I will be doing 2 "downwinders for beginners" - one today (Wed 19th May at 1pm) and another one this weekend (maybe Sat 22nd).
If you have a board (minimum 12'6" please) and want to learn how to catch runs then you are welcome to come and join me. It is not a race but a practical exercise for those who want to learn.
The paddle will be less than 10km so its not a marathon. A legrope is a must have item so please bring one with.
Please mail me, or phone me, if you want to come along.
i did a short run today. really good conditions to start and learn on. i'll be there saturday mike, hopefully with my new 17' er
cheers
There is a lot of interest in Saturdays downwind. Hopefully it is as good as it was today, so that everyone can learn something. Today the swell was small and the wind was around 15knts - nice and easy to start out with.
Spread the word if you know someone that will be keen...
Today (Sat 22nd) is still on and it should be a nice run. We will meet at the currumbin creek boat ramp on the southern bank at 1pm.
That was totally AWSOME!! Thank you so much for taking the time out and putting this together, i really appreciate it 
It was EPIC, even when the dolphin scared the crap outa me. I learnt alot, and i look forward too the next one. 
Simm[}:)]
the wind went a bit more south for us, so it ended up being a tasty run with stacks of runners.mike explained the art really well and i changed my way of looking/approaching it with great results. cmc took to it really well and he is off and running now. imo, if you like to paddle around and try and pick it up, thats fine, but if you would like to be fast tracked, i would encourage you to attend the next one
cheers
Yesterday was really ideal for learning how to catch runs. The wind and swell was straight behind us which makes things a lot easier to pick up. Simone was the only one on a rudderless board but she did really well on her 12'6".
These SUPSA "clinics" are open to everyone and they are free so I would strongly recommend that you come along and join us next time. You can learn the hard way (it takes years!) or you can learn the easy way - its up to you.
Lacey took his new DC17 out and it was an absolute machine out there. Nice work!
Hey Simone, is there a red QB paddle left in your van?. I think I left it in there - doh.
Sorry Jed, no paddle :( Check with one of the boys. The paddles were left with the boards. We only had the dry gear in the car. I really hope it turns up. Hopefully one of the boys picked it up, if you didnt. I have Dales QB paddle, with the grip handle, and it has a chip in the bottom of it.
Good luck.....
Simm
Thanks Simone, just pm'd you. got it worked out I think. Dale, I think you took off with my paddle!!
Been meaning to get back here to thank Mike, Jed, Dale and Lacey for their time. It was great fun, safe and so educational. I don't even know how many full runs I got that linked but I know if it wasn't for the boys explanations it would have been far less if any. Chasing the links, using the rudder, when to hold back, when to up the rate, angles etc etc. I would recomend spending some time with experienced people that are willing to part with the secrets, it's the long way without it.
Been frothing since both of yesterdays runs, couldn't wait to get up this morning and go paddle again with my mate and his new proto.
I think I'm starting to get obsessive here.
Good on ya Mike, thanks. Can't vouch for camelbak and hat but I'll grab that paddle off Dale. And thanks for a heaps fun run on Sat. We went for another one down south of the border yest and it was just as good.
