oldbones said...

Kelly, what is fair is we are neither men nor women but kite boarders. All of the kite boarder names go in the hat and the draw is made.

This.

However as the organisers would probably like to see the % of women grow I can fully understand why we have what could be deemed an unfair system system that we have now where 100% of women get in and the guys fight over what's left.

There is always 2 ways of looking at it.
I think it's fair enough though.

Same goes for prize money, most would think that equal prize money is fair, however is it really fair when the entry fees make up the prize money and there is 10x the amount of guys entering.
Again I think its fair as it encourages more females to enter , the guys are going to do it for the fun factor regardless of prize money.

Oh and I got a start anyway so the system obviously works.

windywander said..
If anyone wants to borrow a pfd 50 for the race send me a pm. I think its a large, maybe a medium.

Pfd is lent out for race.

I have talked to a few people who were dns in 2015, most definitely not on purpose. The wind was very fluky at the launch point and many people had trouble getting off beach and a few kites etc were damaged in the process.

If I recall correctly the winner had a kite line break and had to go back to shore and switch kites and just barely made it back in the water in time. Last year another previous winner had his foil break off and sink just before the race, and had to race on a TT.

Things can go wrong and I dont think most dns were people who went over and just randomly decided not to kite.

Race safe.

OK, now that this thread has been completely derailed
I feel like it's time to jump on the bandwagon.
I think equal prize money is a great idea because the women race the same distance as the men.
What really gets me is the tennis
The women only play 3 sets and the men have to play 5 sets
How in the hell is the women getting equal first prize in that sport fair

rez said..

wishy said..
It would be about $45 per person cheaper if they canned the women's prize money.

Its like having prize money for men's netball...politically correct, but wouldn't you be embarassed collecting the trophy when there's only 11 other male netballers in the state?

I came third in the womens last year and no I definitely wasn't embarrassed I was f@*^in STOKED! 3rd in my division and 26th overall. Nice to have a decent prize to chase after competing since 2001 in Australia- this is the best prize I've got to date! Totally pumped.

This is a fantastic event and a super fun day. Lets keep it that way.

Best of luck to everyone for 2017!


PS: Tightlines glad you got a spot and glad I entered the TT division this year because I won't be able to borrow your board! Got a TT I can borrow?

A what???
I've actually got a good fast surfboard that went alright one year that I wont be using.

Onya Rez, Ill see ya on the day if not before.
I'm going to have to try to get out a couple of times for a kite before then, might need some lessons off you on how to ride my board, been on it once in nearly 2 years at the LOC.

All they need to add to this race is a fat old blokes division.

KellyKiteSF said..

Spark said..
Yeah.... Kelly I would say that means there are probably too many spots allowed for women? Wouldn't you think? If you all got a spot and heaps of bloke didn't?

Edit: maybe L2L organisers should take the percentage or male V female applications and work out the percentage for next years race? That way it's 100% fair.....

Kelly, I'm only making assumptions here, but I think you would have a worse chance next year if they did

Spark, you are absolutely right ... 19 women in the race when there are 121 men is definitely too many spots for women! Us women are taking up 13% of spots, how dare us!!! Perhaps organizers should reduce to only 2 spots for women then all you blokes could get a spot. That would be more fair right!?!?!? Unbelievable.

100% fair in regards to gender would be allotting 70 spots for women and 70 spots for men. If 70 women don't register then the remaining spots would go to men.

Another fair scenario would be what towradgi suggested ... the first 140 applicants get a spot.

Why does there even need to be a separation of womens and mens?
If women feel constantly discriminated against just have a race with no gender division. The laws of natural selection and probabilty will determine how many men get a spot and how many women get a spot.

Hey can anyone tell me if inflatable PFD type 1 belts are accepted?

Here's a sneak peak of the unique trophies for 2017 ... Well worth racing for!

Hi, We have just supplied and printed T-Shirts for the Midwest Windfest event. I understand you are looking for some shirts to be made. If you could provide me with some details of your requirements. I can provide a quotation. Sarah at Pixies Prints.

KitersElbow said..
Tim,

Seems the number of foils participating in the race is going up considerably every year....and when operated properly they are so much faster than surfboards or raceboards. Have you guys had any discussion about making foils a separate division?

See you in a couple weeks for my 3rd L2L...looking forward to it!

Dave

@ Dave, the advent of foils has been so quick, remember it has only been the last two years (2015 and 2016) that a foil has won and on any given heavy air / big swell day a race board may well be a better choice of equipment... remember Aaron Hadlow was 10th overall on a Twin Tip last year wearing boots!!!

So, we have given it thought, yes, but this year it's still a two category race: Foil/ Race or Twin Tip.

PS: @ Racers, all the Lycras have arrived from France and look amazing, trophies are on their way from Brisbane, limited edition bags from the USA are here and RACER T shirts from Osborne Park are @ one of our supporter, The Fabric Printers.

The Race Manual will be released next week, 10 days prior to Race Day.

Pray hard and well for clear blue skies, 20 knots from the South West, swell optional and 28c for Saturday 9th December at around 14:30.

Will records be broken this year? Who will be our surprise guests for 2018 ? Stay tuned ...

Emailed out to all competitors this morning. The race is fully, fully subscribed.

Saturday's forecast doesn't make for good reading at this early stage

Hi

Just wondering how strictly the wetsuit policy will be enforced? What is reason behind not being able to wear board shorts and a rashie?

cheers

Weta said..
Thermal insulation so you don't get hypothermia in case you don't sail straight across Gage Roads and spend sometime in the water waiting to be rescued. Also to help keep you warm during the crossing.

100% CORRECT! It is a pretty broad requirement and really quite minimal, a 2mm vest covers the requirement and could give you the extra hour of warmth in survival mode in the highly, highly unlikely event you were swimming round waiting to be rescued.

how do people carry the flares that are required? I have pockets on my pfd but I dont think they are big enough

Adeo said..
how do people carry the flares that are required? I have pockets on my pfd but I dont think they are big enough

The lycra / rashie we give you has on the back a custom made sewn in pocket on the inside, sized for two flares :-) #ideal.

Yours to keep after the race and use (but we want the flares back!!!).