Comments for WindsurfingSA news

Comment on Re-energise the One Design by OD Sailor

OD Sailor — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 09:22:14 +0000

Hi David,

Always good to see there are others interested in racing.

In 2007/2008 we were so close to getting a regular thing up and running again. I was and remain very passionate about course racing on basic One Design boards and continue to be frustrated with the lack of active clubs in South Australia. We nearly got affiliated with an established sailing club but at the last hurdle, through politics, they saw reason to prevent us from being regularly involved.

Due to the nature of the boards we were sailing at the time I recognised a need to join a club on protected water and there are very few in the metro area. So when it didn’t work out with this one, there were very few places to turn. The open ocean, I feel is not a place for the Windsurfer One Design, particularly in the hands of novices. The Exocet Kona One is quite suitable but there are still issues with availability and still being so far off shore as is the case with some of the other clubs, again some sailors may feel a bit exposed. We needed to find a healthy medium and it was taken away from us through lack of vision on the part of others. Anyway, there are other places, but I had other projects that I had to work on, and in the end windsurfing got put on the shelf, although hopefully only for the time being.

This summer we haven’t been out at all. I’m hoping that next summer will be different. I still follow what is happening in the sport and from time to time get encouraged with overseas developments but we always seem to be a fair way behind. We are still in need of a basic very budget One Design package in the industry, something about half the price of what is currently available. Perhaps local industry may support this initiative at some stage. Basic, cheap, long board, sail no bigger than 7.4 metres. Price no more than $1,500. With that and cooperation from existing sailing clubs (or enough interest from local long board sailors who would want to support such an initiative, then it would be possible to get this happening again). Those are my thoughts anyway.

Comment on Re-energise the One Design by David

David — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 21:12:41 +0000

Dear Darrell
I have just read your April 08 article.
How is the class developing and where are you sailing.
Thank you.
Regards
David

Comment on RSX retained for 2012 by KIteboarding

KIteboarding — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 11:28:06 +0000

I have been a great follower of windsurfing and the activities related to windsurfing, just came across your blog and found it exactly what I have been looking for! just bookmarking you site, will definitely be back again! you guys rock!

Comment on 25knots per Hr x 24! by Colombia

Colombia — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 22:35:12 +0000

Thanks for the great info. I hope you�ll follow this with some more great content.

Comment on 25knots per Hr x 24! by Jenny R.

Jenny R. — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 01:19:57 +0000

I am a new blogger which has given me appreciation of what others do with their blogs. I just wanted to say good work and although our sites are not really related if you want to swap blogrole links I would be interested.

Comment on Sail number cull by John Rohde

John Rohde — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 02:07:58 +0000

Ross,
I think there have been periods in the past when wally sails came without numbers. If that were to re-occur, you have been assigned a number to use.

Also if you choose to change to another one-design class such as Mistral or Kona, you will need a number then.

If you don’t like the number, it can be swapped for some other – if available. But the AWA is the sole issuer of AUS sail numbers for windsurfing in Australia.
- John Rohde (Sail Number Database)

Comment on BIC Techno Coaching Program by Captain Clean Boat

Captain Clean Boat — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 21:48:59 +0000

Nice and usefull post, thanks, this is one for my bookmarks!

Comment on Sail number cull by Ross Kelly

Ross Kelly — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 02:49:38 +0000

Against. My wally sail, for example, bought new, came pre-printed with a sail number. What value is there in replacing it?

I notice my sail number is AUS433. No idea where that came from. I’ve never used it and never will.

Suggest if indvidual class associations (wally, FW, Raceboard) want to institute an AUSonly policy, they can; but it seems very heavy handed to blanket all windsurfers with such a policy.

Comment on 2012 Olympic board – RSX or FWOD by Quentin Grimshaw

Quentin Grimshaw — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 09:51:47 +0000

How did Australia get it so wrong. ?

Comment on 2012 Olympic board – RSX or FWOD by Jean-Julien

Jean-Julien — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 10:29:43 +0000

Hello,
I personnaly bought a RSX in juni 2008 and plans to compete with my Neil Pryde.
Why changing every 4 years?
I think Starboard has not understood what Windsurfing in Olympic Games means. Windsurfing is not only Formula but also very lightwind windsurf 5-6 knots as it was in China and also Strong wind conditions. A polyvalent board with a 9,5 m² Sail (totally impressive in lightwind) suits more than a 10,5 m² only fitted for planning.
Moreover the former Mistral One Design stressed on the windsurfer´s athletic performances to make olympic windsurfing an elite discipline, the Neil Pryde stays in this way.
Olymipic windsurfing is not only fun and planning but also the sharpest competition between the world best competitors.
The Neil Pryde is not a transition Board from windsurf to funboard but a very polyvalent windsurf suiting Olympic requests. For example the RSX Sail is certainly one of the best sail that we can display for Formula today.