Hey guys and girls,

This is your captain speaking We need you out there posting sessions.

Right now there are only three of us posting. Sure that means us three keep the trophy spoils for ourselves. But we want to share them out.

I'm thinking of setting up a Facebook group to try to keep us in touch and coordinate our efforts. I set up a website but haven't developed it. If enough of us use facebook that may be the way to go.

I'm also happy to video any Demerit out there windsurfing and then give the footage to you. It's a great way to document your sailing.

If there are any NSW windsurfers thinking of giving the GPS Challenge a go then consider joining the Demerits. As we are a small team it's more likely your efforts will count towards the team score than In a big team. So although some people think your efforts are lost joining a smaller team the reverse is actually true. Your efforts are more appreciated and valued.

I'm there if you can organise some wind during the weeked!

Can't do much about the weather. The forecast is looking ordinary unless you like drizzle and light fluctuating winds. Is this what summer weather is meant to be like


If you still need a hand with your GPS then Adrian may be able to help. I think he uses a Garmin Gecko which may be similar to your GPS. It would be great to have you posting sessions again as I think you are the fastest sailor on the team.

I'll get in touch with Adrian re my download problem, it's a bit boring only having access to the 2 sec average.

Yes I remember you only posting in a few categories. Based on Adrian's posts, there is a way of extracting data from a Garmin and posting it the KA72 website.

It looks like this weekend is a writeoff for windsurfing. I'm heading up to Port Stephens the next weekend and hope to get some windsurfing in.If the wind is up it would be great for other Demerits to get out there.

We are not at the bottom for this month but are close to it. Our monthly total was based on a very mediocre session Adrian and I had in a dying easterly wind. So it should not take too much to improve on it if we get some wind before the end of the month on a day at least two of us can go sailing.

Edit: I hope we can all meet up soon too. It would be great to have a team get together at Kyeemagh or somewhere like that on a windy NE seabreeze day before winter sets in.

Your long forgotten members Jeff and Dale didn't manage to put any runs on the board. Our annual trip to WA was not that great and when there was some wind we didn't bother carrying the GPSs!

Blame La Nina for our lack of results.

I am willing to accept cash donations to go back to WA for a week or two if you really need some results...

Hi Guys,

Just saw this thread. I think we could have some potential for some reasonable results. I can consistantly do over 30 knots at Kyeemah if there is reasonable wind. I am pretty sure when I get a good day with around 25 and good direction and tide I should get to around 33knots as my current best runs were all underpowered. I know W4W can do atleast as well as me, and Karl is not far off me. If we could get 2s around 32 and 5X10 around 30, and I can do reasonable 1 hour and total kms if someone can back me up, than we could get into the top half of the placings.

As for GPS... I find my Geko really easy to use. When I go out I just clear the track memory, and have it always set to 2s interval. When I get home I connect it to PC and load tracks out using EasyGPS, and save as gpx. Then load this into ka72.com and then press the button to update GPSTC.

I have also found my geko to be very consistant. My results on the unit always agree with KA72 (which filters out irregularities). It does not do dopler, but I suspect it is pretty accurate. My results always align well with those of others out at the same time.

Unfortunately my personal life has taken a bit of a turn recently and I will struggle to get out as much, but I will certainly try to get out on the good days.

Cheers,

Adrian

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FormulaNova said...

Your long forgotten members Jeff and Dale didn't manage to put any runs on the board. Our annual trip to WA was not that great and when there was some wind we didn't bother carrying the GPSs!

Blame La Nina for our lack of results.

I am willing to accept cash donations to go back to WA for a week or two if you really need some results...

Sorry to hear the wind did not coincide with your trip to WA.

Winds in Sydney have been reasonable this summer. Basically anything after last summer would be considered reasonable even if we got one seabreeze for all of January and February.

Can't help with funding your proposed return expedition, I can't even raise the funds to buy a new GPS so I have to keep moaning about my old one thats dying.

Forecast could improve for Sunday depending on the pressure systems. Not sure if I could get out as I have family over and I think I'll have to be a tourist guide.....

I'll admit I've been very slack. Doesn't help that my GT 31 keeps dying on me and I have been using a borrowed GT 11 (Which I really need to give back!).

I guess when the techincal side of it gets too hard, I would rather just be enjoying the wind and the water than getting stressed about a faulty GPS.....

No worries Jonathon.

I don't want to push anyone who doesn't feel like doing it. My GT-11 is very funky too so I understand that technical difficulties may cause headaches that you really don't want to deal with when all you want to do is go windsurfing.

I'm half tempted to buy a new GT-31 and then have my GT-11 as a loaner for the team. I'll consider it next pay but there are so many bills to pay

Sunday forecast is starting to look a bit better. If I were to go out, would any other double demerits be likely to post a session? Would be good to get a reasonable session in for the month. I will probably wait until I see atleast 15 on seabreeze before heading out (35 minutes drive). Would probably sail from the new Kyeemah carpark.

I know that the Garmin Geko is not respected as a GPS in the GPSTC, but I have to say that in terms of reliability it is very good. The unit itself is water resistant so even if your pack gets some water it will be fine. Other than a firmware bug at the beginning of 2010 with dates, it has been really trouble free. You might pick one up second hand really cheap also... and it is small. Only problems are limited memory for logging (but I have logged over 100kms no problem), and you need a serial port to connect to PC and wait about 10 minutes to load tracks. I have had mine for atleast 5 years... I think 7-8, and still running strong. Used for bike riding, windsurfing, walking etc. But I do agree... don't let the GPS take the fun out of windsurfing... find something reliable that does not cause stress, or don't bother!! I have been enjoying the challenge of going for PBs.

-- Adrian

Did anyone get out tonight?. I did a late one in marginal winds on my big gear...got a few gusts with 30 on the dial, so I'll post it if anyone else was out.

Not me Des,

post it anyway. Good to test the GPS and see that everything works as it should.

Perhaps this Sunday, I may be able to get out for a few hours in the arvo.

Good to see a few of us get out on Sunday. Lucky the pressure systems lined up for us. It was a great day of windsurfing and besides me at Narrabeen we achieved excellent results. As we are a smaller team the results on Sunday propelled us up the scoreboard past a few teams. I would have liked to have gone down to Kyeemagh but it was not possible.


Well done Adrian and Des

I took footage of windsurfing on Narrabeen. I'll make a clip up of it later on. Despite a mediocre session the video looks quite good.

If any keen windsurfer in NSW is interested in joining the GPSTC consider joining the Demerits. There is a fair chance your results will contribute towards the team score. We get on well with the other teams too.

Hey Mobydisc,

How do you join and what equipment and gear do you need to have to be part of the Demerits. Also do you have to be a top sailor or is a past the beginner stage and onto good stage and have stayed there for a while now okay.

Kind Regards

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Walt said...

Hey Mobydisc,

How do you join and what equipment and gear do you need to have to be part of the Demerits. Also do you have to be a top sailor or is a past the beginner stage and onto good stage and have stayed there for a while now okay.

Kind Regards

Hey Walt. Speaking for MobyDisc here but I'm sure he'd agree.

GPSTC is open for everyone with a GPS and a desire to go as fast AS TEHY CAN. It's as much about your own progression and PBs as it is about the team (but good to improve both).

Registration form can be downloaded from here www.seabreeze.com.au/info/gpsrego.pdf

Just on the registration issue, you don't need to fill in the form to register.

Just go here:
gpsteamchallenge.com.au/sailor/register

Hey AndyRogan,

Cool I will check it out.

nebbian, So you can register individually or under a team name are there two different registrations?

Kind regards
Walt

Hi Walt,

As Andy posted, the challenge is for any level of windsurfer. As it's a teams based competition you have to either join a team or start a new team when you join. I think there is only one online form to complete. The request can then be viewed and accepted by a team captain. It's all online now. We would be happy for you to join the Demerits.

In relation to gear you need an approved tracking GPS plus a pouch to store and protect it. Most participants use a Locosys Navi. They are good but seem to have a limited lifespan due to water damage. You need a computer with web access to post your result along with windsurfing gear to make those results.