Looking down the course from behind the sand dune.
Tonster getting started..
Tonster getting started..
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Last Sunday...
... at Sandy Point was awesome. Didn't get out for a sail, but the trip was worth it to see the top guys break speed records all over the place. Just to indicate how over the top it was, many of the top guys in the world didn't manage to get more that 1 or two runs in.
I was not going to make the trip because the 40 k forecast was over the top for me. However when this was amended on Saturday night to 29-30. I put the question to Gaye. She was keen, so we packed the care ready for a 4:00am start. Arrived at Shallow Inlet at 8:30am to a full tide. Had a chat with Drift, Daffey and Adam from Perth at the BBQ. Daffey was returning from the sand dune overlooking the inlet and reported the ocean water was over the sand spit right into the inlet and that something in all his years living down there and had never seen, was wet sand being carried off the top of the dunes by the wind which he estimated was around 50 knots. After a chin wag we adjourned and accepted the offer of coffee from Mat at the group house and waited for the tide to drop to allow us to drive the car in to the parking area behind the sand dune.
Rather than describe it as I saw it from the shore, here are some of the reports:
From Daffey:
Too much wind for me. Just managed 2 runs when the wind eased a bit. First run totally out of control. Second run about 80% on the gas.PB for peak speed (display 47.00 knots) , 2 sec and 10 sec and 100m on that run.I waited all afternoon for the wind to ease back but it didn't. I have not seen such a consistently strong wind here before. There weren't really any squalls or lulls. It was consistent 40-45 knots almost the time, easing back to 35 briefly very rarely and gusting to over 50 knots in long sustained gusts regularly.I might have to see my sailmaker about that 4m Koncept. We have talked about it in the past but these days are so rare we thought it was not worth it.This post is from the GT-35 (1 hz sirf3 data) I had on my arm. I have not analysed the two GT-31's in my helmet yet.
Carbon Art 40, KA 20cm assy fin, 2009 4.4m KA Koncept
A huge congratulations to Spotty. It was his day for sure. The 48.709 500m puts him in a very small and select club!
From Mr Love:
Hooly Dooly, Widest wind I have ever contemplated sailing in. A very humbling day for me . 2 half runs, 2 39 knot crashes , the second leaving me in the poop.
Before I elaborate I want to give Matt and Shelby a huge ,huge thanks for swimming out and helping me , I seriously was in some trouble.Frigin awesome guys!!!!
Well , some humbling lessons. I am neither good enough or strong/fit enough to sail in those conditions nor am I 21 any more. I learnt you have to be really committed on the runs, any hessitation ends in a crash. Stupid split second decisions can really land you in the poop and you can nearly drown 30 meters from shore. Swimming gear against a 50 knot wind is impossible and yes, sand really can get in every orifice.
Huge kudos to the guy's who were handling the conditions, and of coarse to Spotty the dominator!!!! Absolutely huge mate.
From: Spotty:
Sorry about the delay,
I know its hard.....
YEEEEE!!!HAAAARRRRR!!!! You Beauty!!! just been letting the good vibes settle in, still coming to grips with it all, the result was most unexpected for me. We have all been waiting for a day like this at Sandy Pt for sometime, with the past heavy rainfall and sizeable swell running in Bass Strait I did not think the tide would go far enough out. I thought that it was only going to be a survival day with maybe a 43 average. The tide in the end just went far enough out to set up what seemed a wider than usual rideable course down the bank. No special suits, man made trenches or vehicles to get you back up the course, just a hard endurance battle to start, finish and walk back in the constant 40-50 knot sandstorm with the lead weight on your back, the actual runs were awesome!!.
4 hours 6 runs…
Run 1 with camera onboard peaked at 45 with a 10 sec around 43, it was pretty unsettled. Sailing back did not seem a good option, with all runs requiring a long slog thru the soft sand to the first dune then sail the last bit to the start. This was so exhausting, you had to wait some time before you had enough energy to do another run making it hard to get lots of runs in before the tide changed.
Run 2 data 47.86 max , 47.18 10sec , PB and now quite excited, with the course also improving with deeper longer runs.
Run 3 data 49.996 max , 49.046 10sec, 47.183 500m, 49.078 250m seemed more controlled with 50.01 on the GT31 display making my jaw drop and fist punch the air, followed with congratulations with Adrian B and Tony W on the long walk back.
Run 4 data 49.724 max, 48.952 10sec, 48.709 500m was also controlled just the slow down were getting really wild as the tide came in. Really stoked about the 500!!!
Run 5 data 48.693 max, 47.312 10sec, 45.694 500m. The tide now starting to have more effect, and I was getting really exhausted but new there was still a worthwhile run better than the first to cement the 5x10.
Run 6 data 47.197 max, 46.285 10sec, 44.723 500m. Chris L and myself left on the course, made my last run as he came back, another long walk followed this time all the way to the BBQ, thanks for moving the car Rupert.
Best 5 runs were all done with a broken battern at the bottom camber, it broke on the first run due to me adding more tension beforehand. All in all to be honest the runs were ridiculously smooth and constant and left me feeling I could of had a slightly bigger sail or a little bit more wind. I know this sounds stupid but it was so GOOD!. Left us with the impression the 49 5x10 is achievable with same conditions, and maybe better with a lower tide.
Sail 5.0 Ka Koncept, Fin McDougal/Lockwood 21 Asymmetrical, Board CA44, AMAC and Chris the sail, fin and board did not flinch at all on the big runs, absolutely awesome result on stock, off the shelf gear, hats off to you both!.
Totally stoked there were so many crew there to witness, and to give it a go in such conditions. Pleased to see Tonster, Daffy, Ado others get PB’s, great effort considering the size/weight for some of you guys.
Thanks also to Mick and Jodi for capturing the moment whilst we took on the wind and sand.
Cheers
Spotty
From Kato:
Crazy day!!!!!! Borrowed a 4.4 off Daffy and plugged it into the CA40 Had two runs ,30kt run with way to much draft. Jodie got the stopping photo Next run a 39kt white knuckle ride ,not hooked in, and then spent the next 20min getting sand blasted. Called it a day after that. Too too much wind.
From Mat:
Stoked - excepionally consistent wind.
And hurting... Andrew McDougall decided that the middle course was a good place to sit and relax -> crashed quite badly resulting in bruised ribs... as a result, stopped a run short for a decent 5x10.
Congrats to Spotty, the rest of the folks that went out... And to Rupert, for surving a swim of the length of the PiT and finally waterstarting in 45-50kn of breeze.
From Tonster:
Wow! Epic day at the Pit. Arrived to find the water looking very "angry" and decided to go small. I rigged the 5.0 (never used) then had another look at the water. Decided to go silly and unwrap the 08 4.4 KA koncept that hasn't been out of the bag in 2 years. I took the bubble wrap off the mast and put it all together. I Grabbed the Missiles and the 21 Assy Ka fin(also never used). As all the small gear was out for the first time I took the old faithful missile "s" so things werent too different. Did consistant 46 peaks and decided I had hit the top end of the Missile "s" speed. Went back and grabbed the Missile "xs" and instantly put on 2.5 knots. As I became more used to the gear the speeds got faster and faster. The 3rd run showing 49.48 on the dail. Unfortunately I only did the 3 runs on the small board before the tide was lapping at the car and had to call it a day. I really needed 2 more runs to get the average up as I had 47.88, 47.12, 47.1, then 2 at 44's on the big missile. Could have been mid 47 average.....I picked up a weight jacket on the way home and next time will run some weight and maybe the 5.0.The 4.4 Koncept felt awesome in the gusts and the 21 KA assy fin was as reliable and smooth as its big brother(23assy).Congrats to Spotty as he has done some amazing speeds. He definately deserves this success and has a great "no techno" attitude which is refreshing in this sport. He will be pirched on top for a long time I'm sure. Well done mate. cheers Tonyall speeds on 2 x GT31
I was not going to make the trip because the 40 k forecast was over the top for me. However when this was amended on Saturday night to 29-30. I put the question to Gaye. She was keen, so we packed the care ready for a 4:00am start. Arrived at Shallow Inlet at 8:30am to a full tide. Had a chat with Drift, Daffey and Adam from Perth at the BBQ. Daffey was returning from the sand dune overlooking the inlet and reported the ocean water was over the sand spit right into the inlet and that something in all his years living down there and had never seen, was wet sand being carried off the top of the dunes by the wind which he estimated was around 50 knots. After a chin wag we adjourned and accepted the offer of coffee from Mat at the group house and waited for the tide to drop to allow us to drive the car in to the parking area behind the sand dune.
Rather than describe it as I saw it from the shore, here are some of the reports:
From Daffey:
Too much wind for me. Just managed 2 runs when the wind eased a bit. First run totally out of control. Second run about 80% on the gas.PB for peak speed (display 47.00 knots) , 2 sec and 10 sec and 100m on that run.I waited all afternoon for the wind to ease back but it didn't. I have not seen such a consistently strong wind here before. There weren't really any squalls or lulls. It was consistent 40-45 knots almost the time, easing back to 35 briefly very rarely and gusting to over 50 knots in long sustained gusts regularly.I might have to see my sailmaker about that 4m Koncept. We have talked about it in the past but these days are so rare we thought it was not worth it.This post is from the GT-35 (1 hz sirf3 data) I had on my arm. I have not analysed the two GT-31's in my helmet yet.
Carbon Art 40, KA 20cm assy fin, 2009 4.4m KA Koncept
A huge congratulations to Spotty. It was his day for sure. The 48.709 500m puts him in a very small and select club!
From Mr Love:
Hooly Dooly, Widest wind I have ever contemplated sailing in. A very humbling day for me . 2 half runs, 2 39 knot crashes , the second leaving me in the poop.
Before I elaborate I want to give Matt and Shelby a huge ,huge thanks for swimming out and helping me , I seriously was in some trouble.Frigin awesome guys!!!!
Well , some humbling lessons. I am neither good enough or strong/fit enough to sail in those conditions nor am I 21 any more. I learnt you have to be really committed on the runs, any hessitation ends in a crash. Stupid split second decisions can really land you in the poop and you can nearly drown 30 meters from shore. Swimming gear against a 50 knot wind is impossible and yes, sand really can get in every orifice.
Huge kudos to the guy's who were handling the conditions, and of coarse to Spotty the dominator!!!! Absolutely huge mate.
From: Spotty:
Sorry about the delay,
I know its hard.....
YEEEEE!!!HAAAARRRRR!!!! You Beauty!!! just been letting the good vibes settle in, still coming to grips with it all, the result was most unexpected for me. We have all been waiting for a day like this at Sandy Pt for sometime, with the past heavy rainfall and sizeable swell running in Bass Strait I did not think the tide would go far enough out. I thought that it was only going to be a survival day with maybe a 43 average. The tide in the end just went far enough out to set up what seemed a wider than usual rideable course down the bank. No special suits, man made trenches or vehicles to get you back up the course, just a hard endurance battle to start, finish and walk back in the constant 40-50 knot sandstorm with the lead weight on your back, the actual runs were awesome!!.
4 hours 6 runs…
Run 1 with camera onboard peaked at 45 with a 10 sec around 43, it was pretty unsettled. Sailing back did not seem a good option, with all runs requiring a long slog thru the soft sand to the first dune then sail the last bit to the start. This was so exhausting, you had to wait some time before you had enough energy to do another run making it hard to get lots of runs in before the tide changed.
Run 2 data 47.86 max , 47.18 10sec , PB and now quite excited, with the course also improving with deeper longer runs.
Run 3 data 49.996 max , 49.046 10sec, 47.183 500m, 49.078 250m seemed more controlled with 50.01 on the GT31 display making my jaw drop and fist punch the air, followed with congratulations with Adrian B and Tony W on the long walk back.
Run 4 data 49.724 max, 48.952 10sec, 48.709 500m was also controlled just the slow down were getting really wild as the tide came in. Really stoked about the 500!!!
Run 5 data 48.693 max, 47.312 10sec, 45.694 500m. The tide now starting to have more effect, and I was getting really exhausted but new there was still a worthwhile run better than the first to cement the 5x10.
Run 6 data 47.197 max, 46.285 10sec, 44.723 500m. Chris L and myself left on the course, made my last run as he came back, another long walk followed this time all the way to the BBQ, thanks for moving the car Rupert.
Best 5 runs were all done with a broken battern at the bottom camber, it broke on the first run due to me adding more tension beforehand. All in all to be honest the runs were ridiculously smooth and constant and left me feeling I could of had a slightly bigger sail or a little bit more wind. I know this sounds stupid but it was so GOOD!. Left us with the impression the 49 5x10 is achievable with same conditions, and maybe better with a lower tide.
Sail 5.0 Ka Koncept, Fin McDougal/Lockwood 21 Asymmetrical, Board CA44, AMAC and Chris the sail, fin and board did not flinch at all on the big runs, absolutely awesome result on stock, off the shelf gear, hats off to you both!.
Totally stoked there were so many crew there to witness, and to give it a go in such conditions. Pleased to see Tonster, Daffy, Ado others get PB’s, great effort considering the size/weight for some of you guys.
Thanks also to Mick and Jodi for capturing the moment whilst we took on the wind and sand.
Cheers
Spotty
From Kato:
Crazy day!!!!!! Borrowed a 4.4 off Daffy and plugged it into the CA40 Had two runs ,30kt run with way to much draft. Jodie got the stopping photo Next run a 39kt white knuckle ride ,not hooked in, and then spent the next 20min getting sand blasted. Called it a day after that. Too too much wind.
From Mat:
Stoked - excepionally consistent wind.
And hurting... Andrew McDougall decided that the middle course was a good place to sit and relax -> crashed quite badly resulting in bruised ribs... as a result, stopped a run short for a decent 5x10.
Congrats to Spotty, the rest of the folks that went out... And to Rupert, for surving a swim of the length of the PiT and finally waterstarting in 45-50kn of breeze.
From Tonster:
Wow! Epic day at the Pit. Arrived to find the water looking very "angry" and decided to go small. I rigged the 5.0 (never used) then had another look at the water. Decided to go silly and unwrap the 08 4.4 KA koncept that hasn't been out of the bag in 2 years. I took the bubble wrap off the mast and put it all together. I Grabbed the Missiles and the 21 Assy Ka fin(also never used). As all the small gear was out for the first time I took the old faithful missile "s" so things werent too different. Did consistant 46 peaks and decided I had hit the top end of the Missile "s" speed. Went back and grabbed the Missile "xs" and instantly put on 2.5 knots. As I became more used to the gear the speeds got faster and faster. The 3rd run showing 49.48 on the dail. Unfortunately I only did the 3 runs on the small board before the tide was lapping at the car and had to call it a day. I really needed 2 more runs to get the average up as I had 47.88, 47.12, 47.1, then 2 at 44's on the big missile. Could have been mid 47 average.....I picked up a weight jacket on the way home and next time will run some weight and maybe the 5.0.The 4.4 Koncept felt awesome in the gusts and the 21 KA assy fin was as reliable and smooth as its big brother(23assy).Congrats to Spotty as he has done some amazing speeds. He definately deserves this success and has a great "no techno" attitude which is refreshing in this sport. He will be pirched on top for a long time I'm sure. Well done mate. cheers Tonyall speeds on 2 x GT31
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Training in Perth
We were in Perth this week. Whilst I conducted FMMS training for a bunch of guys at PPTEP, Gaye explored Perth city and surrounds. She picked out the best spots for us to return to over the weekend, which included Kings Park, the Museum and Art Gallery.
Took advantage of the greater selection of windsurf shops and picked up a new 400 mast and a 26 cm Flying Objects weed fin.
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