Kiteboarding Forums

Olaf M:

but the course is long. be it as it may we are working on some solutions to make it a little shorter.

I think the course lenght was just perfect, I would not want to see it shortened.

I enjoyed the whole experience and want to thank all for involved for making it run smoothly.

The start area between the ship and the shore was heavily conjested at the start and after around 5tacks/10min I hadn't progressed past the stern of the ship because of the heavy traffic. By the time I had made it to the bow of the ship a large number of riders had already rounded the buoy at Dolphin and were gunning at full speed downwind through the pack of stragglers at the back. Perhaps you should stagger the start when there are say more than X number of riders that enter. So let say riders number 1-20 start followed by 5/10min break then the next lot etc. Either this or we need to be allowed to ride behind the ship.

There a few accidents at the start and some of the guys that were down found it difficult to get the attention of the jetski even when he was not attending to anyone. I think it must be difficult for the guy on the jetski to spot a man down in the swell. I had to shout a number of times to get his attention to alert him of where the people in trouble were. Perhaps we need some spotters, maybe on board the ship or high up on the beach, that can alert the jetski by means of two-way radio where to go.

The downwind part of the race was real fun and I noticed a few guys miss the orange buoy in the shorebreak and carried on past Doodles.

Looking forward to the next one

Sounds like an absolute Blast! Im sad to be missing out, especially the next 4 weeks while alot of us are in Luderitz, but hopefully join you guys on the water for the last few!

Enjoy it!

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Sjoukje

Naish Kiteboarding - Oxbow Surfwear - Oakley

www.sjoukje.co.za
me@sjoukje.co.za
+27 72 8419889

Hi Sjoukje

Well there is a 2nd series starting in Jan as well so no problem  so adjust your calendar  and there will some adjustments which we can not du any now any more…
Rob Colen was on  TT true but he entered directional so that is why is being scored on directional. Once you entered a category you can not change. But if you race directiuonal than you can race TT as well.
I will check out your results.
Olaf

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Unit 6 , 14 beach Bulevard
Table view
7441
South Africa
tell + 27 21 556 3305
fax + 27 21 556 3006
0laf@kw-africa.co.za

Hi All

Just a quick comment about the safety aspect.

When we discussed this before the series started Olaf you mentioned competitors being issued with a whistle. I think that this is an absoulute must and the least that every one should have before they get in the water.
It could be baught or issued at the race and to enforce the rule if you canott show the officials on the line your whistle at the end of the race you should be disqualified.
It is interesting to see that the most experienced and arguably successfull rider in the race who mostly comes in the top three is always to be seen with a helmet and impact vest.
Though it might not be enforced it is foir sure advisable to follow Gregs example.

This is the beginning but just as formula one technologie advances the space shuttle so should our wed night racing advance the sport of kiteboarding.

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Kitesurfing Shuttle
downwindshuttle.com
Kitesurfing B&B Sunset Beach
thekitesnest.com
Tel: +27 822 971 566
Email: brad@downwindshuttle.com
info@thekitesnest.com

he is wearing a weight jacket under there.......

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Peter Petersen
NAISH SUP Merchant - purveyor of Stand Up Paddle boards from NAISH....
082 658 7033

I agree with Peter, dont shorten the course, its a race meant to challenge you and at the same time be enjoyable, the course length was perfect - why not have a slightly longer version just to throw in all variables of the race. I also have to agree with the start - it was a fork up of note with so many in such a limited area. The solution as suggested by Peter was spot on - round the ship or even better - intervals of 20 riders, that gives eveyone a fair chance and eliminates the "luck" element at the start. Otherwise a brilliant idea and look forward to the next couple of races ahead!!! Thanks Olaf and organisers...

From the ship’s side I could not even see the signal flags on the beach neither hear the start gun. There is just too much congestion and takes all my concentration just to stay out of peoples way. What about using a smoke flare instead of a start gun?  

Sorry coming from a racing yacht background let me shoot down some ideas here and sagest some alternatives.

"intervals of 20 riders, that gives eveyone a fair chance and eliminates the "luck" element"

no this is not a good idea, as position within the fleet and on the start line is one of the most important if not the most important aspect in sailing, if you give people diffrent start lines you actually making more unfair. Its skill getting a good start not luck.

"From the ship’s side I could not even see the signal flags on the beach neither hear the start gun."

another problem from sailing, this is the aim of the game if its agreed the line markings are to small and the sound is not load enough i would say bigger flags and loader siren, other than that take a layline on the sore from the opposite flag/bouy to something bigger on the land. Also get a watch to know how long till the start.

Think making the start bigger going to make the problem worse, but i will say that kites do take alot more space compared to a boat, maybe make more classes? as in beginner (less than 5 races, or times under a certain time) and pros? but i think this will only work as the racing develops.

Hi

 Agree with Chuky the start is a skill as much as it is to go up wind.

here is soem important info

7.1 Safety. Safety and fair play are the most important aspects of the competition. Unsafe riders will be disqualified.

7.2 Windward – Leeward. Leeward riders have right of way When crossing paths a windward rider should keep his kite up high while a leeward rider should keep his kite down.

7.3 Boards on Opposite Tacks. When Riders are on opposite tacks and equally upwind the Starboard Rider (right hand forward while on regular sailing position, heel side) has right of way over the Port Rider (left hand forward while on regular sailing position, heel side). Starboard Rider should cross-upwind keeping the kite high while the port rider should cross-downwind keeping the kite low.

7.4 Overtaking.
a) A competitor clear astern shall keep clear of a competitor clear ahead.
b) An overtaking competitor shall keep clear.

7.5 Changing tacks: Tacking or Gybing. A competitor who is tacking or gybing shall keep clear of a competitor who is on a tack.

7.6 Avoiding Contact. If reasonably possible, a board shall avoid contact with another board. However, a right of-way board:
a) need not act to avoid contact until it is evident that the other board is failing to meet its obligation, and
b) shall not be penalized for insignificant contact.

7.7 Capsized Boards – Kite Down
a) A competitor underway must keep clear of one who is capsized. Capsized meaning disconnected from his board or the kite down in the water or rider in water-star position.
b) A competitor shall not be penalized for failure to keep clear of another who capsized (went down) immediately in front of him/her.
c) A competitor who is capsized shall not take any action, which hinders another competitor.

BR Olaf

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Unit 6 , 14 beach Bulevard
Table view
7441
South Africa
tell + 27 21 556 3305
fax + 27 21 556 3006
0laf@kw-africa.co.za

Hi Brad

You see we just do not have the man power to petrol all of this down to the "t" but we would have to expect the riders to patrol each other or lead by example.

personly I do use a impact vest there will be some small changes next week in therms of safety

Olaf

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Unit 6 , 14 beach Bulevard
Table view
7441
South Africa
tell + 27 21 556 3305
fax + 27 21 556 3006
0laf@kw-africa.co.za