Some of the UK’s biggest names in windsurfing have made it down to the indoor pool at ExCel this week, many trying the indoor windsurfing for the first time. Among the riders is UK Olympic medallist Nick Dempsey who said:

“I remember going to watch indoor windsurfing in Paris when I was about 13, I was really impressed. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for years, but we’ve never had one in this country before.”

It is a unique opportunity to observe some of the world’s best windsurfers at close range. All week there are demonstrations by the UK Windsurfing Association and a chance to have a chat with some of the UK’s top riders.

The competition starts on Friday with the best of the UK riders earning themselves a place in the Professional Windsurfing Association contest at the end of the week. Competitors from the PWA riders will travel half way across the world to take part. Last year the atmosphere was electric as competitors battled it out on the water. The highlight of the indoor action is the jump contest where riders race up a ramp in the centre of the pool to perform a trick for the judges and eager spectators.

Last year saw world famous riders making incredible jumps, including contest winner Andy Funnell, who completed a double forward loop. Funnell, one of Britain’s brightest hopes in windsurfing, tragically died earlier this year in a jetskiing accident – the contest goes on in his memory.

The action on the pool is not just limited to windsurfing, wakeboarding and sailing are also big features. Sailpower’s Sue Pelling has been competing on the water in the UK/RYA Sailing Challenge and the British Indoor Wakeboarding Championships got underway yesterday. See Yachting World news story here. 

To experience the excitement first hand, come down to the London Boat Show at ExCel.