Course racing

The point with longboards- is they were originally designed as a raceboard- many came almost directly off the world raceboard cup circuit as production versions of the manufacturers prototype- so although they still keep going OK in 8 to 12 knot they do still go quite well in stronger winds- perhaps not as fast as some of the newer narrow focus boards of today but still quite respectable- particularly if there are varied points of sail- it appears that a lot of the newer stuff is very very good within its comfort zone but if you have to head in a direction not complimentary to the design parameters of the board then their performance can suffer.

Exactly --- An interim Measure --- to test the demand and do something rather than nothing while we get the numbers up. I have no hidden agenda. Like Handyman, I think it would be more fun for me to have other raceboarders to sail with rather than only dinghies. I haven't been on the WQ executive for the last two years because I want to see the end of sailboard clubs.

But it could be worth noting that the two raceboard clubs in NSW are a part of sailing clubs that sails other classes. All the people I met at the raceboard nationals were very happy with that arrangement.

There are many advantages to sharing resources with other sailing classes. That is why you don't find too many sailing clubs that sail only one boat class.

All the techno and RSX sailors all over Australia race at sailing clubs. I don't see that sailing clubs are in any way a danger to our sport.

If some of you are not aware I am LUKE BAILLIE the RSX sailor at RQYS and I am a very young and passionate windsurfer. I started windsurfing at the age of 12 and all I wanted to do was slalom and wave sailing (like Robby Naish) Impossible. Considering where we live and the conditions we have.

When I reached my final two years of high school I thought I could go and race with the local slalom crew, I had perfected my gybes and found some good kit. My first day of racing quickly showed that if you did not have the correct equipment for the conditions the racing became very frustrating, hence why I went out and bought more equipment to keep up. This did not stop for two years this gear war where I thought I needed to have the best kit to keep up.

I have now moved on to the RSX the Olympic one design windsurfing class and that is exactly what it is a one design class, whereby everyone is on the exact same gear. That is you use the same mast, same fin same board, same everything. Even knowing it is not the fastest board in world or the best in the lightest of wind it is awesome because I know my gear has the potential to go as fast as some other guy¡¦s gear.

In the last couple of weeks I have been talking to the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron dingy and off the beach administrator about a new windsurfing format to be run out of the yacht club for the next season depending on interest. This new format would involve both slalom and course racing whereby at a certain wind strength we would change over. For example we would run course racing up to 18 knots then cross over to slalom (down wind M course or whatever is to be preferred) and would run this up until 35knots. They are literately willing to do anything for us and it was evident to those who went to the races on the weekend, like I am talking we could do freestyle if we wanted to Anyone is welcome from young to old, rookies to pros it doesn¡¦t matter the more the merrier.

I now have a few boards spare on the weekend if there is anyone who wants to give it and come down and see how much fun we have every weekend give me a call on my mobile 0423 520 679, I will be down there Saturday in the arvo after racing if anyone wants to come and have a look at the gear and have a chat [ļ]

So what myself and RQYS are planning on doing is having a BBQ at the yacht club where we will run like an open forum to see what you guys are thinking, the date is still yet to be decided, but I will keep you all posted on this.

PS sailing the gear is really good fun regardless of the conditions

Hey Upthere,

Some great shots there. Thanks for the info too.

hi tony
I have bitten the bullet and i am getting a phantom 380, if any body is hunting for used raceboards this brief might help

F2 Lightning
This is a great board - competitive in all winds, it has a massive daggerboard, very similar to the Megacat, but nice rounded rails that can cope with the lift it generates. The wide tail means that this board still has a chance of holding its own downwind against the later, bigger volume boards.
Mistral Equipe II
The benchmark board, especially on the sea. It flies upwind on its sharp rails, has great reaching speed. Downwind there's enough volume to at least 'hang in there'. It was available with strong wind and lightwind daggerboards (though one was a bit small and the other a bit chunky). The slot flushers need replacing regularly (easily obtained, but hard work).
Mistral One Design
The Olympic board from 1996 - 2004, the One Design remains a good board, particularly for younger lighter sailors for whom it makes an excellent first raceboard. Heavier sailors might be frustrated by the relatively small daggerboard and low volume in lighter winds but they gybe like a short board and everyone enjoys sailng these in a blow. Mistral Pan Am
These boards keep on winning. They were basically hand made Equipe IIs, which meant they got an extra 5mm all round and therefore upped the volume. Very sort after, performance as per the Equipe II and a bit more.
Speed sailboards
Three main model the first one being the pro am , slightly softer rails , and smaller centreboard. Then came the silver spped 250 most popular speed with hard rails quick to windward. Then was the SSA speed same as ss250 but had a mast track that came back further

Hey Everyone,

I'm Suellen and I'm the Marine Sports (Sailing) Manager at Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron.

Luke and I worked on getting the Around Green Island Marathon race happening to showcase the facilities that we have on offer and to also show what we can provide for the $$ involved with becoming a member of RQYS.

Yes, it's more expensive to join RQYS than any other club in SEQ. However, what you get for the money if definitely worth it.

I'm also a member of RQYS and have been for 11 years (I've been working here for 6 years), so am going to speak from a members point of view first.

1. Full membership is $830 a year or $76 per month. My phone bill is $95 a month, so putting it into perspective, I spend more on phone calls and texting then I do to be a member... There is also a promotion at the moment with no joining fee.

2. A season entry into sailing differs from class to class and the Sailing Committee is working towards eliminating this fee altogether. Fingers crossed that comes through.

3. When you want to go sailing you just rock up - sign on (and off when you get in) and that's it. You don't have to get involved in any other way unless you choose to (like Luke's Dad who is a volunteer because it gets him on the water).

4. There is soooo much open space! You can rig on the main rigging lawn (near the bar) or at the new gated facility near Loo with a View (Bay Lookout). That gate was made available to the board sailors so they can keep their gear secure whilst out on the bay. There are bathroom and shower facilities also available up that end and a portable BBQ.

5. Storage - you can keep your stuff here! AND, if more board sailors get involved with the club then they will work on getting a storage facility up the end.

6. After sailing you can just eat and go to the bar.

7. There are always safety boats available in case you get into trouble.

8. Full members get a 10% discount on all food and beverages all the time (with your member tag)

9. Every Friday night there is a members draw (currently at $1,600) and an attendance draw

Now I'm going to talk about the benefits from a race management point of view

1. We (RQYS) will organise all the events including:
Notice of Race
Sailing Instructions
Promotional Poster
Microsite (website off the main sailing page of the RQ site)
State or National Race Officials
State, National and International Judges
Access to 4 x start/finish boats, 9 x safety boats (RIBS)
HEAPS of marks and ground tackle
Over 150 volunteers on call who will manage the on water component
3 x Full time staff in the sailing office to manage the event on shore

2. Got kids? Get them involved! We have a Yachting Australia Sailing Academy available for anyone wanting to learn - Ages 7 to 100! For kids aged between 7-12 we have Sail & Play www.sailandplay.com which is a school holiday program designed to get kids on the water

3. Heaps of social functions for members

4. Funding and financial support for those wanting to compete on the international stage

5. Ability to run whatever courses you want!

I could go on and on but I think you get the idea. If anyone wants to talk to me more about it then please give me a call on 3396 8666 (Wed to Sun) or just rock up and we can have a chat over a coffee (or beer or rum of whatever - depending on the time of day of course!)

RQYS would love to see more boards racing out of the club so why not give it a chance for a year?

One more thing... we don't care what kind of board you use! Divisions will be made depending on the number involved.

Suellen

One of the big problems I can see is we have a whole generation of very talented young windsurfers, many of whom have never had any experience doing course racing and are so accustomed to sailing only when the conditions are favourable- the essence of racing for me- is to sail in as many different conditions as possible to develop the best possible sailing technique in all condition. Board tune and trim is such a critical factor and to be able to get the best out of board and sail is a fantastic sensation- even if the conditions are not ideal. Last race- with PPSC sailing against lasers- almost no wind 3/4 of the race over and done with- position 13 out of 14 starters- not looking good- a significant breeze comes in, sythe through the fleet to second place- almost got first- just so pumped from that- fully powered up and flying. Had I not been out there because conditions were not at there best (as a matter of fact absolutely pathetic wind) then I would not have experienced the exhileration of the competition. That was second race for the day- first race- well not great at all- but that is competition.

Geez darryl do all of your posts have to be so inflamatory. I do agree that you can be very competitive in slalom 88 with one post 2006 sail & board (7.8 & 67-75 dependant on size).

But then if you look at our prevalent conditions here rsx or raceboard would be fantastic.

Daryl Dudeyou'll love it Raceboarding has enough tactical endeveour for u to be interested

What size rig would you generally use on a race board. I know it's subject to sailors weight. Would you use the same size as on a slalom board or tend to rig a bit bigger?