A sea cadet who sailed to victory on Saturday in an eastern area event will now compete at national level.
Joe Smith from Hitchin Sea Cadets left the 5.5m windsurf category competitors in his wake when taking on a course at Northamptonshire’s Middle Nene Sailing Club, finishing in under eight minutes – six minutes ahead of his closest rival.
The 16-year-old, pictured right receiving his trophy, joined the organisation aged 11 and has qualifications in windsurfing, powerboating and sailing.
Joe, a pupil at Letchworth’s Highfield School, said: “Cadets had given me the opportunities and qualifications that I couldn’t get in other organisations. This includes the chance to become a windsurfing instructor and build a career.”
As a result of Joe’s success, the Hitchin Sea Cadets will compete in national competition for the first time in 15 years. To find out more, visit www.sea-cadets.org/hitchin.
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