Windfest 2016

Windfest news posted in the general section...including today's Local News Video!!

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/General/Windfest-2016/

Hi grich62, it is okay to turn up and register on the day, come along you will have a ball

More great news with Jesper @ Vector Fins Australia getting behind the event also!

you could win an awesome go fast fin from Vector simply by attending, all prizes are lucky Random Draw.

You could also win a 'CLIP' harness lines these are a radically different solution to the mucking around of having to pull apart your boom when changing lines,
learn more about them here www.clipharnessline.com/

Edit to the above limit for safety and permit is 55, last count was 48 already registered, if you or your mates haven't done so, time to get on line and register is now!

Hi All,

Windfest is locked and loaded, record crowd, more prizes more activities than ever, now we just need some wind!

Couple of house keeping items to do:

1. you should have received an email from Windwanderes recently asking to do 'register on line' this is your registration form that needs to be completed, different document to your entry fee, so if everyone could do that asap that would be great.

Safety.
Unprecedented safety plans and resources have been implemented this year, with record numbers we ant to keep everyone safe, we ask competitors to help out with this with the following, if you haven't sailed Burrum before its Km's from start to end points, so could be a while before help arrives.

1. PFD , non negotiable, no floatie, no sail!

2. spare 4m tow rope, on person/board when sailing

3. spare equipment rope on board

4. WATER either have a water pac whilst sailing on bring some water down to the bank whilst sailing, you can be away for hours at a time at Burrum and its sure to be hot, very easy to dehydrate, we will have waters back at HQ also.

5. Sunscreen, as above, even if cloudy or wet

6. Booties, there are some sharpies tucked away in the sand flats, not a bad idea to use them at least whilst carrying your gear

7. Pea less whistle on person/pfd...really helpful if we are trying to find you out at sea!

8. give all your a gear a good check over before arriving, check uni's, ropes, cleats, harness lines etc.

9. Follow the event manager and safety officers briefing each day, to be up to date on local conditions.

10. Have fun and keep it real!

can you tel me if a inflatable pfd is ok can not sail with life vest or jet ski vest as im to big

bring both just in case event safety manager will check what's the best option, the PFD is the non negotiable item on the list, the others just practical really, you can get sunstroke/dehydrated and feet cut to pieces if you wish.

As mentioned you can get a long way from home, depends on where you are we can be talking kilometres! So it can be hard to see anyone floating about out the back, could be a while before you are reached, nice if you can kick back with something to float you and enjoy the serenity!

If you don't like the whistle you can bring a flute or clarinet if you like, so long as its in tune we don't really mind!

I don't understand why a inflatable vest is not allowed, they often comply to higher standards than most of the current vests I see sailors using.
I often use a manual operation inflatable vest and it is legal to use in the Brisbane to Gladstone which is Cat 2 requirements.
Certainly auto inflatable would not work as the thing would inflate when you fell in... but a inflatable has far more buoyancy once inflated and would hold one's head clear above water when a vest would not?
I'm just a little confused..

@Darkhorse, I imagine the issue would be that if you manage to knock yourself out or somehow become incapacitated, you won't be able to inflate the jacket. This is still an issue when yacht racing but most guys on boats will use a self inflating type as the plan is not to end up in the water. I don't know about Windfest but I'd be thinking that a foam pfd would simply be an insurance requirement for the event and it actually makes a great deal of sense to me.

Sorry to hear Greg that makes the Townsville contingent very small!

A foam jacket would not save you if you were knocked out either as they are more likely to turn you face down. A majority of sailors on Multi's in B2G actually have manual operated PFD's as Auto inflate are likely to go off when copping waves over you. I have however noticed in the Yachting Aus reg's that inflateable PFD's are not allowed on dinghy's or sailboards. Still seems strange as I would far prefer a Inflatable PFD over a vest if in the water for too long.. Rules are rules I guess.