Slalom 3 - Branksome, Poole
Sat 8th - Sun 9th May
Round three of the 2010 BSA (British Slalom Association) Slalom Event is coming the Branksome Dene Chine in Poole, Dorset on 8th and 9th May.
Following an exciting start to the season with events in picturesque Tenby and the home of the 2012 Olympics in Weymouth the third round promises to continue to build on the BSA success with a trip one of the South Coast’s premier windsurfing hot spots.
Pryde Group UK, NeilPryde and JP Australia have teamed up with FC Watersports, Animal and local windsurfing businesses to bring an action packed weekend of fun windsurfing, slalom racing and windsurfing demos. Open to all ages and abilities this National Championship Event really has something to offer everyone.
Branksome Dene Chine, as with all the beaches in Poole has a fantastic and famous sandy beach offering conditions to suit beginner and professional windsurfers alike as well as catering amply for families and onlookers. With a southeasterly orientation the race area benefits from the predominant wind directions for this time of year excelling in any direction from the northeast to the West
Poole has become a real hot bed of talent for British Slalom Windsurf Racing over the last four years with a local scene of up to 120 competitors enjoying relaxed racing and has always been a hot spot for the sport due its fantastic facilities and sailing areas. With this in mind event number three of the national tour promises to be one of the highlights of the BSA calendar for 2010.
The weekend’s event will feature:
- Freeride and Freerace Demo Equipment from NeilPryde, JP Australia and FC Watersports, along with all the top international brands and BSA members.
- Expert advice and dedicated weekend-long demo by professional windsurfing shop staff from FC Watersports, Poole Harbor Watersports and H20
- On land windsurfing taster sessions run by the Watersports Academy for non-windsurfers
- MASTER BLASTER simple, accessible racing for anyone with a relaxed atmosphere and awesome prizes!
- AMATEUR FLEET catering for most competitors with racing experience
- PRO FLEET for the fastest guys and those looking to mix it with the country's best!
- Professional photography for all fleets
- Great prizes
- Overnight parking in the main car park, which is only available to racers who have bought a day ticket. (Please see terms and conditions)
Venue
Branksome Dene Chine is one of the local venues that Poole Slalom uses on a weekly base. Even though the parking is limited there’s more than enough space to park your cars and vans and rig sails on the beach etc. As you would expect when the weather is good, the relatively small car park fills up very quickly, so make sure your there early and buy a day’s ticket.
There are very good facilities on the promenade, including toilets (with disabled facilities), ice-cream kiosks and you can easily reach the hot-dog/burger bars as well as the Restaurant / Cafe at Bransome Chine which offers a selection of hot & cold meals throughout the year, further along the prom. You are very close to Bournemouth and it's attractions, which are all within an easy flat walk along the promenade. All of which provide a superb venue to bring the family along for a summer weekend in the sun.
The overnight parking is at the digression of the council and like Windfest please keep noise down to a minimum so we can use the venue again. There are no power outlets or showering facilities on site. The venue has been, until now, a secluded and exclusive spot, a gem for local sailors in the know and now a jewel on the BSA 2010 National Tour!
Directions:
From the A31 from Southampton: Take the A35 exit to Bournemouth which is called the Wessex Way, go through one roundabout and at the second take the second exit onto the B3065 which is called The Avenue.
At the Liverpool Victoria round about take the second exit onto the B3065 signposted The Avenue.
Take the second left onto Tower Road and then turn right to stay on Tower road then there’s a slight right onto Pinewood Road.
The entrance to the Chine is on the left marked beach, through there your go down a narrow winding road which will lead you to the beach.
Camping:
Camping as mentioned will be allowed for Friday and Saturday nights only. It’s “unofficial” so please keep noise to a minimum and the area tidy. Kit can be carried to the beach for rigging and trailers can be kept in the top car park but please make sure if you use a parking bay that the trailer is paid for as a day rate.
Accommodation:
There are many B&B’s in the area, which can be found at www.pooletourism.com