The inaugural jetty to jetty Freerace event, sponsored by Surf Connect is on this month.
1st Windy Sunday, check the poster for times to suit the tides.
It's approximately a 6k blast each way, and if the wind is right pretty much a straight reach there and back.
This is the final event of the Freerace Series this summer, results on the day will have a big impact on final positions of the series.
More importantly , Last Chance to win great prizes from, Severne, Starboard, Flying Objects, Black project.
Simply by entering the race you get a chance to be in the random draw after the race.
NOR and race confirmation will be based on forecast and left as late as possible, to ensure best chance of wind on the day.
Updates on Face Book, Here and SMS for those registered.
If you don't have a GPS you can still enter and battle out for bragging rights (and enter prize draw) for line honours/position.
It's also a great location for family/friends etc, with parks, shade, pool, café and heaps of parking
Sorry guys, forecast not favourable for this Sunday , eyes towards next Sunday 19th 2pm, enjoy today's wind!
Sadly a pretty ordinary forecast for wind this weekend, No Freerace this Sunday
Hopefully Third time lucky, fingers crossed for Sunday 26th.
Perhaps somebody could sell/burn/trash some kit next week to make the sacrifice that clearly the wind gods require!
We are on 'alert' for this Sunday, Surf Connect Jetty to Jetty Freerace, with some decent chances of a SW blow, simply the reverse wind direction, may start a bit earlier (1.00pm) to get a lower tide (closer to the wind line) and better wind...wind be will get more consistent and stronger further on the run you go.
Needs to a good forecast plenty of wind to make it work...being an offshore direction should make for a flat fast run.
Just a reminder this is the last Race of the season, its a 'destination race' so first over the line etc, hopefully might attract a bunch of freesailors that don't own GPS units.
Also last chance to enter into the prize draw from Black Project Find, Flying Objects, Severne and Starboard.
Winds be fickle at this time of year so will update later in the week.
Still looking really good for Sunday Jetty to Jetty, Sandgate
Will post updates on Friday, with confirmed start time also, (around 12.00-1.00 most likely , with Mid tide ) W/SW very fluky winds so we will update again based on latest Friday BOM forecasts.
Fingers and toes crossed, Its On! 12.00 Sign on, race 1.00 /1.30, good winds still forecasted, no more updates unless a complete change of wind forecast in the next 24hrs.
Mid tide a bit of walk out but that ensures we start in better wind and also make the most of the wind which is forecasted to back of late in the afternoon, which is pretty typical of a W/SW.
Pdf's are a MUST for this event being open water, GPS are optional, would be great to have a heap of people with them as we can later load the files into the computer and it should look great on the computer replay, but essentially its a first there and back race, position/points/class all being calculated into the FR points table.
Great opportunity to simply drag race your mates there and back for bragging/beer rights!
It will be a spectacular sight if we can get a big bunch of sailors doing the race, Media releases are out so hopefully maybe some local press also bring your mates its all set to be a fun sail the more the better, rave your mates for a CTN.
The winds are offshore, so it's kind of like Qld's mini version of the Defi wind! Haha! please check your gear and safety systems.
There will be an IRB at the Woody Point end with a marker buoy, when they pull that Buoy up at around 1Hr after start, they will come back on a sweep to pick up and stragglers or broken gear sailors, if need be.
Padi at SurfConnect is putting on a Sausage Sizzle in the park afterwards also and the End of Season Prize draw so hang around, with prizes from STARBOARD, SEVERNE, FLYING OBJECTS, BLACK PROJECT.
For non windsurfers its a lovely spot also, park, pool, paths, café etc..so good spot to bring the tribe.
Lets make this one a big one, support the sponsors, organisers and the sport, before we all settle in to the SE Qld no wind winter pattern.
Enter on the day or preferably on line before hand via the Windwanderers Website.
Handy also if we could get an idea of numbers for Padi's catering/planning on the day also...simple 'like' or 'attend' on the FB site will help, thanks.
I made a video of my run on the day. It's a bit long sorry but gives you a good idea on the conditions. Please select 720HD in the settings otherwise it looks crappy.
Cheers
Marty