News - British Colleges Sports National Watersports Championships
Falmouth Marine School press release
On Wednesday 21st April Cornwall College held its trials for the first ever British Colleges Sports National Watersports Championships.
The day was also a trial run for the Championships to be held on Stithians Reservoir and Gwithian Beach on 20th May 2009, organised by two students from Falmouth Marine School on the Marine Leisure Management Foundation Degree.
Ben Hawkes and Nick Tranter have put together the event - divided into four tournaments; surfing, at Gwithian beach, hosted by Sunset Surf; and sailing, windsurfing and kayaking at Stithians Reservoir, hosted by South-West Lakes Trust - as part of their course.
Competitors have been invited from sixth-form colleges across the country through the British Colleges of Sport (BCS) network. There will be teams of eight representing each college, with two competitors competing in each discipline. Prizes will be given to the winning college teams, as well as individual competitors who perform best in their chosen discipline.
The event has already attracted 74 entries who will be coming to Cornwall from across the UK to fight it out across the four disciplines. It is sponsored by Cornwall College and Naish, though further sponsors are being sought.
Carlos Barata, Sports Lecturer at Cornwall College St Austell, said, "We had some great performances on the trial day in the surfing with the guys really pushing themselves to try and make the grade so as they can represent Cornwall College. The surf was not perfect but it didn't dampen their spirits one bit, they fought it out in the surf to the bitter end."
Ben Hawkes said: "The trial day gave us the opportunity to test out our systems and ensure that the actual day will run smoothly. Nick and I are able to make some adjustments to what we had planned and are really confident that all systems are in place."
Steve Bowens, Course Manager on the Marine Leisure Management Foundation Degree said: "We are very honoured to have been asked to organise this event on behalf of the British Colleges Sport. This will be the first time the BCS has undertaken a watersports championships and we are going to put on a great show. Nick and Ben have blown me away with their organisational skills, developing on-line resources for competitors, a promotional video and all aspects of the competition. Colleges have entered from all over the country and we are looking forward to what is sure to become a major annual event on the BCS calendar."
Ben continued: "It will be a great day of competition and fun on the water, with the overall focus being getting college students active and interested in watersports, whilst showing off the fantastic opportunities for outdoor education and recreation in Cornwall."
Dave Linnell OBE, Principal of Cornwall College commented: "It is good experience for students to run such high profile national events. It not only teaches them a great deal but brings them into contact with their peers from around the country."
For more details regarding this event please contact Ben Hawkes on 07792 990 454. Email: bchawkes@aol.com, or check out the blog: http://http://watersportschampionship.blogspot.com
All Foundation Degrees are validated by the University of Plymouth.
If you are interested in studying at Falmouth Marine School please ring 01326 310310, email falenquiries@cornwall.ac.uk or visit http://www.falmouthmarineschool.ac.uk