After some delay in the opening of the 250,000 gallon pool, practice sessions for the UK’s first indoor windsurfing championships got underway this afternoon.

Top UK riders took to the water on the 70m by 30m pool, propelled across the water by 25 giant fans generating 30 knots of wind. Robby Swift, among others, attended the practice session in anticipation of tomorrow when the main event will start.

Many visitors to the ExCel centre in the heart of London’s docklands came to watch as sailors from all over the UK and some from further afield tested the new pool on the eve of the UK’s first indoor event of this type, sponsored by Virgin Radio. The main competition will kick off tomorrow with the first heat of the slalom event starting at 12.30pm, immediately followed by the start of the freestyle with UK freestyle champion, John Skye competing in the first heat. The competition continues throughout the day. You can download a full programme of events here .

We will be following the event on Sailpower from start to finish.