Tricky weather conditions were not enough to dampen the spirits of a young windsurfer from Dorset being crowned a national champion.

Beau Handley, from Charminster, has risen to the top after becoming the national under-17 champion at the 2024 National Windsurfing Championships in Rutland.

The event held last weekend in the East Midlands, saw more than 180 competitors from across the UK battle it out for the title of being national champion. 

Fifteen-year-old Handley, who attends Thomas Hardy School in Dorchester, overcame the elements during the two day event, which saw a mix of rain and blustery winds - and even some lightening strikes between races.

Beau Handley surfing at the National Windsurfing Championships in Rutland Beau Handley surfing at the National Windsurfing Championships in Rutland (Image: Rob Winstanley) This did not deter Handley though who took home the Title Cup and the title of national under-17 champion.

Handley said: “I hoped this year I could show everyone that I’ve been training really hard on and off the water to get ready for the event and luckily it paid off, it was a hard fleet so well done to the others."

The teenager is a regular at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy and races on the new Olympic class IQ Foil, which Emma Wilson claimed bronze in Paris earlier this year.

With that in mind, the teenager is already looking to the future and is set to compete at the IQ Foil Youth & Juniors World Championships, in Majorca, Spain in October.

Beau Handley with his trophy and medal after winning the under 17 national championships in Rutland Beau Handley with his trophy and medal after winning the under 17 national championships in Rutland (Image: Rob Winstanley) He added: “I really hope to make the top ten in Majorca but I know there’s some tough riders going, so just stoked to represent Team GB and have the Union Jack on my sail, it’s a great honor."

Handley is taking an entrepreneurial approach to his windsurfing career by doing local jobs within his village from cutting grass to odd jobs to help pay for his travel costs and equipment.

Handley added: “I know my family sacrifice a lot to pay for my kit and travel so until I find a sponsor or someone to help I though something is better than nothing, and it feels good to work around where I live and help pay for my own costs, even if a little."