It’s been an amazing week up in Tiree for the Tiree Wave Classic! Windsurfing, surfing, beach cleaning, walking and a whole lot of cake eating (thank you Fiona)!

Tiree is definitely one of my favourite events and it’s one of those places where I find I can just switch off from the outside world and enjoy being outside with friends and on the water with no distractions!

SINGLE ELIMINATION SUNDAY

The competition started on Sunday with a day of starboard tack float and ride at Balephuill – not really my conditions as I would normally go slalom training when it’s this light, but that’s the reason I like to compete – to push myself and go out in conditions I wouldn’t normally sail in! We started the day with dawn patrol – at the beach as the first light is starting to show and we were greeted by wind, waves and a gorgeous sunrise. The event was called ON so it was time to go and warm up. I stomped a forward on my first run and had a few good wave rides so was really happy for what was ahead. Unfortunately, the wind didn’t hang around for long, and the waves disappeared pretty soon after, but we were left with just enough conditions to run some heats, and for the pro ladies, this meant 5 full-fleet heats in between the pro men’s single elimination… THAT WAS HARD!

It was a really tricky day for me mentally as the competitor in me doesn’t really like losing but the other girls were sailing so well – I gave it my everything but I have a lot to learn in these conditions! I finished day 1 in last place, and after 12 hours at the beach, I was exhausted and pretty gutted…

MIDWEEK ENTERTAINMENT

Three days of light winds followed and gave everyone a chance to chill out, explore the island and for me, get some work done! On Tuesday, with almost nothing on the forecast, they organised a Meet and Greet session for the Future Pros – a chance for the next generation to pick the brains of the pros and it was great to see so many kids so passionate about the sport! From Gott Bay, it was over to the most remote part of the island at The Hough to do a mega beach clean. Discarded fishing equipment littered the beach and it was a mammoth effort from everyone to clean it up and make sure our playgrounds that we love are still here for the next generation to enjoy.

TOP TURNS & TORRENTIAL RAIN – THURSDAY

Whilst the forecast at the start of the week was pretty abysmal for the entire week, Thursday brought in some surprise wind and waves – albeit pretty onshore and messy! But the wind was finally here and I was much happier! With power in my sail, I gave it everything I could and managed to put together some really good heats – and even win one, landing my first forward in competition! I was really happy with the way I was sailing and how much I improved from Sunday.

With this, I also managed to claw my way back up the leaderboard a little and finish the week 2nd in the British ranking for 2021! Another Vice Champion title to add to the roster this year – this time Vice-British Wave Champion, but as I said after Paros, the closer you get, the more determined you are to go all the way and I will be back for sure to have another go at this one in the future!!

WONDERWOMEN of wavesailing

I couldn’t finish this story without talking about the amazing people that attend and organise this event as they are the true reason why its one of my favourites! The girls, or as they officially call us, the ladies (have they met any of us?!) – what a bunch! Encouraging each other, having a laugh (both at and with each other) and absolutely shredding! There’s a common misconception that you have to have a super high level in order to come to these events but its not true at all. Sailing at competitions is amazing for making you push your level and whether it was for me sailing in conditions I’d never sailed in before, to the others trying their first forwards or even aerials – the girls’ level improved throughout the week and it was a pleasure to be part of such an inspiring group!

Finally – the organisers, the Wild Diamond team, the BWA crew, the camera crew, the event sponsors and everyone else who made this event possible this year – thank you! It was an absolute blast and I can’t wait to be back again next year!

Pictures courtesy of Richard Whitson – https://www.2far2see.co.uk/