As a fun, we could initiate a fun game 40+.
Lest look at the weather forecast, spot and make a bet/ that this on that specific day/week could yield 40+ result anywhere in Australia.
example>
You could see perfect wind condition coming within next 7-3 days. Wind speeds, direction optimal for the spot to hit 40 at Sandy.You could post a bet on SB in advance, go there. make a sailing and prove that you are right....
I hope that many in Australia could jump into planes, trains or cars and help to you make a prediction to happen.

Unless obviously, 40+ is so unique that can not be so easily predicted, planned and executed.


but these people know exactly where to be in the time and space

That is just a normal part of me planning my life!

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sailquik said..
That is just a normal part of me planning my life!

Excellent, but the whole idea is to advertise your plans in advance, then other could observe if you are lucky with results or even join in.The purpose could be that less experienced sailor ( could join ) and increase their chances for success. Another advantage is the preparation is made on the basis of favorable forecasts.
Not as usually preparation for invading the spot, made half a year in advance ( because of the planned annual event), then hope for the wind to comes.

So next time you are going after this 40+ lets us know few days in advance

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sailquik said..
That is just a normal part of me planning my life!

He he. Any 40+ day is a good day!

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Adriano said..

sailquik said..
That is just a normal part of me planning my life!

He he. Any 40+ day is a good day!

I am so far to this magic number, that I could not even imagine how it feels to run FOURTY.Can somebody share the experience ?
(I suspect that must be better even than sex, casino gambling, poker and motorway speeding, maybe even as good feeling as good cold beer on a hot day )

But seriously what is the chance that average Joe , that comes to proven spot, in that ideal wind condition,
receiving/hiring onsite the proper speed gear will hit 40+ without killing himself and devastating equipment? Suppose that average windsurfing Joe buy a ticket and fly to TOP Europen sites, even Luderitz that other guys do routinely 50+....what are the chances to get 40 knots in one lucky day?

How this TOP spots in Europe compare to ours?My first impression is that: access is easy, just from the city. But what about difficulty? Are there are much easier to get right speeds?








Grevelingenmeer - Ouddorp Haven
Netherlands 2017 Hans Kreisel - 49.46





Buesum, Ossengoot
Germany 2017 Gunnar Asmussen- 53.69




La Franqui
France 2017 Robert Hofmann- 48.18




West Kirby

United Kingdom 2017- Matthew York - 47.25








Southend-on-Sea
United Kingdom - 2017 Ian Richards- 45.87


Luderitz, NA
Tony Wynhoven- 49.85
Jacques Kint- 48.76
Brad Anderson- 47.42
Andrew Daff-47.23

Having been to only one of these places so far, I still think I can tell you a little about some of them.
I've been to the La Franqui area often, but wasn't interested in speedsailing at the time, so sailed in a safer lagoon around the corner:

La Franqui (Windsurfing Highway):
Well accesssible, tidal influence can be neglected, but southerly winds tend to destroy the shore line and pile up sandbars in unpredictable places, which can mean perfect wind and perfect angles but conditions from perfectly smooth in straight line to impossible. I've heard stories of days where you could only get good results if you were nuts enough to thunder through a 3 metre-wide passage surrrounded by shallows.
The northerly winds (Tramonane) blow frequently and are often hefty, but are gusty more often than not.
Wreck your gear sailing back a little further offshore and the next stop is Africa! Still a very reliable spot.

West Kirby:
I'd love to go there once or its easy access and perfect safety. Don't turn right on the speedrun, though, or you'll eat concrete. Steve Thorp has even been attacked by a dog jumping at him!
Strong winds in Storm fronts, which is why days with aperfect angle era obviously infrequent. Nothing regular like trade winds.
Speed run is quite short, I think you can hardly squeeze out 500 metres.

B?sum:
When all the cheeseholes align, this seems to be perfectly smooth and ridiculously fast.
Beware though: people sail in a tidal creek subject to constant change, so you need the perfect storm (strong from the right angle) and tide: In high tide you're out there in open water, when the tide is too low, there won't be enough clearance for even the shortest fins. Strong winds are likely to cause a storm surge, which makes sailing impossible. People seem to head out and do crazy speeds without knowing where the shallows are. Hauling your gear out through the mud is part of the game, as far as I know.
Well, why is Gunnar Asmussen ranked two on GPS-speedsailing? Because the comnditions were good enough for 5 runs only, two of them being rather poor, so his average doesn't match his top speed (After all, he did 100m at 53 knots!).

Sorry, I don't know much abou the other places. But should any of you consider spending some tim speedsailing in Europe, la Franqui would probably be the best place to go.

^ Every good speed spot has it's +'s and -'s.

As I said. "Right Place at the Right Time"

My point in the earlier post was that, to be in the RPATRT takes some commitment and dedication. Not everyone is able to make that commitment because 'life' tends to get in the way. It's the same in most sporting endeavours.

Macro. I think most competent windsurfers have a pretty good chance of doing 40 knots if they are in the RPATRT. For many it might take a little while to get up to speed with the local conditions, to figure out the best combination of Kit and the right time to go. What you use at home may not be optimal for the special spot at the right time on that day. There is a certain commitment needed to be on the optimal gear for speed, not the 'safest compromise'. Then there is the matter of immediate commitment - i.e. A certain calculated disregard for ones own safety.
But seriously, It is not always that scary if you work up to it and are on the right gear. The first time I did 47 knots in 2009, in that infamous September 27th, 45-60 knot gale I was ****ting myself, and probably backed off too early. On a subsequent occasion (2014) in the same place, I went that same speed, it seemed just like a 'normal' low to mid 40's run and I was surprised to see over 47 on the dial at the end. But the other GPS's all said the same! I can tell you that 42 knots at Shark Bay definitely had my attention for slightly different reasons. Here I was in very shallow water with a 16.5cm fin which as really on the edge in the prevailing chop. It was definitly a quite fine line. Go close to the bank and get smoother water but run the risk of hitting the bottom. Go further out and rattle over the chop and spin out. The shelly bottom there is not at all forgiving to exposed skin.
Luderitz is a whole other game. More of a mental game where you have to convince yourself it is 'safe' to barrel down a very narrow canal in manic gusty winds. Here, same as everywhere, timing of the run is also critical for wind angle and strength.

The weedy lakes are the most forgiving places to do 40 knots in my experience. But each one has it's own particular challenges re. equipment choice.
If you get those fabled steady 30 knots winds on the Lake George 'glass', that is probably your best bet. Get 35 knots (very rare) and you are as good as home and hosed!
That will be the day that the big guys like Spotty, CL, Doddi and Brad will have a chance at 50kts.
(Maybe, along with a few medium sized madmen! )

This may sound controversial but 40 knots is easy. On perfectly flat water with smooth steady winds the majority of windsurfers can crack the 40 knot mark. The problem is finding these conditions and having the stars line up so wind and water are just right. That's the fun of the chase discovering new locations, learning their intricacies and then laying down some fast tracks. With handheld GPS loggers every location has the potential for 40 knots....but it will take hard work and dedication to nail it.

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Macroscien said..

sailquik said..
That is just a normal part of me planning my life!

Excellent, but the whole idea is to advertise your plans in advance, then other could observe if you are lucky with results or even join in.The purpose could be that less experienced sailor ( could join ) and increase their chances for success. Another advantage is the preparation is made on the basis of favorable forecasts.
Not as usually preparation for invading the spot, made half a year in advance ( because of the planned annual event), then hope for the wind to comes.

So next time you are going after this 40+ lets us know few days in advance

In the USA it's easy to know when to come to the premier speed spot, ARooBar, and go after 40. Been keeping a speed page for the loonies who want to hunt speed for years, sadly it's usually billy no mates on the course for me each year. Here's the details for any intrepid Aussies venturing to the bad old US of A this winter. Once the season starts I update it with forecasts a week out so you can plan a visit.www.speedsailor.com/ARooBar.html

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Adriano said..
He he. Any 40+ day is a good day!

Any 30+ day is a good day.

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Roo said..

plan a visit.www.speedsailor.com/ARooBar.html

This is absolutely fantastic! something I dreamed/imagined that should be - is here and now.

If only others could follow you and we could imagine that guardian angels will keep eye on their spots.YOu should franchise your idea (royalty free or not ) and we may have one-day KATO looking after our Sandy,
Phil on Train, Geoff on Burrum, Lake George - Hardie, Rad on Manly, Vando on Lota, Sailquk will organize buses taking us to Luderitz etc

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shear tip said..Any 30+ day is a good day.

Adriano said..
He he. Any 40+ day is a good day!

Well, to be frank, any day windsurfing is a great day....

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Macroscien said..
But seriously what is the chance that average Joe , that comes to proven spot, in that ideal wind condition,
receiving/hiring onsite the proper speed gear will hit 40+ without killing himself and devastating equipment? Suppose that average windsurfing Joe buy a ticket and fly to TOP Europen sites, even Luderitz that other guys do routinely 50+....what are the chances to get 40 knots in one lucky day?

I think your best chance is weedy lakes with consistent wind like Lake George. It's shaping up well this summer. Keep an eye on things and maybe come and meet up with Daffy and me. Could be a blast.

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Adriano said..

Macroscien said..
But seriously what is the chance that average Joe , that comes to proven spot, in that ideal wind condition,
receiving/hiring onsite the proper speed gear will hit 40+ without killing himself and devastating equipment? Suppose that average windsurfing Joe buy a ticket and fly to TOP Europen sites, even Luderitz that other guys do routinely 50+....what are the chances to get 40 knots in one lucky day?

I think your best chance is weedy lakes with consistent wind like Lake George. It's shaping up well this summer. Keep an eye on things and maybe come and meet up with Daffy and me. Could be a blast.

I guess this is good advice, and Me ( everybody ) could start preparation for LG , if the water level gets right and weeds grow well.Eventually, everybody deserves that chance to get their 40 .What I like about LG is that it is more about skills and right gear on the day then lottery. If everybody around is doing 40+, but not me, there is nobody else to blame but myself.
As we know in many places it is rather a lottery - freak gust, bravery to shave the shallow with fin.
Persistence to reach the place where you could start sailing on speed gear. I had this experience when my chances were wasted in Burrum.Caused many struggles to get to the upper point because wind although strong but not optimal angle . So only brave and experienced sailors had their chances on the day. So I had the right gear, water, and wind but enough experience local knowledge. Sometimes there is only one specific place to bear off and in the right direction against the wind on this otherwise 3 km long perfectly flat strip in Burrum.

So for newcomers useful could be exact instruction for the spot- where and when the top speed is expected to happen. For example, on our Train, you could spend whole day sailing and still have 5 knots less then Tony and Phil if you don't know exactly where is the exact place to bear off the wind.So I guess there could be our plan ( for everybody wishing to improve their PBs)

LAKE George , SA . FEB-2018

Maybe one day we could also create short instruction manuals for main speed spots in Austalia.
When to come; what to bring; and what to do; ( where is max speed ); what not to do. etc.

I remember years ago I come to Sandy on a perfect day windy, but everything I brought with me was too much: board, sail, fin Then even once going the main question: how to stop! because on Sandy seem that you just keep going and going, you could not go upwind since you are few cm of the sandbank, and scary as hell to bear off into chop and gybe too at this speeds...

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Macroscien said..LAKE George , SA . FEB-2018

Adriano said..

Macroscien said..
But seriously what is the chance that average Joe , that comes to proven spot, in that ideal wind condition,
receiving/hiring onsite the proper speed gear will hit 40+ without killing himself and devastating equipment? Suppose that average windsurfing Joe buy a ticket and fly to TOP Europen sites, even Luderitz that other guys do routinely 50+....what are the chances to get 40 knots in one lucky day?

I think your best chance is weedy lakes with consistent wind like Lake George. It's shaping up well this summer. Keep an eye on things and maybe come and meet up with Daffy and me. Could be a blast.

I guess this is good advice, and Me ( everybody ) could start preparation for LG , if the water level gets right and weeds grow well.Eventually, everybody deserves that chance to get their 40 .What I like about LG is that it is more about skills and right gear on the day then lottery. If everybody around is doing 40+, but not me, there is nobody else to blame but myself.
As we know in many places it is rather a lottery - freak gust, bravery to shave the shallow with fin.
Persistence to reach the place where you could start sailing on speed gear. I had this experience when my chances were wasted in Burrum.Caused many struggles to get to the upper point because wind although strong but not optimal angle . So only brave and experienced sailors had their chances on the day. So I had the right gear, water, and wind but enough experience local knowledge. Sometimes there is only one specific place to bear off and in the right direction against the wind on this otherwise 3 km long perfectly flat strip in Burrum.

So for newcomers useful could be exact instruction for the spot- where and when the top speed is expected to happen. For example, on our Train, you could spend whole day sailing and still have 5 knots less then Tony and Phil if you don't know exactly where is the exact place to bear off the wind.So I guess there could be our plan ( for everybody wishing to improve their PBs)

See you there!

GPS Speed sailing is NOT a lottery Macro.

Yes, luck plays a small part, especially if it is gusty wind, but the skill is maximising your chances through good strategy that comes with observation and learning. Developing the skills to get to that ideal starting spot on the course on optimum gear is only gained through experience and practice. And as much time on the water in good conditions as you can manage.

Bravery is relative. What someone may see as bravery, the others know is just confidence in their ability fitness and skills. (Or having a good plan B when turns to crap )

Fitness can play a big part. These days, some of the younger, fitter sailors at Sandy Point will sail upwind when it is nuking, rather than walk most of the way back like I mostly do now. Sailing back burns up a LOT more energy and makes a lot more muscle fatigue, but, if you can handle it, it maximises your chances of getting back to the start area in time for the next good squall. More runs = more chances at a good squall = more likely to get a great run and a high average. Chris Lockwood was one of the best at this, often getting many more runs than most and he was almost always on the best squalls. Watch Mat, Adriano and Kato at Sandy Point to see this strategy in action.

Watch what the experienced local sailors are doing. See where they go. Take careful note of their gear and how it is set up. Try too see what they are looking for to time their run. Take note of what the fast guys your size are riding.

On the other hand. Running on a restricted fixed course in an event is very much a lottery. You are restricted to a certain angle and you must wait your turn. There is very little room for strategy here. You must take what you get. If there is a less favourable angle or less wind when it gets to your turn in a long queue, there is not much you can do. This requires a different set of skills. Much more technical in the gear setup, but also very dependent on your actual body shape and size. This is the big revolution in GPS speed sailing. The chance to use your experience, skills and strategy to maximise your potential, which is what I love about it.

Being in the right place at the right time, and having the experience, skills and gear to take advantage of it is something one must work on. There is no magic shortcut. It takes a lot of commitment to put aside some of life's other priorities to pursue this esoteric goal. Not everyone is able to make as much commitment as they would like to, but sometimes we can find ways to maximise our chances to reach our goals with a good strategy.

If you want to be at Sandy Point on a top day, we are always very happy to talk to you about the upcoming forecasts. Just watch Windguru and drop us a line anytime you see something really interesting.

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sailquik said..
GPS Speed sailing is NOT a lottery Macro.

That's right. That is why we have all this thread about preparations.Just one question about Luderitz.
I am not going there, but everybody may be interested how it is organized.
It looks that speed channel is privately made. Guys spend a lot of time, effort and obviously money to this channel to happen.
How do they recover costs? Are there specified charges for the day ? slot ? run ? other services like transportation up and down the run?
How many sailors could utilize run in one day? What is turnover per 1 hour ( how many sailors could have their run) in 1 h ?Are there special rules? code of practice? How deep is a channel? Are there any criteria to enter? Proof of qualification and right PB ? Do you need to sign a waiver ( that you will sail at your own risk)? Are there any medical help anywhere ( or Westpac helicopter handy)?Any history of spectacular crashes? and injuries?
sorry, that a bit more than one question, but when you start, you just can't stop.

We have to talk very quietly here about money. Sandy is still free of charge, but if city council smell the money they may now install parking meters on the dunes. Say $30 per hour, like many spots in Melbourne that you want to sail: Mentone, Rickets, Kilda

All the questions you have asked about Luderitz have already been answered in previous threads about the event, especially around the 2013 event which some Aussies attended. There are plenty Photos and Videos as well. Do a search.

Briefly:
It is a privately run event. Cost 1500 Euro per week in 2013, I think it is 1800 or more now. (A large proportion of that goes to the WSSRC - I did a tentative deal with Seb to take a group of Aussies for a non WSSRC [GPS] trip after the official event for far less in 2016, but then the event didn't run, and now it is under different management. )
If there are 20 sailors and it is not extreme wind or conditions, you will just line up and take turns. If everyone is sailing you may only get one run every 20-30 minutes, depending on how long it takes for sailors ahead of you to get going once the green flag is raised. The next sailor can't start until the previous sailor is seen to clear the finish line. You can't delay your start to wait for better conditions or the sailors behind will pressure you to go and you might miss your turn.
Only when conditions got very wild did some sailors drop out for a while and enable those willing to go to have more runs.
Transport back is on trailers and included in the price.
The channel is 'officially' more than 50cm deep to meet WSSRC rules
Waiver - yes. Medical - First aid and 'ambulance' was onsite. Hospital 10-15 minutes away in Luderitz town. No helicopters.
They asked for evidence of you experience, speeds and skills with the entry. Then it is up to you to know what you can go for and when.
Crashes - Some big ones (which they were careful not to publicise). No really serious injuries when we were there, but plenty of pain for a couple of sailors.

The Luderitz Nest Hotel in town is top class and they do a good deal for competitors. Other options are available and the town has very good shops, restaurants etc.

Their has been a parking fee at Sandy Point over the summer holidays and summer weekends for many years, but at $2 a day it is nothing. Winter is free.

I do remember at Vico sailor who wanted to get a 40 kt run before he turned 40. A good free ride sailor but never really tried serious speed sailing. Bought a Jp speed board , good general purpose speed fin and a NP Race sail.
But despite all his efforts and purchasing just couldn't get a 40 on the GPS. I my mind a 40 kt run is still hard and cannot be bought by equipment and luck. You need to have some good gear that will go fast, you need to know how to sail that gear fast, you must be comfortable on this gear and be mentally and physically in the right space. Then a 40 kt run will come easily

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kato said..
I do remember at Vico sailor who wanted to get a 40 kt run before he turned 40. A good free ride sailor but never really tried serious speed sailing. Bought a Jp speed board , good general purpose speed fin and a NP Race sail.
But despite all his efforts and purchasing just couldn't get a 40 on the GPS. I my mind a 40 kt run is still hard and cannot be bought by equipment and luck. You need to have some good gear that will go fast, you need to know how to sail that gear fast, you must be comfortable on this gear and be mentally and physically in the right space. Then a 40 kt run will come easily

+1 Kato, seen that a few times here at LG ,
Ya still gotta earn it.

I've got all February off . Can maybe help show you around Macro.

And I've the first 2 weeks off in Feb

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kato said..
And I've the first 2 weeks off in Feb

Mmmmm. Thinking....

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Adriano said..
Mmmmm. Thinking....

yeah! Very hard decision!!

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Adriano said..

Mmmmm. Thinking....

Me to. Just thinking what this time .....even if I plan meticulously everything to last to last detail...
what that random occurrence could happen this time to prevent from fulfilling plans....

Stopping after a fast run at Sandy Point:

Nothing to sweat about.

Bear away even more and oversheet a bit to kill the power (you will be running very broad by then - if you aren't, you didn't go far enough). Sheet right out, stand up and bend zee knees to absorb the chop. When you have slowed enough and have a bit of room from the bank. Round up and step off in knee deep before the fin grounds. Easy when you say it quickly.

It's important to keep the board from flapping when you sheet out, as this is the most likely time the fin will let go of the board wobbles too much. Be smooth and patient.

Plan 'B': If it all gets a bit too much, just bail out on your back, but remember to unhook first!

EG:

This one shows the stopping technique too, maybe even better. In this run I bore away from the bank just about when the fishing boat disappeared behind my sail to get the last bit of speed. This run I remember was right around a 40 knot peak. I was a little underpowered with the 5m sail in high 20's wind. Sorry about the rain drops on the lens.

It looks like historically Sandy is the best to sail about now and the following month since Lake George will be ready in February.
Is that right ? But that statistic could be a bit off, if by a chance results are coused by popular events and plenty people arriving regardless.
Lets rather see when ( what month) the most best results are made on Sandy.


Lake George





Sandy
Lets see statistics which month is most fruitfull for Sandy
Feb-04
Adrian Bonomi 40.636 2 dr cam 41.88 2 dr cam 41.889 2 dr cam 41.238 2
M ar-5
Darren J 40.655 3 Vando 41.52 3 Vando 47.449 3 B Rad 45.165 3 Adrian Bonomi 41.491 3
May-02
SeaSkip 43.065 5 B Rad 42.949 5
Jun-03
SeaSkip 41.841 6 Kato 40.315 6 Martin Love 43.017 6
Jul-01
Adrian Bonomi 44.786 7
Oct-06
Byron Mcilveen 41.413 10 Byron Mcilveen 43.435 10 hugh morgan 42.511 10 Byron Mcilveen 43.551 10 Vando 41.957 10 25 44.066 10
Nov-08
dr cam 40.772 11 anthony perkins 42.881 11 anthony perkins 40.762 11 izaak 42.997 11 Jamesb 41.734 11 izaak 42.424 11 dr cam 41.617 11 Adrian Bonomi 43.998 11

Sandy is good any time of the year. You just need wind! We've had some years with good SW blows in January and none in the traditional spring front season, LIKE THIS YEAR!