As posted on Face Book today,

Due to no decent wind forecast for this Sunday, the Surffx Gold Coast Freerace is rescheduled for next Sunday the 21st, Slightly later start in the afternoon due to midday low tide.

More details to follow as we get closer, to the day.

Pre registration is open via the website www.freeracequeensland.com with 'season ticket holders' not only receiving substantially discounted entry fees, but 10 tickets into the end of season prize draw

It's looking more positive for a Race this Sunday, early days, but at least some signs!

Next update will be on Thursday morning.

Don't forget, save money, register for the season, save $32 plus get 10 chances to win some of the great end of season prizes!

not wanting to sound negative - but there is rarely any southerly wind before 11am on the GC regardless of the forecast, and it will be wind-with-tide from about 1pm onward which makes getting on the plane at the shearwater very tedious, unless on giant gear.

is there the possibility to move it elsewhere? Len Fox Park / KFC / Central street would be the next best option imo, but folks with huge fins may have problems with depth till maybe 3pm - it also has toilets and cold showers

it would be awesome to finally have an event at the gold coast that actually gets wind, as i don't think the moon and stars have ever aligned for our events

Not negative at all, all good points and noted for consideration,

Don't worry, No Wind = No Event! We are not into giant fins/gear either

Compared to this time last week at least there is a 'glimmer' of hope, lets see how the week pans out as we get closer, a lot of people will be travelling some distances to attend (wont be just GC Crew there!) so we want a nice strong forecast to ensure it's a success for everyone's efforts.

If the forecast looks shabby then we will patiently wait for the next Sunday easy! We have built in 'tolerance' in the FR Schedule to allow us to wait until we get a good forecast...last year we had great success and wind on most events, only a couple that were 'marginal' more often than not we got smashed with strong winds!

With only six events this season we are aiming for quality over quantity

Next update will be based on Thursday's Bom updates.

If you get a chance jump on line and print out your entry forms so you can have them filled out and bring them along to the event on the day, the more people do the 'online' thing with payments and printing of reg forms etc the easier and quicker the admin process on the day is, thanks in advance

follow the links on this page - http://www.freeracequeensland.com/entry-faq-s.html

Hello forecast!!!!

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WindsurfingQLD said..
Hello forecast!!!!

What? Like todays SW prediction that was actually a NE....?????

Sunday's forecast keeps changing every few hours as to the wind strength predicted. Fingers crossed though its enough to go ahead.

Will be interesting with both QLD and NSW school holidays starting this weekend on top of the usual broadwater boat/kite traffic at Shearwater. That mixed with 15+knots on a run out tide between crab island will make for a very interesting event

On another note: Are the organisation crew (and competitors attending) aware there are no facilities (toilets) at this venue? Just wanted to make sure people are aware of this as Justin pointed out above.
Cheers
Marty

How far away are the nearest facilities??

Was thinking of bringing the family down

HI Guys,

Really mixed messages on all forecasts for wind on Sunday currently, so will just wait a bit longer until we can get a more definite forecast before we call it on/off.

Remembering for Freerace we are looking for a Green Arrow forecast with moderate winds, not marginal light conditions.

Will update later today...thanks.

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Dwbh said..
How far away are the nearest facilities??

inside the runaway bay shopping centre or it's petrol station / surrounding food shops would be the closest public toilets i think

there may be some public toilets near Hollywell and Lands End Bridge boat ramps - about a km or so away.

Unfortunately there is nothing within easy walking distance if u need a no.2

toiletmap.gov.au/find/Queensland/Runaway%20Bay

What's the parking like there?
Does it pay to get there early?

generally plenty of parking. if its windy it will usually only be kiters and windsurfers parking there anyway

lots of grass for easy rigging

real sand

keep an eye out for boat hoons even if you aren't in the boating channel. there are a lot of boaties with dollars but not much sense

there is a fast moving tide there. low tide is about midday and you usually get another hour of easy upwind sailing after that until the current starts to run fast, then it gets difficult to maintain your position unless the wind is cranking. I think people will enjoy it most if the event can be run before 1pm or thereabouts. the other locations suggested don't suffer from fast currents but do get very shallow in spots at low tide

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Haircut said..
generally plenty of parking. if its windy it will usually only be kiters and windsurfers parking there anyway

lots of grass for easy rigging

real sand

keep an eye out for boat hoons even if you aren't in the boating channel. there are a lot of people with dollars but not much sense

there is a fast moving tide there. low tide is about midday and you usually get another hour of easy upwind sailing after that until the current starts to run fast, then it gets difficult to maintain your position unless the wind is cranking. I think people will enjoy it most if the event can be run before 1pm or thereabouts. the other locations suggested don't suffer from fast currents but do get very shallow in spots at low tide

Nooooo not before 1pm. I can't get there before that.

Great Video! What a great advertisement for the inaugural Surf FX Gold Coast Freerace, and the first for the season 2014/15.

It's officially Green Light For Sunday, GO!!

Don't for get it's really helpful if you can jump onto the website, follow the entry links for Registration forms, print out and bring with you, along with payments on line also.http://www.freeracequeensland.com/entry-faq-s.html

You can also register your mobile phone number on line via the website links.

Of course can do all the above on the day also, but we all want be out there sailing too, so the more admin done online before the event the better, thanks.

Season pass holders save $32 for the year and get 10 chances to win great prizes at the end of season also.

All the above comments are helpful to all thanks....tested the waters myself a few weeks ago in very similar winds to Sunday's forecast , was a great session some flat water runs and fun chop in the middle where the chop ran hardest...great spot.

A reminder we also have the three divisions this season, including the 'half hour' option .

it would great if you can register your interest on our Face Book site through to help us estimate numbers.
www.facebook.com/freeraceq

Notice of race and registration form link is here also, www.windwanderers.org.au/Events/FreeRace/OnlineEntryFees.aspx

Bring on Sunday!

Ah just something important, nobody park in my usual spot please. I'll be there at ten to one. Other than that, looking forward to seeing everyone there.

Hmmm. Good luck with that one Brendan
Cheers
Marty

Ha ha. See you there Marty. It should be a great event.

Have fun all I'm out of town and can't make it.

What time is sign on and briefing?

hope you got a rescue boat for us newbies

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brynoz said..
What time is sign on and briefing?

I think sign on starts about 11.30 to 12.00 or there about. All the info is on the facebook link / freerace link / windwanderers link above.
Cheers
Marty

PS: Morgan - I assume they will have a safety boat but do bare in mind the tide can really move through this area. Having said this if it's 1-2pm the tide will be on the turn and starting to come back in (I think) so won't be too bad.

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MartinF2 said..

PS: Morgan - I assume they will have a safety boat but do bare in mind the tide can really move through this area. Having said this if it's 1-2pm the tide will be on the turn and starting to come back in (I think) so won't be too bad.

Cool bananas - Thanks MartinF2 - See you Sunday

HI All,

12.00 is sign on. briefing 'around' 12.30

And wind pending 1.00pm race unless we are waiting for it to build, but looking at forecast we should be right to go hopefully!

Yes there will be a boat! The SURFFX 'Greenflyer'!

We also have Dylan from KA.72.com on board running the IT and he can assist with any GPS enquires.

a lot of Garmin GPS devices will also work, so if you own one of these bring it along.

Importantly: There will be extra GPS units available where possible for people to borrow but really limited numbers, if you have a spare unit or know someone who does it would be AWESOME if you could bring it along so first timers can give it a go!

There will also be a few available to purchase on the day, and they are in stock at some of the retailers also, just need to ring around and see who has them.

Don't forget to please visit the site and print out the Registration forms and also pre pay is really helpful, fully secure Pay Pal site, and also register your phone numbers so we can text updates also..http://www.freeracequeensland.com/entry-faq-s.html

See you all Sunday.

tide was pretty manageable till 1pm today so might be still good 2-ish tomorrow

Have fun Freeracing everybody. We here at C.R.A.S.E. are sending two of our keenest members down there to compete. Steve and Clive. Good luck guys.

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Richiefish said...
Have fun Freeracing everybody. We here at C.R.A.S.E. are sending two of our keenest members down there to compete. Steve and Clive. Good luck guys.

Go Steve

It's ON...the wind is in the GREEN...

it'a solid wind here about 35 minutes north of shearwater.

looking real good.

Thanks to the organisers For a great event. We had a really nice day.

Now we have a benchmark or will when it goes up

Special thanks to Reewa for helping Jaye and to Kellie and Dylan for your patience with us newbies. We appreciated your help.

Cheers
Morgan, Anita and Jaye

Great day at the Gold Coast today for Surffx Freerace One, solid 15-20knts and some pretty challenging conditions,

don't worry about the wind, chop and or currents, its the Foil Moths going at opposite angles to us at high speed, the small boat sailing fleet, the jet boat, paraflying boat/sail, the high Speed island cat and the double story floating restaurant ship, the odd kite or two! Wow Hetic!

Happy to say everyone made it back safe and well, don't think there was any gear damage, only a few bruised ego's!

A good turn out considering School Holidays, and quite a few new faces including entrants in the new 1/2 Hr class, so a great start to the season.

Brad showed his class in the top Div, Kelly also sailed strongly beating many of the guys.
Steve, Brendon and Bryn taking top 3 in the hotly contested B group.

Thanks to everyone for attending at this new FR location, pretty good spot offering plenty of challenges, and extra thanks to Mike and Ian at Surf FX for the Boat, help, photos and nice door prizes, very timely some of those nice sailing jackets on a cool day!

Race two Bribie Island October, 'first windy Sunday'

Some photo's of today from 'HMASGreen'

There was no beer in that boat, i had to take photos! cheers guys, great event with some wind for a change!