This is the final recommendation, based on the will of the windsurfers of SA, for the awarding of SA National Champions. The other regional representatives have accepted the proposal, which I now present for the forthcoming season.

Recommendation for the Awarding of South African National Discipline Champions, the Overall National Champion, and the Structure of SA Windsurfing

Foreword

This is my recommendation for the awarding of SA Windsurfing National Champions. The recommendation follows a two month survey conducted in May and June 2008 through the following channels;

1. Personal conversations with various respected individuals.
2. The Stormchasers.org.za website online forum (7 replies, unknown views).
3. The WindsurfingAfrica.org website online forum (48 replies, 2100+ views).
4. Direct e-mail with riders from various regions (60+ e-mails).

The basic summary of the survey is that the riders want;

• recognition for their efforts
• quality events
• equal opportunity to compete for the national title
• interesting racing/competitions at new venues
• not to be knocked out in the 1^st round of eliminations because a number of pro-riders decided to attend the event
• but they want a greater turnout at events
• fresh/new riders entering the scene
• better party vibe

Demographic information on SA Windsurfers

*Source: Windsurfing Africa database, Julian Field national database, registered sail numbers

What also needs to be considered are the economic and geographic circumstances we are faced with in South Africa, namely;

• we live in a large country, with a very long coastline
• the suitability of the conditions from region to region and what time of the year they work best
• rising fuel costs
• rising equipment costs
• the number and level of the average SA windsurfer
• the ‘hotspots’ and number of foreigners/pro-riders in SA

With this in mind, and looking to what has worked in other countries and organisations, this is my recommendation.

The Recommendation

An SA National Champion will be determined for each discipline, and, an overall SA National Champion, based on the following criteria.

1. The disciplines for the 2008/2009 season will be as follows
   1. Youth
   2. Wave
   3. Freestyle
   4. Super Cross
   5. Speed
   6. Racing (slalom and formula)

2. The country will be divided into four regions, with corresponding code designations;
   1. Inland – GP
   2. KwaZulu/Natal – KZN
   3. Eastern Cape – EC
   4. Western Cape – WC

3. Eligibility
   1. Any rider living/working in SA is eligible to compete in the events sanctioned under this recommendation.
   2. However, riders may only compete if they have a registered SA sail number with the national body.

4. Sail Numbers
   1. SA sail numbers are issued by Julian Field
   2. There is no fee for registering a sail number
   3. The rider must supply the relevant contact information and be added to the national database

5. The Windsurf Calendar Period
   1. Currently the only windsurfing calendar period specified is that of the GPS Speed League – 1 May to 30 April.
   2. I recommend sticking with the GPS calendar year… April is a good time of the year to host and present a national champ awards ceremony/party.

6. Regional and National Events
   1. Each region may host a maximum of three sanctioned events per discipline.
   2. In each region, one event per discipline may be classified as a National event, should the requirements be met (outlined below).
   3. The remaining two sanctioned events will be classified as Regional events.

7. Points and Classification of National events
   1. A National event carries more points for equivalent finishing positions (2100 pts for 1^st).
   2. A National event must have a minimum of 15 paid and registered riders.
   3. The event must be planned as a multi-day event on consecutive days.
   4. However, should only one day’s racing be possible, the event will not be demoted to a Regional event.

8. Points and Classification of Regional events
   1. A Regional event carries fewer points for equivalent finishing positions (1638 pts for 1^st).
   2. 1^st place at a Regional event is equivalent in points to 15^th place at a National event – this is to encourage riders to make the effort to travel to an event.
   3. A Regional event must have a minimum of 10 paid and registered riders.
   4. The event may take place on a single day or over several non-consecutive days.

9. Determination of an SA Discipline National Champion
   1. Each race/heat is scored as so in the past; i.e. Using the PWA scoring system (PWA Part 1 – General Rules, sec. 1.13) or equivalently, the ISAF Alternative Points Scoring System for windsurfers (ISAF RRS 2005 – 2008, Appendix B8.3)
   2. Normal discard rules apply in determining the final ladder at each event (ISAF RRS 2005 – 2008, Appendix B8.2).
   3. For each event, riders are awarded points according to their final finishing position.
   4. The points awarded are based on the Ranking Scoring System used by PWA (Part 1 – General Rules, sec. 1.15). i.e. 2100 pts for 1^st place in a National event and 1638 pts for 1^st place in a Regional event.
   5. A riders’ ranking within a national discipline ladder will be determined by his/her points from their top three sanctioned events.
   6. Any sanctioned event in SA may be considered in their point’s calculation for the relevant discipline.
   7. At the end of the season, the rider in each discipline with the most points is that disciplines SA National Champion.

10. Determination of the SA Overall National Champion
    1. A riders’ overall national ranking will be determined by his/her top three points scoring disciplines.
    2. At the end of the season, the rider with the most points is the overall SA National Champion.

Proposed Sanctioned Events

...see Events Page

The events listed are the only ones that have been communicated to me in my efforts. Clearly the Western Cape has the bulk of the events known too me, but I would strongly encourage organisers in the other regions, to host events at a level that could be sanctioned under these recommendations for the benefit of their riders. If there are any other events that should be considered for this proposal, please e-mail me with the relevant information.

Comments on the Recommendation

1. I feel this strategy gives each region an equal opportunity to host the minimum number of events that enable them to compete for a discipline national title and overall national title.
2. It places restriction on the minimum size and duration of an event to ensure a group of riders in one region, who might never compete against riders from another region, are still competing in events at a similar rider level.
3. However, it does allow committed riders the opportunity to score more points should they make the effort to travel to National events in other regions.
4. It creates a youth category that will recognise the efforts made in any region and hopefully stimulate growth in that area.
5. It prevents numerous foreign pro-riders from dominating the standings, but enables those who are contributing to the industry throughout the year to raise the level of the competition.

Final Note

I think we are very short of information when it comes to understanding our industry. Although not explicitly stated, I think it is imperative that the riders register and support the websites. I think a single website representing the official link between the SA windsurfing national body and SA windsurfers would be ideal. But as long as there is good communication between the regions and the event organisers, there is no reason why they all can’t exist and continue to serve the people of that region.