Weymouth Speed Week 2026

The annual pilgrimage to Portland Harbour to compete in the world’s longest running Windsurfing event, saw 5 BRSC members pack all their sharpest speed boards and fully-cammed slalom sails for a week that was initially forecast for light winds.

This event has been running since 1972 and is frequented by the world’s best windsurfers from around Europe over the years. The women’s world record holder, professional Jenna Gibson, was keen to show the top men that she was a contender for the overall top speed having previously surpassed 45 kts on many occasions. Excitement grew during registration that Frenchman Brendan Lorho had entered as he is the young up and coming professional speed star that has joined the 50+kt club, that only a few in the world have ever achieved.

The competition also has many classes for all mortals to take part in, with Amateur, Gold Fleet and Professional grades segregating ability and past performances into class ratings. BRSC members this year were Joey Watts (Women’s Amateurs), Matt Lilley (Men’s Amateurs & Legends), Rich & Pete Crosby (both Gold Fleet) and past Gold Fleet winner John Oliver (Professional).

With light winds originally forecast, foil equipment was taken with the hope that the jet stream might cause some fronts to move across the UK later in the week. Lucky enough 3 days produced enough wind at the end of the week to set out speed courses in various directions, with the last day producing 45kt gusts with an average mean of 35kts. This had the entire fleet frothing at the mouth knowing that personal bests and their smallest gear were in for a serious test.

The final day did show that the cream always rises to the top with the strong winds causing a difficult chop to negotiate down the course, when at the limit of your ability. Each competitor wears a GPS to record the average speed over 500m which logs to the hundredth of a knot because the margins are that close between competitors.

Each day’s results are normally published a few hours after the course closes, but the final day is left to be announced when the awards are presented leaving a suspense to see who won. With a small women’s field, it was hoped that Bognor’s female speedster Joey Watts might have a chance for respectable placing but shocked us all with 1st place Woman’s Amateurs after her persistent battle in the extreme conditions on her wave board. A huge roar from the audience was pitched as her name was read out and she has become a popular adversary with all the other competitors discussing her retro equipment.

As the awards continued, another roar was soon followed with Matt Lilley winning the Legends title (65yo+). Matt has invested in some good kit and has learnt well to rig bigger than he would ever dare normally. A great achievement being at amateur status against gold fleet competitors within his age group. The final standings are attached, and overall the BRSC ‘SurfHogs’ had a wonderful week and are booking for next year already.