 7am I left with a non-fractured arm (phew!) but absolutely exhausted, as we had both not slept for over 25 hours!
I love the windsurfing, surfing and social side of the event as it always gets a great bunch of like-minded people together each year on a tiny island having fun. I love the fact that on Tiree you can practice in every single wind condition, with different types and sizes of waves at every beach. Every spot is not further than 30 minutes apart so you can completely tailor your sessions and requirements for windsurfing, surfing, SUP’ing or kiting – whatever you want to do!