"The Lighthouse2Leighton" is a logistical nightmare which is run professionally by Tim and crew and they are to be commended on their collective efforts in presenting us all with a world class event on our door step.
IMHO more open events is the answer, it seems the popularity of this type of kite race event is growing each year.
Safety has to be the number one priority the PR surrounding a death or serious injury would be catastrophic.
May be a long down winder say 25k ??? 30k or more set along the coast so that it can be fully viewed from the coast line by the public and followed taking in Perths fantastic coast line, great PR for Perth tourism and would encourage sponsorship without which most these events are not possible.
No event will be perfect there are always too many variables L2L is world class event, we just need more of them to accommodate the growing popularity.
Its a bit awkward that both the big kiting events are the L2L
Lighthouse to Leighton and the Ledge to Lancelin.
We only have two and nobody ever knows which one is being talked about.
Select to expand quoteNoBS said..Underoath said..NoBS said..
Just as long as Tim doesn't pull the ' they are entitled to an automatic start next year' card...
They do make kites bigger than 11m I hear..
Kite shop owners have no excuse.. Grosse and the Puppet should have got out their 17m big un's from their repective shops dusty shelves in order to get it on and race.. It is classed as a race so the promotors specify..
More and More I think the L2L is a just jolly up centred around 10% serious racers and 90% weekend warriors livin the kiteracing dream.
Perhaps you start your own race and make the rules. Why are you so bitter Nobs?
Just because I tell it like it is, that makes me bitter??
Then so be it..
chill knobs, its been blowing its tits off here in the Midwest, hundred of klms of deserted coastline to be kited, I know where id rather be , were blessed
Select to expand quotesir ROWDY said..NoBS said..
More and More I think the L2L is a just jolly up centred around 10% serious racers and 90% weekend warriors livin the kiteracing dream.
Besides your inept sentence structure and punctuation skills I have to say this is one of the more true things I've read on SB in regards to kiteracing in general. There's about 10 or 15 people max worldwide that are talented at it and the other guys are just going along for the ride because they feel like they can be a part of it all.
Is this wrong? I don't know, I don't have a problem with it as such but you can't deny that this is the truth of it all.
This is a great idea, and top race guys would prefer a longer race. I drag race that is 24 mins is getting a little short. It could be called the lighthouse loop? As Ledge to Leighton held the L2L name first - just saying (22 days to go by the way - yeeoww)
As for having a logistical nightmare situation catered for - reduce the field. 100 starters is a lot to look after (granted). Hold qualifying so those who record a good time say a top 40 place times, do the Lighthouse loop.
For the weekend worriers (60 places - pulled out of a hat) you could still ferry them out to the island and start them when the Lighthouse loop guys round the island mark and they can all run back to the beach as a 100 strong fleet all finishing at the Oceanic's venue in front of all the admiring spectators (prizes and cocktails for everyone) Fun for the warriors and a true race for the top sailors.
For those who need my tip of the day - buy a good course board and get into course racing. We are just seeing the beginning of the next big thing for Kite Sports. 3 respective course boards on the podium this year at Lighthouse to Leighton - just saying
Select to expand quotesir ROWDY said..NoBS said..
More and More I think the L2L is a just jolly up centred around 10% serious racers and 90% weekend warriors livin the kiteracing dream.
Besides your inept sentence structure and punctuation skills I have to say this is one of the more true things I've read on SB in regards to kiteracing in general. There's about 10 or 15 people max worldwide that are talented at it and the other guys are just going along for the ride because they feel like they can be a part of it all.
Is this wrong? I don't know, I don't have a problem with it as such but you can't deny that this is the truth of it all.
Probly is true, but it's the same with all sports, whether it is motor racing, surfing, sailing, skateboarding, snowboarding, tennis, golf there are probly only 5 or 10% at a top level that can actually win most of the competitions, but at least the racers are turning up and having a good time with a bunch of like minded people, having a beer and talking some SH!t at the end of a good day on the water, But as in another thread it's a shame the wakestylers and freestylers in some states aren't turning up to support organised events.
^ It's the same with all sports to a degree, but I've noticed it more with Kiteracing than anything else.
When a sport is new you always have this scenario. If/As the kiteracing scene progresses we will see this scenario less and less and there will be a point where these other less talented people wont compete at all... this is exactly what has happened with the Australian freestyle scene. The sport progresses to a level where the average joe can't relate to it, they feel they are too far removed from what is considered a competitive level so they don't enter or turn up.
True story.
Your right, so point is enjoy it while you can get a spot, and nob can complain when its all to professional in a few years.
This years conditions favoured raceboards but had the usual decent seabreeze been forecast it would not be such an obvious advantage.
2010 Lighthouse to Leighton’s inaugural year when Alex C set the record which stood for three years, unofficial 2nd place was Said Salameh. He was later disqualified for going the wrong side of a marker near the finish line. This is a guy who normally went out on the river and borrowed a 9m Switchblade riding a twintip blitzed the field, 2nd only to the fastest kitesurfer in the world. On a twintip and borrowed kite it's a good example of a person’s ability playing a bigger part than their equipment (ok he stuffed up as far as race rules).
Select to expand quotemoon waxing said..
This years conditions favoured raceboards but had the usual decent seabreeze been forecast it would not be such an obvious advantage.
2010 Lighthouse to Leighton???s inaugural year when Alex C set the record which stood for three years, unofficial 2nd place was Said Salameh. He was later disqualified for going the wrong side of a marker near the finish line. This is a guy who normally went out on the river and borrowed a 9m Switchblade riding a twintip blitzed the field, 2nd only to the fastest kitesurfer in the world. On a twintip and borrowed kite it's a good example of a person???s ability playing a bigger part than their equipment (ok he stuffed up as far as race rules).
So you think TT will keep holding records?? That's good if guys keep running TT's makes it easy for me 
How much do i have to drop on a set of fins to be a contender?
Come on ......say it....lol!
www.seabreeze.com.au/Classifieds/Kitesurfing-Race%20boards/~aratk/2012-Rista-Fins-For-Mikes-Lab-Raceboards-41-cm.aspx?search=p$eVEIELGOY38OJR4wnDzg==
Really?
Select to expand quoteseafever17 said..
How much do i have to drop on a set of fins to be a contender?
Come on ......say it....lol!
www.seabreeze.com.au/Classifieds/Kitesurfing-Race%20boards/~aratk/2012-Rista-Fins-For-Mikes-Lab-Raceboards-41-cm.aspx?search=p$eVEIELGOY38OJR4wnDzg==
Really?
Not not that much at all, the winning fins were shorter and probly cost about 550 landed here all the way from Hawaii 
But hey you wont win Bathurst with a stock commodore, you gota tweak it a bit ;)
Select to expand quoteseafever17 said..
How much do i have to drop on a set of fins to be a contender?
Come on ......say it....lol!
www.seabreeze.com.au/Classifieds/Kitesurfing-Race%20boards/~aratk/2012-Rista-Fins-For-Mikes-Lab-Raceboards-41-cm.aspx?search=p$eVEIELGOY38OJR4wnDzg==
Really?
The L2L continues to be the biggest racing event in Australia purely because you don't need to spend so much to be a contender. Amongst the top 10 there were twin tips and sub-$250 boards. Yes Marvin had an expensive board, but he is also a fantastic kiter, and could have also been quite competitive on a different set up. The thing that makes this race so special is the variety, the speculation, and it's unique drag racing nature.
If it were to be changed and made a loop or similar it would just become another race, and lose it's broad appeal.
What Tim Turner has set up is really very special!
I think Husa's inquiry, into a wait list for people with the correct equipment on the day to replace those that pull out due to equipment issues or other reasons, is reasonable.
There would be no change to the mentioned insurance's or support resources as the number planned for would be equal....
Am I missing something 
or is it a case of its my game and your not playing if you question my rules.
Select to expand quotejordangirdis said..seafever17 said..
How much do i have to drop on a set of fins to be a contender?
Come on ......say it....lol!
www.seabreeze.com.au/Classifieds/Kitesurfing-Race%20boards/~aratk/2012-Rista-Fins-For-Mikes-Lab-Raceboards-41-cm.aspx?search=p$eVEIELGOY38OJR4wnDzg==
Really?
The L2L continues to be the biggest racing event in Australia purely because you don't need to spend so much to be a contender. Amongst the top 10 there were twin tips and sub-$250 boards. Yes Marvin had an expensive board, but he is also a fantastic kiter, and could have also been quite competitive on a different set up. The thing that makes this race so special is the variety, the speculation, and it's unique drag racing nature.
If it were to be changed and made a loop or similar it would just become another race, and lose it's broad appeal.
What Tim Turner has set up is really very special!
And dont forget WAKSA put a massive amount of effort into this to get it going in the first place.
You can win this race on anything, was it the first year someone came through in front on twin tip to get disqualified for not going through the buoys ?
Select to expand quotetopline said..
Eventually L2L will be won on a foil for sure.
No chance.... When WA runs out of weed perhaps.
Select to expand quoteJared888 said..
I think Husa's inquiry, into a wait list for people with the correct equipment on the day to replace those that pull out due to equipment issues or other reasons, is reasonable.
There would be no change to the mentioned insurance's or support resources as the number planned for would be equal....
Am I missing something or is it a case of its my game and your not playing if you question my rules.
Thanks Jared888
I think finally someone gets what I was on about.
Select to expand quotehusa said..Jared888 said..
I think Husa's inquiry, into a wait list for people with the correct equipment on the day to replace those that pull out due to equipment issues or other reasons, is reasonable.
There would be no change to the mentioned insurance's or support resources as the number planned for would be equal....
Am I missing something or is it a case of its my game and your not playing if you question my rules.
Thanks Jared888
I think finally someone gets what I was on about.
M8 its a great proposal for improvement
Give the organizers a while to understand it the'll come round, I have seen a few threads around this race before and they seem to always jump on the offensive before they understand ideas for improvement, there should be a couple of smart cookies amongst the jar to explore this one.
I would put money ( or a six pack ) on it that there is a wait list next year 
....anyone want a piece of that!!!
Select to expand quoteJared888 said..husa said..Jared888 said..
I think Husa's inquiry, into a wait list for people with the correct equipment on the day to replace those that pull out due to equipment issues or other reasons, is reasonable.
There would be no change to the mentioned insurance's or support resources as the number planned for would be equal....
Am I missing something or is it a case of its my game and your not playing if you question my rules.
Thanks Jared888
I think finally someone gets what I was on about.
M8 its a great proposal for improvement
Give the organizers a while to understand it the'll come round, I have seen a few threads around this race before and they seem to always jump on the offensive before they understand ideas for improvement, there should be a couple of smart cookies amongst the jar to explore this one.
I would put money ( or a six pack ) on it that there is a wait list next year ....anyone want a piece of that!!!
I am sure there will be a waiting list.
Normally there would only be a few places if any that are spare with dropouts so not that big a deal in the past, but this year given the forecast was light and most WA people only have smallish kites a lot pulled out, but with another race on at the same time and a huge pool of competitors that can be ready with just a few hours notice with a large selection of kites ready to race in winds down to 8knots a waiting list has never been more usefull 
Select to expand quotesir ROWDY said..
^ It's the same with all sports to a degree, but I've noticed it more with Kiteracing than anything else.
When a sport is new you always have this scenario. If/As the kiteracing scene progresses we will see this scenario less and less and there will be a point where these other less talented people wont compete at all... this is exactly what has happened with the Australian freestyle scene. The sport progresses to a level where the average joe can't relate to it, they feel they are too far removed from what is considered a competitive level so they don't enter or turn up.
True story.
My take on the L2L (and sincere hope) is that it will continue as is as an 'open to all members' WAKSA social event.
The fact that it was surrounded this year with 'pro's only' serious world class racing tends to indicate that this is the way it could go.
The Oceanics gives the L2L serious status for the contenders that come out of the world class racing field who want to prove themselves in this alternative race format while at the same time makes it an epic members day out.
The Oceanics were not necessarily a pros-only event. Some of the guys racing in the event first rode a race board a week or two before, during the Warren Jones training camp. There are definitely some serious riders there, but there is room for the not-so-pro riders too. I think the L2L will remain like that
Hey its good to keep it open for everyone, will be good to see more guys doing the course racing as its all about having fun and being a part of something cool. L2L is a drag race at the end of the day, but an achievement that can only be done once a year if you are lucky to be drawn out of the hat. I just hope I get in next year - just saying. Pretty bummed to not be able to enter 3 years in a row?? Ledge to Lancelin 9 days away - I know it does not have the prestige as L2L but still a cool race - I am sure the course will be set correctly this year, and its going to blow 35 knots.
The race is for anybody and you can use anything you like, thats what makes it so much fun. However, 19km full speed is a serious event.
Its the hardest race i have ever done.
The island is beautiful and the lagoon we leave from is stunning.
I heard its also the mother of all long distance races?
Select to expand quoteBennyB12 said..
Shouldn't this be In the WA section?
Not when it attracts kiters from all points of the globe.
Even including some from the kiting nether-regions along that stretch of coast they call East Oz.
