Royal Air Force News Friday, July 15, 2022 P28
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WATERSKI AND WAKEBOARD
Eloise hangs loose and is named 'most improved' CPL ELOISE HALL fell in love with a new sport after attending this year’s RAF Waterski and Wakeboard Novice event at Box End Park. Having a fear of water before she attended the week, Cpl Hall not only overcame this but was up standing on her board within a few attempts under the watchful eye of her coaches. And all of this on her way to the 'most improved wakeboarder' award at the event. She said: “The coaches were so patient with me and really helped with getting over the major hurdles of being comfortable in the water and focusing on learning the new skills. “This experience has really shown me that you have just got to put your hand up to try new things and gain new experiences to push yourself out of your comfort zone. I would have missed out on this amazing experience if I had let it get the better of me, but I refused.” n Follow RAF Waterski and Wakeboard, on Instagram @ raf_waterski_and_wakeboarding or find out more information on their MOD Net SharePoint Site, RAF Waterski & Wakeboard.
WILLING AND CABLE
Bumper festival of sport on the water at Box End Park
AIRBORNE: Wakeboarders take off
PHOTOS: SAC CONNOR TIERNEY
THE NEW and improved RAF Waterski and Wakeboard Championships at Box End Park in Bedfordshire provided a bumper five days of fun and competition. Revamped as a festival of the sport from 2022, the inclusive event for all levels and interests culminated in boat and cable contests. Association spokesman Cpl Dan Wilkinson said: “The event had an incredible uptake for places and was completely full within three days of it being publicised, which shows a fantastic interest in the sport. “We chose Box End Park because it is renowned for hosting national cable competitions and Army championships and is a regular host site for the InterServices.” Sunshine greeted the field of 55 personnel, with cable riding kicking off the action. Beginners took up the early runs, while the boating training began with the five-man RAF association coaching team – FS James Cook, Sgt Ross Phillips, Sgt Richard Phillips, Cpl Matthew McCreadie and Cpl Dan Wilkinson – advising throughout. Day two saw cable and boat events in full flow, with dry land training ongoing. The morning brief on the third training
day came from Sgt Phillips – RAF men’s rider and GB team captain. On the first day of competition, cable again kicked off the action, with novice riders having two runs, with the Intermediate ladies and men next. In the Intermediates, Fg Off Aran McGuckin produced some exceptional tricks on his way to first. SAC Alex Maundrell took the novice event, while Cpl Sean Davy took the men’s and Flt Lt Carrie Sharp took the Intermediate women’s. The fifth and final day of the championships was boat day with the beginners’ category followed by Inters women and men, then advanced women and men’s disciplines. The Intermediate categories saw a frontside 360˚ seal Cpl Dexter Unwin’s first. In the Advanced Ladies Flt Lt Olivia Henderson shone on her way to first in cable and boat, producing a series of frontside and backside 180˚s, while SAC Kitty Barrett won the boat discipline. Brothers Sgts Ross (first) and Rich Phillips took centre stage in the Advanced Men with Cpl Matthew McCreadie, and Flt Lt Lee Clark also shone as the event closed out in perfect style.