September 26, 2009
Kingston Freestyle Jam
The 3rd annual.
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The Royal Military College Windsurfing Club was a busy spot on the Lake Ontario shores as competitors and volunteers gathered for the 3rd annual Kingston Freestyle Jam on the weekend of September 19th and 20th.
Saturday morning the moods were tense as competitors eyed each other wondering what moves their competitors have been perfecting leading up to the event. The wind was light and fingers were crossed for an afternoon thermal breeze. Australian longboard freestyler, Pierre Coupal, who currently resides in Montreal, broke the ice by providing free instruction to competitors, volunteers and on-lookers.
The RMC dug deep and broke out their retro rigs and longboards to give people a chance to try some new skills. Sailors could be found inside the booms, sailing using their feet and even rail-riding.
Though the wind was not looking promising, event organiser Phil Soltysiak could not watch a day go by without sliding some new-school moves. The RMC rescue boat made wind seem irrelevant as Phil managed a few flakas and grubbies in no more than 5 knots of wind.
An informal lightwind freestyle best move competition was held shortly afterwards to finish off the day. Pierre Coupal managed to edge out Bert Breuvart for the best move.
After a classic late night in the university town of Kingston, competitors returned to another beautiful, sunny, but windless day. An aerial freestyle clinic was held by Phil Soltysiak.
Unfortunately the wind failed to co-operate throughout the day and the event came to a close after a tasty BBQ with tonnes of prizes for the competitors and volunteers. Bert Breuvart was the lucky winner this year of the Sailworks 5.2 Revolution. We expect him to show us some new moves at next years competition with this world-class freestyle sail.
Thanks go out to RMC Windsurfing Club and Windsurfing Canada for making this event happen as well as our sponsors that support this annual windsurfing event: Sailworks, Starboard, Dakine and Streamlined. See you all next year.