NSW WA Teams event results

Had a great sail today at Windang. Only second sail this year and a bit rusty. Thanks outgoing el president, you have done an exceptional job and to Severne for my new sail Having a quiet bourbon or 3 at the Fishos atm by myself. Where the hell is everyone.

What are the BIG changes?

So do the 5 event count towards the title or is it just the 1 (4day event)?

Good work George for getting in there and having a crack, sounds sic!
Im keen as for more weekends away with loads of sailing/surfing. See you there

Brilliant.
That's how it should be.

Will have pictures ready this evening, here's a little taste:

Windang bombs Can't wait for the pics.

Good memory Krusty. I did table something similar in 2004 but it didn't get over the line (can't recall the argument against).

This proposal from George is a whole lot better, and I think it nails it.
The Taranaki model worked very well over there (and they had about 80 people on the water), and no reason why it couldn't work here.

You've raised some fair points Krusty, but I personally I don't see the same safety issue. Everyone is a competent sailor and knows the rules. Wouldn't be any different to your average summers day at Gerroa when everyone's out. And with this, there may be some loose structure that could be placed around the competition area to control it a little for the benefit of safety and judging (didn't they do something like that at Mambo a while ago?)

Yes, from time to time is may be hard to accurately rate every sailor or split them on performance, but.....

a) I still believe everyone is capable of calling the right result. Even when it's man on man it's still a judged event so it's still open to different interpretations.

b) I think we'll see the standard of sailing improve. Not having the pressure of having to do something in 10 mins; not having to ride conservatively in case you fall off; and being able to wait for a better wave even if it takes another 10 mins to arrive will benefit everyone.

c) More importantly a bit of a mind shift is needed so people don't get so hung up on the granular placings. I'm not having a dig at anyone, and there's nothing wrong with being competitive and trying to win, but when you weigh it all up, does it really matter if the trade-off is an event that attracts a lot more people and sponsors, and people get more time on the water? I think this trade off is far better, but each to their own. And by having the formal NSW titles looming at the end of each season, this can satisfy that side of peoples competitive appetites.

Which flags the other great idea in this proposal. The stand-alone man on man weekend for the state titles. It's basically going to give it a nationals vibe as it's concentrated all in one window.

It's been raised at every AGM for the last 10-15 years how no one wants to drive 8 hours up the coast to sail for 10 mins then lose. Or if the forecast is bad, a lot of people don't bother, therefore get a "Did not turn up" for the event, and their series ranking is pretty well stuffed, so there is no incentive to go to the remaining events (if a good ranking is what they were after).
Therefore, those (no disrespect intended) willing to do the miles would often have a trophy land in their lap at the end of the season, and hey, good on them. But unfortunately it (for lack of a better word) cheapens the notion of a "NSW state championship". It's very diluted.
To allow people to just commit to one 4 day weekend to get it all done is a great idea. Probably easier to market as well.

There's been a few trials of different formats over the years, and that alone is an encouraging factor to see people trying to keep it fresh. I really like this one. I applaud everyone in the NSWWA for their efforts to date and for committing to giving this one a go. I haven't been to any state rounds for a few years, but I reckon I'll be keen for these ones. Hope to see you there Krusty!

Great days sailing and I'm really excited about the new format. Plus a new venue that sounds unreal.

+1 for Dan's request (and a green thumb)

Thanks for a unreal season this year Tim and everyone else who has helped organise and run the events, you have done a fantastic job and loved every event. Matt and myself (the cohen brothers) have been super keen to come to all the events and sail with like minded people. I have leart a lot about contest sailing and how much fun it is. Thanks again.

Looking forward to next year and another great season.

Tommy Cohen

Sounds really good George. Well done on introducing some change. This is very similar to what QLD have been doing thus far and are looking to run in the future.

Totally agree with much of what qwerty has said above, and it has been raised already, the big factor is going to be the judging. Get that right and you will have an absolute winner, get it wrong and the whole thing will turn into a mess. I think that is the only down side of an expression session format, it does lack transparency in the results.

For us guys north of the border that might want to come and compete with the NSW crew it does make it a little more enticing to think that we will get a few days on the water rather than a few 15 minute heats. And realistically most of the guys come along to these events for a good time and to get on the water (and to the pub) with a few mates.

Dan, not sure about extending the window. There is already a 7-8 day window for the nationals, 4 days for Merimbula and then the time it takes for each other round. Crew only have so much holiday time up their sleeves. And look at the past few years, 4 days at Merimbula has produced at least one windy day, nationals just gone we got a few decent days (I'm not counting Monday or Tuesday... that was rubbish) in very odd week for Gerroa. The right location at the right time of year should yield a result in 4 days.

On the expression session weekends, are there still going to be Opens, Masters, Junior etc?

Lennox sounds good, just an hour down the road. I'd say you will get a few QLD crew along to that one.

I recon qwerty should do some kind of BBQ on the beach at lunchtime. Nothing big just snacky type of stuff.

I thought Joel and Ethan were the Cohen brothers

Too risky. I don't wash my hands much and I sneeze a lot.
Don't think the insurance would cover it.