Congratulations to year 9 pupil Jasper, from The Manchester Grammar School, who recently achieved 1st place in the 6.8 fleet at the National Windsurfing Championships at Rutland Water. The prestigious trophy he received includes the names of Olympic heroes such as Sam Sills and Connor Bainbridge – a truly remarkable accomplishment. This victory marks a significant milestone in Jasper’s progression through the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Windsurfing Pathway, which supports young athletes from national success to the potential of representing Team GB at the Olympics. 

Jasper has had an outstanding year, also securing 1st place in the 6.8 fleet and 2nd overall at the Scottish Fin and Foil, followed by 1st place in the 6.8 fleet and 3rd overall at Cup 6 in Pwllheli. Recently, he also earned 2nd place in the 6.8 fleet at the Regional competition at Hollingworth Lake. 

Reflecting on his experiences, Jasper shared: “Throughout the year, I travel around the country attending windsurfing events. While I find the events enjoyable, they can also be a bit stressful: I’m very competitive and always strive to win. Sometimes that doesn’t happen, but I still enjoy the racing. This year, I competed in UKWA events, winning the National Championships as well as the Scottish Fin and Foil. The Scottish Fin and Foil was probably my favourite event – the wind was great, and it felt like a more relaxed competition for me. It lasted seven days, so I was exhausted by the end. 

“Nationals this year had its ups and downs: I wasn’t feeling completely confident in my ability at the start, but as the event progressed, my confidence grew. However, on the last day, I nearly lost the lead. When I finally won, I felt relieved. This is a significant achievement for me, and it will give me confidence going into future competitions. It’s been a fantastic year; I’ve achieved a lot and developed my skills. I hope to continue this success in the near future.” 

Image: Sitara Bartle Davies, The Manchester Grammar School