heres my tip put down your name as lleyton hewitt on your application, youll get a wild card entry
A number of participants are enquiring about what type of PFD (Personal Flotation Device) needs to be worn.
Any type of PFD i.e., type 1, 2, or 3 can be worn for L2L -it's really down to the individual as to fashionability; colour; comfort and style....
In case anyone wants to know more, try this link for details as to the different types available: http://www.bia.org.au/pdf-forms/Lifejackets.pdf
As it is an organised offshore event with insurance in place I doubt any of the kite specific impact vests are Australian standard approved as a "PFD" type 1, 2 or 3 to use in the event.
correct me if i'm wrong, but for insurance reasons, that far offshore, the correct pfd must be used, colour and fashion don't come into it, if something does go wrong you can be sure the insurance company will try to find a reason not to pay out !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i'm a member of the Power Dingy Racing Club, we only race on rivers but pdf 3's are not allowed, it might be wise for waksa to check the small print on the policy.
The PL insurance policy makes no reference to PFD's (of any type) being a requirement for kite surfing (as an individual) or for kite surfing events organised by state Associations.
But is this going to keep the Department of Transport/Marine and Harbours Inspectors happy?
The minimum for a 'vessel' between Rotto and the mainland is a bilge pump, fire extinguisher, anchor, life jackets (type 1) and 2 red/2 smoke flares.
Allowing for a bit of common sense I'm guessing the minimum you could get away with on a kite is a type 1 life jacket and the flares??? will the PL insurance payout on a claim if competitors are not wearing minimum legal safety equipment and it contributes to a loss or liability?
The other L2L requires, " Safety - During marathons all competitors must carry 2 flares and shall be required to wear an ASA 1499,2350 or ASA Type 1 or 2. Internationally stamped equivalents may be accepted at the discretion of the race director. If flares are out of date but are in very good condition they may be accepted at the discretion of the officer of the day. All competitors shall carry, securely attached to their buoyancy vests; two orange or red smoke flares. Competitors without proper safety equipment will not be allowed to compete."
The PFD requirements are a marine requirement (the race has to comply with),
www.transport.wa.gov.au/imarine/19166.asp
The Neil Pryde vests are quite popular as your harness hook can go through them to stop the riding up and strangling you.
www.neilpryde.com/accessories/vests/vest.html
The first one on the page is the main one used
Hope this helps
Select to expand quoteChris6791 said...
But is this going to keep the Department of Transport/Marine and Harbours Inspectors happy?
The minimum for a 'vessel' between Rotto and the mainland is a bilge pump, fire extinguisher, anchor, life jackets (type 1) and 2 red/2 smoke flares.
DoT has given approval for the event; & pursuant to the Navigable Waters Regulations, kites/kitesurfing is not (at this point in time) classified under those Regulations as a 'vessel'. Regardless of this, one flare is provided for each participant in L2L.
Hey..
Seriously now, is the course cross wind, or slightly up/down if its the DR. blowing?
can you see the finish mark - building behind from the start?
i.e. need to point into the wind or head down??
how did people go around vessels last year? - anchored - down wind? or tryed to pass up? do the real ships affect the wind much? will they be opperating at time of race?
cheers Drew
Has anybody recieved an e-mail from Red Bull confirming that they got a spot .
I know the nonstarters got one .
hey guys ,
Don't have a race board or speed board so what would be the best option?
Twintip 139 or surfboard 5.9'??
cheers
Oops 
, found the e-mail
I had been away and my wife had cleaned out the inbox and didn't recognize Yellow Jersey and thought it was spam .
Happy now , all we need is wind so I can try out the board to see what it will actually do .
, found the e-mail 
Which board ..... this board ....... that board ...... dont bother entering unless you have a serious race board ...... blah blah blah.
Time to think outside the square.
Your fancy new course racer just isnt going to cut it. They are built to win the upwind legs.
Your regular - even low wind - TT isnt going to cut it. They just arent built for either ocean swell or speed if its any sort of chop.
Surf boards ??? some may match conditions OK but if they perform on waves then they too arent the G-O for carving thru swell & slop on a broad reach.
Heres what Im working on.
I was going to keep it as secret as the winged keel but I dont want an unfair advantage so Im putting the secret out there.
Years of development; untold hours of tuning to local conditions and now just the finishing touches to fine tune the whole concept.
I'll even post pics of the finished article - when its fully race readied.
Its the KKS L2L CUSTOM - frothing 
what type of boats are being used for rescue and support ( what ratio is being used )
what type i qualifications to the skippers have.?
