It's a shame kites can't race the same course as the windsurfers ... even better if we could race against each other on the same day

i see no issue with the course .

bermand said..
Have you kited the course Dusta?
Probably fine for course racing, however a lot of people will be on twintips and surfboards.
Some of legs are close to parrallel to the coast. Very large kites and boards will be required. So in 20knots on a 6ft2 north pro series with 9m kite it was a struggle. Probably needed 11m and Raceboard. The course has been changed so that 2nd mark is no longer closeish to shore. Having done event twice, can tell you it was tough enough last year without the change!

yes i have , and i will be on a slalom board .

bermand said..
Think it is clear this is a course racing downwind course. If you accept that, that is great. Competitors on surfboards and twin tips with small kites will struggle. I personally would prefer a course that would make it fun for all competitors not just those fully kitted out on raceboards, foils etc.

well last time i checked this was a race not a social downwinder . plenty of sector style boards cheap that are perfect for this type of race

so go a little less deep on the second run and broad reach then beam reach to the second mark . You don't have to go downwind , as going directly downwind may not be the fastest route anyway .

once you hit the first mark just broad reach then gybe and beam reach into the second mark .

Its a Downwind Marathon, not a course race. Course racing is laps of a course, and we not doing that.

There is no debate, the course could be improved if it was possible, but its not possible at this stage so it is what is it. The LOC team are aware of this and would change it if they could, but they cant. they doing the best they can with what's available.

They put the event on for kiters to have fun, nobody is paying off their home loan from their winnings. Nobody is forcing them to put on this event for us.
If it becomes too much of a headache it would be easier for them to just drop the kites.
When crew do a normal down-winder who puts up markers for you so that you can 'comfortable get down the coast on your surfboard or TT?"
Do a few tacks, you don't have to go straight from mark to mark... even the lads with course racing gear (not that this is course racing event) will need to include a few tacks between marks to get straight down wind, so no equipment is favoured in a straight downwind race. If its light, yes a bigger board and kite so the course boards will be better, in big winds surfboards will be better.

If you not able to enjoy the event or do downwind, don't enter. They not begging anybody to enter.

If you able to offer a better event or a better course please post the event details and im sure there will be a crew ready to race.
If you need a hand for your new event, we'll even offer a hand.
Perhaps with enough support they would be open to a few more division (Open, TT, Surfboard)

Then again this is a race, you wouldnt run a marathon in a your tennis or bowling shoes. Raceboards are now cheap, cheaper than new surfboards. if you want one, let me know and i'll see if i can hook you up. youll get more kite days in the year too. If you dead keen on racing, come try it, we have some kit i could let you have a go on. Plenty events on to that would be to your liking.
Some crew like to race, others like waves and freestyle. There is a freestyle and wave event specifically for surfboards and TT.

IMO, the biggest hurdle will be the visibility (or not) of the marker buoys.....

It helps knowing where you're going - how you get there is the fun part

Chris6791 said..
Yes it would be better to run the same course and on the same day and maybe even with the poleys but it isn't going to happen this year.

And why is that? Does anyone know what the reasons are that the kites have been put on a different course again this year?? it would solve all the problems, make less work for the volunteers only having to run one race, everyone gets a better course its all win win. So why different courses? it just doesn't make any sense.

Same reason the windsurfers dont get an invite to Lighthouse to leighton. Its a class specific event for them on their race day.

That said we could rally support to ask to invite them to our allocated day, but the TT & surfboard crew would be even more disadvantaged as the windsurfers are pretty quick if not quicker than the racing crew kiters over this course.

For me it's a good race at it requires a bit of kite/sailing skill if you don't like the course then don't compete

Simple, don't bitch & moan about it.

It's a great event, ENJOY

Underoath said..
The race would be better if they swapped the start and finish......

No offence, but i will offend.

Racers do come accross as a bit "soft"- The red thumbs given, and support for a downwind race kinda confims this.

i'd happily have an upwind race , bring it on . if anyone is "soft" as you put it , it isn't the "racers" .

BTW when is pt2 of your chilli home vids bucko

The kitesurfer course is CRAP. It's not a race! Already asked for refund. Either same course as windsurfers or race ALL together or just 'can' the kite race!
Kiters poor relative of windsurfers-plain & simple.

Airman1 said..
The kitesurfer course is CRAP. It's not a race! Already asked for refund. Either same course as windsurfers or race ALL together or just 'can' the kite race!
Kiters poor relative of windsurfers-plain & simple.

it is a race airman . It's a race because it isn't just a simple broad reach like l2l . L2l imo is less of a race than this one . This race actually involves tactics other than just staying on your board and getting a good start . Some people are going to go out wide after the second mark , some will gybe and head back in and then reach to the second mark . So many different ways this course can be tackled i see no reason to

Forgetting the fact there is only 3 marks to go around , the fact we have another race put on besides the L2L is fantastic . If your not happy with the race , get onboard with waksa or join the LOC committee and do something about it

The LOC needs to lift their game. For example does anybody know who won the last 2 years race?!! ( was there even a winner?)
I can name the winners of the past 5 years L2L.
Replace LOC kite committee with Tim Turner & crew pls