Windsurfing Western Australia
End of Season - March 2006 News
WA has provided another great summer of wind with the usual mix of brilliant and not so brilliant conditions for summer's events. Thanks to all the enthusiastic souls who supported them.
Upcoming Event Notices -
WWA's Annual General Meeting - 7pm at Nedlands Yacht Club on Wednesday the 5th of April. As usual, we could use some help and new ideas on the committee. Many hands make light work..
End of Season Party - 8pm at the Left Bank on Saturday the 8th of April (Note - we've changed the date since our email a while ago)
See flyer for details.
If you would like to join a small group for a meal at the Left Bank prior to the party phone Dan Engdahl on 0428255005 and he'll add you to the group booking. Meal to start at around 6.45pm.
Recent News -
A number of exciting things have happened recently -
The success of the Sunsmart Ezzy/Angulo Wave Event at Margaret River is one example of great conditions supporting all the good work of the wave guys on the committee. The competition and prize giving party were very well attended with an impressive 30+ entries. Many thanks to Geoff Golder, John Grulich and John Koch for their organising and also Scott McKercher for supplying the venue for the party. See extensive article and pics on the WWA Website.
WA sailors travelling interstate recently include Matt Holder, Isaac De Vires and Jesper Orth.
Matt has been on a winning streak lately taking out the Margaret River event and also the Wave Nationals - Australian Champion no less...Well done Matt... his account of his conquest East is attached-
Jesper and Isaac attended the combined National Slalom titles and NSW / QLD Formula titles on the mid NSW Coast and were met with very light wind for the event. As usual, it was windy to the North and South but not in the middle.. Despite the light wind the boys had an enjoyable time and thanks must go to the Sydney crew (Chris Ting and Sam Parker) for helping them get there and back safely. Isaac's story is attached.
WWA have made an extra effort this year to help get representatives to National Title events and help to ensure they are truly of a "National" nature. We have made a point of encouraging Eastern States sailors to attend National events hosted here so reciprocating is a priority.
### Book your holidays now. - WA is lined up to host the 2007 Slalom and Formula Nationals in a combined event between the 6th and 10th of January 2007. A strong contingent of NSW and QLD sailors have committed to coming and with the Lancelin Marathon on the 13th of Jan - it should be one great week of sailing.
The recent Cervantes social gathering saw about 20 devotees participate with a dash from Hangover Bay to Thirsty Point being the highlight.
WWA have noted the success of these "easy-going", low-cost events that are just about having a good time. With insurance, liability, safety concerns and endless red tape headaches for major official event organisers - the emergence of low cost - low key social "gatherings" is fast becoming an attractive option for association organisers. The Kiting Association is showing the way with 120+ kiters gathering soon at Port Gregory for "Kitestock"
Keep watch on how this trend develops..
See you at the AGM - 5th of April at NYC - 7pm
Regards
WWA
Isaac's story..
The trip over east for the National Slalom titles was an adventure that I will never forget. I travelled on the same flight as Jesper arriving in Sydney on Wednesday (January 25th) morning around 6am. We were picked up by Chris Ting and Sam Parker who loaded up all of our gear. It was such a relief to see 3 boards, 3 sails, 3 masts and 3 booms finally fit inside the one Transit Van after dragging the gear around. We actually travelled in the late afternoon 5 hrs north to South West Rocks. I had never met Chris or Sam before but they dedicated a lot of extra time and effort into helping Jesper and I transport us and our gear up and down the NSW coast. I was wasted with all the travelling and I slept like a log that night.
The next three days were almost identical in conditions, an adrenalin pumping 5-10knots. Being a warm wind from the NE, it was even lighter than it felt. The Oceanic Course Racing Championships were combined with the Slalom Nationals, but due to the challenging light winds slalom was cancelled and Course racing dominated the three days. I really liked the area, it was great for swimming, surfing and just chilling in the tropical conditions. The temperature never dropped below 18 and I forgot what it was like to be cold. If I could say one thing about the location for sailing, I can repeat a quote I heard by another interstate sailor "South West Rocks is a great place, but next time I won't bring my windsurfing gear". The winds were actually blowing down the coast to Sydney and even north up to Brisbane, but not at the competition spot. Typical of many events organised, the wind plays tricks and the slalom competitors ponder what could have been. On the final few days of the trip Jesper showed me why he is worthy of being an Australian, with his deep love for beer and pies mmmmmm. I arrived back in Perth on Monday night and the next day went for a great sail in a solid 20 knots.. there's no place like home!!
Australian Wavesailing Nationals 2006
By Matt Holder
For some great pics of the event go here:
http://www.mindfactory.com/pix/0004_nationals/Usually a trip east means a compromise on wind conditions but when Jamie Cobill and I heard the Nats were going to be at Gerroa this year we got excited. Gerroa is the Green Head (aka Green Canaria) of the East Coast - the traditional 10 - 18 knot East Coast sea breeze gets a 10 knot shunt from the natural topography to deliver West Coast like wave sailing conditions.
I must say that the sailing on this part of the coast is great - easily giving Avalon and Corros a run for their money. As a result there is some serious local talent down here. A big shout out to One Knot (Warren holder - no relation to me) the fittest 53 year old shredder / aerial master / environmentally aware citizen you will meet. Mick (George) Westra and Tim Knowles are both awesome sailors to watch. Luke Johnson is a serious talent to watch -he is learning so much so fast. Along with Dan Berry and Dean Hendrie the NSW boys were well represented. The East coast guys were all top value and it was great having a beer (ok - many beers) with them.
We had a full week to run the event and the first 5 days of wind were not in our favour. Not a problem! Jamie and I had our surfboards with us and had an awesome time getting stuck into the consistently excellent swell that the area provides. This coast is right up there for quality of surf and lack of crowds - had there been no wind this trip was already a winner. But Gerroa came through with the goods on the last 2 days - enough time to run a full double elimination.
Saturday saw a fading but well formed and playful head to waist high swell at Gerroa. Due to the super offshore angle jumps were not counted - it was a day of Esperance-like pure wave riding. The masters went through their draw with Jamie Cobill lifting to claim second behind the local fox One Knot who put multiple cracks and aerials into many of his waves. It was very much a day of "get the set wave", "get the score" - so quite tricky but super fun for aerials none the less. Fading swell and sketchy wind saw the competition postponed at 5 pm.
On Sunday the swell had faded further and the 15 km drive was made to the swell magnet of Shoalhaven beach. The set up here is best described as SW Dutch inn on its best form during winter - pretty damn sweet as far as I was concerned! The swell here was still throwing up the odd logo high set and plenty of over head high ramps and reos to be had. I was the first to hit the water and was stoked to see the outgoing rip actually pulled me INTO the wind adding a few knots of apparent wind. Super-fun sailing to be had!
We went through too many heats to remember I was able to take the first elimination round win which meant that I didn't have to sail until the final heat of the day in the second elimination round.
Highlights were Luke Johnson going for double forwards, some big mack daddy push loops from the locals, Tim Knowles and Mick Westra's solid wave attacks and a steady breeze that went from 15 right up to 25 knots as the afternoon went on.
Jamie took a lip to the head that looked like a Mike Tyson knock out punch - it spat his gear out in front of the wave before avalanching him. Luke was on a mission storming through the second round and would have been a contender but he ran out of steam near the end from sailing so many heats. Mick Westra started unleashing furious wave power with forward off the lips , big jumps and a very impressive wave demolition act. Mick rampaged through the draw hard and it was down to the two of us in the final. 12 minutes later and I had lucked on to some nice sets and managed to land enough jumps to take the win. The Evo style board I was riding definitely played a big role in the win - it worked an absolute treat in the conditions. Where other riders were scrambling between boards I was able to relax and just focus on sailing.
The organisers threw a good preso night with a top feed. The guys made sure my glass was full for the whole night and even made me skull a jug of something fruity. All good fun! If you happen to meet the East coast boys over here (most of them get over here ) make sure you extend them a warm West Coast welcome!
From my discussions with the crew there is talk of alternating the Nats between Gerroa and WA to ensure locations with good conditions - a large majority of the East coast guys are in favour and the NSW Wavesailing Assoc. has a really good act. This may be an option worth looking at in future. The guys rated the conditions and organization at last year's nationals (especially Fiona Court's efforts) in Lancelin extremely highly!
Finally a big thanks to Windsurfing WA - without your support I would not have been able to get to the Nats. It's a huge buzz to get your name on the perpetual trophy with Polakow , Mckercher and Severne. I'm stoked to be able to bring the title back to WA!
