Gday everyone,
As you would have seen from Byron's post last week, we are planning to run the GPS series again this year:
- 17th October - Botany Bay
- 20th-22nd November - Sanctuary Point (run together with NSW Slalom championships)
- 12th-13th December - Forster
- 23rd January - Lake Macquarie
We are looking for feedback on the scoring that we use for these events.
The two options are:
A) Same scoring method as last year - based on average speed over 30 mins or 1 hour, with specific time periods (eg 2:30-3pm etc)
OR
B) Use the GPS5 scoring (developed in Tassie) based on adding up 2sec, 5x10, Hr, Alpha and Nm scores (excludes distance) - sailed over a larger window (say 3-4 hrs).
Feel free to send me a Private Message via Seabreeze if you don't feel comfortable posting on this thread. Thanks for your feedback, and looking forward to a great season!
I personally liked the multiple 30min events.
reasons:
1 - When wind is not perfect, it is easier to get in a 30min session and get a result.
2 - Opportunity to change gear, get food and water, have a chat and do it again. (without being exhausted)
3 - I would probably only do 1 x 1hr race in a day, where multiple races appeals to me. (more social I guess?)
4 - I think it is better for the young kids to have shorter races and more of them?
5 - 1 hour is really hard!!! ;-)
Some other points:
GPS units - The GT31 is a dinosaur! Not waterproof, not even made anymore.... There has to be a simpler solution?
I heard there is a simple phone app we can use now? Surely technology has caught up to GPS sailing?
In my view, the availability of a cheap and available GPS unit is the main factor holding back participation.
Looking forward to summer..Cheers
I also liked the format of the multiple 30 min events for pretty much the same reasons as Brett. I don't think there should be any restriction on equipment though, as people are all different sizes and normally they have the equipment that need to get planning in summer conditions. The timed start and finish should be on the hour or half hour with a time sync at the briefing. The wind limit to start needs to be agreed, including the source of info and minimum limit during the half hour if any.
I vote no use of formula gear for use in a GPS event and maybe even a cap on max sail size to try and keep things even for people.
Not to be a stickler for detail but the gps5 system was developed at the Burrum Windfest first. First time in the world as it happens.
we call it the Rashie Division and the leader wears a yellow and green rashie.
no guesses for where we got the idea from which I adapted into the current scoring system.
As is,its pretty straight forward and enjoyable.
Add more categories if you like but keep the 30 min time limit on each race.
Select to expand quotesick_em_rex said..
I vote no use of formula gear for use in a GPS event and maybe even a cap on max sail size to try and keep things even for people.
i'm with you all the way there with the sail size rexy, it mite give me the edge on larko in the light winds 
Some interesting ideas everyone, glad to hear everyone enjoyed the 30 min sessions last year. The intention is to have a wind limit so that the formula boards can stay in the shed on these GPS days and everyone can be planing on reasonable sized gear. Hopefully its a windy summer.
Its great to see the feedback from up and down the coast, we're taking it all onboard. Try to keep it focused and civil (cough cough Miller). Happy for people to PM me off the forum if thats easier.
Sounds good James. Thanks for all your work last seasons GPS days. The wind limit ensures that Formula boards will never finish in top spots, but at least if you weigh 130 kg you can still sail around in whatever gear you have, without putting and being miserable. I know of a few sailors that have only one smallish slalom board and a formula board as this is their setup and don't really get going to around 18 knots on their slalom gear.
Even though I have stopped sailing and have no skin in the game Millsy's antics have inspired me to type 
Whilst it may be similar people at the top of the rankings - that's life princess - suck it up
To flip that on its head is not easy, but can be done - more categories - most improvedacross 2 sec, 10 sec distance etc are some ways and I am sure those smarter than I ( 99.9% of the population) will come up with better ideas
I have no doubt that with James on board he will give strong thought to ensure participation levels grow
Finally when you throw grenades millsy don't back away and act like a boy testing the water depth with a pebble
Select to expand quoteslalomfreak said..
As is,its pretty straight forward and enjoyable.
Add more categories if you like but keep the 30 min time limit on each race.
Bugger 30 mins, how about 10 min sessions. Unless it's a consistent wind day or your using big gear I would find it hard to stay on the plane for a good part of a 30 min session in Botany Bay at least. I tried it on my 8m during the botany sessions and was probably planing for about 60% to 70 of the time. Maybe I better lose some weight or hope for a better season this year. :)
we we may need another category for poster with biggest chip on their shoulder. 
Keep it light, we're all a friendly bunch us windsurfers.
Based on the forecast we are going to have an El Niño summer we should experience stronger seabreezes over 2015/2016 than we have had for a few years. So hopefully these days will be blessed with sunny and windy days.
Select to expand quoteMobydisc said..
Based on the forecast we are going to have an El Niño summer we should experience stronger seabreezes over 2015/2016 than we have had for a few years. So hopefully these days will be blessed with sunny and windy days.
Amen
Liking the 30 min blocks. Gives the chance to run 3-4 heats in an afternoon meaning you could potentially drop your worst result.
Would also love to see some more cred given to the more major individual categories like the 2 sec, alpha. Gives the less consistent guys who have good top end speed or the guys who nail every gybe a chance to shine.
Keep up the good work James.
Sam.
Select to expand quotejamesf said..
Thanks for the feedback Brett, Milsy and Dean. Keep it coming!
Ah now I know who milsy posted as..
Correct millsy I am a wuss at sailing ....but you are incorrect at saying I am elite
Dont play the man, James, Brett and others give up their time to organise events for us all - not for themselves
Whilst we are on the footy analogy..... I have just read your comments re Goodesy. As the proud dad of two kids who took it on themselves to get markers and take to their respective Afl games this morning to mark themselves and any willing team mates I can proudly say we agree on something
Please keep the comments coming.
Marmong Point Sailing Club is running the GPS and State Slalom.
We are a club and a team Murray, James and Myself are the people that will be at the events running it as a team and the people responsible for making it happen.
Note there are many others in our club and in Australia that also do work to get permits etc.
I personally have put months of work into this season for everybody to enjoy.
We do it so we can race as we enjoy sailing with people in great locations.
James has put this out there so YOU the sailor that will come to an event will give us feedback of what you want.
We came up with the 30 min races when most other states are doing 1hr. We did this as a team decision to encourage any sailor of any ability to sail together at the same place and time.
What I am reading from this forum is you like this. Personally I like having the option of 1 hr but we only did ½ events last year and it di worked well.
Yes we can’t all win but the GPS should not be looked upon in this way but as “the spirit of fun” sail together against the best and go hard.
Have a beer and a laugh at the end of the day.
But noted last year the top 3 were super close and myself and Remi tied so there had To be a count back it doesn’t get any closer than that.
Marmong started the GPS 2 years ago and from that we then included it, last year into the state series.
Last year we had 50 different sailors compete over the 4 GPS weekends. This tells us we are doing something correct.
Please don’t have a go at individuals and people that put their time and love into the sport especially if you don’t race so don’t really now what’s going on.
But please give us open and honest feedback to help improve what was a successful year last year and what we want to make bigger and better this year.
Well said Byron and agree with all that.
My two bobs worth;
I'm with Sam & others and I think the 1/2 sessions are good for multiple heats through the afternoon. I also agree with the concept of recognising 2 sec peaks, Alphas, 5x10, nautical miles etc. My feeling is that if we can award sailors winning those categories on the day, as well as the best average speed/distance on the day, then we will be well on our way to moving the series forward from last year.
Half hour sessions sounds good to me as well sailing flat out for an hour is tough but is also more vulnerable to wind fluctuations.
My 2 bobs worth is do the half hour winner and also a 2 second winner just to recognise who was fastest on the day.
Teams might also be fun.
Please we want all to comment that is what I said.
What I was referring to is it is hard to comment or understand about the slalom or GPS racing if you have never attended.
From what I am reading it seems people want more categories and I am all for that.
Select to expand quotesick_em_rex said..
I vote no use of formula gear for use in a GPS event and maybe even a cap on max sail size to try and keep things even for people.
What Andrew says make a lot of sense, but it all depends on who you are trying to attract to the event.
ATM the feeling in the beach is that its just another event for the usual racing crowd so most people (even though they already have a GPS unit strapped on their arm) go out and do their own thing.
Just say'n
Select to expand quoteDavMen said...sick_em_rex said..
I vote no use of formula gear for use in a GPS event and maybe even a cap on max sail size to try and keep things even for people.
What Andrew says make a lot of sense, but it all depends on who you are trying to attract to the event.
ATM the feeling in the beach is that its just another event for the usual racing crowd so most people (even though they already have a GPS unit strapped on their arm) go out and do their own thing.
Just say'n
Anything to get more people out there is a good thing but to set a limit to sail size has its downside for bigger sailors.
The other option is to maybe set and stick to wind limits. If the wind falls short and some crew can still sail then maybe an unofficial result could be called.
Any of these limits would only be worth putting in place of it did mean more sailors turning up. Would more people turn up?
I've said this before but I know it's not really that feasable- some sort of handicap system would make me keener to compete as I know I'll be bottom of the pack at the moment..Qld seem to have some sort of handicap so why can't we do some.. Mat would the system you came up with work?
If some sort of handicapping system was in if you sailed well on the day it would be acknowledged in the results..At the moment even if the top sailors have an average day they'll still win. I still wouldn't stand a chance but it would even the playing field a bit.
Obvious troll is obvious 
Please continue to report and ignore any pests and we will return you to regularly scheduled programming momentarily...
Keen to head down to the Forster meet. Will be good to see some of the locals and many other keen sailors. No input for race ideas for me- sorry James. I'm just happy to get wet and have a yarn
I have a idea for a handicap system!
If you add up all your 5 best
2sec peak
5x10
hr
alpha
NM
Then divide by 5 will give you a score!
The sailor with the highest score is scratch!
So for example
Byron 166.66
Sue 127.39
So Byron has to beat Sue by 39.27 when the 5 scores (2sec, 5x10, hr, alpha,NM) are added up on the day.
I have been working on a spreed sheet to do this easily.
Just a idea!
Select to expand quoteMattDowse said..
I have a idea for a handicap system!
If you add up all your 5 best
2sec peak
5x10
hr
alpha
NM
Then divide by 5 will give you a score!
The sailor with the highest score is scratch!
So for example
Byron 166.66
Sue 127.39
So Byron has to beat Sue by 39.27 when the 5 scores (2sec, 5x10, hr, alpha,NM) are added up on the day.
I have been working on a spreed sheet to do this easily.
Just a idea!
Boom!
Cheers Matt
Select to expand quoteMattDowse said..
I have a idea for a handicap system!
If you add up all your 5 best
2sec peak
5x10
hr
alpha
NM
Then divide by 5 will give you a score!
The sailor with the highest score is scratch!
So for example
Byron 166.66
Sue 127.39
So Byron has to beat Sue by 39.27 when the 5 scores (2sec, 5x10, hr, alpha,NM) are added up on the day.
I have been working on a spreed sheet to do this easily.
Just a idea!
Great idea Matt!
There seem to be a few people who could sail but are put off by the obvious fact that they won't win. I must be crazy as I have raced for 30 years & never thought I had much of a chance of winning & rarely did. There is a lot to be said for the fun of competing, of mixing with other sailors, sailing in new places, of learning stuff & trying to do your best. For most of us it is more about trying to beat the guy nearest to you than winning. It is a fun series, not meant to be super serious. I thought the laid back style of the last 2 years & the 30 min heats were good. I also liked the Burrum scoring system with all those divisions & the running scores & categories were good but it is for a 5 day regatta & I wonder if it is too hard for a half day event. And if being beaten worries you I might add that, as far as I recall, when I was there this year, the same people tended to be winning most of the categories at Burrum.
Its fun guys, relax!
