Hi Everyone,
We've been a bit unlucky with the wind for the Windsurfing SA Slalom Series (still waiting for a seabreeze at the Murray Mouth on a Sunday!).
In the mean time, I'll draw your attention to the Seacliff to Semaphore Open Ocean Race we have pencilled in for February.
The Windsurfing SA Committee would encourage everyone to have a go at our own version of the Ledge to Lancelin, but would really like everyone to know what they are getting themselves into - a long distance sailed deep off the wind!
We have come up with a practice course we call the Bay and Back Challenge. Check it out on the Windsurfing SA blog:http://windsurfingsa.org.au/2009/10/19/bay-and-back-challenge/
This isn't an official supervised Windsurfing SA event - just a bit of structure to your training for the Seacliff to Semaphore while freesailing.
I'll post a details of a few runs of the course I made earlier in the year shortly.
Regards,
Richard Upton
for the Windsurfing SA Committee
Here a couple of runs I did earlier in the year to get the ball rolling:
Sailor: Dr Duck
Date: 22/3/09
Time of day: 4pm or so.
Wind speed: 12-17 k
Wind direction: SW
Board: Exocet Kona
Sail: 7.5 KA Koncept
Fin: Select S-Ride, 36 cm
One way time (Seacliff to Glenelg): 23:20
Trip back (if done): 46:43
Total time (if done): 1:10:03
Comments: Wasn't expecting much wind, so I took the Kona out. For fun, I headed to Glenelg and back, trying to set a time for the Bay and Back. First run struggled to plane on the way there (beam reaching before hand was OK) and came back with the centreboard down - slow speed but pinching longboard style.
Sailor: Dr Duck
Date: 22/3/09
Time of day: 5pm or so.
Wind speed: 15-20 k
Wind direction: SW
Board: Exocet Kona
Sail: 7.5 KA Koncept
Fin: Select S-ride, 36 cm
One way time (Seacliff to Glenelg): 19:23
Trip back (if done): 52:49
Total time (if done): 1:12:12
Comments: When I got back from the first run, the wind was a bit stronger so I had another go. Planed most of the way down (peak boardspeed about 25 knots), but could have done with a bit more wind. Came back with the centreboard up (shortboard style). Boom slipping down and weed collecting on the fin slowed me down on the way back. Chop was right on the nose and building too. Excuses Excuses! Shouldn't be too hard for someone to beat these times! I will use a shortboard next time too :-)
I can see that this has been one on my better ideas
Anyway. Had a quick sail Tuesday in a 10-15 k seabreeze. Was lining up the course at 4.30 pm with a few practice runs - probably doable in 15 k but not 10 - just couldn't go deep enough off the wind. My spider sense told me the wind was about to swing so I stayed close to home.
I was using a 7.5 KA Koncept, 46cm Select S-ride and an old school Course-slalom board, about 110L. Was happy with my angle upwind (until someone blasts by on a more modern board I suppose).
Hi Michael
I'll have to see if some of my sailing mates want to join me. Not keen on doing this alone. How far do you sail out ?
What do you mean by 'long distance deep off wind' ?
Ja
Hi Sharkbiscuit,
This idea is all about taking baby steps towards having our own race in the style of the Ledge to Lancelin race ( http://www.oceanclassic.com.au/ ).
In fact, there used to be a semi-regular Wednesday night race (weather permitting) from Seacliff to Henley Beach (in front of Dave Marsh's shop, and yes Russell he did have beautiful teeth ).
I think the record was held by either Lindsay Newbold or Mike Sagan in around 18 min or so. Still an impressive number.
This style of racing is off the wind, and works along the metro coast in a seabreeze. Think of sailing about 130-150 degrees off the wind. To do that, you need a bigger sail than used for beam reaching, and probably a bigger than normal board for security. The gear to you use isn't crucial, but going deep off the wind is "all a bit different" if you haven't done much before.
The big sail helps in getting back upwind again if you haven't arranged a pick up.
I've added a photo of the course - no need to go more than maybe 800m offshore.
Nothing is compulsory and only take on what you are comfortable with of course. I'm no expert that's for sure. Just trying to add another dimension to our summer sailing and maybe one day we can see some SA sailors doing well in the next Ledge to Lancelin.
I've had a bit of feedback about the "Back" part of the Challenge. Some people are a little less enthusiastic about grinding back upwind again. No problem - the emphasis is on practising the down wind leg. The Seacliff to Semaphore event is one-way, all off the wind. That's what we are working towards.
In the Bay and Back Challenge we are cataloguing times for the downwind leg, and the trip back is optional. Some gear goes better upwind than others - so either sail back and record a two-way time and split, or arrange a lift with someone. Or walk back and get the car. Your humble correspondent has been there and done that 
.
Regards, Dr Duck
windsurfingsa.org.au/
Whoa ! Now that's a deep upwind angle (looking at piccy). You'll have to give me some tips.
You have got me revved up though. I am keen to rise to the challenge. I think I will try the upwind leg first and if I make it, I will then do the downwinder. That way, I don't have to organise transport. Watch this space.
Hi SharkBiscuit,
The GPS track is from the first run I did, where I came back on the Kona with the centreboard up longboard style, pinching into the wind put going quite slow. The track makes me look better than I am - I've attached the track for the second run where I came back with the centreboard up shortboard style. Less angle into the wind but more board speed. Ended up being a slower trip back on that day, but I didn't really have my act together. I reckon some of the Somerton lads who sail this strip regularly could whomp those times I've posted.
For the record, the Kona can really power upwind without the centreboard like no other longboard (on a good day!). Why is a complete mystery given its size and shape
I'm looking forward to doing the run on my slalom board - just waiting for the a decent seabreeze (funny wind pattern lately - like late summer rather than spring!). If you are looking for a buddy to do the run with - starting either end - PM me and we can exchange mobile numbers to try and tee something up. We just need a decent SW seabreeze.
Regards, Richard
aka Dr Duck
No worries Richard. Will do. Same near about the seabreezes. It's all I want for christmas 
Sailor: Dr Duck
Date: 19/12/09
Time of day: 3.30 pm or so.
Wind speed: 15-20 k (25 for a bit)
Wind direction: SW
Board: Caveman Hybrid (about 110 L, old school narrow style)
Sail: 7.5 KA Koncept
Fin: Select S-ride, 36 cm
One way time (Seacliff to Glenelg): 14:09
Trip back (if done): 47:22
Total time (if done): 1:01:31
Comments: Unexpected seabreeze after a cloudy morning. Should have been working but it looked like a classic day for the Bay and Back. Headed out to the start line at 25 k board speed, but once deeper off the wind the board speed dropped. But I think this is the best way to make a quick time down wind. A lot of weed catching the fin taking some speed off - my weed fin would be perfect for off the wind, but is untested for upwind. The old back leg was starting to burn by the time I got to Glenelg - 14 min a PB. Trip back was ugly - messy gybes and more god damn weed. I reckon the 36cm fin was too big - limited reaching speed to 25k when it should have been in the high 20's with this board and sail.
nice one Richard
I will have to give it a go again one day soon
It's been years since i've had a go at the trip.
I'll bring my Weedie
David
Hey Richard, i'd also give it a shot, both legs of the course, on a JP 120 and KA 7m and must purchase a weedy, i'll keep a heads up on the event, k.
Dave and Koshi,
If you want someone to do the run with, PM me and I'll give you my mobile number. I might be working, but I don't need much persuasion to drop everything and go for a blast
The weed is a problem, but I haven't had my weed fin long and I'm not sure how they go upwind. Crap I suppose?
Richard
Sailor: Dr Duck
Date: 1/1/10
Time of day: 3.00 pm or so.
Wind speed: 15-20 k (25 for a bit)
Wind direction: SW
Board: Caveman Hybrid (about 110 L, old school narrow style)
Sail: 7.5 KA Koncept
Fin: JP Seaweed, 23 cm
One way time (Seacliff to Glenelg): 13:30
Trip back (if done): nd
Total time (if done): nd
Comments: Logging this time as part of a bigger run down the coast to test the Seacliff to Semaphore course. Very happy with my speed until the first gybe, but gybed too soon and left myself with a deep run off the wind to get to the finish line. Dropped off the plane, and just tried to slog it out for 500 m. Then totally kooked out - dropped the sail and spent 30 sec trying to water start with the harness line hooked on the fin. Rising panic as I felt a PB slipping away. Eventually got going again and did make a PB , but I reckon the kooking out cost me 1 min at least. Still looking for that elusive perfect run :-)
i still have't made a run yet and the season is running out !
how's the weed on the last run any better ?
Hi Koshi,
I think a weed fin is optional, but we just had some rain which I think loosens a bit of weed. For today, if the sky clears and seabreeze comes in from the SW, its on. I could meet you at Seacliff. If it stays S, it's too hard to go downwind (but OK for BAFing). I'll post again at 12 pm and we should know what the wind is doing by then.
Richard
Just starting to wind up from the SW now. I'll be at the Seacliff boat ramp at 2 pm if anyone wants to meet - and a trip to Glenelg if appropriate. I'll have my car and could pick up anyone who only wants to go one way. Old white Jackaroo and sail number 19. Any takers?
Richard
Hi Richard
Only just saw your email, damn. I won't get down there in time.
Ja
Don't worry Jason, you didn't miss anything. A very fickle day at Seacliff. SW from 12 to 2 pm, then the wind flicked offshore just as I met Koshi in the car park. SW again about 4 and I was tempted out again, but it flicked offshore soon after. One of those days where it would have been much better heading south for the SE or north for some consistent onshore breeze.
But Sat to Tues looking good!
Richard
Hi Kite4Cancer,
Nice job - looks very professionally organized and a very good cause too. 40 entrants is a great turn-out. What were the problems you had - anything that could be aired publicly?
Regards, Richard
No dirty laundry or any thing like that....
Mores so things we would do differently next year.
ie;..
A log in - log out system to keep track of competitors,
Two chase boats rather than one .. stuff like that
Surf life saving also helped monitor us along our course. BIG HELP
Reminding people of the "give way" rules. Amazing how many people had forgotten or had confusion on this matter. 40 kites starting at the same time is a lot.
If we can help; Contact us through A1 kieboarding.
