Tasmanian Windsurfing Association

WINDSURFING TASMANIA Inc. Newsletter and Circuit Guide 2003-2004

WT Postal Address: KDC 2001 WINDSURFING TASMANIA Inc. Kingston Office bearers (2003-2004) Tasmania 7050 President: Dave Morehead Secretary: Stuart Gordon Included in this Issue: Public Officer: Fenton Jones Treasurer:Sue Charles • President’s report Committee Members: • Report from the AWA Anthony Perkins Ian Johnson Tony Fitzgerald Michael Ashbolt Steve Charles Ian Ross Results 2002-2003 Race Committee: • National Formula Windsurfing Jack Van Ek Ian Johnston Championships Tony Fitzgerald Anthony Perkins Geraldine Morehead Steve Charles • Smackfest – a tribal gathering AWA representative: Dave Morehead • State racing titles Wavesailing representative: Anthony Houston • KA Sail ‘Dash-for-Cash’ Formula Windsurfing rep: Steve Charles Slalom representative: Anthony Perkins Publicity: K. Midson/A. Perkins/T. Fitzgerald Articles and information Website coordinator: Keith Midson Newsletter editor: Dave Morehead • Tasmanian Wavesailing News Advertising:Steve Charles • SBSC representative: Stuart Gordon Tasmanian Formula Windsurfing News LYC representative: Ian Johnston • Sandy Bay Sailing Club Report • If you want to help organise social events, sailing events Leven Yacht Club Report or whatever, contact WT and get involved. For • Pittwater speedway – the need for speed information on advertising contact Steve Charles ph 6223 • 1746. Send articles and photos for the next newsletter to Sydney-to-Hobart (welcoming the fleet) WT at: • Advertising your second-hand sailing gear [email protected] • Windsurfing websites • Membership information President’s Report • Tasmanian Circuit Guide for 2003-2004 It’s that time of the year again when the odd ‘perfect day’ • Membership form for 2003-2004 makes us all think to the summer ahead and, for those • For sale/Wanted to buy ‘form’ who haven’t braved the cold over winter, about getting the windsurfing gear back out of the shed. Interestingly, all around the world windsurfing appears to be making a Notice of Series 2003-2004 comeback. Part of the reason for this resurgence appears to be the ease of use and range of conditions that some of • State Formula Windsurfing and Slalom titles the newer kit can be sailed. The main difference with the modern board of today, whether learning, racing, free- riding or in the waves, is that they are getting wider and This newsletter and circuit guide is produced once a shorter. This makes them more stable and quicker to get year by Windsurfing Tasmania Inc. and is supported up on the plane. Couple this with light-weight rigs that by our advertisers - please support them. To see this have a whole lot more range, and good fins to match the newsletter in full colour, check out the AWA website. width of the boards, and windsurfing has never been more fun. ‘But what about the cost?’. Well, it’s not a lot If you would like to be taken off the mailing list, you more for your average kit (sail, mast, boom and board) know someone who would like to be on the mailing now than it was 10 years ago – and yet it is so much list or your address has changed let WT know. better.

Windsurfing Tasmania Inc. Page 1 Looking back on last season, Tasmania certainly got its wondering what all of the fuss is about. So much so that fair share of the windsurfing limelight. We hosted, back- photos of high profile sailors ‘going-off’ at Marrawah have to-back, the Australian Formula Windsurfing started appearing in overseas magazines (three at last Championships and the Australian Wavesailing count). As the editor of the UK’s Windsurf magazine put Championships. This was a real coup for Tasmania, it, “it seems like every professional and his dog went to attracting two of the most coveted events of the year and Tasmania”. running them one after the other to maximise competitor participation. With over 80 entrants, these events were a Included were: Peter Volwater (Smackfest); Jason great success. Polakow, Greg Alloway and Robby Swift (just checking the place out); and Nic Baker, Micah Buzianis and Mark Then there was ‘Smackfest’, an extreme wavesailing Paul (part of a North Sails photo-shoot). This sort of event. This event followed on from the wavesailing exposure, including an eight-page article of the NW coast Nationals, but attracted a ‘slightly different breed’ of of Tas in one magazine, has put us on the map as having extreme sailor, including professional wavesailor Peter world class wavesailing conditions. For more on the Volwater. adventures of these sailors while in Tasmania checkout: • http://www.smackfest.net/story01.html I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Events • http://www.jp-australia.com/news/newsSUM03-02.htm Tasmania for their support with all three of these events. • www.windsurfingmag.com – under Bonus coverage With their continued support Tasmania can look forward to many more events of National and International Moving to matters more local, WT held its AGM at standing. Stanley in March earlier this year. These meetings always seem to take too long, so we tried to rush through, Events such as Smackfest have really put Tassie on the but still it went for hours. Office bearers were elected, or map internationally and have got a lot of people re-elected in many instances. Special thanks must go to Geraldine Morehead who stepped down as Treasurer after managing WT’s finances for the last six years. Speaking of finances, a special thanks also goes to KPMG who provided our first ever audit (which we passed with flying colours) for free. Subscriptions were discussed and it was moved that membership costs be increased from $30 to $35, WT-organised event fees stand at $10 and that annual membership that includes free entry to all WT events be increased from $70 to $75.

The format for the State Titles (racing) was also discussed and again remains extremely simple – minimum of 8 knots required to race, maximum sail size of 12.5 m, any board allowed and the race committee to decide when to race Formula (upwind-downwind) or Slalom (figure of eight). On the topic of racing, I’d like to take this opportunity to invite any of you who are reading this now that haven’t raced lately, to think about coming along and having a go. It’s a heap of fun and a great Phil McGain testing out the waters off Sandy Bay chance for people to get together and get out on the water. Just check out the circuit guide or your local Windsurfing Tasmania Inc. Page 2 Carr sails australia Windsurfing Specialising in wind powered sports A large range of good brands available MISTRAL {boards} NORTH {masts boom sails} AHD {boards} NORTH SHORE {fins harnesses quiver bags} NAISH {boards sails} STARBOARD {boards} ALEEDA {wet suits} CHINOOK {products} PRO LIMITS {harnesses quiver bags harness lines} F2 {boards} DA KINE {foot straps harnesses harness lines}

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racing at the LYC or SBSC to see what events might best more about this later), and combined with a very big FW suit you. Nationals event in Sydney in January nest year, we should have some really top riders and racers on the start In 2002 WT bought a START windsurfer board with the lines in the new year. Sandy Bay Sailing Club and last season WT bought another START with the Leven Yacht Club. We see this WA takes the national slalom championships on-board as an excellent way of providing young kids (and adults) this summer and, with the global trend back towards an opportunity to try out the new ‘wide-style’ boards that speed and slalom, there is greater than average interest are now available. As mentioned earlier, these boards in both equipment and participation in this classic really make it easy to get up and go and, as ones skill discipline too. New wider-wind-range slalom boards and level increases, these boards still pack a heap of sails go a long way to answering the “minimum wind performance. These boards are now available for anyone range” issues that traditionally dogged slalom events to try on race days, so come along to either the SBSC in over past years. the south or the LYC in the North and give one a go, or if you want to introduce a friend to the sport, bring them Wavesailing doesn’t miss-out either. The growth of along and let them have a go. regional events, such as Taranaki (NZ), Mambo and Marrawah have reached demi-international proportions Well, that’s about it from me. I hope you enjoy reading amongst the core wavesailing crew (and a few party the newsletter and that it helps to keep you up to date animals). Taking the 2004 Wave Nationals to Robe next with what’s happening. April continues to add national recognition to this side of by Dave Morehead our sport.

Report from the AWA With the current spread of Kitesurfing as a highly visible wind powered watersport, we could all be forgiven for thinking that kites have taken away a significant portion Season 2003/2004 - where’s it at? Well, it looks like being of the attraction of windsurfing to the average a very big year for windsurfing around Australia, and participant. But the reality could be quite different. with good reason. Check out your local hotspots, and on any given day A strong competition circuit has progressively re-emerged you’re likely to find a good percentage of the local crew over the last few seasons with the continued growth of just enjoying the casual pleasure of a great freeride or Formula Windsurfing as a practical form or racing in the bump and jump session – no comp, no race, no special widest range of conditions, and interstate rivalry at the equipment, just out there and ripping it up with plenty of top National level is now a very real thing ! Aussie (expat practical fun. It’s all about that, too! ?) Steve Allen’s victory a couple of weeks ago in the 2003 FW Worlds at Dranske, Germany and Phil McGain’s A couple of seasons into the widespread acceptance of continued presence at the front of the international fleets kites as a sport on the local scene, and instead of doom just show how far some of the locals have gone in the and depression, it seems that the demand for new and ultra-competitive international environment. upgraded windsurf equipment is as strong or stronger than ever! Kite’s have refocussed many peoples attention Local FW racing really kicks into gear here in the coming to wind/watersports, have brought many new people onto month. With confirmation of the established the water and reinspired many who have otherwise SailMelbourne FW event as the first of the qualifier drifted away. All good stuff. events for next years FW World championships (read

Windsurfing Tasmania Inc. Page 3 Formula Windsurfing Nationals

The Australian Formula Windsurfing Championships were held in Hobart from 19-23 January 2003. The five day program commenced with registration on the Sunday, and was followed by four days of what can only be described as ‘action-packed’ racing.

Registration and measuring of equipment was extremely efficient Start of race during the Formula Windsurfing Nationals, Hobart Tasmania. with a maximum of three sails and three fins being presented for Access to our sport for beginners has never been easier or inspection and one board to be weighed to make sure it more accessible, with newer, wide style boards readily complied with the strict (but simple) Formula tolerances. available from many manufacturers and, with these A total of 43 competitors set the stage for some exciting proving very durable for resale, many good used boards and competitive racing. The man to beat at this event are drifting down through clubs or the second hand was Phil McGain, who has been competing on the market, getting more new riders out on the water sooner professional circuit since 1985 and is a former PWA than ever before. Key to the growth of our sport: World Champion. Having just placed fifth overall in the development of practical and affordable equipment for recent Formula Class World Championships in Germany entry level riders and this has been targeted specifically and winning the Masters division for the third year by several of the most committed equipment straight, Phil was in top form. manufacturers. Mon 20 Jan, Northerly winds, hot and gusty, at Our national association moves forward with a new times blowing over 40 knots. national insurance scheme, restoring the previously lost Strong and gusty northerly winds blew down the River “member to member” cover, whilst increased focus and Derwent allowing three races to be held. Everyone wisely representation amongst the widespread community of chose there smallest sails!! Phil McGain (USA) sailed wavesailing members adds further balance to the overall superbly to take out all three races, followed in the first direction of the Association. race by Mike Nelson (NSW) and in the next two by Steve Charles (TAS). Sam Parker (NSW) sailed well with two The future’s looking big and bright. At any level of thirds and a fourth, followed by Dave Morehead (TAS) involvement, smile and have fun. There’s plenty out with a third and two fourths. Coming in fifth place there. overall after the first days racing was Brett Morris (NSW). Summing up the day, Phil’s comments after the …… and make sure you check out all the latest news at race sort of say it all – ‘super windy at times, I couldn’t the AWA website next time you log on: even sail on my 9.8 at one stage, must have been up to www.windsurfing.org 40’. by Ian Fox President AWA Tue 21 Jan, Gusty northwest winds 0-40 knots. Squally winds allowed only one race to be completed, 2004 BOARDS, SAILS & KITES NOW AVAILABLE AUTHORISED DEALER QUALIFIED INSTRUCTION

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Windsurfing Tasmania Inc. Page 4 SAILBOARDING EQUIPMENT :

•Full range of current AHD, EXOCET, MISTRAL, FANATIC AND F2 Boards •AEROTECH and EZZY sails •CHINOOK booms and accessories •SAIL REPAIRS and all SAILBOARDING ACCESSORIES •COMPETITIVE PRICES (allow 2-5 days delivery) Phone Damien 03 62 486840 Lauderdale with the strong winds once again taking their toll and the line before the second place-getter, Dave Morehead, only 12 of 43 sailors able to complete the race. Phil had rounded the final windward mark. Sam Parker came McGain and Steve Charles took an early lead after in third, followed by Mike Nelson and Steve Charles. heading off on Port tack and out into a fresh breeze. With During the second race the wind kept swinging in some severe wind gusts blowing across the course, at one direction. McGain sailed brilliantly to pick the shifts and point McGain got lifted going upwind and catapulted dominate the race, with Mike Nelson coming in second through his 9.8 m sail, tearing a hole in it. Brett Morris and Sam Parker in third. Brett Morris kept his points also got away with a great start and was able to stay in tally looking good, coming in fourth place with Cam touch with the leaders around the top mark. Despite the Harrison (NSW) sailing well to finish in fifth. Race seven hole in his sail, which was getting larger as the race for the series was a real challenge, as the winds were now progressed, McGain held his lead in front of Steve coming more from the southwest (off-shore) and were still Charles round the bottom mark, with Brett Morris in gusty and shifting all over the place. Despite the third place. With McGain still in the front at the conditions, Phil McGain read the shifts to win once again. windward mark, he was able to keep his sail together Mike Nelson did well to finish in second place again, long enough to blast downwind to finish in first place, followed by Steve Charles who had fought back after a followed by Brett Morris who managed to pick the right bad start. Dave Morehead sailed into fourth place with lines downwind to sneak past Steve Charles and into Rick Murray (NSW) sailing his best race for the series second place. Wayne Bowness (NSW) sailed solidly to and taking out fifth place. Just when everyone was cross the line in fourth place ahead of Dave Morehead in starting to get used to the conditions (if that’s possible), fifth. what appeared to be a seabreeze suddenly appeared with a bang, bringing a consistent 30 knots straight up the By now many of the competitors were wondering what river. It was time to put the fleet to its first real test in they had got themselves into, coming down to Hobart to sail Formula races – these conditions weren’t exactly what were hoped for. Nevertheless, four races down and with one drop, it was Phil McGain – 3 points, Steve Charles – 7 points, Sam Parker and Dave Morehead – 11 points each and Mike Nelson – 13 points.

Wed 22 Jan, Shifty, gusty northwest to southwest winds 5-30 knots. Competitors had a full day of sailing today, with five races held. Conditions were not ideal, but gave everyone a challenge. The first race saw all get off to a clean start. McGain led the race from start to finish and crossed Windsurfing Tasmania Inc. Page 5 STEVE’’’ S SAILBOARDS Wiinndssuurfingg eqquuiippmmeennt FORMULA: WAVE: SLALOM: FREERIDE

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SPECIAL DEALS on new formula gear. Contact Steve Charles on 0417136336 or email [email protected] consistent winds. Phil McGain stormed the first upwind strength. Phil McGain took his eleventh straight bullet leg, taking a commanding lead, with Dave Morehead in for the event. Sam Parker sailed well to finish in second second and Steve Charles in third. These three place ahead of Mike Nelson in third. Dave Morehead maintained there positions to finish in that order. Mark managed to hold onto fourth place ahead of Brett Morris Trollope (NSW) finished a very credible forth, followed by in fifth. Brett Morris in fifth place. It was time for the wind to start shifting again for race number nine. Mike Nelson After challenging conditions over the four days of racing, had a great start and picked the shifts to be first around Phil McGain showed his true prowess with eleven the windward mark ahead of Phil McGain and Steve straight wins. The next four places were a close tussle, Charles. However, by the bottom mark, McGain had with the final days racing in somewhat lighter winds taken the lead back. The next upwind leg provided a real seeing a re-shuffle from the previous days tally. challenge for all with the winds continuing to shift back and fourth. McGain, managed to keep his lead, while All in all it was a good regatta, with Tassie sailors doing Steve Charles sneaked ahead of Mike Nelson to pass in pretty well overall. Keep up the training guys, only three second place round the windward mark. Mark Trollope months until the next show-down. sailed from strength to strength to pass Mike Nelson and finish in third place, his best race for the event, while Open Sam Parker sailed into fifth. 1st Phil McGain (USA) 2nd Mike Nelson (NSW) At the end of the third day, with nine races down and two 3rd Steve Charles (TAS) drops, Phil McGain was in first place - 7 points; Steve 4th Sam Parker (NSW) Charles was in second place – 20 points; Dave Morehead 5th David Morehead (TAS) was in third - 24 points; Mike Nelson was in fourth – 25 points; and Sam Parker was in fifth – 28 points. Anna Davis was leading the women’s fleet in 23rd place overall.

Thursday 23 Jan, Southerly seabreeze, 7-12 knots. The final day of racing saw weather conditions settle down and provide the much awaited, consistent 7-12 knot seabreeze. Mike Nelson hit the line with speed and was away in the first race of the day, as was Parker, but McGain was nowhere to be seen. After mistakes with the starting flags, McGain was still relaxed at the pin end of the line. Realising the fleet was away, McGain headed out on port tack, well behind the fleet, but with his superior board speed still managed to round the weather mark in first place with Nelson and Parker close behind. McGain continued to sail strong, finishing in first place again – for the tenth time so far. Mike Nelson hung onto second place, with Sam Parker finishing in third. Rhys Herbert (QLD) sailed really well to take out fourth place, his best race for the event, ahead of Cam Harrison in Nationals trophy getters, from left: Brendan Gordon, Rhys fifth. The last race of the day, and the series, was held in Herbet, Steve Charles, Mike Nelson, Anna Davis, Rick Murray similar conditions, but with a slight increase in wind and Phil McGain. Windsurfing Tasmania Inc. Page 6 Masters 1st Peter Ciesa (SA) 2nd Jack van Ek (TAS) 3rd Anthony Perkins (TAS) 4th Martin Love (VIC) 5th Glen Morrell (NSW)

Grand Masters 1st Rick Murray (NSW)

2nd Wayne Bowness (NSW) 3rd Ian Johnston (TAS) 4th Bruce Healey (NSW) 5th Stewart Gordon (TAS)

Women 1st Anna Davis (VIC) 2nd Karen Robertson (TAS) 3rd Robyn Jones (TAS)

Youth 1st Rhys Herbert (QLD)

Junior Smackfest’s Peter Volwater going off at Bluff beach, Marrawah. 1st Brendan Gordon (TAS) conditions and some good sailing (but conditions not quite For full Results see: up to SF Competition Standard) where we were able to http://www.windsurfing.org/results2003jan23.html run some dummy heats to test out the efficiency of the Closing note judging sheets and criteria. This included a starboard The third annual Formula Windsurfing Australian tack day at the Bluff with head high waves on Monday Championships attracted 43 entries, up from 34 the and a three-quarter mast Nettley Bay session on previous year and just 8 the year before that. Wednesday.

Many thanks must go to all the volunteers of SBSC and Thursday was calm, but a rising swell and after a WT whose hard work helped make the event both on and morning surf, most of the SF crew decided on some liver off the water a success. A special thanks also goes out to sacrifice for Huey (god of wind and surf) which began at the sponsors who are listed below: lunch time and went to the wee hours. Event Sponsors: • Events Tasmania Huey approved the worthiness of our commitment to the • J Boag and Son Brewing 25 Argyle Street Hobart cause and provided epic conditions on Friday- three • Cadbury Schweppes Cadbury Road Claremont quarter to mast high bluff beach with a 20-25 knot • Nortas PTY LTD 100 Mornington Road southerly breeze and blue skies. • National Pies 69-71 Patrick Street Hobart • BP Lower Sandy Bay 615 Sandy Bay Road These were the conditions that we were waiting for and • Tourism Tasmania 22 Elizabeth Street Hobart the Smackfest machine kicked into motion. From Pro • Wrest Point Federal Casino 410 Sandy Bay Road sailor Peter Volwater to those just beginning to get loose • Peter Johnston Ship Chandlers 21 Morrison St Hobart in the waves, the Smackfest format seemed to lift • East Coast Boardriders Old Pittwater Road NSW everyone a little and inspire bigger manoeuvres during • CoastView-Tasmania’s Coast Watch www.coastview.com the heats. The atmosphere on the beach and in the water • Bic Distributors Tasmania 519 Huon Road South Hobart was electric, with everyone hooting and screaming the • Kazza’s Screenprints 140 Nelson road, Mount Nelson war cry ‘SMACK IT!!!’ The finalists were James Atkinson (Launceston), Quentin Bye (Newcastle) and Peter by Dave Morehead Volwater (Holland/Margaret River).

SMACKFEST 2003 - a tribal gathering! Saturday saw similar conditions although smaller surf and the call was made to have a day of free-sailing and Smackfest : Wavesailing’s High Performance Tribal the results of the final were announced that night at the Gathering. Between the 1st and the 8th of February 2003 presentation which was held at the Redpa Recreational Wavesailing history was made at Marrawah. Fifteen Grounds. A suitable all-night party followed, this time competitors gathered to trial the revolutionary Smackfest with Rocky Cape band Verdict providing some grungy Format. The event kicked off with a huge party at the tunes and then an after party/disco at the Smackfest Marrawah Pub with Whalebone providing some fat live Headquarters. tunes. Early in the week saw some good surfing Windsurfing Tasmania Inc. Page 7 Results. Within about half an hour there was a perfect 12-15 1st Peter Volwater knots, so the race committee set off to lay the course for 2nd Quentin Bye some Formula sailing. 3rd James Atkinson By the time the race was about to start, the wind had freshened to about 15-18 knots, and quite a few of the 16 The Smackfest Challenge DVD will be available from sailors at the start line were wondering how they were your local windsurf retailer or mail order going to manage with the big sails they’d rigged. One (www.smackfest.net for details) in November 2003. sailor who was smiling was Dave Morehead, whose Formula board hadn’t arrived in time, so he was using a Smackfest Challenge # 2. The dates have been set: Hypersonic slalom board with a 6.6 m sail. As the race • 30th of October till 7th November 2004 begun, the wind picked up further. The Hypersonic, fully powered up, made it to the top mark first, leaving the We are planning the next Smackfest to be run as a PWA Formula boards behind. However, the wind continued to increase and by the time the first Formula board (Steve Qualifier level event. Stay tuned to www.smackfest.net Charles using a 10.5) had made it to the upwind mark, it for press releases as they become available. was a solid 25-30 knots. Steve and Dave battled it out Quentin Bye downwind. Steve going straight down-wind to round the Organiser/ Director, bottom mark first and Dave heading off on a broad-reach, Smackfest too fast, and in the process getting severely catapulted Ph. +61(0) 418 988 131 (twice!). The fleet had been reduced to two, with many www.tideguide.org/smackfest/ thankful that they had simply made it back to shore. Steve and Dave continued to race, with Dave once again State racing titles making it up to the windward mark first, only to be beaten downwind by Steve, who, in the process, took out first place. The Tasmanian State Racing Titles incorporate four events each year. The racing format is either No more racing that day as the wind freshened to a solid ‘upwind/downwind’ Formula or ‘figure of eight’ Slalom. 30-35 knots (yes - howling!!), forcing racing to be The combined results for all races provide the Overall abandoned and allowing those that were keen to bring winner. The results from the formula and slalom races out the small stuff. are also tallied to provide an overall Formula and Slalom champion. The next day there was a fluky 5-20 knot offshore wind. Looking like it may build, or at least settle, the race Round 1: The series started in November at Swansea on committee set a large down-wind ‘M-shape’ course. With the State’s east coast. The forecast seemed pretty good, hardly any wind at the start of the race, it was looking with strengthening Northerlies for the Saturday and like a good decision for those who had chosen to sail their winds expecting to turn Norwest to Westerly on the Formula boards (with small sails). A few puffs of wind Sunday. started to blow through on the first down-wind leg, seeing most of the fleet up and away. Dave Morehead hit the No wind on Saturday morning gave everyone a chance to lead early and maintained that position for most of the get together and soak up the sun. However, by mid race, but sailed into a lull on the final leg. Ready to morning the breeze was starting to build from the north. capitalise on this Steve Charles and Stewart McKay

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sailed past and into first and second place respectively. Hypersonic and a 6.6 m sail, Dave Morehead headed out With Anthony Perkins hurtling down the last leg, Dave to the start wondering how he’d fair against all the guys Morehead just managed to get back up on the plane in on their Formula gear! the gusty conditions to cross the line in third ahead of Anthony, who was shortly followed by Rob Gordon. And The first race saw Anthony Perkins take line honours on that was it, the breeze continued to die and the first his home turf. Dave Morehead showed the Hypersonic event of the season was over. could cut the mustard against the Formula boards taking second place, followed by Ian Johnston and then Stewart Not so many races in for the weekend, in fact just one Gordon in fourth. Placings shuffled around a little for Formula and one Slalom, but Steve Charles was happy the next race with Ian Johnston taking out first, followed enough, with two firsts and a lead in the series. by Dave Morehead, Rob Gordon and Anthony Perkins in fourth. The conditions were getting better as the wind A special thanks to Ian Johnston for bringing the LYC strengthened and the water remained flat. Making the patrol boat down for the event and also Andrew at the most of the extra wind, Dave Morehead powered around Swansea Caravan Park for allowing us to take up nearly the course to take line honours, followed by Anthony the whole front section of the park for rigging. Perkins and Ian Johnston, with Stewart Gordon coming in fourth. Ian Johnston took his second bullet in Race Round 2: Hawley Beach, North Coast of Tassie number four, followed by Anthony Perkins, Stewart (December). Sailors turned up bright and early for round Gordon and Julian Koning in fourth place. Dave two of the state racing titles. The wind was from the Morehead took his second bullet in the last race for the north and blowing about 12-15 knots and the tide was day, followed by Anthony Perkins, Jack van Ek and Rob high. The race committee stirred into action and set an Gordon in fourth. upwind/downwind Formula course. One day down and with Steve Charles out of this event, The conditions were good and fourteen sailors headed out off to witness the birth of his second son (Felix) – to do battle. Still without a Formula board and using a congratulations Sue and Steve !!!, the series was hotting up.

That evening there was a BBQ at the Perkin’s residence, with good food and alcohol consumed and many tall tales told. The next day there was no wind at all, as often happens after everyone talks non-stop about how good it will be the next day.

Round 3: With Hobart failing to deliver the goods (wind!) year after year after year, the third round of the state titles was held in the north of the state (February 2003). With this decision, Formula Windsurfing had its first appearance at an event organised by the Port Dalrymple Yacht Club: the All Classes Regatta, sponsored by J. Boag & Son. Formula Windsurfers heading for the top mark at the PDYC’s J.Boag and Son All Classes Regatta.

Windsurfing Tasmania Inc. Page 9 sailors were well rewarded with the trophies provided by the sponsor. Overall, this regatta was a spectacular success, both from an enjoyment factor for the participants, but also by virtue of the exposure of the class to an appreciative group of young sailors who raced the other classes.

With the interest generated in the Formula class through our participation, Windsurfing Tasmania’s Robyn Jones and Anthony Perkins held a training day with the Association's Starboard Starts at the PDYC a few weeks later in March. This generated a great deal of interest and will be repeated again this coming season. Overall, the event comes highly recommend and will be held in Ian Johnston and Stewart Gordon weave there way through the the same format again this season. For an exciting day of dinghy fleet at the J. Boag and Son Blockbuster Weekend. well-organised short course racing, hopefully again in perfect conditions, don’t miss it. This event was hailed as a great success by all who sailed in it. The fleet was blessed with perfect Formula Speaking of missing it, Steve Charles and Dave conditions on both days, with a steady 14 knots on Morehead were conspicuously absent, leaving the points Saturday rising to a similarly steady 16 knots on Sunday. tally for the overall series to shuffle once again. After An added bonus was the event being sailed on flat, warm fifteen races and with only one more event to go, it was and enclosed waters. getting down to the business end.

The event consisted a number of short sprint courses over Round 4: Stanley, in the states NW (March). Bad both days and included a mixed dinghy fleet of Lasers, weather and heavy rain in the south, blue skies warm NS1 4's, B14's and our fleet of Formula Windsurfers. The and sunny in the north! But no wind. Despite looking like fleet started in this order at five-minute intervals and the wind would pick up at any moment during the day, sailed a triangle and a windward and return course. and the whole fleet being within ten minutes of starting a Formula sailors were effectively giving the Lasers a race at one stage, the wind just did not happen, on either fifteen minute head-start and were meeting the majority day. of the fleet at the windward mark and finishing with the B14's. No wind means no event, means that the final points stand as they were after round three. Eight races were held in ideal conditions with winds of 14-16 knots making for some fast and spectacular racing. Stewart Gordon and Ian Johnston won three races each After fifteen races, including three discards, it was well and Anthony Perkins and Julian Koning took out the done to Ian Johnston, taking out the Open and the other two. Speaking of taking out, Jack van Ek from Master’s Division in the Overall State Racing Titles Ulverstone suffered board damage after a collision, and having scored 25.75 points. In second place and less than was relegated to fifth place overall for the regatta. three points behind, was last years overall champion Anthony ‘the champ’ Perkins scoring 28.5 points and in All who participated sailed exceptionally well due to the third place it was Stewart Gordon on 35.25 points. hard yards put in prior to and at the Nationals a few weeks earlier. The stand-out sailors were Stewart The trophy presentation was held at Michael’s Gordon, who won the event, Brendan Gordon and Ian Restaurant and was followed by a fantastic meal. Then, Johnston. The hospitality of PDYC was fantastic and our as usual, it was back to the caravan park to watch hours and hours of great video footage taken throughout the season.

Results: OVERALL Open Master’s 1st Ian Johnston Ian Johnston 2nd Anthony Perkins Stewart Gordon 3rd Stewart Gordon Jack van Ek

Handicap Women’s 1st XXXXXX Robyn Jones 2nd XXXXXX 3rd XXXXXX

FORMULA SLALOM 1st Ian Johnston Stephen Charles 2nd Anthony Perkins Stewart McKay 3rd Stewart Gordon Dave Morehead

Ian Johnston wins the State Racing Title - Overall and Masters. by Dave Morehead Windsurfing Tasmania Inc. Page 10 KA Sail Dash-for-Cash

The sixth annual KA Sail Dash-for-Cash was held on the Australia Day long weekend, Saturday 25th January. The Australian Formula Windsurfing Nationals had just finished in Hobart the day before so there were plenty of keen sailors still in Hobart.

The start of the race was set for 2 PM and there was a light sea breeze starting to build. The race, as always, is Start of the KA Sail Australia Dash-for-Cash. across the river and back, starting at Prossers Beach. The mark we were to go around had been set about 300m off Results: Bellerive Bluff. Unfortunately by 2 PM the wind had dropped to about 8 knots and it was decide to delay the Open Prizes st start until 2:30 PM. The long-board boys were grinning, 1 Dave Morehead, TAS 11mins 28sec $425 nd Mike Nelson and Wayne Bowness were all smiles because 2 Steve Charles, TAS 12mins 47sec $255 rd they had 12.5m sails on their Formula boards and the 3 Rob Gordon, TAS 14mins 11sec $125 th Slalom boys weren’t looking too happy. With everyone in 4 Nick Willey QLD 14min 58sec $50 th the water, lined-up ready to start at 2:25 PM, the wind 5 Wayne Bowness NSW 15mins 45sec $40 th suddenly howled in from the south to a solid 20 knots. 6 Rob Gordon TAS 16mins 49sec $30 With a change in wind direction, from the east to the south-east, the course had gone from being a reach out Nick Nelson: Lucky draw winner of a 5.3 Kontrol and back to a broad downwind reach, with an upwind leg back to the finish. by Steve Charles

At precisely 2:30 PM the gun went and there was total Tasmanian Wavesailing News confusion, with a ferry sailing straight in front of the start line. Dave Morehead and Steve Charles went for Competitive wave sailing in Tassie is heading for it’s broke and just made it in front of the ferry while biggest year ever. With an early start to the calendar at everyone else went behind it. This opened up a nice gap Carlton Beach in September and building up to the state between them and the rest of the field. Dave Morehead championships at Marrawah in January we can all look blitzed away on his Hypersonic 105 and KA 9.5 to round forward to a pretty exciting year. the mark off Bellerive first. It was then an upwind battle to the finish, with Morehead narrowly maintaining his It was decided at a meeting held at the Foreshore Tavern lead ahead of on 17 June that most competitions are Expression Charles and Sessions to allow for maximum sailing time, but this will taking his 3rd be decided on the day. Dates set are only a guide, Dash for Cash however competitions will be held on, or as close to these victory. There dates as the weather allows. There is no point in holding were around 20 competitions if the weather forecast in not suitable, with entrants this the exception of the West Coast Epic and the West Coast year, with Classic, which will be held on the set dates. numbers down from previous For those not interested in competing, come along years. anyway as it’s a great chance to build your confidence, However, had experience some fantastic sailing and it’s a hell of a lot of the wind had fun. come in earlier we would have The Carlton Cold in September, aptly named because it had more. will be bloody freezing and first prize is a slab of Carlton Cold kindly donated by Veates Glass & Glazing. A special thanks must go The West Coast Epic is a five-day exploratory trip to the Sandy looking for big waves and wind in spots previously not Bay Regatta sailed, with Quentin and Tappo as tour guides. Association, KA Sails and Cape Portland has been sailed by Guy and Shane Abel, Peter Cleary and Mike Green, and they’re confident it is a great place Dave Morehead across the finish for once again to hold a competition, mainly because of the reliability of line first in the KA Sail Australia providing the the winds in anything from SW to NE combined with Dash-for-Cash. cash, prizes pretty impressive waves at times. and atmosphere that make this event one of the most exciting on the calendar. Thanks also to the Volunteer Coastal Patrol who set the marks for this event each year.

Windsurfing Tasmania Inc. Page 11 Q U A LIT Y S A ILBO A RD IN G E Q U IPM E N T

GUY ABEL: TASMANIAN D ISTRIBUTOR FOR W INDGENUITY

Agent for: NORTH PRODUCTS Sails (Wave, Slalom , Race), Masts and Booms

M ISTRAL PRODUCTS Boards – including the new Mistral Devil Formula

F2 Maui Project wave and freestyle boards

Fanatic products Boards – including the new Falcon 100 Formula

For more information contact GUY ABEL Email: gabel@ wwwlawyers.com.au Phonne: 6234 8022 (W) and 6232798 (H)

Cloudy Bay has some of the best waves for sailing in the world. Combine these waves with a wind that ‘definitely Tasmanian Formula Windsurfing News has potential’ and we will be guaranteed of some pretty awesome sailing. Those who have discovered this magic Formula Windsurfing has been around for about three spot recently are completely obsessed with the place. Big and a bit years now. Tasmanian sailors were quick to Ken, who spat the dummy in 8m waves and had to get adopt to this new form of racing. Going from long-boards his more experienced little mate to call in a helicopter, (funboards) to a shorter and wider board without a can back up these claims! centre-board. These new style of boards had long fins, pointed higher and went faster downwind. The first The South East Comp could be held at Goats or Marion boards were around 75cm wide but a year or so later Bay in a north-easterly, Carlton in a north-westerly or Starboard came out with a super-wide 100cm wide board Clifton in a southerly. Wave conditions are often pretty and longer fin (70cm). This was to be the base for sloppy, but Goats with a north-easter can often turn it on. Formula Windsurfing and the sport has never looked back. OK, so that’s the board side of things. Sails have also had radical changes over the last few years. A couple The West Coast Classic, which is the Tasmanian of years ago a sail size of 9.5m was fairly standard as the Wavesailing Championships, will be held at largest size sail anyone would own. Today we see a 9.5 as Marrawah and is the premier event of the year. Held at one of the smallest (windy) you would use, and a 12-12.5 the beginning of January, it has never let us down. Run as the biggest (for light winds). over a five-day period, we are guaranteed to get in some awesome sailing. Sailing can be held at various world- I personally have really enjoyed watching these changes, class spots, including Greens, Nettley’s, Bluff and the especially the Tassie guys updating their gear every Lighthouse. Always good nights at the Marrawah pub season to stay up with all the latest improvements and don’t forget table tennis at Tappo and Hazel’s, which (trends) and of course to try and have an edge over their is often taken more seriously than the sailing. This event mates. There is no doubt Tasmanian Formula is a must for all wave sailors, there is always somewhere Windsurfing is at the forefront of this sport. All the to sail for every level from the novice to the pros. sailors have the latest gear and are very competitive. Just look at Dave Morehead, he went all the way to Smackfest is on again. Quentin Bye, one of Aussie’s top Hawaii to get a set of the latest, hot-off-the-press Gaastra wave sailors has been checking out the West Coast and is sails (well maybe he had to go for work as well). planning to hold the next Smackfest in Nov 04. This As far as competitions go our state has faired very well at event should attract some of the world’s best sailers, so a National level. Dave Morehead and Steve Charles have make the most of this, guys. For some of Tassie’s top finished in the top five at the last two national sailors this is your chance to go pro! Check out the web competitions. Our own state champion-ships have had site www.smackfest.net some classic races and courses set. The start of this season’s racing starts soon and I’m sure everyone’s For more info on events contact Anthony Houston (0417 already blown the winter cobwebs away and is ready to 577884) or Damien Wallace (6248 6840) race. Dave and I have already started training in earnest for next years National champs in Sydney. Also going will by Anthony Houston be Rob Gordon, Stewart Gordon, Anthony ‘the Champ’ Perkins, Ian Johnston and Jack van Ek. So, Tassie will again be well represented. If anyone reading this article Lone sailor Greens Beach, Marrawah. is interested in getting into Formula Windsurfing, that Windsurfing Tasmania Inc. Page 12 would be great, the more the better, come along and have putting on a three-course meal followed by racing in a go. rather light conditions. Unfortunately though, only three by Steve Charles Formula sailors attended.

Oceanic FW Championships I really should stress, SBSC is very keen to have us sailing with them, and have programmed a very full seasons racing for Windsurfers. They are also keen for us Following some rather extensive proposal and negotiation to become more involved both socially and in the general work, we can proudly confirm that we have been running of the club. I believe we should all make every successful in having Australia accepted as the venue for effort to contribute more, for example forgoing racing on the next two years Oceanic FW Championships. some occasions to crew on pick-up boats could be a good start and I will be calling for a meeting of windsurfing Sail Melbourne FW events for Jan 2004 and Jan 2005 members of WT to get together to discuss this. have been awarded IFWC Continental Championship status, which makes them one of the five "qualifying" Another opportunity to promote both Windsurfing and events for the IFWC Worlds event to be held later in each our commitment to the club is to provide tuition with the respective year, and should ensure even further Starboard Start on all sail training mornings. The Start International focus and attendance in this event. is a great board and very easy to learn on, especially with the light rig kindly provided by Ian Ross from Hood Sails. As part of the proposal program, SailMelb has also Drawing up a roster I suggest is the best way to ensure it confirmed its interest to consider a proposal to apply for happens on a regular basis and this too needs to be selection as host / venue for the 2005 World FW discussed. Championships in December 2005, using the preceding SailMelb Continental events as lead in events for the I’ll continue to forward all SBSC newsletters to potential 2005 Worlds proposal. sailors so that everyone is aware of events; Nick Hutton provides an excellent regular update on club news. Australia is very well represented on the IFWC committee, and the only member nation with two We have proposed to count all Windsurfer races held at representatives on the eight person International SBSC toward an overall Pennant winner and Line committee (details below). Honours winner. The finer details of handicapping have not yet been worked out but, again, another issue for In addition to our active National FW Championships, discussion over a few beers after the next race or two. this increase in event status can only reinforce an already excellent summer FW series for 2004 and beyond. The first step toward a good season is getting people on I would like to thank the SailMelb management, Elwood Sailing Club and fellow members of the IFWC Committee for their enthusiastic support and assistance to bring this concept to fruition.

IFWC Committee Ceri Williams (UK) - Chairman Didier Flamme (FRA) - Vice Chairman

Members: Dorota Staszewska (POL) - women racers representative Pieter Bijl (NED) - men racers representative Andrea Cucchi (ITA) Ian Fox (AUS) Marcus Huhtinen (FIN) Phil McGain (AUS) by Ian Fox President / Australian Windsurfing Association International Formula Windsurfing Class Committee

Sandy Bay Sailing Club Report

Just a brief report on the Formula Windsurfing connection to the Sandy Bay Sailing Club. I am now the new windsurfing representative and attend SBSC committee meetings. Keith Midson held this position before me but has had to step down due to extra commitments; being a new Dad always adds heaps of extra duties. Sincere thanks go to Keith for his excellent work last season, especially in helping to coordinate the Nationals. Keith Midson showing off the new 147 Formula board from Starboard on the astro turf laid out for rigging at the Nationals Fantastic to have the season under-way again. The club (Photo courtesy of CoastView) held a very successful Open Day a couple of weeks ago, Windsurfing Tasmania Inc. Page 13 Another event set to start soon is being advertised under the name of ‘Masters of speed’. The location is Saintes Maries de la Mer, at the 'Canal', as it is known to the sailors, is the unmistakable location where today's windsurfing technology has the potential to explore the unknown depths of speed. The trench itself is 1,100 meters long with a width of 15 meters. There are three overlapping, 500m courses on each side accommodating the four quadrant wind directions: NW, N/NE, SW and SE. The two most favourable directions are the widely known 'Mistral', which blows from a N/NE direction and the 'Le Grec', which blows from the SE. This was the wind direction of Thierry Bielak's record run of 45.34 knts. in 1993. The Canal will be moulded and cared for by Christophe Simian, who is very experienced collaborating record attempts in Stes. Maries and all potentially fast times will be officially ratified by the WSSRC, who will have an observer on hand. Anthony Perkins and Ian Johnston training in a blow. At a more local level, Tassie has a number of good speed- the water, so here are the dates of the upcoming events sailing locations, such as Pittwater in the South, Hawley on the program. Remember, Saturday is race day and in the North and Stanley in the North-West. plan to be on the water by 1.30 PM: Pittwater, located near October Hobart Airport, works 11th Trophy Races best in strong north to 18th Pennants 1 and 2 north-westerly winds, 25th Trophy Races which are pretty common, and sailing is For mowe information and membership inquiries, the done on the southern web site is : www.tased.edu.au/tasonline/sbsc side of the causeway. There has recently been by Stewart Gordon work on the bridge at the eastern end of the Leven Yacht Club Report causeway and associated with this work stairs The Starboard Start learner’s board has proven to be a have been incorporated valuable asset at the LYC with regular use every at the western end, weekend over the summer sailing season. allowing sailors easy access to the small beach. However, the Two juniors in particular have taken a real shine to Yellow Pages, in action. windsurfing, and both are in the process of buying their carpark now has a own Formula equipment. They can't wait for the rough boomgate across it, and weather to stop and are keen to get out there. it’s locked. WT will be investigating whether access can be gained to this carpark (and rigging area) to avoid The LYC racing season starts up on 27 September and sailors having to carry their kit across from the beach on has regular racing almost every week, with all classes of the other side of the causeway. boats and windsurfers most welcome and encouraged. Have you ever wondered how fast you’re sailing, or how by Ian Johnston fast you could go in the right conditions! Well, get yourself a GPS unit and start recording where you go and how fast you’re going!! There are a number of models on Pittwater speedway – the need for speed the market, ranging from about $300 for the basic model to a wrist-watch costing $1500. These units allow real- Conditions for the World Speed Sailing Challenge 2003, time data to be viewed while sailing and logged ready to held recently, did not allow the world record of 46.52kts up-load to a PC. For more information on GPS units which has stood for 10 years to be broken, despite some of contact Peter Johnston’s in Hobart, who stock a good the worlds finest sailors participating in the ‘invitation range of products and accessories. only’ event. The world record was established back in 1993 at Sandy Point, Australia by Simon McKeon and his vessel Yellow Pages’ Endeavour, a trimaran (see insert).

After setting the record, the Yellow Pages team decided to continue to push the limits of speed sailing. A new craft, "Macquarie Innovation" was designed and constructed in an attempt to be the first ever to break the 50 knot barrier, but has never reached that goal yet. Windsurfing Tasmania Inc. Page 14 Sailors enjoying Pittwater on a hot northerly day back in the ‘80s. Photo has been edited to visualise the ‘speed run’.

With quite a few sailors about to invest in these units it will be interesting to hear what speeds are being reached, and how many miles can be clocked up in a single session, or over a season!!!

Recently I took a GPS out while Formula racing on the river. It was blowing 20 knots and I was using an 11 m Nitro 4 on a F147. After sailing around for a couple of hours, I came in and checked my maximum speed – it was 26.8 knots. I was quite amazed, as I though I’d been sailing fast, but was wondering whether I’d even hit 20 knots. Then Steve Charles took it out for a go, using a 9.8m Nitro 4 and a 147 and he clocked 28.9 knots. Wow, cool fun!!! Adds a whole new dimension to ‘going-hard’.

There is now a site on the web for people to record their speeds. All you need is a handheld GPS and a watertight bag to put it in. Once you have recorded your speed, you can submit it for inclusion in the "GPS hall of fame" created by Erik Beale and his fellow speedfreaks at http://windsurfing33.fr.st. After review your speed will be posted to the hall of fame. This list is compiled based on the good faith. Any speeds which are too good to be true will not be posted, so no taking your GPS for a ride in your car !

For more on the World Speed Challenge and ‘Masters of Speed’ check out: http://www.worldspeedsailing.com/ http://www.mastersofspeed.com/

by Dave Morehead

Windsurfing Tasmania Inc. Page 15 Windsurfing Tasmania Inc. Page 16 Sydney-to-Hobart (welcoming the fleet)

As has become tradition of late, a few windsurfers brave the conditions each year to meet the first Sydney-to- Hobart yacht out at the Iron Pot, off South Arm. ETA this year: 4 PM, which was a lot better than the previous years 7 AM arrival. Three sailors ventured out on their Formula gear this year – Steve Charles, Dave Morehead and Julian Koning.

The weather was perfect, an easterly seabreeze was blowing about 10-12 knots in the Derwent and was freshening out toward the Iron Pot to a solid 20-25 knots. In the lee of South Arm, the water was flat, making for fast sailing on a reach. Alpha Romeo (01) and Dave Morehead (02): Sydney-to-Hobart.

With no yacht in sight when the sailors got out to the address on the front of this newsletter with a cheque Iron Pot (in about 20 minutes), they headed in to the payable to WINDSURFING TASMANIA Inc. beach for a break. A BBQ was underway at a house nearby and, being quite thirsty, Steve asked if he could Make sure you include the model, year, condition and use their tap to grab some water. “How about a beer price of the equipment you are selling, along with your instead”, was the reply. Well, this was good we thought. contact details - phone number or email address. Waiting for the boat to arrive and having a beer (light!!). Then, there she was, in the distance, Alpha Romeo, with WT needs a minimum of 10 advertisements to send out spinnaker up. It was time to leave the BBQ and hop back the flier and has a deadline for advertisements of on the boards. Fully powered up in about 20 knots of OCTOBER 25th. wind, we were all out to the boat in no time. Cautiously, we got closer, Steve making the first move to ride the If there is a poor response, and WT does not receive 10 or stern wake, only about 10-15 feet from the yacht. The more adverts, money will be refunded to those who have guys on board seemed friendly enough about us being sent an ad in. If this works well, another flier may be there and seemed to be quite amused at how we were sent out later in the season. keeping up so easily. Then the flotilla started to arrive, making for lots of chop and foaming water. Dave moved Advertising for distributors of windsurfing equipment in to follow in Steve’s wake and it was a pretty good can also place ads in this flier and should contact Steve feeling powering along next to the soon to be line hour Charles on 6223 1746 for information on advertising winner of the Sydney-to-Hobart, with helicopters buzzing rates, prior to OCTOBER 31th. around and a flotilla of about 40 boats by now. It was a little disconcerting however, when one looked behind to see that there was absolutely no room for error. One slip Windsurfing websites and it was certain carnage from all those boats roaring up behind us. Here are some more interesting sites for those surfing the net: As it turned out, the ABC film crew were in amongst the flotilla and got some good footage of Alpha Romeo (and WINDSURFING: us) sailing up the Derwent River. That footage, with us included, ended up being screened on every news channel www.formulawindsurfing.com – Home of International FW around Australia - the publicity stunt had worked!! www.windsurfing.org – Australian Windsurfing Assoc There was even some mention of the inexpensive windsurfing equipment keeping up with a multi-million www.star-board.com – FW board, technique, event info, forum dollar state of the art racing yacht. www.a-h-d.com – FW board, technique and event info, forum www.gaastra.com – FW sail and equipment info, forum by Dave Morehead www.neilprydemaui.com – FW sail, equipment info, forum Advertising second-hand sailing gear www.windsurfingnsw.com - NSW windsurfing site www.windsurfing.vyc.com.au – Victorian windsurfing site WT will be posting out a ‘second hand sailing gear’ flier in early November. For those interested in advertising BEACH CAMS: any gear, it will cost $10 for the first 30 words and $2 for http://www.wrestpoint.com.au/webcam/ every additional 10 words. All current members and new members will receive the first 30 words free of charge (a http://www.coastview.com.au/Clifton/load_clifton_camera.htm Clifton Beach free ad!). So if you’re not a member, become one and get your ad for free. http://www.coastview.com.au/Eagle/load_eagle_camera.htm Eaglehawk Neck See details on the back of the attached membership form. Send your ad, along with membership form, to WT at the Windsurfing Tasmania Inc. Page 17 http://www.coastview.com.au/bayfires/bayfires_camera.htm Bay party public liability cover, included in WT membership, of Fires before entering any WT organised event. WEATHER: ENTRY DISCLAIMER http://www.BoM.GOV.AU/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDT12400.txt It is the competitor’s sole decision to enter this event and Derwernt Estuary to start and or to continue to compete. By way of entering, competitors acknowledge that participation in http://www.BoM.GOV.AU/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDT12300.txt this event can be dangerous and accept that their Boating weather participation is at their exclusive risk in every respect. In addition, by way of entering competitors shall hold http://www.BoM.GOV.AU/products/IDG00V56.shtml Four day harmless the organising authority, its officers, members, servants and agents in respect of all liability for injury to http://www.marine.csiro.au/~lband/wind/ Droughty person and or damage to property howsoever arising from their participation or intended participation in this event Membership information and acknowledge that the organising authority, its officers, members, servants and agents accept no Last year WT had 41 members. The more support WT responsibility in respect of loss of life, personal injury or has, the more WT can promote the sport and organise loss or damage to property which may be sustained by racing events, newsletters and functions. reason of a competitor’s participation or intended participation in this event or arising for whatever reason The WT membership form is attached to this newsletter. in connection with this event. Benefits for windsurfers include: • 12 Months membership with WT and AWA affiliation; INSURANCE All competitors shall have personal liability insurance for • 24 hr Third Party Liability Insurance; not less than $AUD 10m for any one incident. All • Free application for WT/AWA registered Sail competitors who enter and sign the entry form are Numbers. deemed to have made a declaration that they hold such Fee: $35 (standard) or $75 that includes entry to all WT cover. organised events in 2002-03. !! HAPPY SAILING !! This represents fantastic value and the ‘member to member’ liability extension is back again. The collective premium provides up to $10 million third party cover against public liability. There is a $1000 excess claim. Thankyou to

This scheme has great merit and puts the onus on competitors to have cover rather than the competition KPMG organisers (who would have to raise the $10 000 or thereabouts, premium required to have similar cover). Cover is 24 hrs a day, so it’s not just when competing in for providing ex gratia auditing of the an event! WT accounts.

Membership cover is to July each year. Cover provides you insurance in the event that you injure someone or Much appreciated. their equipment. Make the most of the third party insurance and become a member. Sailors, please support our sponsors!! So, get a pen now and fill in the attached Membership form and the section on the back to advertise your second-hand windsurfing gear. Attach a cheque made out to WINDSURFING TASMANIA Inc. and send it to:

WINDSURFING TASMANIA Inc. KDC 2001 Kingston Tasmania 7050

• Tasmanian Circuit Guide 2003-2004

A fantastic schedule of events is planned for the coming season. Mark the dates on your home calendar now and keep the Circuit Guide handy as a ready reference of events in 2003-2004. Please note: life-jackets or personal flotation devices (PFD’s) are required for all racing events. It is also a requirement that all sailors have third

Windsurfing Tasmania Inc. Page 18 WINDSURFING TASMANIA Inc. Circuit Guide 2003-2004

September 2003 • Sat 13 Wavesailing: Carlton Cold. Carlton Beach. Sponsored by Veates Glass & Glazing; Contact Anthony 0417 577884 or Damien 6248 6840.

October 2003 • Thu-Mon 23-27 Wavesailing: West Coast Epic. Ocean Beach to Marrawah. Contact Quentin Bye 0418 988 131, Anthony 0417 577884 or Damien 6248 6840.

November 2003 • Sat-Sun 1-2 Formula Windsurfing and Slalom (Round 1). Briefing 11 AM Saturday, Swansea; Contact Dave Morehead 6239 6353

• Sat-Sun 8-9 Wavesailing: Cape Portland. North-east Tasmania. Sponsored by Guy Abel; Contact Anthony 0417 577884 or Damien 6248 6840

• Sat-Sun 29-30 Formula Windsurfing and Slalom (Round 2). Briefing 11 AM Saturday, Hawley Beach; Contact Anthony Perkins 6428 6985

December 2003 • Sat 13 Wavesailing: SE Tas - Goats, Clifton or Marion Bay. Contact Anthony 0417 577884 or Damien 6248 6840

January 2004 • Fri-Tue 1-4 Wavesailing: West Coast Classic - Tasmanian Championships. Green Point, Marrawah. Contact Anthony 0417 577884 or Damien 6248 6840

• Sat-Tue 2-4 Slalom Nationals. Perth, Western Australia. Contact Kevin Netto 0417 990 469

• Tue-Fri 20-23 Formula Windsurfing Nationals. Dolls Point, Botany Bay, NSW. Contact Bill Joselin (02) 9452 3189

•Mon 26 KA Sails "Dash-for-Cash". Briefing 1:30 PM, Sandy Bay, Hobart; Contact Steve Charles 62231746

• Wed-Mon 31-5 Wavesailing Nationals. Robe, South Australia. Contact Aaron Constable (02) 9984 0654

February 2004 • Sat-Sun 7-8 Formula Windsurfing (Round 3). Briefing 10 AM Saturday, Port Dalrymple Yacht Club, Tamar River, Contact Fenton Jones 03 6328 1657

• Sat-Sun 21-22 Wavesailing: East Coast. Shelly Point or Little Swanport. Contact Anthony 0417 577884 or Damien 6248 6840

March 2004 • Sat-Sun 6-7 Formula Windsurfing and Slalom (Round 4 – ‘Final’), Briefing at 12 noon Saturday, Stanley Caravan Park, Stanley; Contact Dave Morehead 6239 6353

• Sat-Sun 20-21 Wavesailing: Cape Portland. North-east Tasmania. Sponsored by Guy Abel; Contact Anthony 0417 577884 or Damien 6248 6840 WINDSURFING TASMANIA 2002-2003 19 April 2004 •Easter 2-3 Wavesailing: Cloudy Bay, Bruny. Contact Anthony 0417 577884 or Damien 6248 6840

October 2004 • Sun-Sun 30-7 SMACKFEST Challenge #2: Marrawah. Contact Quentin Bye +61(0) 418 988 131. www.tideguide.org/smackfest/

Recommended accommodation for select Formula events (book early): Swansea - Swansea Caravan Park and Holiday Village, Shaw St Swansea (ph Graham 6257 8177) Stanley - Stanley Caravan Park, Stanley (ph Des 64581266)

Dates correct at time of printing – please confirm prior to event

•••

Offering a unique beachfront location where families can swim, fish, sail or simply relax. The only true beachfront holiday park in Swansea, we have a variety of affordable accommodation options ranging from self contained cabins to beachfront tent sites. Be captivated by breathtaking views over Great Oyster Bay and Freycinet National Park.

Swansea Holiday Park Shaw Street Swansea Tasmania 7190 Australia

Phone: +61 3 62578177 Fax: +61 3 62578 511

Email: [email protected] ABN: 82 00 950 9139

Stanley Cabin & Tourist Park

• Children's playground Wharf Rd • Laundry Stanley TAS 7331 • Beach front • Set in Gardens Phone: 03 6458 1266 • Sealed road Gas Fax: 03 6458 1266 • BBQ Campers kitchen

Des and Merilyn Hodgetts [email protected]

Windsurfing Tasmania Inc. Page 20 WINDSURFING TASMANIA Inc. Membership Form: 2003-2004 Season

APPLICATION DETAILS First Name Family Name

Male/Female Date of Birth

Address

Home Phone Work Phone Mobile Phone

Email Address Send select WT information electronically (Yes or NO)

What do you do (i.e. racing, waves, free-ride)

What events would you like to see WT organising?

Membership Benefits • 12 Months membership (July 2003 - June 2004) • Newsletter and other correspondence • 24 hr Third Party Liability Insurance • Australian Windsurfing Association (AWA) Affiliation • Free Application for WT/AWA Nationally Registered Sail Numbers Membership: $35 Annual membership ❑ $75 Annual membership and entry to all WT organised events (2003-04) ❑

Amount Paid: $ 2003-2004 Season Payment received by: ❑ Database Date / / ❑ Ledger ❑ Banked

Please complete and forward to: WINDSURFING TASMANIA Inc. KDC 2001 Kingston TAS 7050 WINDSURFING TASMANIA 2002-2003 19 Deadline to receive advertisements is 31th October 2003.

If you are a member of WT or have completed the details overleaf to become a member of WT, you receive the first 30 words free. If you are not a member of WT, an advert of up to 30 words costs $10. An additional $2 is charged for every 10 words. Fill in details of your advert including make, model, condition and cost:

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Contact Phone : …………………………. 2003-2004 TASMANIAN FORMULA WINDSURFING AND SLALOM SERIES

Notice of Series:

1. Title: Tasmanian Formula Windsurfing Series 2003-2004.

2. Venue and dates: Heat 1 Swansea 1-2 November 2003 Heat 2 Hawley Beach 29-30 November 2003 Heat 3 Tamar River 7-8 February 2004 Heat 4 Stanley 6-7 March 2004

3. Organising authority: Windsurfing Tasmania Inc.

4. Classes: Divisions (min. of 3 entrants): Overall Open Masters (40-49) Grand Masters (50+) Ladies Youth Most improved Formula Open Slalom Open

Racing will be held in winds ranging from 8-35 knots. Any board can be used. There is a maximum size limit for sails of 12.5 m. Generally, if the course involves an upwind leg, points will be awarded toward Formula (and Longboard). For all other courses points will be awarded toward Slalom. Generally, Formula races will not be held in winds above 18 knots and Slalom races will not be held in winds below 18 knots. Please note: It will be at the discretion of the race committee as to what type of course is set (Formula or Slalom) and whether points will be awarded toward Formula (and longboard) or Slalom.

5. Schedule of races Sat.: Registration between 10-11 AM. Briefing at 11 AM followed by first race no earlier than 11:30 AM. Maximum of five races will be held. Courses to be specified at briefing.

Sun.: Briefing at 10 AM. First race no earlier than 10:30 AM. Maximum of five races will be held. Courses to be specified at the briefing.

6. Rules This event will be governed by the 1993-1996 International Yacht Racing Rules (IYRR) and the prescriptions and safety regulations of the Australian Yachting Federation (AYF), Notice of Race (except as these are altered by these Sailing Instructions) and the Sailing Instructions. This event is classified as a Category B event.

7. Eligibility and Entry Entry is open to all members of WINDSURFING TASMANIA or other associations affiliated with the AUSTRALIAN WINDSURFING ASSOCIATION upon acceptance of Sailing Instructions and payment of the Heat entry fee ($10), which is paid at the time of registration. NB Full members of WT receive free entry to all WT organised events.

8. Race Briefing Briefings will be conducted by the race officials and will include information on: Course location and configuration; Sign on/sign off procedures.

9. Start/finish At 5 minutes to start, 1 minute to start and upon starting a signal will sound. An alternative starting procedure of a 'gate start' may be employed. Competitors should note their finishing order in relation to other competitors finishing immediately before and after them.

10. Abandonment Race abandonment will be signalled in accordance with Racing rule 4/1 accompanied by three short sound signals.

11. Time Limit The time limit for all races will be 90 minutes for the first to finish in each class or division. Sailors finishing more than 20 mins after the first to finish will be recorded as “did not finish”.

12. Alternative penalties Alternative penalties in accordance with racing rules, appendix B4, 7.1, apply.

13. Safety Buoyancy vests or harnesses complying with AS1499 or approved by the Race Committee must be worn as intended whilst afloat. A competitor not complying in this regard will be ranked as a non- starter. Each intending competitor shall personally sign on for racing before leaving the shore for any race or racing period and shall personally sign off from racing upon returning to shore after completion of racing or retirement. They shall sign off within 30 minutes of the last valid finisher in that race or the last race of the relevant racing period. Failure to comply in every regard will result in disqualification from that race. If more than one race is sailed in a racing period, then failure to sign on will result in disqualification from the first race of the racing period and failure to sign off will result in disqualification from the last race of the racing period. Failure to both sign on and sign off will result in disqualification from all races of that racing period. The sign on/sign off area will be indicated at the briefings. In the need for race abandonment, all competitors shall proceed to the launching area and shall sign off as soon as possible.

14. Equipment There is a maximum sail size of 12.5 m and a maximum fin length of 70 cm.

15. Trophies Trophies will be awarded to the top three place-getters for the Overall (combined formula and slalom) Open division, with first place also receiving a perpetual trophy. Trophies will be awarded to first place in all other divisions. The Perpetual ‘Ron Cook Memorial Trophy’ will be awarded to first place in the Overall 40+ category (which encompasses Master and Grand Master divisions).

16. Entry disclaimer It is the competitor’s sole decision to enter this event and to start and or to continue to compete. By way of entering, competitors acknowledge that participation in this event can be dangerous and accept that their participation is at their exclusive risk in every respect. In addition, by way of entering competitors shall hold harmless the organising authority, its officers, members, servants and agents in respect of all liability for injury to person and or damage to property howsoever arising from their participation or intended participation in this event and acknowledge that the organising authority, its officers, members, servants and agents accept no responsibility in respect of loss of life, personal injury or loss or damage to property which may be sustained by reason of a competitor’s participation or intended participation in this event or arising for whatever reason in connection with this event.

17. Insurance All competitors shall have personal liability insurance for not less than $AUD10m for any one incident. All competitors who enter and sign the entry form are deemed to have made a declaration that they hold such cover.

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