A WEYMOUTH junior windsurfing star was awarded a top prize at the National Watersports Festival (NWF).

Scotty Stallman joined hundreds of other watersport enthusiasts at Hayling Island for the annual event.

Participants including windsurfers, kayakers and stand up paddle-boarders enjoyed two days of racing as well as free clinics hosted by top watersport professionals.

Stallman achieved excellent positions in the racing and said: “I had an amazing weekend at NWF, the wind picked up nicely and we had two full days of racing. They ran two fleets, national riders and Freeride.

“Although the racing is really just for fun, the national fleet riders are always keen to race so it was business as usual.

“I had some great starts in all of the races and managed to keep ahead of the fleet of a hundred or so.

“It was great racing against my Official Test Centre (OTC), Severne and Starboard team-mates.

“Amazingly, I took the top spot after two days of racing. Given the tricky conditions and the sheer number of people on the water, I was super pleased.”

To round off a fantastic performance, at the party on Saturday night, he was awarded Young Windsurfer of the Year.

The award which was a real surprise to him, is given to young windsurfers who have not only achieved good results but also shown dedication to the sport.

He said: “I had no idea I had even been nominated and was really quite shocked as there are some amazing young windsurfers out there.

“I think the only thing that topped it was having the trophy presented by Nick Dempsey, our very own Olympic windsurfing legend.”

With the 2016 British Slalom Association Slalom Series’ final event soon approaching at the end of October, Stallman is working hard to finish as high up in the professional fleet as possible.

He has exceeded his own expectations and in the current professional fleet standings, sits in sixth place overall with the last event to go.

Talking about his next goals and ambitions for the future, Stallman said: “Slalom finishes next month for the 2016 season, so I will miss sailing with all the guys until the 2017 season kicks off.

“However training continues and I know we will all be sailing together at the winter training camps at the OTC.

“Weymouth Speed Week kicks off on the weekend of October 8-9 so fingers crossed for good winds for the event. I can only compete over the weekend but will be keeping an eye on how the guys and girls do for sure.

“When the autumn winds hit, the speed and wave kit will be out, I have a target of 43 knots maximum speed in mind. Otherwise the mountain bike will be out for non-windy days and the road bike on nice days.”

Stallman much appreciates all the support he has received.

He said: “Windsurfing is such an amazing sport, so many people have and still help me.

“Tris Best at the OTC took me out for my very first windsurfing lesson just after my ninth birthday and still supports and sponsors me today, along with Starboard, Severne and F-Hot Fins.”