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Downwinder in Cockburn Sound

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Created by AUS1111 > 9 months ago, 6 Nov 2008
AUS1111
WA, 3621 posts
6 Nov 2008 2:21PM
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Who's up for this one? It's a race being held by Fremantle Sailing Club from the Cruising Yacht Club in Rockingham to Fremantle Sailing Club - about 26km more or less straight downwind as the crow flies, so maybe 35km to sail in a seabreeze.

It's open to various types of sailing craft and I think they have been having it for years, but this year they are inviting ten windsurfers to compete. I believe the race record is around 1hr 40min

It is on Saturday November 15, and I know that Slowy, Claude, Stratty and I are keen, so who else is in?

In anything over 15 knots it will be awesome, and Cockburn Sound has great sailing, but is little used due to a distinct lack of beaches to launch from.

More details in the "Windsurfing WA" forum.

TimB
WA, 260 posts
7 Nov 2008 9:32AM
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A group of us have done a downwinder from Woodman point to South Beach and it was awesome. Going from Rockingham will be a hard work if the wind kicks in.

As I have been off the water to 3 months I think I will be pushing my luck to bit fit enough for next week.

AUS1111
WA, 3621 posts
7 Nov 2008 11:14AM
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I've done the run from Rockingham to Woodies before and it's a great run, especially in the section that is protected by Garden Island. Once you get past Garden Island it starts to get a lot rougher and you will need to be fit.

MattL
WA, 88 posts
7 Nov 2008 8:05PM
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Count me in Ado, sounds like fun......I think...........

nebbian
WA, 6277 posts
7 Nov 2008 10:54PM
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How difficult would this be, compared to the ledge to lancelin?

AUS1111
WA, 3621 posts
8 Nov 2008 12:02AM
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Glad to see you're interested Nebs.

I reckon this should be easier (assuming a normal 15 - 25 knot seabreeze) than the Lancelin Ocean Classic for two reasons;

1. You don't have to worry about sailing a specific course. There are couple of marks to stay inside of, but other than that you gybe whenever you want, and you are always sailing deep off the wind. If you start to cramp up, you can just gybe off. Lancelin doesn't afford you that luxury as you have to sail the course.

2. The waters in Cockburn Sound are really nice; a bit like off the end of Peli Point. The water is relatively shallow and the bottom is flat so you get about a 2 -3 foot chop which all lines up neatly and it's quite easy to pick a line down along the troughs and just gun it. Once you get past the end of Garden Island it does get a lot messier as there is swell coming through, but then you also have the section in the lee of Woodman Point which is pretty nice too.

Definitely worth a go, and it will stand you in very good stead come Lancelin time. You may also achieve a "one hour" PB, if it takes you that long!

Paul Yeomans
WA, 66 posts
9 Nov 2008 1:38PM
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G`day boys its Paul Yeomans here. Long time. just stumbled on your idea. Ill be keen if its windy, it looks like it may be.

AUS1111
WA, 3621 posts
14 Nov 2008 1:48PM
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The race has just been called off due to a poor forecast.

I must admit I was having serious reservations about sailing out off shore in an Easterly.

They may re-schedule in coming months, fingers creossed.

nebbian
WA, 6277 posts
14 Nov 2008 1:51PM
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I emailed the dude on Monday asking to join, have had no response up until now.

Thanks for letting us know anyway.



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"Downwinder in Cockburn Sound" started by AUS1111