After talking to my teachers about how interesting the trip was they helped me to find out more information about available courses at Covenham. Unfortunately the courses were quite expensive but after bugging my parents they agreed to send me on the sailing and windsurfing courses for my twelfth birthday.

Daniel Hufton on Derwent reservoir

Each course lasted for 2 days and although very tiring they were very enjoyable and I made a lot of new friends. I passed both courses and started sailing and wind surfing on a regular basis. For about a year I didn't have my own kit and borrowed it all from Covenham. When I finally got my own kit I became hooked on wind surfing, so I gave up sailing and concentrated on the one discipline.

My club joined an organisation called T15, which is a nationwide network of clubs where wind surfers aged 15 and under get together every week to have a great time and learn new skills.

In my first competition at Barton Sailing Club  I finished 6th out of 8, and although it wasn't the greatest result it inspired me to do more competitions. After a chat with my coach Lucy Dunnet, I changed the class I was competing in and went on to win my next event. I continued to move up through the classes and win events.

I continued with the Covenham Cyclones until I was 16 under the direction of a new coach, Chris Hall and manager Derek Hall, I have now moved on to a new event and competed in the national class where I won the U17 category. The board is 1 metre wide to accommodate a 12.5 metre sail.

My success in the national competition helped me to get some sponsorship from Boardwise, who gave me discount on my equipment, but I am keen to attract more sponsorship i am the 2008 jr inlands champion and the 2008 jr cup champion in the uk wich is very good news!