National Squad Double for Keyos
Good news this week for our two windsurfing boys, both have been selected for the Great Britain Royal Yachting Association's National Junior Windsurfing squad. Only 5 out of the whole UK have been selected for the "Bic Techno" one design board and 7.8m2 sail!! Max has been selected on previous years but this is the first time Lewis has qualified. They have had to compete over the last few months at Rutland Water, Christchurch and Weymouth and prove to the selectors they are worthy for consideration by finishing high in the rankings at these tough events.
The training programme they are now committed to recognises the most talented British windsurfers between the ages of 11 to 16 years of age with the aim to feed into the Youth and Olympic programmes. There is an expectation for Max and Lewis to attend all the National Squad training sessions held throughout November, December, January, February, March and April at venues such as Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, Grafham Water and Hayling Island. Further to this they are expected to take part in national competitions located in various inland and costal destinations throughout the UK.
Being part of the squad benefits from a specialist training porgramme, accessing remote coaching support, they receive sports science support which includes advice on psychology, fitness, meteorology, nutrition, hydration, growth and maturation. The programme also consists of continued fitness testing/assessments and receives detailed advice from the RYA Physiologist. As you can see, the programme is intense for their level and age....this is grown up serious athlete training. During October half term both athletes will be heading to the sunny island of Sardinia to compete in The Techno Junior Windsurfing European Championships to be held in Cagliari.
Good luck lads and bring back some medals!
Max and Lewis competing in San Francisco at the Junior World Championships July 2011