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snailman
Posts:35
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| 19/05/2008 2:09 PM |
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The WC windsurf calendar is coming together and top of the agenda is the Nationals. We want to incorporate all four major dicsplines if possible, namely; Formula, Slalom, Speed, Wave. We also want to make sure everyone is well informed this time about what is going on. But, before we go any further, we want to give the riders/clubs from the other provinces the opportunity to host the event.
If you have the capacity and desire to do so, now is the time to come forward.
Should the event stay in the WC, the dates thus far are Mon 17 Nov to Fri 21 Nov 2008. The guys from upcoutry have the weekends to travel and 5 days will give us a good chance of getting in all the racing.
All comments welcome. |
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Forward Loop
Posts:28
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| 21/05/2008 1:30 PM |
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My 2 cents worth is that it should stay in CT, and at the same time every year. I totally understand that this sucks for the everyone else not in the CT area, but there some reasoning behind this crazy talk of mine.
In terms of a venue for the Nationals, CT is fortunate to have various spots, all close by, to suit all 4 disciplines. Venues such as MAC, Zeekoevlei, Langebaan for slalom and formula and speed. Then there are countless surf spots for any swell and wind conditions, for the wave discipline. Most of these spots are within an hour drive (maybe 1.5hrs depending on the amount of kit on the roof).
I believe that setting a standard time of the year for the Nationals will also be beneficial, as then everyone knows when it is. Say for instance, its set for the 2nd last week of November every year, with the weekends allowed for travelling, soul sailing, strip clubs whatever; then everyone knows when to put in leave, book accommodation, travel arrangements etc. This also makes planning the event a lot easier and hopefully means sponsorship would be easier to find, rather than at late notice. This time of the year in CT is usually windy (unless Al Gore's predictions are correct?!), nevermind the fact that the euro's are all arriving round this time.
On that note, I believe that the foreigners should be allowed to compete in the Nationas (no xenophobia allowed in windsurfing, no matter how many times they gybe onto your wave) to boost the number of entrants. Of course they're wouldn't be crowned the National Champ, but would be able to win that discipline or something along those lines. My thinking, is that we need to be increase the number of entrants in any event in order to promote the sport, attract sponsorship, and try get more media coverage. Ultimately, maybe even a PWA event here again as we do have one of the best country's in the world for windsurfing (I think).
At the end of the day whatever the outcome is of the nationals it must be in the best interest of growing this beautiful sport, so that others may see, feel and experience, what it is that we all already know.
Good winds, smooth water and nice swell, to the lot of you. |
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Chris G
Posts:6
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| 22/05/2008 10:46 AM |
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This mail is in support of Mr Loop's thoughts. I like the idea of including the Euro's in our events. It would swell the numbers and bring fresh blood into the mix. It occurred to me that if the Euro's did not come here each summer we probably would not even have windsurfing shops to buy our kit from. Fortunately I live in CT, so I do like the idea of having this event in CT each year. We are blessed with strong winds and a wide variety of venues. Lucky me.
So that's my 2 cents worth, I would however upgrade the value of Mr Loop's thoughts to 2 rand.
Cheers. |
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GILBERT
Posts:15
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| 23/05/2008 12:03 PM |
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Hi guys, my 3 cents worth. I like the idea of fixing the dates etc. but i think the exact timing should be around getting most people to the event in the form of SA sailors and spectators. November is kinda at the start of our season and as such guys are still waiting for new kit or getting back into it and setting up their gear. i think the event should rather be later in the season when everyone is performing at their best! Most european sailors come to Cape Town in jan/feb too.
I like the idea of having different diciplines but i think there should be freestyle. The PWA has Wave, Freestyle and Slalom. i think speed should be left out, the speed sailors can use their skills in the slalom racing. Freestyle is the form of windsurfing which has the greatest support and interest from youngsters around the world. It is easy to have this part of the event at MAC. There are guys here in SA like Charl and Theo van Tonder, Matthias, Maria etc which should be recognised for their abilities and so draw more youngsters into windsurfing-
I hope the event happens and i hope we get more than 3 weeks notice so i can see guys like Ryan Vogt, Andrew Hazell, Dave Wyatt etc in the wave contest mixing it up a bit this time- |
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bigairdave
Posts:49
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| 23/05/2008 4:17 PM |
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Hi,
I've been following this thread, and trying to keep out of it, but thought i'd throw in my "personal" thoughts from another province.
It prob has to be held in CT, if there are ppl there prepared to organise it. It would be nice to have it in PE, or rotated, but realistically i don't know of anyone prepared to organise from this area. Anyone out there putting their hands up, or actually checking this site, from the E.Cape. ?
The organisers, using some degree of intelligence, need to decide on the best time, based on the conditions, venue, holidays, etc. The dates could probably shift every year, as long as there are many months notice for family/work/leave planning, etc.
Personally, i've spent quite a bit of time sailing in CT this summer, on business-trip weekends/evenings, but still consider myself a kook on port tack. And it's great making up numbers, but not fun when you know you should be more competitive (Done it before, for the KZN compo in 2005). So, if it's in the Dec holiday/shutdown period, then i'd probably make the trip, but wouldn't take/use a weeks leave to compete on the wrong-tack, in one discipline. Just my thoughts, from the the non-self-employed working class.
Maybe we try put together a local compo again, for the starboard-tack oukies, and try keep the interest alive down here, cos i don't foresee more than a handful of dedicated windsurf travellers.
Looks like a cold front will eventually arrive next weekend. |
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marialyness
Posts:4
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| 25/05/2008 1:17 AM |
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| Yesss, freestyle please :-) |
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Jaco
Posts:134
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| 25/05/2008 2:38 PM |
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Gilbert, I think Jan/feb isn't such a good idea, yes it's got the most wind and euro's around but I think that it will make it hard for 'locals from upcountry' to join, taking leave so close(after) to dec holidays will be hard and limit it to the CT sailors and euro's, and yes the guys will all be tuned on their '09 kit, and back 'in it' but the rest of the guys will still be sailing '05 kit and just about as tuned in as inland sailors or P.E wavesailors will ever be for slalom.
The event should be about fun, if you make it too serious it will scare away alot of newbies and youngsters, that's the other problem if you want young people to take part you'll need to keep the comp in the holidays.
Bigairdave, competing on the wrong tack will be a good learning experience, trust me both my tacks are wrong!! I only see waves once a year!! And you can't just compete in the waves, in CT wave kit can go a long way in slalom ask Guy Gribb.
My worthless opinion, |
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snailman
Posts:35
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| 26/05/2008 3:05 PM |
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I think there are two MAJOR issues here that need to be addressed. Personally I would like to see all the disciplines; Wave, Slalom, Speed, Formula, Freestyle, and even SuperCross if u guys want it.... It would be a real festival of windsurfing, and, I'm confident we could pull off such an event if we drop some of the smaller ones. Then everyone 'should' be happy.
BUT, 5 days is obviously not enough time to host so many disciplines. We obviously have to find a balance between the disciplines wanted and the amount of time riders are willing to 'give up' for windsurfing.
The time of the year is also a concern... some guys obviously would include windsurfing into their family holiday, and others, not.
I'm happy to 'give up' all my time (and holiday) for windsurfing, but then I don't have a family. So, in the interests of finding a balanced solution that accommodates the majority, I suggest a referendum on these issues.
We can hold it right here for everyone to see. There have been more than 250 views of this thread in 1 week... so I'm sure the majority of concerned people will have the opportunity to vote. As no other nominations have been made for hosting the event, I will assume, thus far, that no one else wants to. And if it doesn't work, we can just go back to our old ways.
I will go first. Just reply with your;
1) 1st choice month for the event
2) max event duration (including travelling)
3) disciplines u would participate in
We will run voting for 3 weeks from today. No complaints if u don't vote and don't like the result! |
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snailman
Posts:35
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| 26/05/2008 3:08 PM |
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January
14 days
Wave, Super Cross, Speed, Slalom, Freestyle, Formula |
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Jaco
Posts:134
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| 26/05/2008 5:58 PM |
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Dec
10days
wave,slalom. I'll give super-x and speed a go 2. |
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Liz
Posts:23
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| 26/05/2008 6:31 PM |
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Nov (minimal euros, max wave likelihood)
9 days (2 weekends either side of 1 week)
Wave x2 (Dble Elimination?)
Slalom x2
Super-X
My 2 cents worth:
Formula: few people have the kit, and its like watching paint dry. Could be used as a backup for slalom if no wind.
Freestyle. Nice idea, but if the Euros are in, who is going to be an adequate judge?
Can also be done in the waves, especially if flat.
I think its important that this is the Nationals, and definitely should be trying to get as many local guys involved, hence Super-X would be a great addition to the line-up. Otherwise it'll be a logistical nightmare if you end up with 5+ disciplines.
Dave: sour grapes ;) |
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GILBERT
Posts:15
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| 26/05/2008 8:19 PM |
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1- Jan
2 - 14 days
3- wave freestyle superx slalom |
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Eugene
Posts:54
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| 27/05/2008 10:33 AM |
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It would be unfortunate if the Nationals where held in CT each year at the same time as some ppl like myself will then never be able to go due to work.
I definetly think you need to seperate wave and freestyle from the racing events due to time constraints. It is naive to think that ppl will be able to take 10 days leave to go to windsurfing, most sailors have family etc.
Maybe what we need is a wave/freestyle series in CT, PE and Durbs?
Anyway, this is all a rather mute point and a waste of time as the last time I checked we had no national windsurfing body therefore no one can claim to host a national event or claim to be a national champion!
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Eugene
Posts:54
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| 27/05/2008 10:37 AM |
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| Who the hell is Snailman anyway??? |
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Forward Loop
Posts:28
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| 27/05/2008 10:43 AM |
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Everything has to start somewhere Eugene, so lets give it a chance.
1. End of November
2. 9 days (wkends for travelling, registration on first Sunday evening, prize giving on Friday, with Saturday as a standby day)
3. Wave, Slalom, Super-X and freestyle |
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Eugene
Posts:54
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| 27/05/2008 10:46 AM |
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Cant you okes use your real names, after all, this is a windsurfing site, not some porn chat site where you need to be anon???
Hey Dave, arent you impressed I kept it clean!!!!! |
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snailman
Posts:35
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| 27/05/2008 10:56 AM |
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My appologies on that one.... snailman aka Steven Rhodes.
I can see that this is a slightly controversial issue, but with no formal windsurfing class membership or AGM, windsurfing has bascially been looked after by a few interested parties willing to sacrifice their time for the good of windsurfing. In the past, this has been Julien Field (class chairperson) and Peter Lumley (South African Sailing Windsurfing Class Representative). With Waggy and others putting together the previous events. I have merely taken over from Peter and Jules (at their request).
I can assue you I have the interests of everyone at heart, and I hope that at the next Nationals we can have a formal AGM where a real representative of the windsurfers can be elected for SAS committee, class chairperson, development officer, etc.
Regards,
S |
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Eugene
Posts:54
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| 27/05/2008 10:58 AM |
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Thanks Steven,
Don't think we met?
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snailman
Posts:35
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| 27/05/2008 11:08 AM |
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No. But I think the Nationals, and this website, are central to establishing continuity in the windsurfing class. I hope, and would enchourage, everyone following this discussion to pass their comments.
Non-members; I would enchourage u to register (may be even with your real name) and vote. |
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Eugene
Posts:54
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| 27/05/2008 11:29 AM |
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| This is not the only windsurfing site in SA there is the one that the durban guys use....stormchasers.org.za |
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