Hi Peeps,
With the Christmas Crazies over and a new year ahead of us, we now have time to organise a race on the river. As suggested in the older thread, Melville will be a good place to set out a course, there is a close boat ramp for launching the boat, and for a change we can race in some tiny chop and maybe even a bit of smooth water.
Date: 21/1/2010
Time: From 6pm
Venue: Melville Waters
I need some guidance from Gruezi, Ian young and others more "in the know" than me, as to where to lay the course markers, perhaps a googlemap of the waterway with suggestions for marker placement. You guys know the spots to avoid and windless bits better than me so start planning.
Briefing will be held at 5.45pm and the course and boards will be available for practice from about 4.30pm.
We can run either a long triangular course with a 1km upwind, 1km broad reach and 1km tight reach back to the start with 2 laps
OR
We can run a figure 8 with a 750m upwind, 750m loose reach, 750m loose reach and another 750m loose reach back to the start for a second lap. Those that have raced with us previously could maybe let us know what course you preferred, but keep in mind it should be a fair bit easier and faster in the sheltered waters of the river.
I'm happy to run 4 person heats again and afterwards an open heat for twin tips and other boards if there is enough interest.
As per normal, I will supply the boards (3 x Airush Monaro, 3 x North Race LTD and an Airush Sector 60).
It would be good to get an idea of how many people would attend this race and what you would like to see in future racing.
Thanks for the input.
Cheers,
KH
Howdy
Would be willing to give a hand if you needed some input on what areas to avoid, where to lay buoys etc.
A couple of us regulars have talked about doing a little race between a few of us using the existing buoys and markers in the river.
Where were you looking at starting from and going to? Pretty much anywhere from lucky bay south(upwind) to where the windsurfers are the wind is ok. Once you get out a fair way on a straight reach there are two boys that would make a good reach point(the edge of the marine park on the map linked below, around marker number 40 Waterstrom). Much upwind of this and it starts getting a bit gusty.
Then cant see why you couldn't have downwind markers pretty much anywhere from there all the way to nedlands. Also want to avoid anywhere past point dundas at the downwind end of lucky bay as the wind gets rather flukey past the point.
The start line will be the most challenging location to choose to try and avoid interference from non racing kiters as the whole length of lucky bay has kiters on it on most days. Best to prob put the start line just upwind of the most southerly(upwind) kite marker buoy close to where the beach ends.
A river map i found will most buoys marked on it can be found here: http://www.biawa.asn.au/pdfs/swanriver.pdf
Unfortunately i'll be in Bali until the 20th. If you want some more info get in contact with Said who kites pretty much every day at the river. Rides 2010 torches and drives an older Jeep cherokee. Can send you his number if you like as i'm sure he'd be interested in getting involved.
Cheers
Craig
Hey thanks for that Craig...you are great!
After discussions with 3 locals today including Craig it was thought best place for start and finish would be just a few meters upwind of Ness (where the upwind crowd mostly is).
Very important that we are well behaved (as we are) and only park where we are permitted.
Nice peaceful vibe all along the river today from what I could see.......nice crowd.
Nick
Please be vigilant when racing in Melville, as there are a lot of d1ckhead motor boaters who will have no problem at all burning straight through the middle of race courses even though sail has R.O.W. Royal Perth Yacht Club also have a popular twilight sailing series every thursday evening of the summer that (may have just changed to hall mark?) goes all the way up to brickys A&B. If you put to course close enough to land and say at the briefing to try and avoid tacking in the channel then there should be no problem at all.
hope you have a good race.
Congratulations on getting this organised it's been a long time coming.
Do you have to be a WAKSA member or does AKS have the insurance under control?
I'll be there with bells on...
(that way you can tell when I am about to overtake you) 
either type of course suits me, IMO the shorter 4 man events (5-7 mins) were more fun as there was more time chance to watch others race and recover and fit in 3 races a day as opposed to 1 big one that wore you out and you were miles from other racers by the second lap.
Shameless Bump!
Would it be possible for Gruezi or someone in the know to meet me at the beach on Thursday at say around 3.30pm to give me a clue as to where to lay the marks and maybe even come out and assist in setting the course in the boat>
Please PM me a contact number so we can meet up. I'll be in my 4WD with AKS Boat on the trailer not the big truck so will be a little less conspicuous than usual 
Cheers,
KH
Be there for sure. I have wanted to attend the other events and cant get their after work but this is perfect. Really appreciate the efforts you are going to.
Hi Everyone,
Sorry for the hassle, but I need to postpone to the following week. I didn't realise Ed was going to Sydney tomorrow for a week which leaves me without a 2IC and I can't close the school.
It will have to be the following Thursday 28th, same time, same place, different date.
Sorry if I have stuffed anyone around. My bad! 
Many thanks from those who contacted me with offers of help, cheers Nick.
Kind regards,
KH
due to lack of winds in perth atm , i suggest we have a wakeboarding session lol
That's about all we can do atm :(
Hi Guys,
It looks like it's gonna be on tomorrow. See you on the river. Nick I'll be down there from about 3pm ish with the boat and markers. I'll catch you if you are available, otherwise I'll mill around and find some locals who can help and are keen to race. I've done my back in so probably won't personally be racing, but am happy enough to set it up for others.
I'll bring boards, and all the works. See you's tomorrow.
Cheers,
KH
Hi Peeps,
After waking up with severe disabling back pain again this morning 
I am canceling the racing yet again I cant get about let alone heft counterweights, anchors, launch boats etc .
Sorry I thought I'd be in better form for today after a decent nights rest, but alas my pain killers have run out and I'm moving around with the speed of an 80 year old man with a zimmer frame. 
Sorry guys, it will happen! Hang in there.
KH
