Guyz & Galz I'm worn out with the whole GTC thing. I've become an even more Grumpy Old Man than I already am.
I'd like someone to either replace me and help Ben out, or if Ben wants out too, to take over the whole thing.
Now is your chance! Who wants to take over? Dont whinge if you don't like who takes over, take responsibility and do something about it now!
Special Mentions:
Ben for the incredible work on the technical side of things!
Paul & Annie from Hydrodynamix who have always acted with Integrity!
Sausage who actually took time out of his busy life to do administration work for me throughout the year!
To my true friends, you know who you are ....... always there for me!
And, To all those who were positive throughout and offered encouragement and support!
The GTC stands on its own now, it doesn't need me anymore, it can prosper for what it is.
I will finish off bits and pieces such as sorting out sponsorship issues from 2011 &2012, and giving out some prizes. I will be travelling to SA & Vic and will give away some of the toys that come my way.
There is an attractive offer from Shark Bay for 2013 sponsorship, but need someone else to run with it now. Or Find ways to get multiple sponsorships?? Or get rid of the whole sponsorship thing altoegther.
A fine innings Hardie - you can take off your helmet and leave the field with your head held high. You and Ben have breathed new life into our sport!
Idea: Would it be possible for Captains to run it as a committee?
It should spread the load a fair bit as they do sfa now, most don't even check tracks any more 
Maybe some of the Aussie captains could do it with a majority rules approach.
Also with regular changing of captains you could get fresh blood coming through which might be good for the teams as well as the Challenge.
The individual captains in each state should have closer relationships with shops etc to arrange sponsorship & prizes.
Just a couple of ideas off the top of my head.
Flame Suit on 
Big mobs of thanks Hardz, I've made so many good friends since you and Ben started GTC.
I've done a fair bit of pondering since Lyn (FNQM) sadly passed away, I believe GTC had enriched her life with so many new friends, I'm truly grateful for that, thank you.
Hardie,
It'll always be your's and Ben's baby even though you want to hand the baton on. As Peter mentioned, the GPSTC has revitalised the sport and will continue for as long as going fast is part of the human psyche.
I think Paul's idea has merit to have team captains or a delegated team members run it as a committee.
Also since Lyn was a GPSTC Legend maybe the overall winner in the legend division each year is awarded the Lyn Halloran Memorial Trophy - just a thought.
PS - Thanks for the acknowledgment and I'm more than happy to assist when and where required.
PPS - I've been told I can do grumpy pretty well too you know 
Thanks Hardie the GPS Team Challenge got me back into Sailing after 20years off.
I would like to expand on the suggestions
A Committee of 7people. 1 from each state & 2 extra (allows for specific expertise personnel)
Each State rep could be anyone from any team. Just the best volunteer for the job too many people make coordination too hard, too little too much work not enough spread of expertise. With Email Skype etc. management should be achievable. Don't make a state rep compulsory if a state can't fill a seat then open it up better have keen members that dead wood.
The new Committee could work on the Sponsorship, Prizes and or Hall of fame, Web enhancements ……
Any changes could be voted on with a poll type of arrangement if needed I am sure a well elected Committee would look after the Hardie's baby
I am willing to offer my help if needed.
Idea to help Ben out:
Captains being able to deal with their Team Problems.
eg:
1)Login in Problems, ( Being able to reset Team Sailors passwords )
2)Being able to Delete Sailors Profiles. ( some people have 2 profiles in teams because they have register twice.)
3) Move sailors to another Team if they wish to join or start another Team.
Plus have a Vice Captains in each Team.
To help Captains out if Captains are on Hoildays, Sick, Computer crashes, Working or other reason they are not available to do their duties.
I like YP1 idea of the Committee of 7 people from each State.
People who are involved in Windsurfing Shops & sales, would be ideal for that job.
Perhaps an association structure, to preserve the independence from any one commercial entity. There are several windsurf clubs already in play, of which 1 or more may want to get involved. So, maybe try the clubs as a first step?
All great ideas so far!!
As I need to let go, I wont have input into the ideas, but I will just stay on for a while to finish the sponsorship bitz that needz finalizing.
I geuss we need to hear from Ben, and what his intentions are? As to what exactly will be rquired????????
But keep the ideas coming.
Hardie, before we can come up with suggestions to replace you, it would be good to know everything that needs to be done.
Could you please enlighten us?
You and Ben are listed as the owners of the GTC, I hope that isn't going to change, and you just want to distance yourself from the day to day responsibility?
It would be good if you two retained overall authority in case of any major conflict!
For me, one of the great attributes of the GTC is it's informality and the lack of structure.
I don't think the GTC needs to be "run" any more than it is at the moment.
I like the previous suggestion of virtual trophies and medals.
When Hardie retires that just leaves the cost of the website.
I've no idea if the sponsorships cover this expense, but if not, organising merchandise maybe the only extra work involved.
Maybe we need a disputes resolution committee as well, as mentioned before a group of team captains, not including those involved in the disputes?
Although I disagreed with Marauders about shops, I liked the rest of his suggestions. Vice captains, with access to team data so that teams look after their own stuff, at the suggestion of the resolution committee?
I have a cynical distrust of bureaucracy, just an anarchist at heart I guess.
I've been neglecting this for too long, and could desperately use some help in the day to day running of the site.
Basically I'm not all that interested in the speed aspect of windsurfing, but I am interested in websites. I'm more than happy to continue doong the technical side of things, but am not doing the organisational side of things justice.
So really what we need is a committee to decide things like:
* Who will sponsor the site
* Who will organise prizes
* Answer the odd support email
* Move people between teams if required.
* Ask me to sort out any technical issues that may arise.
The idea of one per state is a good one.
It's really not that big a job, maybe half an hour a week if that. And you would be helping out the site you love 
So who's in?
Great, thanks Decrepit, so that's WA sorted.
Also had some generous offers from NSW and Vic. Anyone else from SA or Qld willing to help out?
Happy to help however I can but do we really need prizes?
How about the last winning team is responsible for organising for the next if everyone really wants prizes.
Most people that I have spoken to are not in it for medals, cups etc as only a few teams are ever going to get there.
I agree Mark, if anybody really wants prizes, they're obviously the ones to organise them.
If Nebs agrees I think a virtual gallery is the way to go.
Only really needs to be a list of honour to keep it simple.
Another question I have is what about the Internationals?
Lets keep the committee Aussie for now, if the committee want to then allow internationals then that's up to them :-)
Nebs,
Happy to help out with anything web related.
Gpsteamchallenge has done so much for me it is only fair to give a bit back.
Pm me with anything you need done
Mick
