WWA Windsurf News

November 1998

This will be the first newsletter some of you will have received - a problem with the post last month meant that only about half of the newsletters went out. Due to this, we’ve extended the deadline for the Harness draw (pay your subs and go into the draw for a harness - sponsored by Wild Winds and WWA) to Dec 23^rd.

Recent Events

Moderate turnouts for recent events probably reflect the fact that many people didn’t know about them. Last month’s Eastbourne event was canceled due to lack of wind, but a few people did get out on big gear later in the afternoon (and in some cases, nearly had the big swim!).

The BBQ/swap meet at Pauatahanui went ahead a couple of weekends ago with about 30 sailors turning up for a good southeasterly. Quite a bit of gear changed hands and a few new members joined the association.

It would be great to see more people at the next event - the 1st Sunday of the Month Eastbourne/Ward Island BBQ - this weekend (6th Dec). We’ll have the rescue boat out there (so it’s a good chance to sail somewhere new with confidence…), and some fun racing or relays for those that want to join in.

Course racing is now being held at Seatoun on the first sailable Thursday of each month (from 6pm). If you want more racing, try the Eastbourne Yacht Club races which are held every Saturday at 2pm - free entry.

Woo ran a looping clinic on a day that was perfect for water-skiing. Good to see a number of people trying to throw themselves over the floor.

The King of the Ditch went off. A light southerly turned into a good sunny 5.0 day. Noel and North put on a huge marquee on the Shelly Bay side, which provided shelter from the sun as well as entertainment getting it up. Good sausages and music created the energy that saw 25 sailors vying for the annual title. The final saw Gary McCory beat out Carbon Arts James Dinnis. Troy Purcell took out third much to Woo’s disgust. Rod Drury won the amateur (non-looping) division. Sadly no contenders for the Queen of the Ditch title - maybe next year.

There’s a few other events coming up in the next 6 weeks. The first is a Woman’s Gybing Clinic taken by Cindy Mosey on the 19th/20th December (see Calendar). There is also a rigging clinic for beginner to intermediate level sailors planned for mid January, with the objective of getting your rig working with (rather than against) you.

Hope to see you all at Eastbourne on Sunday.

Balaena Bay

Dave McPhee, Paul Tracey and a few others have done a lot of work preparing plans for council to build a Lake Garda style rigging and launching area in Balaena Bay. With your support we want to keep pressure on the council. This is a good reason to pay your membership fees as we only have weight in numbers. Stay tuned for progress…

Video Library

Borrowing is free if you pick up and return to Veronica in Karori (ph 476 3051), otherwise $4 for postage.

La Nina Havoc Predicted!

(From Weather Workshop, 25 Nov)

"- the La Nina weather pattern may cause devastating tropical cyclones in the South Pacific, of similar ferocity to Hurricane Mitch in Central America. La Nina will peak from December to February…. tropical cyclones in the region could start "any day soon" and last until April… The La Nina phase is starting to strengthen … is likely to increase the frequency of northeasterly type weather over the coming summer months."

2nd Hand Gear

Lots of good stuff on the Internet at www.windnet.co.nz

Odd Spot