Social Series – “Club Training”

Storm-Riders is a group of enthusiastic windsurfers based in the Botany Bay area. Whilst the club has been traditionally known as the organiser of the “NSW Windsurfing series”, in the 2011/12 season we will be also running a series of informal social fun training days from Kyeemagh for the wider NSW windsurfing community.

Taking part — To take part, all you need to do is turn up on the day! First timers are free, but to comply with NSW regulations you will need to join the club and be recognised by Windsurfing NSW so that the individuals & organising group are all covered by the AWA. (Alternative 3rd party insurance policies are not sufficient, but are encouraged). At present, there is no intention to charge for the events, but you will need to join www.storm-riders.com.au to continue to participate. (Membership = $60).

How it will work — This is the format we plan to hold sessions under in 2011/12:

• Planning conditions (>12Kts)
• Any equipment that will get you around the course
• Focus on fun, not winning! Frequent use of handicap / beach starts.
• Roaming venue in the Botany Bay area, focused on Kyeemagh.
• Sunday afternoon primary slot (1st priority).
• Venue, start time and format for each event, to be posted on Seabreeze on Thursday once the weather forecast looks reliable.

Event Dates:

Social Sailing Rules Some simple rules to prevent collisions:

Avoid a collision if at all possible, even if another sailor is to blame!

Opposing Sailing Directions or Tacks

• Starboard tack (right hand forward) has right of way over Port. In general, Starboard sailor should hold their line while Port sailor passes downwind.

Same Sailing Directions or Tacks

• Overtaking board must stay clear.
• With overlap, upwind board should not bear off on a downwind (leeward) board.
• Downwind board should not violently luff up into wind, to prevent being overtaken by upwind board. Luffing that is easy to react to and is gradual is OK.

At Gybe Marks

• With overlap, on approach to mark, outside (windward) board must allow enough water for inside (leeward) board to perform a gybe.
• With overlap, outside board must not initiate carve gybe until inside board has started their gybe.
• A board arriving at the mark after another board, should not interfere with the board that was at the mark first. (Exceptions obviously apply if first sailor falls off, leaving 2nd sailor with no time to react!)
• If in doubt about your ability to gybe inside another sailor safely at a buoy please gybe around the outside.

And finally: All competitors have a duty to stop and assist any fellow competitor who due to kit failure, injury or other unknown circumstance may require assistance.

Please don’t be shy if you want to help coordinate, as the more helpers, the more enjoyable. Just email David Flanagan on dflanagan@macquarietelecom.com or phone 0424 750 501.