NWF check in with the results of their recent awards – “The driving force of the NWF has always been the mass participation of the intermediate level participant. On the 10th anniversary of the NWF, it was felt that it was a perfect time to recognise the unsung heroes of the sport – those who inspired the current and next generation of windsurfers, and those who had made outstanding achievements.
The NWF Under 21 Coach of the Year was awarded to Annette Young for outstanding results and achievement when working with junior and youth windsurfers.
Annette was one of the original team 15 coaches to start Brogborough’s club program and has been there ever since!
Her nominees said: “Not only is she one of the most enthusiastic and most driven women to sail at our club, but she installs that same fun loving mentality into every child that has the honor of spending time with her. Not only does she look after us on the water but off the water too. Having participated in several sports in my time I have never met a coach with such dedication and pastoral care.”
Annette has played a crucial role in the club’s development and this has shown with their outstanding results each year at the NWF event.
The NWF Coach of the Year was awarded to Sam Ross for his outstanding results and achievement with adult windsurfers.
Having first started windsurfing in 1997 after being introduced by his dad, Sam now has a stunning CV! Fast forward nearly twenty years, and he has become one of the UK’s most qualified and experienced windsurf coaches. Outstandingly, Sam is one of only a few RYA Advanced Plus Trainers in the UK and is also a Race coach Tutor. Adding to his list of achievements is lead coach for the RYA Zone and T15 Programs. He is also member of the RYA training team and has tested for both the UK’s Windsurfing Magazines.
The NWF Young Windsurfer of the year was awarded to Scotty Stallman for his outstanding results and achievement in junior and youth windsurfing competition. At only 15 years old, Scotty has shown made some incredible achievements and has shown unfailing commitment and dedication to keep at it and keep improving. For the 2016 BSA slalom series Scotty took the brave decision to move from the amateur fleet into the pro fleet. Currently, this young super star is sitting in 6th overall in the pro fleet, with two events of the season still remaining – showing that his gamble has really paid off!
In the last 12 months he has won the following awards:
Fastest Youth – Weymouth Speed Week
1st Junior – BSA Slalom Amateur Fleet
2nd Overall – BSA Slalom Amateur Fleet
Best Windsurfer – Wey Valley School (3rd year in a row)
Wey Valley School Will Mackeness Award for Commitment to Sport
1st National Watersports Festival Junior
Fastest under 16 – National Watersports Festival Speed Challenge
He broke 40 knots at Southend earlier this year and is currently sitting in 1st place on the Global GPS team challenge in the junior age group (13 to 17).
Scotty Stallman is a name to remember as a future star on the international circuit!
The NWF Club of the year was awarded to the Seavets for their outstanding support and development in windsurfing.
Set up in 1983 to promote the idea that remaining active in middle age can lead to a healthier and therefore happier old age, the club now has over 200 members with some in their 80s and 90s! Many older people seem to ‘give up’ or stop getting out and doing things because they think or say that they are too old but Seavets are the absolute antithesis of this. When talking about age, they are so positive, it is an absolute pleasure to spend time in their company – long may the club continue!
The NWF Disabled Windsurfer of the year was awarded to Craig Wood who has overcome his disability and inspired others.
Since an accident where he lost both legs and the use of his left arm, Craig has not let any barriers deter him from getting back to Windsurfing and living his life to the full. Not only does he windsurf again, he is now a role model promoting windsurfing to others and demonstrating what is possible. He has been filmed and interviewed to help promote windsurfing to a wider group of abilities. Craig is an inspiring man and the NWF are in awe of his achievements.
The NWF Outstanding Achievement Award was awarded to Nick Dempsey.
Nick’s first international success was at the 1998 Mistral Youth World Championships where he won the bronze medal. He has since gone on to achieve 3 Olympic medals and two World Champion titles in his career. His silver medal at the Olympics in Rio this year makes Nick the most decorated men’s Olympic windsurfer of all time.
Put simply his brother wrote when nominating: “If anyone deserved any sort of achievement award it is my little bro. Five Olympics and two silver medals says it all!”
The Most Inspiring Windsurfer of the Year was awarded to Zara Davis.
Zara, who has achieved 6 European titles, a World title and two World records in Windsurfing, has personally made it her mission to support young windsurfers, and in particular encourage more ladies into windsurfing.
Zara has been an ambassador of the Axbridge Animals T15 Windsurfing Club for years, and has dedicated a lot of time encouraging and inspiring all the young windsurfers there.
A proud parent wrote: “Zara was personally involved in getting my daughter Libby involved in Windsurfing. Libby has gone on to be national champion in 5.8m at the national championships and is now a windsurfing instructor at the club. Zara regularly attends the Axbridge Animals T15 evenings, giving encouragement and inspiration to the kids particularly the girls who really look up to her. This combined with her international results I believe makes her the best candidate for this award.”
Allan Cross, founder of the NWF, said: “These awards were a way of us putting some of the stars of our sport and the people who work tirelessly in the background in the spotlight for our 10th anniversary. The NWF Awards will now be an annual occurrence so that we can recognise the individuals and clubs who have made a real contribution to our sport”.
This year’s award winners have set the standard for next year. Next year will see the addition of SUP awards too so get thinking and be ready to nominate your unsung hero. Further details of the nomination process will be published shortly on the NWF website. Congratulations to all our award winners. ”
Windsurf magazine would also like to congratulate Bob and Sue Ingram who were also presented an award for “For their tireless dedication and contribution to UK windsurfing racing and National Watersports Festival over the years” – true legends of UK windsurfing!
