Windsurfer of the Year 2009

Barnsdale Lodge Hotel in Rutland played host the UK Windsurfing association for its annual prize giving dinner on Saturday 14th November. Some 75 awards were made across the various disciplines supported by the association including slalom, wave, speed, freestyle and course racing. A spectacular evening of awards and dancing to live band 'Under Construction' was enjoyed by all.

As the UKWA crowned its champions special awards were also made to Ian Jones retiring chairman and John Ellis standing down after years of service was awarded life time membership to the association an honour rarely awarded, but well deserved.

The first major trophy of the evening was the young windsurfer of the year award which went to European silver medalist and World Techno 6.8 Girls champion Saskia Sills:

The highlight however was the awarding of The UKWA Windsurfer Of The Year trophy. The Nominees were Max Rowe (freestyle) Ross Williams( Slalom) Robbie Swift (Wave) Pete Young ( Speed) and Sam Sills (Racing). After a close public vote and almost a 1000 votes cast.

The Windsurfer of the Year 2009 was awarded to World and European Techno 7.8 Champion Sam Sills. Unfortunately the 2008 winner Andy Bubble Chambers could not attend to pass on the trophy but instead sent a video message of congratulations from his base in Egypt and said he hoped Sam enjoyed the accolade as much as he had.