The Zu downwinder is scheduled on the WV website for this weekend - does it look like happening? Maybe Sun based on long range forecast?
I have to come up to Melbourne with the missus for the weekend and am wondering if i sneak my gear in
. Havent sailed on the bay for about 2 years so pretty keen if it looks like happening!!
Hey DanP
We are in the middle of organising this Race. However there are quite a few safety concerns and logistics we have to deal with. Unfortunately we won't be able to run it this coming weekend. We will post a pre-register entry form on Seabreeze tomorrow and announce a new date.
Maybe we should go for a trial run this weekend? Come and see us if you want to borrow some gear!
Cheers,
The ZU Crew
OK Paul, have my crew ready and pumped about the trial run.
Doing some morning shuffling with the cars, but should be good.
What time you thinking to launch at Ricketts Sunday?
Who else is going?
Yep - so Jez, James, Stuart and myself are all good for it. Wind pending of course.... might teletubby mount my GoPro so I can get a few pics of everyone involved..... will just look back over my shoulder :D
I'm about 90% certain starter! Just need to finalise times with where my other half needs to be... and pending wind.
Will squeeze my gear in, thanks for the offer of demo gear Paul though.
Hey Dan,
I'll be around Elwood scooting about on a jetski, If I see you I'll come over and say G'day
It would be good to get some decent numbers for this ad-hoc downwinder trial. Get a Delfi Wind vibe going!
Just doing some very rough calculations. Its 9km's from Ricketts to the Zu (direct line). Depending on direction, but if SW and with minimal tacks (and I'm probably massively under estimating on that) it's at least 26km's. But hey, I'm keen! 
Edit - 14km direct line to the Zu. So further than first calculated.
Pretty damn excited about this!
I'll make a suitable sacrifice to the wind gods tonight and hope for a result 
Whoever can, bring a phone in a waterproof puch. If you wash up somewhere call the Zu and tell them where you are. When the first of us get there we will check in at the Zu and see if anyone needs picking up along the way.
I am getting excited about this!
Evan i guess it will depend how broad people want to go
Just over 17km's this way...
So averaging 25kts on 1 reach will put people there in roughly 22mins if my calculations are correct, so for me averaging 30
... haha.
Reckon you'd need to throw a few gybes in though to stop any cramps etc.
I am giving myself about one and a half hours.
Plane...plane...plane...fall...waterstart... plane... plane... plane...fall... waterstart... plane.. plane... etc... It will add another 45 minutes onto my time.
have to check my equipment for dodgy UJ tendon just in case and make sure that all my haul lines are ok. maybe pocket a spare for good measure.
My downhaul rope broke last weekend so its making me more nervous about these things.
Long distance on one tack..... the last breakwater to beacon on one tack was interesting..... can't imagine 26+ km....
Interesting...........
On the bay you will be looking at 20-25knots speeds. A peak of 30 is possible but it's a long way and you need to play it safe.
We were doing bonno to rickets to seafood and back runs the other weekend.
Jerzy if you have a spare spot I might be in. But I might sail from home to rickets first. Will check weather in the morning.
I'm up for the trial run kids! (pending last minute Xmas craziness) 
Should be naaasty. Who can help with a return trip to Ricketts?
I've been keen on doing this for a while now - provided there's 17-18 knots I'd love to be involved. I've got a 106l and 7m, what's everyone else planning on sailing? (just wanted to get a sense of whether it's a tortoise and hare kind of thing).
I live in Port Melb so could park at Zu to ferry people back to Ricketts provided I can get my gear up to Ricketts when you drop a car down before we sail.
... haha.
Ok so My car is:
Me
James
Stu
Kurt
Dan
Steve the Prez
That means that there is a spot for you Bonominator if you want it?
Car Full
Andrew, I am meeting Kurt at St Kilda and he has a middle seat in hilux you might be able to get into and ther may be some space for your gear in the back too.
Kdog - Ok with you?
I am in. I guess I will need to give everyone a briefing on the rocks. Having sailed there since I was 8 I have hit about all of them.
Seriously though I will need to give everybody a good lecture on how to get off the beach at Ricketts North or you will be sacrificing a fin to the Reef Gods or worse.
Sounds like fun, who is driving me back
That'd be good thanks Martin. Been years since i've sailed there. I remember 2 markers showing the channel out but from memory there was a little island of rocks just inside that too. Would be good to have a refresher - dont want it to end before its started!!
Wind is looking goo for Sunday. But depends where you look. Anyone noted that Wind Guru grossly underplay the wind forecast? Seabreeze graphs have been pretty spot on recently, and I want to believe what they are saying (20-25).
Currently thinking that Launch be between 10 and 12 depending on forecast.
Thoughts? Please discuss...
Wow, that's a great response.
Looks like the first trial run will happen this Sunday !
We will make sure you guys get a appropriate reception with a cold beer and a hand on your shoulder when arriving at The ZU!
However please make sure you are safe at all times, this is a long distance !
The official pre-register page for the race is now up: http://www.thezu.com.au/stock
so sign up soon as there are limited spots available.
The ZU
Having had experience doing the Ledge to Lancelin here's some tips to consider
Remember being responsible for your own safety 1st up is paramount, and also allows you to help others and vice/versa...
Wear a PFD, Have 2 handheld flares, 1 smoke, 1 rocket see LOC website for exact details. Attach to PFD straps with electrical tape, ends doubled over so you can easily untape/remove. They are no good if attached to your rig and you become separated for what ever reason.
Be familiar with self rescue, don't store your downhaul inside your mastbase, this is so you don't have to unplug your rig to let off the downhaul. It helps keep things together longer if you have to de-rig for a boat rescue or broken mast etc.
Try rolling up a fully drenched rig in rolling seas whilst keeping yourself and gear together, it can be done if you have a plan and or practice.
When in distress stay with your gear, especially your board if you decide to ditch the rig.
Get a Paqua to store your mob, they allow you to operate touch screens thru clear window so you can at least text.
Have race controllers etc mobile number to sign off as soon as you make land if you decide to pull out part way thru. And sign off at finish if you make it.
Familiarize with your destination it can look different from the sea.
Get use to sailing off the wind which requires a larger sail and slight adjustment of harness lines.
Suggest a 3pm start for best wind.
Enjoy
Xmas duties......
