I think i would like to start racing & was wondering who has the biggest class & races most often etc would it be longboards or formula what are the advatage disadvantge of both im sort of leaning towards longboards as i though the centerboard would tend to make them sail upwind better & probably be better for ocean /cruising .Im living in sydeny.all my gear is slalom .cheers.

Seems like the formula class is the biggest and most active in NSW.

Both types of racing are alive and well in Sydney. At Dobroyd there is an active Windsurfer One Design fleet. I think they have good numbers elsewhere too, C249 will probably chime in with that information.
Formula is sailed primarly on Botany Bay and there is a lit of racing organized. Take a look at storm-riders.com and www.fw-Australia.com
There are typically 8-10 events every year, and people on the water practicing and fun racing every weekend.

What are the differences?
WOD - great close racing, low cost of entry, racing in all conditions
Formula - higher cost of entry (secondhand equipment much cheaper then new), racing in winds > 7kts (planing conditions), arguably the F1 of windsurfing, great close racing, great traveling series to some of the best windsurfing spots in NSW.

Both go upwind VERY effectively.

If you want to see Formula drop me a PM as we are at Ramsgate most weekends, we might even be able to sort some old kit so you can get a taste.

John

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Mobydisc said...

Seems like the formula class is the biggest and most active in NSW.

I don't know if thats strictly true Karl

DAC alone races Wednesday twilight (summer) and and Sat Arvo - thats far more active than most.

http://www.dobroydsailing.org/windsurfer-class.html

I'm not sure the type of sailboarding that happens at the other clubs eg IYC, STG Marmong etc but i'd be surprised if they didn't each have a longboard fleet.

here is an old season calander

www.windsurfingnsw.com/wp-content/Calendar-0910.pdf

Gives you an Idea of the clubs available to sail from - pick your club first, then see what classes of windsurfing they have.