Back from Europe...with a trip to Scotland!

Sylt was a very cool event to go to, but unfortunately the conditions didn't make a wave event possible. After waiting all week for wind, there was wind on the horizon on the second last day. We were up at 6am to make the most of the day, but as it was SE direction (cross off), there wasn't enough waves to run the wave competition. The freestyle guys had a whole double elimination though, sailing for hours about a kilometre off shore to get the clean wind! I am really looking forward to being able to afford a freestyle board to go out when the wind is light and practise! The week was enjoyable though, lots of catching up with friends, feeling famous when people ask you for autographs and pictures, and also some fun SUP competitions! (Pics from John Carter and Matthias Mueller)

I entered the SUP race with dream slalom and SUP team Antoine Albeau, Cedric Bordes and Julien Quentel. The first day went well, out and back around the buoy, advancing to the top 6 teams to compete in the final the following day. It was hard work! The next day I was determined to do better, but with my limited SUP ability I fell on trying to get over the waves (you had to stand), and I lost hold of the board, so with no leash had to swim all the way back in to start paddling out again! This happened twice and on the second time the rip took me down the beach... I lost too much time so forfeited my team's chance on winning-I felt terrible. Anyway, it would be cool to do it again after I have more practise on SUPing without a leash! Being the first heat I hadn't learnt that holding the board was of the upmost importance!! The next day a windSUP race was run but I unfotunately missed the registration so couldn't compete. I loved these little fitness team challenges!

Here is a picture of the podium, being the last event for freestyle, the annual winners were crowned too: Gollito Estredo and Sarah Quita Offringa- congratulations to them!

On Thursday I am off to Tiree in Scotland (the outermost of the inner hebrides!) for the annual BWA wave competition. It is a 12 hour drive plus 4 hour ferry, taking me to this beautiful island with beaches to catch swell and wind in all directions! Hopefully we will get some good windsurfing and surfing there!