Avril Gibbons wins Windsurfing Championships

Sports Plus-er Avril Gibbons recently won first place for her age group in the National Windsurfing Championships. Over to Avril...

Hi, I’m Avril Gibbons and I take part in competitive windsurfing. I learnt to windsurf when I was 11 and I am now 14. Prior to windsurfing I could sail a dinghy, which helped a lot. It’s easier sitting down than standing up!

In 2005 to my surprise I was selected by the RYA to go to the youth world championships in Poland. Where I finished 7^th under-15 girl. I was then selected to be a member of the RYA Junior windsurfing national squad. In 2006 I won the RYA under-17 girls national championships and finished 6^th under-17 girl at the youth world championships in Sicily.

Competitive windsurfing is a tough and very progressive sport. I am often outside of my comfort zone. Once I think, “I can cope with that,” then guess what, here we go again I am outside of my comfort zone again with something else. Often I come across waves much bigger than me, which is challenging (that’s polite for terrifying).

The best prayer that I can recommend is, “Help”. It is especially useful when you are over a mile offshore trying to hold your place on the start-line and it is blowing Force 5. It also gives you time to shout, “No barging, starboard, protest or no room go down the other end” to the boys. “Help” must be directed at the one who can help you in all situations.

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