Anyone going to Lano for a kite then THE party on Saturday night?

The organizers are "attempting to break the Guinness Book of Records for the most number of competitiors in an open water Marathon!" Shame they didn't open it to kiters again - I'm sure that would have helped their numbers.

Pro kiteboarder Sebastian Bubmann will be putting on a show www.seabreeze.com.au/Members/Events/View/Pro-Rider-Sebastian-Bubmann-Australian-Tour_1422777.aspx

My words exactly Posko LOL www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=33886

Registration form at http://www.oceanclassic.org/ doesn't mention kites and I'm sure WAKSA would have drummed up interest if they did. Great google map of the course at www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=33950

In 2000 I did a trial leaving 10 mins after the windsurfers and caught more than half the fleet.

In 2001 they opened it to kites but wouldn't let us race the same course as windsurfers. The race director used the same start line as the windsurfers that forced too many kites into a small area resulting in several collisions and a guy dragged close to rocks.

In 2002 and 2003 they opened the race to kites after much lobbying by WAKSA but it was a straight sprint downwind direct to Lano before the wind kicked in.

In 2004, they only agreed to allow kites to enter at the last minute, the race director set an almost impossible first marker and in light winds only two or three of us got around it. The windsurfers didn't even get off the beach that year and that was the last time kites were allowed to enter

As KPWT Race Director for the last 3 years I've run many races with 60+ kiters without any problems. 400 kites might be a challenge though ... but not impossible send them off in divisions like City to Surf!

Hi Ian .. I kite at Ledge regularly as i have a place there. Last year i watched the windsurfers do The Ledge to Lancelin.They go way out ..approx 500m-1km from shore , outside the reefs. Just a week ago I met A kiter Paul in Ledge and we did a downwinder, from Ledge to Back Beach at Lancelin. It was 25++ knots. An awesome downwinder. Exploring the coast was just glorious!! Some wave sections and some flat water sections.Different coloured blue waters. Dolphins cruising with us. It will definitely be a down winder i will repeat. Frankly i think it is more picturesque and enjoyable closer to shore than being way out . A proviso though is that closer to shore can be effected by wind shadows if the breeze is light and very south. I would certainly be in a group down winder from Ledge to Lancelin ( back beach ) as for racing that doesnt appeal to me but good luck for those that it does.

Yer ill be heading up tomorrow morning for the weekend Might do a ledge to lanno downwinder my self... cant wait to see some moves from sebastian