President: Harry Gregory
Harry is our most experienced kiter of the society, with many seasons under his belt and as a fully qualified instructor he's been key in expanding the society and taking it in the right direction. Having said this he is a massive poser, frequently seen throwing down a "Blue Steel", "Le Tigre" or "Ferrari" rather then looping his Hadlows. But he is one of the most committed members of the society often leaving his degree as an after thought.
3rd year Civil Engineering
(president@bristolkitesurfing.co.uk)
Vice-President: Jack Wilson
Jack is the epitomy of what the society is all about. He has gone from zero to hero in just two short years. Starting out as a total beginner as a fresher, he's taken an epic path from the early days floundering around in Poole Harbour to nailing his first unhooked moves inside a year and now a fullly qualified instructor! After a year of putting his numerical brain into keeping us out of bankruptcy he's working with Harry in his new role to continue to make the society bigger and better than ever before! That said, one to keep away from during a cheeky round of Pub Golf.
3rd Year Civil Engineering
(vicepresident@bristolkitesurfing.co.uk)
Treasurer: Alex Walmsley
Ali is one of the most enthuisastic people in BUKS - having joined in October 2010 with no kitesurfing experience he picked it up quickly and by the end of the Easter trip to Portugal was pulling off his first jumps. He's also wasted no time getting his nose brown in the society, becoming the society's secretary a month after joining, driving the minibus on trips, and designing our 2010/11 club clothing all in his first year. Now for 2011/12, he is taking over from Jack as Treasurer. He may be a closet cheerleader but he makes up for it by being super competitive - one to watch out for!
3rd Year Mechanical Engineering
(treasurer@bristolkitesurfing.co.uk)
Media Rep: Graham Snyder
Graham was a newbie Kitesurfer as of October 2010, but took no time to get stuck into the BUKS scene. He was soon a regular face on nights out and on the society trips, not even scared off when the sea became freezing in November and December. Graham’s experience in the use of emergency releases is now very extensive and unrivalled after having a number of hairy experiences. However his commitment has paid off, proving himself as a competent rider in Portugal. It’s safe to say your stash designs are in safe hands, having seen a sneak preview of next year’s designs and his ability to use Photoshop. We look forward to seeing his artistic flare and a bit of ukulele on those overnight trips.
4th Year Mechanical Engineering
Sponsorship Rep: Nick Wilkinson
After his first kite surfing lesson in South Africa in May 2010 Nick has progressed a long way since with us. After not having much time with a kite he used his sailing experience to make it so far upwind he crossed the lagoon in our Easter trip to Portugal. Nick likes to spend as much time on the water as possible, so if you ever do share a kite with him don’t expect much flying time!... Nick is in charge of liasing with our current sponsors and is always looking to expand our support. As he said in his elections speech, "Money makes the world go round, and in our case - keeps kites in the air"
2nd Year Mechanical Engineering
(sponsorship@bristolkitesurfing.co.uk)
Social Secs: Jess Summerfield &
Connor Darby
Jess: Jess is one of the cheeriest people in the society, always with a smile on her face and up for having a good time. An ideal candidate for social sec she wasted no time in putting herself forward for the position having only been a member for a matter of months. Quick progression to getting up on the board for the first time on our recent trip to Portugal is credit to Jess’ determination; it provided some interesting dismounts too! With many an idea for an epic social, you can guarantee Jess will make it a messy night out for all.
1st Year Maths & Economics
Connor: After first experiencing kitesurfing in Spain last Summer, Connor has gone from strength to strength with the society this year, achieveing some epic first back rolls during our Easter trip to Portugal. Being the society's token ginger, generous helpings of factor 70 unfortunately didn't stop another trip accomplishment being some of the worst sunburn ever seen, yet that aside Connor has proved to be a fantastic and fully committed member of the society and has set the tone for some amazing socials next year. Be it a round of Pub Golf, a night as Oompa Loompas or a Chilled Out Tuesday, Connor will make it a night to remember (or not) for everyone.
2nd Year Engineering Maths
Secretary: James Grant
Whilst James had never kitesurfed on water before coming to uni, he does have very strong roots in landboarding. He does like to go on about this, and on. He also attempted to pull the wool over several people's eyes on our Portugal trip by allowing them to continue under the assumption he'd never tried these tricks that he was learning so quickly! Despite this treachery, James is a top bloke and throws himself at all that the society does, whether its a mega-loop in six inches of water 10 minutes after jumping for the first time, or a horrific abborted tactical chunder attempt on a quiet night in. His computing skills will keep our web site ship shape,and will be working on a few projects to improve it as well as keeping the club's landboarding heritage alive!
2nd Year Computer Science
Kit Rep: Dom Brown
Despite never kitesurfing before uni Dom is well on way to his first railey... That said he's not exactly a social butterfly in the club and a self-confessed work-a-holic. We do our best to drag him away regularly for his own good, we have been trying to get Dom on board for some time, and now as never before has the Kitesurfing Society had its own Kite Cleaner! So thanks in advance for all you hard work! His other talents include swindling great kit for himself, after offloadling kites to the society seconds before the explode in the air. So buying kites from Dom is not highly recommended... although if your kite is looking a little mucky or needs airing out, he's your man.
3rd Year Civil Engineering