‘AUSSIE KISS’ — the Student Windsurfing Association’s (SWA) flagship event, took place at Roadford Lake, near Launceston last month.

This annual student windsurfing festival, now in its 15th year, continues to develop and adapt — in true reflection of the way the sport continues to grow.

Roadford Lake welcomed over 300 student windsurfers from the SWA for Aussie Kiss XV. The event, which is one of the largest student windsurfing rallies in the world, was attended by over 20 university teams from across the UK who this year, for the first time, camped at the lake during the weekend.

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, Surfers Against Sewage, 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.”

If you are a part of a club or organisation looking to host an away trip, regional or national event then the South West Lakes Trust can assist in the planning, development and execution of it! For more information on third party events or activities available at Roadford please visit their website at www.outdoorandactive.uk.com or contact the centre directly by calling 01409 211507 or by emailing [email protected].

More information about the Student Windsurfing Association can be found by visiting www.studentwindsurfing.co.uk