Some cranking wind for the third day of the comp and managed to get some footage with the GoPro in between trying to sail so check it out?si=xEauFaYCQtpT2FPd

Looks great Phil!!

Well done Phil, great video, shows how good Burrum can be.

One for the history books... 40.01 peak

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mathew said..
One for the history books... 40.01 peak

Pity you didn't enter the event. We do have safety rules in place for competitors, that you didn't seem to know about. The time stamp on your 40 knots seems to be inaccurate.

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WindWanderers said..

mathew said..
One for the history books... 40.01 peak

Pity you didn't enter the event. We do have safety rules in place for competitors, that you didn't seem to know about. The time stamp on your 40 knots seems to be inaccurate.

well... lucky for me I am not a competitor, I was just free-sailing at one my local windsurf spots doing my own thing.

I was kicked out of the "speed competition" on a previous occasion while attempting to go fast. So if the fun-police dont want me to take part, that is fine as I wont.

#UTC just because the fun-police are at it again.

Looks dangerous, going in opposite directions on the run.

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decrepit said..
Looks dangerous, going in opposite directions on the run.

Its really not, there is plenty of space.

The only time there is ever any concern is when people gybe without looking.

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decrepit said..
Looks dangerous, going in opposite directions on the run.

Yes it is dangerous. For safety reasons we have a one way system in place. Competitors are coming down the course in the same direction. No bear aways are permitted which means slower speeds for the top competitors but it is safer for everyone. The competition is not a speed event - we only have 500m, NM, one hour and half hour divisions plus lots of social BBQ's.
.

Nice one Phil

Thank you Geoff, Ann and the windwanderers for making this event happen and for bringing so many together from the windsurfing community. Am stoked to have scored a good day on the Burrum bar with the east side crew and put names to faces :) Nice film Phil:)

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WindWanderers said..
Yes it is dangerous. For safety reasons we have a one way system in place. Competitors are coming down the course in the same direction. No bear aways are permitted which means slower speeds for the top competitors but it is safer for everyone. The competition is not a speed event - we only have 500m, NM, one hour and half hour divisions plus lots of social BBQ's.
.

"The competition is not a speed event - we only have 500m, NM, one hour and half hour divisions"

That sounds just like a 'speed event' to me

Each to their own. If you have your fun that way, good for you. Sincerely.

If that what you need to do to be able to run your event, thats fine. But thats is why I personally would probably not enter your event again. For me, it is all about the 'speed' sailing. And the skill of speed sailing - going as fast as possible - is finding just the perfect angle off the wind to sail.

You are perfectly welcome to sail your 'safe' way if that floats your boat.

I'll sail to go as fast as I possibly can. And I will be safe doing it my way.

(PS: You are perfectly happy to drive your car at a closing speed of 200 KPH, head on, with around 1m of separation. )

I agree with Andrew, I wouldn't be there either. But I would feel bad about missing out on the chance to go fast.

I don't agree with Andrew, if it's not your thing don't go, why criticise.
It's great to see a group putting the effort in to hold an event.

Back to the video, I enjoy your commentry in all your videos Phil

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firiebob said..
I don't agree with Andrew, if it's not your thing don't go, why criticise.
It's great to see a group putting the effort in to hold an event.

Point taken Firie,
I certainly wouldn't be going. Butb as you say getting a like minded group together for an event can only be a good thing

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sailquik said..

WindWanderers said..
Yes it is dangerous. For safety reasons we have a one way system in place. Competitors are coming down the course in the same direction. No bear aways are permitted which means slower speeds for the top competitors but it is safer for everyone. The competition is not a speed event - we only have 500m, NM, one hour and half hour divisions plus lots of social BBQ's.
.

"The competition is not a speed event - we only have 500m, NM, one hour and half hour divisions"

That sounds just like a 'speed event' to me

Each to their own. If you have your fun that way, good for you. Sincerely.

If that what you need to do to be able to run your event, thats fine. But thats is why I personally would probably not enter your event again. For me, it is all about the 'speed' sailing. And the skill of speed sailing - going as fast as possible - is finding just the perfect angle off the wind to sail.

You are perfectly welcome to sail your 'safe' way if that floats your boat.

I'll sail to go as fast as I possibly can. And I will be safe doing it my way.

(PS: You are perfectly happy to drive your car at a closing speed of 200 KPH, head on, with around 1m of separation. )

Go your hardest anytime there's no event

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firiebob said..
I don't agree with Andrew, if it's not your thing don't go, why criticise.
It's great to see a group putting the effort in to hold an event.

I actually think it is a great event of that is your thing, and I commend the Club for running it.

It's just not mine, which I why I have not been back. That and it is a 3-4 day drive to get there!

What don't you agree with Bob?

I was replying to comments that sailing back up the bank or 'bearing away' was dangerous.

There is really no safety issue for me with sailing back up the bank, or bearing away from it to get top speed if you are watching where you are going (and those coming back upwind are also watching where they are going). But if thats what they need to implement to get permission/insurance to hold their event, it is what it is, and this is fine. If you are not in their event, it is irrelevant.

For 30 years we have all sailed back up the bank at Sandy Point when possible due to wind direction, the majority of the time crossing over somewhere on the way, and it proved to be perfectly safe over hundreds of sessions with dozens of sailors on the bank. As Mathew said, the dangerous thing was sailors unexpectedly gybing or suddenly rounding up into the bank ahead of you when you were coming up fast behind them. A look behind was the rule to avoid that, always very good (essential) safety practice before any manoeuvres really.

I have no criticism of the event or organisers given thats what they decided they had to do.

Likewise, I would not expect any criticism from them of I decided to sail there, not entered in their event.

Burrum is a fickle windsurfing venue. It's not consistent like Lake George or Cervantes. It needs 13+ kn southerly wind and low tide below 0.8m to align. The last two years have been excellent with 4 to 5 sailing days over the 7 day competition window, although we have had years with barely one sailing day. In addition the southerly wind stream often brings rain squalls and accompanying gusty conditions which further complicate the equation. Wind Foiling and Winging in recent years have increased sailing opportunities in 10 to 13 kts.

Windfest is a GPS rather than a speed sailing event. The 500m, Nm and 1 hour disciplines (30 minutes next year hopefully) have evolved over the last 15 years of the competition. They seem to work very well for this venue, especially when the whole 4km cresent shaped bank is working. I spot PBed my 2sec and 5x10, when chasing a good 500m and Nm result this year, just running the bank!

Point scoring is cumulative where results in each discipline on each sailing day contribute to the overall results. In addition prizes are also awarded for the best result achieved in each discipline over the week.

Further there are three divisions based on each participant's GPSTC 2 sec PB. Div 1 for PBs >39kt, Div 2 for PBs between 33 and 39. Div 3 for PBs < 33. Competition in each division was very keen.There is something for everyone.

Like all good regattas, the social part is probably the most important. Windfest, although sometimes frustrating, if nature doesn't come to play, is always good fun. Most participants are regulars.

If the forecast is good next year, I thoroughly recommend giving the event a go. Bring your sense of humour, windsurf, wind foil or wing gear, plus a mountain bike, kayak or sup if you have one.

This is one of the best events in OZ, it as been going now for 15 years, so many happy people just having fun and what Mathew said is all wrong, I have been race director for many years, we can't have bear aways it is just not safe, tomorrow is the day for doing bear aways, contest is over and the wind is looking good.

Is it acceptable to go free sailing in an area set aside for a competition and sail among the competitors?

Would you take your bike out for a free ride during an official road race?Yes the road is free for everyone to use but the organisers of the event and the competitors deserve respect from the rest of the public. The organisers would feel within their rights to evict you from the course. There are plenty of other places for you to ride your bike and you are hindering the results of competitors. Even if you don't think you are getting in the way, surely it is not the right thing to do.

There are plenty of other places to go sailing other than in the middle of a competition.

WindFest sounded to me as 'not serious' and so it was the first windsurfing event that attracted me enough to sign up for.
To enter my next phase in windsurfing of getting kinda serious, at a not so serious event seemed good. It was.

As a rookie, a big part of coming was to put faces to names. Names that are totally legendary status to me.

Maybe if events like this keep going i'll be one pleading for bear aways in the future too. But for now it was mega fun.

To the speed sailors that were here and keep coming, thanks for the inspiration.

Great edit Phil.

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sailquik said..

firiebob said..
I don't agree with Andrew, if it's not your thing don't go, why criticise.
It's great to see a group putting the effort in to hold an event.

I actually think it is a great event of that is your thing, and I commend the Club for running it.

It's just not mine, which I why I have not been back. That and it is a 3-4 day drive to get there!

What don't you agree with Bob?

I was replying to comments that sailing back up the bank or 'bearing away' was dangerous.

There is really no safety issue for me with sailing back up the bank, or bearing away from it to get top speed if you are watching where you are going (and those coming back upwind are also watching where they are going). But if thats what they need to implement to get permission/insurance to hold their event, it is what it is, and this is fine. If you are not in their event, it is irrelevant.

For 30 years we have all sailed back up the bank at Sandy Point when possible due to wind direction, the majority of the time crossing over somewhere on the way, and it proved to be perfectly safe over hundreds of sessions with dozens of sailors on the bank. As Mathew said, the dangerous thing was sailors unexpectedly gybing or suddenly rounding up into the bank ahead of you when you were coming up fast behind them. A look behind was the rule to avoid that, always very good (essential) safety practice before any manoeuvres really.

I have no criticism of the event or organisers given thats what they decided they had to do.

Likewise, I would not expect any criticism from them of I decided to sail there, not entered in their event.

I just don't agree with your post Andrew, you're not agreeing with the way they run their event even though you have no intention of going again. It's their event let them run it the way they want.
I'm happy you had 30 years safe sailing at Sandy Point but not everyone has your skill level.
Your last comment is disrespectful, why would you out of 52 weeks in a year want to sail the one week when there is an event on.
No more from me, see you at Lake George next year.

Sorry Phil, again nice video

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GEOFF RINGE said..
This is one of the best events in OZ, it as been going now for 15 years, so many happy people just having fun and what Mathew said is all wrong, I have been race director for many years, we can't have bear aways it is just not safe, tomorrow is the day for doing bear aways, contest is over and the wind is looking good.

Not safe? Rubbish Geoff. We must agree to disagree.

Oh I do agree with you that it is very good event for a lot of people. That is very true. Well done for your part in organising and running a great event.

I hope you crack a 40 at the next opportunity .

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WindWanderers said..
Is it acceptable to go free sailing in an area set aside for a competition and sail among the competitors?

Would you take your bike out for a free ride during an official road race?Yes the road is free for everyone to use but the organisers of the event and the competitors deserve respect from the rest of the public. The organisers would feel within their rights to evict you from the course. There are plenty of other places for you to ride your bike and you are hindering the results of competitors. Even if you don't think you are getting in the way, surely it is not the right thing to do.

There are plenty of other places to go sailing other than in the middle of a competition.

Of course it is fine! Who says it is 'set aside' for the exclusive use of a few with some sort of privilege? If I was to sail there that day, the best day, and the best moments probably for SPEED SAILING for many years at that spot, I would of course stay out of everyone else way just like I would do sailing in a crowded spot anywhere.

Ask any amateur surfing contest organiser if they expect exclusive use of the best break on the best day.

Not a chance!

They generally hold there comps somewhere else anyway because they know they have no right to exclusive use, which has always been disappointing to me as I want to surf the best wave available.

Go somewhere else some other time? You have to be kidding! The ONLY place to get the best speeds in the best conditions, which are ephemeral at best, was right where everyone else is sailing.

Wow what a sad thread. Windfest has always sounded like such a fun comp and the organisers deserve huge congrats for all their work to keep it a success for so long. But given how rare 40 knot opportunities are in Australia, I'm surprised any speed sailor would begrudge a relative local for taking a rare chance to chase 40 at his local spot. All speed sailors are used to carefully and safely navigating traffic. I don't believe choosing to be in an event should ever give someone else exclusive access to a public space over any other member of the community. Events aren't everyone's cup of tea. Public spaces belong to everyone and should be shared.

So huge congrats to the event organisers for another successful event, but huge congrats also to Mat for nailing a 40 close to home

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mathew said..
One for the history books... 40.01 peak

Congrats Matt. Awesome run.

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firiebob said..
I just don't agree with your post Andrew, you're not agreeing with the way they run their event even though you have no intention of going again. It's their event let them run it the way they want.
I'm happy you had 30 years safe sailing at Sandy Point but not everyone has your skill level.
Your last comment is disrespectful, why would you out of 52 weeks in a year want to sail the one week when there is an event on.
No more from me, see you at Lake George next year.

Sorry Phil, again nice video

You misunderstand Bob. I am not criticising they way they run their event. Thats what they have to do to get insurance or whatever, thats fine. Whatever floats your boat. It clearly is a great event for a lot of people and I think that is great. I did really enjoy my experience there in 2016.

I am criticising that some think they have a right to disapprove and criticise others for wanting to enjoy a rare great day at the same venue, just because they were not entered in their event. I think that is disrespectful.

The other hundreds of sailors that sailed safely with us at Sandy Point for over 30 years were of every skill level from beginners to elite. Sailing figure eights on a bank and crossing over every run, and bearing away for top speeds, did not produce collisions. The proof is there.

See you at LG.

PS. Now I think about it, I have seen and heard about more serious collisions and near misses (I had one near miss with Hamma ) at LG than we ever had at Sandy Point. And that's on a huge lake with far less density of sailors! Maybe that is part of the danger - complacency? Perhaps partly, but probably also the ability to sail speed runs on either tack where there is no sand bank or barrier to naturally organise the traffic?

I don't believe any of the competitors at Windfest this year begrudged Matt his 40kt session. He did his thing, we did ours. Apparently Matt got quite close to me on one of his runs. It was not an issue. I knew where he was and presumably he knew where I was. It's not the first time that non participants have shared the same water at Windfest and it won't be the last.

Great video Phil. Thanks to Geoff and Ann etc. for organising the event.
And just a reminder this is a Burrum Windfest thread so if your not a competitor why try to big note yourself here, Get your own thread and I hope the sheep follow you there