STUDENT WINDSURFING ACTION (SWA) SOUTHAMPTON – EVENT ROUND-UP
Last weekend, Southampton played host to a fantastic Student Windsurfing Action (SWA) event, welcoming around 100 student windsurfers from across the UK. With a solid forecast delivering plenty of wind, the weekend was a huge success both on and off the water. Georgia Stolliday reports!
Epic photos from: Rachel Titcombe
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- Epic new sails for the SWA
“A major highlight of the weekend was the debut of brand-new equipment, with £18,000 fundraised over the Summer and Autumn through a 50/50 split between community crowdfunding and a Sport England grant. The campaign, led by the event organiser, meant equipment supplied by Boardwise arrived just in time and were raced for the very first time at the event.
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- Caitlin Boothroyd Southampton
On the water, students enjoyed a packed daytime schedule including free-sailing, beginner tuition, racing, and a light-wind freestyle competition. Racing was split into team racing (teams of three per university, with Bristol taking 1st, Exeter 2nd and Cardiff 3rd) and individual racing across beginner, intermediate and advanced fleets.
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- Good times in Southampton
True to SWA tradition, the evenings were just as memorable. Two nights out in Southampton saw students exploring local favourites including the Hobbit Pub, Jesters, and live music at the Frog and Frigate. The second night’s themed social, “Music Genres”, brought plenty of colour, with Southampton dressed as cowboys, Exeter as jungle, Bristol as techno and Cardiff repping the 60s.
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- Fun on the water
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- Blasting
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- Philip Clarke imperial Cruising in Southampton Water
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- Kate Wilkinson Exeter Duotone action
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- Georgia Having a blast
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- epic event
Prize-giving featured a special virtual appearance from professional windsurfers Adam Simms and Yentel Caers, who shared their journeys into freestyle windsurfing and inspired the next generation.
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- Georgia with Yentel Caers and Adam Simms on call
Prizes were generously sponsored by Circular & Co and Thatchers Cider, with unique 3D-printed trophies designed and made by a Southampton engineering student.
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- Prizes galore
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- Prize giving
The event was entirely volunteer-led by Southampton University Windsurf Club members, led by President Sophie Wood and Vice-President Caitlin Boothroyd, alongside the SWA Committee. All in all it was a brilliant weekend showcasing the strength, spirit and future of student windsurfing in the UK.”
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- It was epic
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- Great wind
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- Georgia cruising
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