At the suggestion of ayreforce1 I'm starting this thread to see if we can pull together enough punters for some longboard racing on Pittwater.

It'd be great to try to accommodate as many people as possible, to organize it such that all comers feel like they have a chance to be in the game regardless of equipment.

Who's in?

For those that are interested let's get the ball rolling by nominating Saturday or Sunday (or either) as preferred.

----------

I would personally prefer Sunday as I race Hobie cats on Saturday but would ease myself out of the cats if a longboard race got off the ground.

Yes thanks - I'm interested.
Have several other Windsurfer OneDesign sailors who'd be keen and other longboarders.

2 to 2.5hr marathon is my preferred format - but I understand that is not to everyone's liking.
I'm keen when its 10 to 15kn; super keen when it's 15 to 20kn (gusting to say 25kn).
Being a lightweight it can be 'overly challenging' when it's gusting above 30kn.
I don't really enjoy less than 5kn.

I'd prefer to just 'post' a notice under this "Pittwater Longboards" topic header, whenever the forecast is looking very promising, rather than stick to a particular day. But I'm happy to go along with whatever general consensus eventuates.

Count me in.

Sundays would be better as it's pretty crowded on Saturdays with the yachts.

Could run - Rocky Point, Stokes Point, Taylors Point triangles or long race from Rocky Pt or Scotland Island to Palm Beach and back

Well that's at least three of us, and maybe more with Steve's 'several other one design sailors'.


I'm likewise happy to run with any consensus that rises. Although I'm as good for a marathon as the next guy, as far as racing is concerned I'm far more interested in triangles, tactics, clean mark roundings, several shorter races. I'll turn up and race in anything, 0 - 30 knots. Couldn't be much more opposite! Whatever, as long as we get something underway we're all winners I reckon.

So - no support boat, each on their own responsibility, no fees, no membership, all welcome. Probably a gate start, one sailor the gate and starter. Take your own finish time. Details of anything beyond that can grow if this thing rises above an idea. I fear that if there is no set day that there is a greater than decent chance of everyone always having 'something else to do' and the whole thing never getting off the ground. Perhaps a regular fortnightly Sunday with the option to call an extra whenever the conditions look good. Of course anyone need not come on any given day for whatever reason.

--------

Although still a way off, the forecast for this Sunday doesn't look terrible. Who's free? I suggest we meet at Taylors point on the grass at 2pm, do a quick meet and greet, make a race plan for the day communally and get straight into it.

ps my name is Mikey and my phone number is 0416280360.

Not wanting to high jack the topic, because Pittwater is awesome for longboards.

But for a bit of bump, barge and tactical fun racing or training, you could try Saturday mornings or afternoon and some Sundays with Narrabeen Lakes Sailing Club, not that far away and always welcoming

Better still for the adventurist racer, technically challenging wind strength, direction and water depth, leading to a new level of race craft (and survival).

Time to race on a level playing field without "Chop", "Slop", "Jet Skis" or "Bruce's". Come and enjoy the Wally plus anyone experience.

Back to the topic. Pittwater longboards. I do hope to join in on Sunday's.

I'd be keen once i am back on my feet (bike incident), have found a longboard and second hand sail and it's not good for wavesailing! So probably the new year.

Does anyone race/longboard out of Manly on the Harbour?

This Sunday is looking perfect.
I might only be able to join in late arvo.
[I'll be yachting on Pittwater up to the early arvo so I'll give ahoy]
Hopefully more longboarders will chime in

I'll be there - forecast is looking good.

I think the informal racing is a great idea. Those at the front can circle around and join in behind. This keeps those off the pace interested and still challenges the faster sailors. Not too fussy with the rules either! Just the pleasure of sailing - like it used to be in the 80's. I probably won't make too many weekends, but if you mix it up with a few twilight races I'd be keen for them. Steve

Awesome.

I think this is more appealing to more people when there are more people already involved. If there were a dozen of us sailing, people would start coming in from miles around.
Thinking of coming but haven't commented here? Just come! Truly, the more the merrier.

I'll be there. Taylor's Point, on the grass, this Sunday 25th, 2pm, rigged and ready.


Yay.

Select to expand quote

AUS126 said..
..... but if you mix it up with a few twilight races I'd be keen for them. Steve

I'm keen for that too.

Alternate weeks Sunday and a weeknight? Call it on the forecast? All options are good I think.

Don't be afraid to use this thread to make it happen Steve. : )

Select to expand quote

Stephen Barton said..
Back to the topic. Pittwater longboards. I do hope to join in on Sunday's.

Stephen Barton, ex of 'Big Bird' fame? Either way it will be great to have you along!

Yep.

Report from the Inaugural Pittwater Longboards Gathering. 25th October 2015.

We had a gusty and very choppy North Easterly this afternoon. It's a bit hard to say just how strong the breeze was, when we started it was maybe pushing 20 knots with puffs a little more. But some quite broad lighter patches too. The breeze backed off over a couple of hours.

The race was Taylor's Point to Palm beach golf course, step off on the sand and return. The start was simply standing in knee deep water and saying 'GO!'


Coming in first was Arnie sailing his Exocet RS-D2, holding down a Severn 9.5 with a boom that looked a bit like a banana.
Taking up both Second and last place (haha!) was Mikey on his '83 Mistral Competition flying an IMCO 7.4.

We had one apology for 'unable to attend' and one passerby drawn in by interest for Arnie's board who showed great enthusiasm for joining us next time.


Watch this space for round two of Pittwater Longboards. I'm putting out for at least three people next time!

Fighting a dose of man-flu (no sympathy from the mrs); and damn Saturday is looking extra good. I hope someone is able to enjoy a nice long windward bash into the forecast fresh noreaster on beautiful Pittwater.

Well, it'll be two weeks passed this Sunday coming (the 8th). At this stage the forecast is a bit ho-hum for those that need plenty of wind to turn up. It's really a bit far away for any certainty on the forecast. I personally would just call the date and enjoy whatever comes, however if that leaves me on my lonesome then it's all a bit pointless. Monday evening is also an option, current forecast is 14 knots NE.

So putting it out there to see if there are any takers: Monday 9th a week away, Meet at Taylor's point at 5pm. (Is that too early? 5:30 or 6:00 any better?)


--------------------------------

I'm on the D2 board now so 10-15 knots is a grand affair for me! I just came in from a 4 hour sail in this (see photo) I sailed 09:00 to 13:00 and had the bay entirely to myself. How big is my smile?

Well, the forecast has been changed already....

Sunday is looking good. Also the rain and cold should keep the bay reasonably free of traffic. ...

Anyone. .? Sunday OR Monday?

Sunday is looking good. Also the rain and cold should keep the bay reasonably free of traffic. ...

Anyone. .? Sunday OR Monday?

I've been following this thread thinking if there was a keen group for twilight races I'd join you. Missing out on the occasional kite in our North Easters is no great loss, so I'll put my name down for Monday and hope a few more give it a go. You won't see me if it's a good Southerly or day like today though.

Cool, Thanks Aus126. I'm leaning more and more towards having a preference for weeknight twilights as well, mostly due to it being way less busy.

Do I understand correctly that if there is a good wind you'll be kiting and if it's marginal you're keen to get the long board out? How much wind is enough for the Kite?

So, not exactly an onslaught of excited interest here. Strangely enough there have been a few people that have expressed interest by PM, which is fair enough. Mostly suggesting they're really only interested if there is a critical minimum number of people coming along and/or a minimum wind strength, which is also fair enough. The great irony being that we'd reach that critical minimum if all the maybe's just fronted up.

AUS126, Monday is still a possibility although currently they are saying 5 knots from the east. Straight Easterly's suck in Pittwater, I just came in from one. (I had fun racing the Etchells all the same...)

Tomorrow morning though (Sunday) has a 20 knot southerly forecast up until 10am then easing. I'll be on the water somewhere within sight of Taylors point from 9ish, If anyone care's to join me we can call it an event!


I'll be on the D2 board with the old IMCO 7.4. Since I got this board back in the water I've sailed it 7 times. (It's been 10 days) I logged 8 hours on the board in one 24 hour period. Never enough wind!?! Jeez.

15 knots tomorrow morning, 15 knots all Sunday. Who's coming sailing?

Anyone going tomorrow? I have a rare free arvo and a new (old) raceboard to try out. If no takers for Pittwater I'll be sailing Clontarf/Balmoral as it's closer to home. Karen

G'day Lovinit,
Am in QLD with Barto and Marty at the Raceboard Nats.
Marty is up in the top half. Barto and I are suffering the trauma of uphauling 8.5m rigs :-( Have a great time on Pittwater tomorrow.

Hi Karen, I would have come out for sure but today I was busy saving the world. I'm sailing Pittwater 3 or 4 times a week though and I very rarely see another sailboarder so it'd be great to have some company sometime. Good wind forecast this coming Tuesday and Wednesday evening....

Jorn will be launching from Bayview this arvo. All welcome to join in for a nice NEaster. Unfortunately I can't join in - my brownie points are in negative balance - (and my boom is in transit).

Jorn will be launching from Bayview this arvo. All welcome to join in for a nice NEaster. Unfortunately I can't join in - my brownie points are in negative balance - (and my boom is in transit).

Does anyone know of a second hand long board going for sale anywhere in NSW at the moment?