REGULAR WINDSURFERS AT THE CLUB

With over 60 windsurfers you'd think it could get crowded at Newtownards Sailing Club, but in fact it doesn't.  However there is a ‘Hard Core’ who tend to be on the water rather a lot, even in the winter.

For the benefit of new members, here's a brief rundown on the Hard Core Crew. Below them you will find some details about other rather less regular windsurfers who nevertheless attend frequently and enjoy the sport.

THE HARD CORE

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NAME:  William Revels

NICKNAME:  The Wookie (the hairy teddy that grunts a lot in Starwars).
WINDSURFING LEVEL:  Seriously good.  RYA Fast Forward Instructor.
GREATEST MOMENT:  Cutting Tony's board in two in Tarifa.
WORST MOMENT:  Having a monkey pee on him on a windsurfing trip to Gibraltar.
SLANDEROUS INFORMATION:  He's not really that hairy, but it's a great nickname. So good that his fiance is known as the 'Wookette'.
Someone once took his kit by accident during a demo day. He's not pretty when he's angry - that's Mr Wookie to you!
OTHER INFORMATION:  Runs Wookie Windsufing - despite Andy

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ALAN WATTS

                                                                      Alan (right) with Tony Egerton
NICKNAME:  Lord (just a bit bossy).
WINDSURFING LEVEL:  Good intermediate.
GREATEST MOMENT:  First duck gybe - and caught it on video (he hasn't been see doing one since!)
WORST MOMENT:  Windsurfing black eye in a gale and then having to go the company AGM the next day.
SLANDEROUS INFORMATION:  Runs the windsurfing e-mail list so has the power to slag off everyone. And does. Used to take a lot of flack for a poor stance, but has since been to the toilet and all is now well.
The local firebrigade once tried to 'rescue' him when he was in 3 feet of water by the shore

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TONY EGERTON

NICKNAME:  Dr No Ticket, Harold
WINDSURFING LEVEL:  Good intermediate
GREATEST MOMENT:  Surviving when Wookie cut his board in two at Tarifa
WORST MOMENT:  Seeing Wookie coming at him
SLANDEROUS INFORMATON:  Tony is the technical guru who does all the filming and camera work on the windsurfing holidays.  His 'see the video' parties are legendary when we come back from the holidays - and not just for the wife swapping.
He once threw away his return tickets from a windsurfing holiday hence the nick name.
A founding member of the National League for the Prevention of Cruelty to Tomatoes.

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NAME: Ali Todd.

NICKNAME:  McBeal - yes, windsurfers are a very sad bunch.
WINDSURFING LEVEL:  Good intermediate.
GREATEST MOMENT:  Becoming an honorary member of the McDonalds windsurfing breakfast club (he doesn't get out much).
WORST MOMENT:  Being caught in a freak storm and nearly hit by lightening - 20 metres from the club jetty.
SLANDEROUS INFORMATION:  There's much we would like to put here, but our lawyer (Ali Todd) advises strongly against it!

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CHRIS LOUGHRIDGE

NICKNAME:  Ming the Merciless
WINDSURFING LEVEL:  Good intermediate
GREATEST MOMENT:  Getting e-mail exposure for wearing the most hideous shorts (with the most hideous legs) at the club.
WORST MOMENT:  Walking past a full length mirror while wearing the above
SLANDEROUS INFORMATION:  In a very sporting career Chris has broken just about every bone in his body. He now beeps at security in airports.

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PAULA McCULLOUGH  

Paula has to be our keenest lady windsurfer - and she puts most of the men to shame too. Her idea of a good Mother's Day present from her kids is permission to go windsurfing. And not just does she windsurf in all weathers as much as her teaching job will allow, but she keeps super fit by cycling 8 miles to and 8 miles from work!   Paula's windsurfing is rapidly improving, she's at the one foot in the straps stage and doing some waterstarts. But we'd better keep this updated as she's moving rapidly!

Paula having a tea break with Robbie Wright

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ROBBIE WRIGHT

 There is a rumour that Robbie is some form of secret agent, he disappears for months on end then bang, he's back showering us with his famous sense of humour. In fact, it's probably more to do with all the successful businesses he creates, grows and sells.   We've greatly enjoyed his wry humour, especially on our Tarifa trip - that's where the silhouette was taken. We can't wait for this Autumn's Pras trip, when no doubt he'll entertain us once again.

When he's not off on his secret agent trips, Robbie is a good windsurfer and an excellent chipper of cement from club floors. His son too is a good windsurfer who disappears for months on end - must be a family tradition.    

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THE BARBOURS

James and                                                               Tara Barbour

They say that the family that plays together, stays together - well the Barbours must be stuck pretty close together. James is the father, although seen here lying down on the job and both Tara and Ed windsurf. Ed is a uni, but Tara is still here - indeed be very scared as she's doing her driving test soon. We haven't seen Usha (the mother) out, but surely it can't be too long now ....

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ALEX DUGAN  

Have you ever met one of those annoying people who's 'a natural'? Most of us slog away for years learning to windsurf, young Alex tried it and found that seemingly without effort he was just very good at it. So good in fact that at one stage of his development he was sponsored by the club.

Within weeks of being on the water he was learning to carve gybe and these days he's not happy unless he's doing some airborne move with a name related to Star-Trek. He's done well in competitions too and it will be interesting to see just how far on he can go.  

Alex is known to windsurfers as 'Raptor', the origins of the name are deeply immersed in the depth of time, not to mention the depth of the cider in Andy's glass.  

Despite working for a living, Alex is seen down at the club and other venues a lot - so we suppose that even he does have to practice. And in learning the moves he does, naturally he crashes a lot as you can see, but he just laughs at his mistakes and a little while later you see him perfecting the move.

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 PAT LYNER

NICKNAME:  Pole Dancer or Plug (and in Plug and Play)
WINDSURFING LEVEL:  Intermediate and keen speed racer.
GREATEST MOMENT: Went to Torbole (Lake Garda) for Honeymoon.Walking along the newly erected tents when noticed a familiar face. None other than Anders Bringdal a hero from his epic battles with the infamous Bjorn Dunkerbeck. Approached him and asked if could have a chat he said no problem and started nattering about his new gear AB boards and challenge sails. Then talked about his recent results in speed sailing. Lastly chatted about his old copello boards one of which I have. Found Him a very nice guy and very down to earth.
WORST MOMENT:  Backwinding on a gybe and nearly slicing his manhood off - you should see the cuts in the wetsuit...
SLANDEROUS INFORMATION:  Part of a gruesome twosome with Gary - known as Plug and Play after they shared a bed (allegedly) together in Donegal.

OTHER INFORMATION:  Nothing but nothing shuts this guy up - but now he is marrying a Polish girl, we're wondering if this might change...

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COLIN KELLY 

NICKNAME:   Come backs - or something similar sounding
WINDSURFING LEVEL:  Intermediate
GREATEST MOMENT:  Waveriding at Kearney with Wookie when he really got it dialled (the wave riding, not Wookie)
WORST MOMENT:  Being caught taking pictures of the girls on the beach at Prasonisi
SLANDEROUS INFORMATION:  One tried to downhaul his sail having rigged it with bungee rope, was twanging away all day

OTHER INFORMATION:  Good singer, improves with the number of pints drunk up until about 8 or so - after that we can't remember

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