THIS month ‘Aussie Kiss’ — the Student Windsurfing Association’s (SWA) flagship event, took place at Roadford Lake.

This annual student windsurf festival, now in its 14th year, continues to develop and adapt — in true reflection of the way the sport continues to grow.

Outdoor + Active Roadford welcomed over 400 student windsurfers from the SWA for Aussie Kiss XIIII.

The event is one of the largest student windsurfing rallies in the world and was attended by over 20 University clubs from across the UK.

Aussie Kiss was a huge success and included beginners’ training, workshops from windsurfing experts and a freestyle competition as well as live music and trade stands.

The atmosphere around the site was excellent, helped along by sponsors including Red Bull, Boards, Boardwise, Tushingham Starboard, Spartan, the RNLI and many more.

Mouth-watering burgers were also available courtesy of Roadford’s large barbecue which helped re-fuel the cold and hungry windsurfers throughout the day.

Alongside the beginner windsurfing on offer at ‘Aussie Kiss’, which very much remains the focus of the event, the festival is also the first in the series for all the racing and freestyle action in the SWA each year. For many taking part this will be the first chance to see the competition since the summer when many will have spent time abroad training; so Aussie Kiss usually has the potential to throw out some surprises.

The weather over the weekend was wet and windy, with occasional patches of sunshine. With a strong south westerly breeze it meant there was plenty of exhilarating windsurfing.

Roadford, as the largest inland sailing area in the south west, provides the perfect location for this annual event and South West Lakes Trust is pleased to attract Aussie Kiss to this picturesque lake year on year.

Gareth Maggs, Chief Instructor at Roadford, said: “We at Roadford all look forward to Aussie Kiss each year. It is such a fun event to be involved in and showcases the size and quality of events that we can host.”

More information about the Student Windsurfing Association can be found by visiting www.studentwindsurfing.co.uk, whilst more information on other events can be found at www.swlakestrust.org.uk/events

This weekend for instance, on Saturday, November 21, Roadford Lake are holding a Lakeside Christmas Food and Craft Fair, from 10am-4pm. Entry is free.

Donna Saunders, Hospitality and Events Manager said: “Why not make a day of it, take a walk around the Lake, have some lunch and then shop!”