@DanP - If you are there Sunday let's catch up and see what we can organise... Wouldn't happen to have a matching mast too LOL. Will see how the kids go and if they want to give it a crack. Mick was telling me about the road trips... I am up for that !
@red - I've heard about Swan Bay... seriously I am interested in trying a few different spots, especially west as I live near Caroline Springs. I am still quite noob, so am liking flatish water where possible.
Well it's knock off time... packing the caravan and heading down SE !!
Fireman have you ever seen irridescent blue mud before? Swan Bay is the place to go.
It melts fins
The Inlet was excellent today. Flat water, low tide and a pumping 5kts. Still there were half dozen down for a friendly sail.
What was the name of the ray again mick, X or Gamma. Should call them Bruce.
Fantastic day was had by all despite the lack of wind. Big thanks has got to go to RPS and Naish for providing us with a look at the 2012 gear. Warwick and Brendan and helpers did a great job of setting up and talking to us about the latest gear and giving us a crack on it. Pity that Naish awning had to go back.
It looked real good in the back of Drift's Van.
Big thanks to Dan and Simon for their time on the water with the beginners. We saw four kids and two adults give it a go and within a short time we had them up and going and turning around. Ian and Cara our BBQ master chefs cooked up a storm - well done and thanks to Mick for his mastery with the camera.
We saw 30 plus people rock up, despite the lack of wind, who were all out for a ball - it was great to see you and my apologies if I did not get around to you all and say hello.
To the advanced beginners that rocked up but we could not do much with you due to lack of wind we will squeeze you into the next clinic on Intermediates where there will be plenty of wind to get those beach starts happening.
In the morning with the lack of wind and a trailer load of SUP's the Inlet was rocking with weird dudes standing up on boards with no sails racing around markers and the sand spit. It was great to see Natasha jump on a board and take to the water like a duck despite her previous shyness to getting wet. Special mention has to go to Natasha (and I guess Fireman Sam for bringing her along) for her catering prowess on the Saturday where offers of lunch and chocolate cake was given freely. Fireman perhaps we could organise things a little better and put Natasha on a SUP so she could do on water delivery of said cake and Lattes thus not disrupting our sailing time too much
In the afternoon the wind picked up to 10 kts and Inlet was taken over by more normal craft that had sails - mind you it was longboard territory and when the longboards come out so do a few pirates
There where a few attempted dockings, boardings, walk the plank and general skull duggery going on to make it a fun afternoon. Pete and Dan had the Wally's out and as usual in these conditions left the short boards for dead. I can see a few sailors heading for Ebay checking these 30 year old wonders out.
Highlights for me was hearing a proud Dad tell the story of how his son could not sleep the night before and was up early watching "Beginner to Winner" DVD. Watch out Lozza - future world champion coming up.
Well done to all and we look forward to our next clinic with the Intermediates on the 20th November.
Some pics from the day
Subtle Product Placement!
Simon and Jono with some rigging tips
The Angling Club surrounded by boards
Dan gives Mat a few tips on how to sail better than his old man
Old Salty on the K-15
So Wooz, without trying to influence your decision, the question is will you let us keep the boards?
Oldie avoids the carnage
Mick and Doug have a quiet chat!
What a glorious weekend... Once again a big shout out to DanP for spending most of the day with the kids. My sons only stopped talking about it when they crashed in the back seat for the drive home ! Also thanks to Doug (and the suppliers) for their posters and the opportunity to try gear - including getting Mrs Fireman Sam on a SUP !
@OldSalty - Don't give her ideas ! Tash cooks VERY well - there's a reason I used to be 120kgs ! Best part of being married to a wog (said with all respect )
Thanks to all that came down to Inverloch yesterday.
It was great to catch up with the crew, and share some water time.
I trust everyone who jumped on a sup [ sail or not] enjoyed themselves.
Also thanks to Aidan from Naish as well as Naish stalwart , DJ, who provided many of you with info on the range.
Thanks again Dan ( BMC ) You were great with Matt so much so he is hassling me already to get him some gear. Great to see a new generation and yes I'm sure he wil be showing up his old man very soon. If he does a helitack before me though he can walk home
Fun, fun, fun. Definately need one of those SUPs for Mel.
Good to see Stevie Ray V. out keeping the beginners on their boards. 
Lesson Number 1:
All rules of the sea apply to everyone except Old Salty, who is allowed to charge down the innocent like a supertanker to a pond yacht!
I promise next time Old Salty commandeer's the Starboard Supertanker, I'll remember to bring the centrefin. Adrian"the pasty pom", just strolled back into RPS this arvo direct from the UK, he'll know where the fin is. Afterall, the K15 is/was his ride!
!
Hey Dougie,
I never knew you could sail a canoe!!
Next time tell me when that goes out. I'll bring my fishing gear and sail / paddle out and catch us lunch
The K15 is pretty amazing. As Warwick said it was missing its centreboard so something that is 15 ft long and only a 30cm fin definitely had a lot of sideways moment When I got it going in a straight line it was amazingly quick - quicker than the Wallies IMHO but I could never get lined up with Dan or Pete to test the theory out. And doubles as a fishing charter Echunda
