I'm learning heaps with Thommen1 Challenge

Since the Challenge began, I have set a number of PB's, and feel like I am learning to sail at another level.

The competition Australia wide is of a very high standard, so that drives part of it, fine tuning equipment and improving sailing technique has also made a difference. After 23 years of windsurfing,it takes something like this for me, to realise how much more there is to learn about windsurfing, it's an unbelievable sport.

How are others finding things?

I have found that the water this time of the year is "real" cold
My rib cage when I come off hooked in, actually do deflect and my bones are not brittle.
There are muscles that I didn’t know I had, feeling sore
I have finally worked out to a point, how to use a NAVi GPS and G7toWin and RSpeed
My normal flab that grows with time each winter is less flab (but only just)
People, when the found out we went to play in the storm last Sunday, have actually verified that I am a nut case
Reg likes me because we need more flash gear to replace the flash stuff I break often
The camaraderie among the Aus windsurfing participants is one of the best groups around.
My sailing ability must be improving,(but only a ****teenth) I found that others with years on me, found the going on Sunday just as tough

I'm having heaps of fun

it is disappointing though, when you realise some guys can gybe through an alpha 500 faster than I can go in a straight line

Maybe actually hitting a location with good wind and flat water (at the same time) will help

It's been good in NSW, brought a fair few sailors together, it's like the flat water version of the NSW Wavesaling comps which also promotes the sport and builds good relationships between riders.

I just haven't sailed with any of my team yet!!

I, like Bender, am suprised at how slow i am and how difficult it is to get major improvements!!

quote:

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Originally posted by Katapult
After Sam tuned my sail a few weekends ago I immediately went and did an extra 3 kts.

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The beauty about GPS is you can test and tune objectively.

When you are out, keep tweeking your settings until you find something which works best.

Sail setup,
Harness line position and length
Boom height
Mast foot position. (gain 3knots once for 15mm movement)
Fins (huge area for improvements)
Body positioning.
Footstrap positioning
Sailing lines.

1 hour sailing ensures you set up your gear properly as any minor inconveniences which you would normally tolerate or adjust in a normal session really start causing pain around the 40min mark, It teaches you how to sail smarter.

Alpha's have been good for me as gybing without getting wet is still a novelty which can now be objectively assessed for efficiency.

The GPS Challenge has introduced a lot more people to speed sailing and given them a greater understanding of how involved it actually is and how much hard work you have to put in to keep on improving.

Every windsurfer, no matter what their preferred disciplines has gone for a blast and thought they were going as fast as they could.

Speed sailing is taking that point as a benchmark and saying lets go even faster.

I thought I had a reasonable turn of pace, then Hardie introduced me to slalom gear and wiped the floor with me.

The Hardie fella bought his first GPS and said he would be happy to get 30 knots and was initially dissapointed when he couldn't get it.

When I borrowed his GPS one night and got 32 knots he swore he would get nose bleed at that speed, since then we have both gotten GPS's and are now running mid 30's reasonably regularly.

The best part is that Hardie and myself are fairly evenly matched which means we push each other, and the bragging rights for the sessions do swap around regularly.

But the best part is that we both know our own PB's so it's cheers all round when someone breaks a PB which gives greater incentive to go faster.

Recently we have been getting some of the Perth crew down, what a great bunch of guys they are which sail at a whole different level.

When Peter Dans came down and opened a sizable can of whoopass on poor old Elmo, I had to push myself way out of my comfort zone to try and stay in touch with him.

I've got to say I fair shat myself and thought I was going to die painfully on a few runs. The thrill of survival and the realization that I could go that far out of my comfort zone left me stoked, the PB's made it a gold session.

But by far the best part of the GPS challenge to me has been that we now have a great excuse for going out for a sail with our mates.

We are no longer racing against each other, looking for the best line to get the advantage over another sailor.

We now get out there and encourage and cheer on everyone, no matter what level they are sailing at.

It's all about the PB's and improving.

It's all about fun

The challange is great, and for me has really given my enthusiasm for the sport a huge boost.

I have made some new friends and look forward to sailing with them whenever the wind blows.

It has given me a better excuse to buy gear This must in turn be a bonus for the industry.

And yes I am learning heaps about windsurfing, gear and sailing in all kinds of conditions, what elmo said and more

OK, now lets just have more wind