I've been sitting on this one for a while so am happy to finally be able to get it out there. At the last AWA AGM Ian Fox tabled the possibility of running the next National Slalom Titles at Green Island in Cairns. There have been a few hurdles to overcome but it looks like the main one (clearance from the environmental authorities) has been overcome and that means I can now give you at least an outline of the event and the dates to set aside.

The issue with slalom has always been the fact that if it doesn't blow at an event it can be a total waste of everyone's time and you don't get a result. The idea with having the event at Green Island is that at that time of year when everywhere else is cold and windless, Green Island is warm and sunny with consistent 15 – 25 knot winds, which are totally conducive to Slalom sailing. Thus making it a perfect venue to hold an event and I am sure many people will mate the event in with a holiday to get out of the cold.

There will be a flyer out soon to let you know all of the finer details but so far I can tell you this. The event will have both Slalom and Freestyle formats to compete in and the dates are to be the 24th until the 29th of June 2013 and everyone who is a member of a state or state affiliated body is welcome to compete. There is a local Windsurfing outfit on the island with all the local knowledge and support so all in all it is looking like the “must do” event of the year.
Please spread the word and set aside some time so you are able to come along. From what I am hearing it is going to be a trip to remember.

good work scot.

that is excellent and the perfect venue.

Sounds like it would be a lot of fun, I haven't been to Green Island since I was 8yo, Would love to get up there visit old friends and rellies, unfortunately my partner is having our second child in early July, so I don't think I would get the go ahead.

Have a good time.

nice work all concerned , hmmmm I will be in Maui

Great news Scot. Standing starts off the beach at low tide could get interesting though

Hey Firie, better start practicing those gybes

I should have been more clear in my initial post that this has been organised by the Ian Fox at the AWA not WQ just so I don't get the credit for his hard work.

Happy to spread the word because it is going to be a great event.

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sausage said...
Great news Scot. Standing starts off the beach at low tide could get interesting though

Hey Firie, better start practicing those gybes

Yeah Sausage, I've heard that could be an issue. I will leave all the juicy details to come through from Ian but the course is to be set in deep waters. There are also some juicy twists in the format that will make it inviting for the speed heads as well as the Slalom riders and Freestylers.

You mean I'd have to travel further than one kilometer to get there ???!!!

Hang on I might be taking the boat for a spin to the reef this winter. I wasnt going to go that far north but then again.

Need any crew?

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Richiefish said...
You mean I'd have to travel further than one kilometer to get there ???!!!

Hang on I might be taking the boat for a spin to the reef this winter. I wasnt going to go that far north but then again.

richie,
Pop into Yeppoon on your way through - my brother Jed said he knows you from your Yeppoon days?????

Great news hopefully I can get there.
look forward to some more info.

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sausage said...
Hey Firie, better start practicing those gybes

Oh no a race with corners

Race with corners...... or for me a race with 4 water starts

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sausage said...

Richiefish said...
You mean I'd have to travel further than one kilometer to get there ???!!!

Hang on I might be taking the boat for a spin to the reef this winter. I wasnt going to go that far north but then again.

richie,
Pop into Yeppoon on your way through - my brother Jed said he knows you from your Yeppoon days?????

Might be the wrong person? I've only been to Yeppoon once when I stayed at the Rosslyn Bay Marina for a few days when I sailed to Keppel Island some years back.

Awesome News! great poster also!

Does the 'free race gps' suggest some sort of big ocean blast/race to be held?

Yep, it most certainly DOES....

Bloody hell! Sounds great!
Keep us in the loop for any island or mainland deals for Accom etc, (if you need any Toursim Nth Qld contacts PM me,)
if you get a a kids club, and day spa for the Mrs , you will have created my perfect winter get away!!

Booked in! Will be a great event! Greeny is a awsome place to sail with good wind, clean warm water and even fun for the family.

Here's a couple of Green Island videos I've posted before, try and stay awake

That looks awesome Firebob. Thanks for the footage. The water over that reef looks about 5cm deep it is so clear. That will take a bit of getting used to.

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Scotf said...
That looks awesome Firebob. Thanks for the footage. The water over that reef looks about 5cm deep it is so clear. That will take a bit of getting used to.

It is....Firie was using his 4cm fin that day

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sausage said...

Scotf said...
That looks awesome Firebob. Thanks for the footage. The water over that reef looks about 5cm deep it is so clear. That will take a bit of getting used to.

It is....Firie was using his 4cm fin that day

After loosing few times fin on the reefs and shallows I did try to learn and practice sailing without the fin at all . Hard a bit but can be done in order to back to the beach.
At some stage swinging fin could be invented , that will swing instead of ripping of , braking off or even taking part of the board with ....

That sound like a lot of fun but how much experience do i need. I've been sailboarding for years but never raced. I'd hate to get in the way. The free race sound like something id be keen on.

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Jas71 said...
That sound like a lot of fun but how much experience do i need. I've been sailboarding for years but never raced. I'd hate to get in the way. The free race sound like something id be keen on.

"The Spirit of the Event"

"Cairns, Green Island and Far North Queensland enjoy an enviable relaxed lifestyle in an idyllic location.
In keeping with the location, and the friendly spirit and camaraderie shared by the local crew and event organizers, the Green Island Nats shall be primarily organized and managed as a fun, participative event for all those who attend. We'll attend to safety and organization issues exceptionally professionally but insist on the right to deliver the event in a casual, relaxed and enjoyable manner. Entrants agree with keeping it real.

Be cool is the rule. And fun. Karma goes a long way."

Lock it in !!

That sound grate, I'll try to get the time off work and come and play. thanks for the heads up.

Do i need to be a member of a club to enter?

Hi Jas - Yes, primarily for insurance reasons ( 3rd party and Public liability etc -as well as event permit requirements for various Authorities governing event access to Great Barrier Reef etc) each participant for the Green Island Nats needs to be a current member of the AWA via their State Windsurfing Association or a properly affiliated sub Association.

Bunch of info on/around www.windsurfing.org/insurance.htm

and for 2012/13 the AWA affiliated Clubs are

- Bayside Sailboard Club (Qld)
- Brisbane Windsurfing Club (Qld)
- Dobroyd Aquatic Club (NSW)
- Geraldton Windsurfing Club (WA)
- Illawarra Yacht Club Ltd (NSW)
- Marmong Point Sailing Club (NSW)
- NSW Wavesailing Assoc (NSW)
- Queensland Freewave Association (Qld)
- Safety Bay Windsurfing Club (WA)
- St George Sailing Club (NSW)
- Stormriders Windsurfing Club (NSW)
- Windwanderers (Qld)

Thanks GINats it looks like i had better pull my finger and out join a club.

As the the young folk say, Bring it on!, cant wait ..The more the local crap conditions persist the better its looking !

When does on line reg open? Tickets are booked!

So who is going? not too far off now.

I have booked flight and accommodation and am looking quite forward to it, something different and from all reports, picture and video's looks like a top spot to sail.