So no hits yet on finding some Juniors to encourage into the WWA comps...come on I know theyre out there!!
I have been calling around shops and other contacts and we know there are a few youngsters hitting the river in freestyle mode..and I know one dad has been taking his boy out on a course boards at Peli Pt(you know who you are!!)
I reckon there will be some youngsters down Baldivis/Safety Bay/Mandurah way too..
Any parents of those guys and girls on here keen to get the kids into some healthy competition??
You can run but you can't hide..!! ![]()
But has to be kiddy friendly. Put them in the spot light for 10mins, get the stoke happening. Great way to start them dreaming of competing in the adults comps.
What age are you after? I have one junior in the Pinnaroos, and he has two younger brothers who windsurf.
Regarding age and ability to join in the events in their current format, the Jrs would need to get out there and have a crack at getting around the marks for slalom, or attempting some dirt of manoeuvres in freestyle, or getting out to the waves and possibly jump and wave ride.
At the moment the event organisers would have the kids sail in the heats with the novice category and then rank the Jrs as they place but they get awarded Jr prizes.
If the organisers get enough expressions of interest/entrants, given enough time to plan, they may need to make additional provision like a separate Jr Final heat
Eventually, and it would probably be seasons down the track, the aim would be to have a Jrs category at every event in every format.
In my opinion, to work towards that it would be great to see a fleet of Jrs being brought together by their parents for some simple course racing or figure 8 slalom if its planing conditions for those that can plane.
With respect to kids involvement at events, what would be great would be to see windsurfing families who may not be currently involved in competition to lock in the event dates and locations for some social sailing around those locations. I feel it would make the events more exciting for the organisers and competitors and certainly for the event sponsors.
It would be awesome to see windsurfing shops, suppliers and possibly schools doing regular demonstrations of their kids/youth gear at the events too. The best way to generate momentum with this is to request it of your local suppliers and retailers and get in contact with WWA and ask them what they can assist with.
Probably the best way to stimulate WWA is via membership and then make requests for kids/youth activities and events as members.
Kids memberships are cheap and I think there was mention that there may be further concessions if adult members register there kids though not 100% sure