The German Windsurfing Association (GWA) is organising a major joint championship for all junior windsurfers in Germany for the first time. The GWA Youth & Junior Championship 2024 will take place from 29 August to 1 September as part of the Multivan Windsurf Cup in Heiligenhafen.
The disciplines Fin Slalom, Foiling and Techno 293 will be held, with special classifications for iQFOiL, iQFOiL Youth & Junior and Techno Windfoil also being offered in the Foiling discipline. The age groups U13, U15 and U17 are categorised for the juniors, and U19 and U21 for the youth. In the Techno 293 discipline, there is a fleet with the U15 and Open classifications.
Gerd Prien, Chairman of the GWA, says of the event: "Young windsurfers are particularly important to the German Windsurfing Association. We are delighted that with the GWA Youth & Junior Championship 2024 we are offering a joint championship for all young windsurfers for the first time in Germany!" Prien emphasises that participants with iQFOiL, iQFOiL Youth & Junior and Techno Windfoil are also expressly invited. There are special classifications for these classes.
No qualification necessary
A special qualification is not necessary for the GWA Youth & Junior Championship."All kids who want to compete for the GWA championship are welcome in Heiligenhafen," says Prien. "With this event, we want to bring together young windsurfers from all classes and disciplines and introduce them to the GWA regattas."
The date from 29 August to 1 September is ideal for the GWA Youth & Junior Championships 2024, as it is late enough in the season so that many young surfers can prepare for the highlight of the season throughout the summer. However, it is also still in the summer, so you can hope for good weather. For windsurfers from Schleswig-Holstein and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, who make up a large part of the current T293 field of participants and many foiling and fin slalom surfers, it is at the end of the summer holidays so that there is no time off school. However, all but the last week of the holidays can be used for preparation or family holidays.
The sailing conditions are ideal for youth regattas. Heiligenhafen is easily accessible, has no shore break and no strong currents. The island of Fehmarn protects you from high waves from the open Baltic Sea in easterly winds. Nevertheless, there is very little cover on site, meaning that it is possible to sail in practically all wind directions. "The adventure pier serves as an ideal grandstand for parents and coaches to watch the competitions from. At the European Championships last August, there was already a goosebump atmosphere with applause for the athletes and cheering spectators," say the organisers.
DWC setup also for the next generation
Thanks to the Multivan Windsurf Cup, young windsurfers benefit from the professional organisation and infrastructure of the top German series and can meet their idols on site. In addition to the windsurfing competitions, there is an attractive supporting programme so that the event is also interesting for accompanying persons who may not be windsurfing enthusiasts.
Heiligenhafen offers numerous accommodation options in all price categories within walking distance. Due to the Windsurf Cup, there is also a paddock on site where the youngsters and their parents or coaches can spend the night free of charge in vehicles or, if necessary, in a tent.
Further information and the official invitation to tender will follow shortly. If you have any further questions, please contact the GWA office: info@germanwindsurfing.de