A quote from an email I received from Windsurfing SA...
"Anyone interested in getting course racing re-established in SA again?? What class/es?? and where?? Email me - John"
Don't worry about it saying 'course racing', if you want any form of events to get going in SA start sending the emails or at least show your interest on this thread.
At the moment we only have the Robe event at Easter, which is more of a kiting comp than windsurfing comp now anyway. And the Speed events.
What Windsurfing in SA really needs is some form of organised events and it should be in everyones faces ie- in the ocean at various local beaches where we can get some exposure and some crowds down to see what we're all about.
His email address is john.rohde@jbr.com.au, he is the AWA rep in SA.
I for one, would be very keen for some form of events to get going in SA and would be happy to assist in the organisation of them.
Maybe a multi-discipline thing would be good?
Muzza
The problem I see is the location vs crowd.
It's hard to hold an event on a particular weekend and location when it can be very borderline to sail at the best of times.
May be a modified suprecross - without the loop and spock. Start at
Henley beach from the square on a seabreeze or Nth Glenelg near the marina - you've just got to get the people to commit to a couple of dates.
Maybe a couple of winter wave events at the mid or day street. Really hard to get those to work due to the fickle Nthlies and enough wave sailors willing to go in.
Maybe a "Marathon - glenelg to Sema 4"
I've been thinking about something like this for a while - a short summer and winter series - two rounds and a final - each round would have to be over a two - three week period to cover wind - could be a nightmare - but great fun if it came off.
With regards to dates and conditions -
There's a competition in Tassie that they call 'Nomadic', they nominate a month and start planning for the first weekend and then carry it over to the next if they don't get good conditions on the first weekend etc.
Besides if we plan an event on a particular day and it doesn't happen, would it be that bad to have a few beers and spin bull**** like we do on here for the arvo instead?
I like the idea of various venues and various formats!
Keep getting everyone to email John Rohde!!!
Muzza
Count me in too. I'd have a go at any sort of event really and could chip in with the organising too.
great to hear.
We introduced FE+ (Formula Experience Plus) this year in NSW and it was adopted for the nationals. Huge success. Really surprised how many new faces have tried racing and enjoyed it. It will be part of next years Formula Nationals also.
Don't laugh, but the Windsurfer One Design is back in fashion also. 40 racers at the NSW states 2 weekends ago. It is a great class to attract older racers and new kids. They have a 3.5m and 4.5m sail that kids are racing on after a few hours practice. They are also cheap and there are about 200,000 of them sitting in peoples garage roofs.... the sport is booming in NSW, there is no reason it can't be the same in SA.
Happy to chat more if keen?...cheers
SA windsurfers... hello... is anyone out there???
Not too many people getting excited by the events idea!
A few people on here and 1 or 2 emailed the AWA rep to do something... a bit frustrating considering the amount of people who I see in the shop who want something up and running!
Maybe the few who are keen could put something together and see what happens?
For anyone interested and would like to be kept informed of how things are progressing or would like to give any input or ideas, send me an email and I'll start a mailing list and try and get things rolling... any help would be appreciated!
Muzza
Yeah ovcurse i'm very keen for ANYTHING.
And even something to teach some more young blokes, and girls, because i been talking to guys at school and other friends who would be real keen to do it and if something was organised that would be great. It doesnt even have to be anything special. A heap of old crappy cheap gear with a few guys willing to give up some time to help out on a calm day would be fine just to get people started. I was lucky that my dad taught me and did it many years ago himself, but all my mates arn't so lucky to have parents like that. I think they see the size and price of gear and get a bit worried i suppose. But would be great to organise i think. Cutloose (now onboard) used to run something like this which my brother and i were invloved in and it was GREAT. many good days experianced. Any ideas about that?
Also i'm real keen to compete in any social even and what not. A bit like the KA Summer of speed this weekend has been great. Will send you my email and all that Muzza. Also recieved an email from another guy which i have replied to and put a post up here on seabreeze a while ago. If your interested PM me and ill give you his email as well.
Cheers
Bubs
edit:
P.S: i would probably be able to round up gear if someone was willing to stash it somewhere when it isn't being used. Ovcourse i would be very old, but would do the job to get some people into it i reckon. I'm sure plenty of other people have that sort of old gear that is never used anymore and would be happy to see it put to good use aswell.
The idea of getting some loan gear together and holding intro days has been brought up before (not so long ago).
I offered to help out and supply some of the gear, particularly for the groms.
That's pretty much as far as it went... virtually no interest at all.
Glascraft has held demo days with both beginner and progressive entry level gear and the attendance wasn't enough to justify another one. In saying that we do have the same 2 boards (and more advanced boards) available for demo at any time. If you know anyone who is interested in trying out the sport, send them down.
I might be wrong, but I get the feeling that there's loads of people who would turn up to events, intro windsurf sessions etc. so long as it's all done for them and they don't have to do any of the organizing. (There may be a couple of exceptions).
I know when I helped out a couple of times with the Cutloose - Surf the Earth grom days, there were good numbers of kids down there, but there was also good numbers of people willing to get it all together and spend the day down the beach helping.
Until we get a GROUP of people who are willing to 'walk the talk' nothing will happen... again!
Muzza
Alright if we can organise some gear to take out. Boards, sails, all that, just some old stuff that people are willing to let others use that would be good. I'm sure i could contribute and there would be plenty others who could. I KNOW of guys AND girls who would want to give it a go and i'm sure they would go if there was something on. It's hard for them to organise when they only done it at a school camp or something like that. Finally we would only need a few guys to come down and just instruct them on the basics and it would work well i think you would find. IF there were some blokes who were willing to give up a calm day. You don't need many, once the basics are learnt then they have fun on their own. Thats hows it worked when i started out anyway.
I think the problem has been in past years of there being not much way to premote thing like this. I have to say that i don't know ANY other young windsurfers in SA but i do know people who want to give it a go. This type of thing is very difficult to premot i understand, but i still think that together we would be able to get a good group who want to learn and would make it worth while. I loved the grommit days cutloose used to hold and think it would be great if something like that could be done again. It just needs a kick start and a few guys willing to give a hand thats all. I'm DEFENTLY here to help whenever i can.
Also if i can remember your demo was held on the same day/weekend as the KA sails summer of speed at the murray mouth. This was a bit hard to compete with because all the fast blokes went there ovcourse to compete, and also hindmarsh island was a lot closer than where you were holding yours (can remember the name of the spot sorry). So therefore it seemed more logical to go to that. That would have been why there was not a huge turn out to yours.
Cheers
Bubs
EDIT:
- I know i might be making it sound a little like this is an easy process. But i know it's not and takes a great deal of organisation. However i do think that something should be done or tried to be organised and hopefully we can get some people togethere who are willing to help out and give others the same opportunity i got when i was learning. Otherwise new blood into the sport wont be easy because people want to try it before the lay down cash. It's not like its a common sport at all in SA so we need to do all we can to premote it. Even kitesurfing 
. I have to say i don't think getting teenagers and kids intrested in doing it will be the problem, its organising something like this and getting some guys who are willing to give up a bit of time.
Just to get back on to the original subject...
Windsurfing SA is asking if people are interested in get course-racing going again. I'm sure we can try and get them to look at other disciplines as well.
The intro lessons etc is a complete different matter.
Thanks to the guys who sent me an email, I'll keep in touch.
Congratulations Chris... awesome news!
Yeah sorry about hijacking the thread a bit mate. Would be great though i'm up for anything. Sort of meant to mention that aswell but i still think that teaching others is important aswell because it is a hard sport to get into really.
But i love the idea. we sort of been missing this type of thing ever since i been windsurfing anyway. My dad said back years ago when he first started and windsurfing was in its prime, he used to do some course racing and it was some of the best fun he ever had. So i'm sure people would still find it great. Even if it wasn't course racing or anything.
Anything i can do send me a PM muzza.
Cheers
Bubs
Aloha,
The Final Round of the KA Sail SA Summer of Speed will be held on Saturday 16th February, at Milang SA. Registration and briefing will be at 12pm and close of sailing at 5pm with recording of GPS screen readouts by 5.15pm. This event is scheduled to be GPS speed 'free-sailing' however we will wait to see the conditions on each day to determine the format (we might throw in some fun slalom races or a marathon if people are keen). If you don't sail with a GPS, you are free to still participate in the event and enjoy the social aspect of the weekend and be in the running for the end of series prize draw. The one-off series entry fee is $40 and this covers competitor packs and boat expenses. You will also need to be a current member of Windsurfing SA or affiliate, and a link is provided here <http://www.windsurfing.org/files/SA_MSHIP.pdf>; for the application form. Please bring correct money with you for both the entry fee and Windsurfing SA membership fee as change will be limited. We hope to see you there...
The Proposed Format:
? 12pm - Registration and Briefing
? 5pm - Close of Sailing, with recording of screen read-outs by 5.15pm.
? 6pm - BBQ + Beers, with Trophy Presentation (Mens + Womens) and Major Prize Draw (5.0m KA Koncept Sail).
Early Forecast:
South Central Coast: Saturday - Wind: SE/NE 10/20 knots, freshening to SE 15/25 knots late afternoon.
Everyone welcome, come and show your support for windsurfing comps in SA.
Chris why did this change from the murray mouth? I've never sailed milang before is it any good/better?
Bubs
Hi Bubs,
Why arent you in class?
I believe the dredge is still sitting opposite sugars beach and a couple of the boys have been getting good times at milang. Milang can be a bit choppy but still alot of fun. It has a great rigging area and facilities such as a pub and bakery. The last event was meant to be held at Boggy but the water level is still to low to be safe so Milang was the next choice.
Chris
Thanks Divaldo and anyone else who has sent an email through to Windsurfing SA.
Hopefully there'll be a good crowd down at Milang, it's a great spot with good facilities.
I'm going to be stuck in the shop all week-end while you guys are having a blast, so I won't see your there. Maybe next season I'll plan my roster better and can spend more time on the water.
I'll start sending updates to those who have sent me an email/PM and everyone who has left their details with me at the shop.
Cheers,
Muzza
