Lake Macquarie racing all year round!

$10 per race day for non members to give it a go, course is windward return and only suitable for race or foilboards

Hey Guys
After about 10 months of trailing we have proved to the Marmong Point Windsurfing Formula club that we can race on the same course without any dramas.
This is probably the best location on Lake Macquarie to offer all year round racing in the one location without having to travel to much in different wind directions, although for west and southwest we drive about 5 km to the other side of Warners bay to launch but race in the same area.
The club is small with only about 6 to 8 regular windsurfers and they race all year round on Saturdays except when they have major Formula regattas to attend.
Naturally with a clubhouse on the water they have rates, aquatic license, rescue boat, fuel and maintenance and many other bills so welcome new members to help keep the club going and kite racing is a good fit with the current activities.
Racing is very casual, in light winds they do one lap windward returns and when it picks up they do two laps, if it's a good southerly they get the slalom boards out and rip around the buoys and no course racing.
The area has a small narrow grass rigging area and can accommodate about 10 kites, and more if we spread out further down the shoreline.
Sometimes it is a water launch, most times at least the kiter is in the water with someone on land to launch the kite.

In winter they do about three races per day starting from about 1.30, summer a race or two extra.
For the time being we will not be getting too serious about recording times etc as there is usually only three of us but we have started to wear a numbered rashy for the guy on the boat to record.
There is no prize or trophy planned at this stage, just good friendly racing and heaps of practice laps to get us in shape for the bigger regatta's
To keep it simple when the green flag goes up for the windsurfers we go when it is dropped 2min later, this gives them time to clear the start area and get a head start
If they are only doing 1 lap races, then we regather after the last kiter finishes and do another lap before they have all finished and start their next race
This second race in between theirs we usually stay together and pace each other to experiment and try different things, works out pretty good for practicing.
Casual racers (kiters and windsurfers) are welcome to come and have a few Saturdays racing with us for $10 per day.
If there are any of you guys want to come join us let Matt or Dave from Kite and Sup or myself know during the week to find out if we are going to be racing on the day.
Summer: NE, SE and southerly we launch from the club, winter westerly and SW we drive a short distance to a more suitable launch location.

There is also a fridge in the club!
Soft drink $1.50
$2 for anything else you find in there;)
Cold shower, warm one is coming.

If you think you would come more than a few times a year or regularly or even just to save paying on the day for the odd occasion you do come and would like to help a club that is getting behind kiters then membership to support the club is available for the following options:
Club member fee $90.00, plus $10 fee per day you race.
Full member with 12 months racing fees paid in advance - $250.00 (no more to pay).
If you come along part way through the year it will be reduced every 1/4.

There may also be the odd long distance race, we will keep you informed.

They also plan to run a few GPS race days (free race for 1 hour then hand in your GPS recording to see who clocks up the biggest distance for bragging rights).
GPS Free racing fee is $50, for non members (this is free for full members) for the year in the new racing format of which there will be 4 run during the year and chosen at short notice to pick the best wind conditions on the day.
Fees can be paid online by direct deposit to the clubs account or see Nev on Saturdays and get a membership form.
Club account details are BSB - 062827 Acct - 00901519
Ensure you use your name as the reference otherwise we have no way of knowing who has paid.

www.facebook.com/pages/Windsurfing-Marmong-Point/162887547058357
http://www.windsurfingmarmongpoint.com.au/ (site seems to be down atm, will be back in a couple of weeks when setup on new server)

Marmong Point
www.google.com.au/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode&q=Marmong+Point,+New+South+Wales&aq=0&oq=Marmong+Point&sll=-32.830735,147.451465&sspn=18.474417,38.496094&vpsrc=6&ie=UTF8&hq&hnear=Marmong+Point+New+South+Wales&ll=-32.981056,151.636949&spn=0.036108,0.075188&t=m&z=15&iwloc=A


Cheers
Ric

Formula guys have a regatta this weekend so no racing ;)

Is there racing this Saturday?