Sad News - Ian Atkinson President of JAWS has passed away.

It is with great sadness that I find myself having to report that Ian Atkinson, the President of the Jersey Association of Windsurfers died suddenly.

Ian was a great windsurfer and had won several Gold medals at the International Island Games; as well as being able to rip it up in surf. Being super-keen he was one of the guys who came to Guernsey in a fishing boat when the British Champions Ben Proffit & John Hibbard came over earlier this year in gale force winds just to have the opportunity to sail with them – such was his dedication.

As president of JAWS Ian had worked tirelessly to promote the sport in the Channel Islands organising competitions, social events, and teaching sessions with former British Champion Guy Cribb. He had recently secured an excellent deal with Highland Spring to sponsor windsurfing in Jersey (including next weeks Channel Island Championships) and was in the process of planning a Channel Island to Island to Island to France race with the new sponsor.

His untimely death (he was in his early 30's) will leave a void in the life of his wife Donna as well as the world of windsurfing in Islands. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his wife and family.

Matthieu Le Poidevin President of the Guernsey Boardsailing Association