Last weekend Exeter Windriders sent 22 of their finest to Westward Ho! to make battle in and above the raging seas against students from around the UK with the aim of returning to Exeter with the SKA Nationals Trophee for the 3rd year in a row.
Having left exeter and done the rounds in Tescos on the way, the Exeter students settled in to their accomodation. Saturday night was a blast to say the least and exeter continued to demonstrate that we are not only a strong adversary on the water but the strongest of the party goers aswell. I would tell you more, but lets just say that what happens in Braddicks should stay in Braddicks.
Saturday came and hopes were high after the 20+ knots that windguru had promised us but sadly this never came through. The sun was shining though and everyone had a sick time as it seemed that summer has come at last (forever hopeflu eh)! Despite the lack of wind, the kitesurfing action was replaced by man powered wakeboarding, games of football, beach boogieing and one too many redbulls.
The fun continued late into the evening. A few quiet bevys were enjoyed and everyone jumped into the shuttle busses to the evening party venue, the Milky Way Adventure Park. The (not so) classy black tie attire was brilliantly combined with slides, ball pits and dodgems which encouraged the usual antics that we have grown to expect on SKA weekends.
The Braddicks after-party then ensued... nudity, drinks (soft drinks of course), dancing... everything a windrider loves. Once again, what happens in Braddicks stays in Braddicks!
Sunday morning arrived far too soon, our sorry heads were greeted by gray skies and wind, Yeeew! However every cloud has a silver lining. The rain brought a strong onshore breeze that blew away our hangovers. The competitors got on in their wetsuits and pumped up their kites ready for one final show down. Time constraints meant that the traditional double emimination format could not go ahead. It was replaced by a 2 hour-long Jam where judges looked out for standouts whilst everybody hit the water simultameously.
Huge moves and even bigger bails were displayed throughout the jam which cocluded with a prize giving session from Lewis Crathern himself.
Winners were as follows: - Unhooked Winner: Tom Verrept
- Hooked Winner: Cederic Bontemps
- Bestwoman: Rosanna Jury
- Biggest Bail: Exeter Windriders very own Crump10 (with a 1/2 backroll to headfirst to the beach landing to "aah my head") A big thanks to all of the SKA for putting on the weekend and to the event sponsors who all played part in making the weekend an awesome one for all involved. Keep your eyes peeled on the SKA facebook page for more photos to come.
