How about this, a speed sailing comp more in tune with what is achievable and fun for 99% of us.
The GPSTC is fine for those serious enough about speed to spend $ on dedicated "go fast" gear, but what about a bit of realistic rivalry for the rest of us.
I propose a format where each venue has a speed record for each class of board, so for instance you could set a record for the pond on wave gear, or a longboard, or speed board, etc. We could have a simple spreadsheet to keep track of record status, something like this (but with grid lines and fancy stuff - FoS?)

speed slalom formula freeride crossover wave long

Doran's
The Pond
Pittwater
Derwent
Georges Bay
Hawley
Stanley
Henty
Off the Beach

plus other locations as suggested. Off the Beach could be any location like Cremorne, Clifton, Marrawah, anywhere "off a beach".
Type of GPS doesn't matter, as long as it's capable of reading a max speed for a session. I think point 1 of a knot is accurate enough. (if reading to 2 dec places, round up to one). Just a max speed for each location, none of that 10 sec, alpha, mile, nonsense. We just want to know who's fastest, and bugger all that downloading to computer and converting files and techno jargon, just look at your gps and get the max speed off it. If you're paranoid no-one will believe your new record, take a photo of the screen with your mobile.
No cattle stations or lettuce farms for the leaders, just some good fun, and bragging rights.
Rod will obviously set all the Georges Bay records, but whenever someone else is passing through they can knock some of them off. (organised drive through raids?)
Anyway what do ya all reckon?
FoS - is it possible to set up a spreadsheet here that everyone can update, or would it have to be controlled by one person?
Would WT want to run this, or we just keep it completely informal?
All imputs welcome.

How can I get an excel spreadsheet to appear properly in a post?

being able to download the data off the gps would probably be better as most times if you lose a signal on the gps for a second or two it can cause spikes or jumps in speed, when displaying 'max speed'. it can also happen randomly and from crashes.im happy to down load everyones tracks and write down there max speed if im there after a days action.its so easy to download files if you have a GT-31 (GPS) and realspeed hardware for downloading,you only have to take the card out of the GPS straight into the computer and open the file.


but good to see some more ideas on the way for the upcoming season.

Go the Rebel Alliance

This dude does something similar:
http://www.windsurfing-koprivnica.net/news.php

About the only way you'll get an excel spreadsheet to work is if one person has control of it, and people email their scores to that person. And they will have to somehow make it available online... perhaps copy and paste into a seabreeze forum post like some guys do already?

Let me know if you need a hand with the techy details

Thanks Nebs!

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How can I get an excel spreadsheet to appear properly in a post?

Try using Google Docs. You can do a spreadsheet and allow others access.

Thanks OB64, will look into it.
Will be bush next week (again) with no computer access, so if someone else wants to have a go, feel free.

Easty this sounds like a great idea. Have to buy a GPS though.
Do you think there will be a catagory for bunged up sails with the most tape holding them together? I'm sure to win that one.

I like the concept, particularly if the creation of categories was left to the individual, kind of like Wikipedia or "The Guinness Book of Records".

The idea of holding a speed record at Trevallyn Dam on a 1989 Bic Electric rock rigged with a pink Mylar sail while wearing a cricketers whites and a boater sounds like fun:-D

Easty,
We run an informal speed challenge with the Inverloch Windsurfing Club.
At the moment, we are doing a "Brass Monkeys" challenge based on the fastest speed on the coldest day...you guys would have that nailed I reckon!!

http://www.driftmedia.com.au/iwc/Speed_Challenge.html

I've made up an Excel spreadsheet which exports to HTML so I can upload it to the website. Let me know if you want a copy of the file so you can modify it.
cheers,
Mick

Sounds like a bit of fun especially if we don't have speed gear, but I'm not going to make that an excuse for not taking on the GPS speed guys. I think the PB is what these guys are on about not necessarly winning. I've still got a bit to go to get to the 30 knots and i know I don't need speed gear to do that.
I also like the idea of crazy venues, Al, Trevalyn would be cool, does it get wind?
I would like to tag along next time someone is going over to henty, seen the photos, looks like an fantastic experience

Hi Easty,

If you're serious about setting up a "low key" GPS comp for Tassie sailors, can I suggest you form a new team within the GPS TC and run it exactly the way you suggest, with people posting just their top speed as shown on the display and noting where they were sailing and what type of board they were using (hmmm, this is starting to sound a lot like what 550 people around Australia are already doing within the GPS TC ). Anyway, ... this would probably be a lot easier to coordinate. Also, for those who start to get hooked on the GPS thing and want to see how their true speed (2 sec) compares to other sailors around the nation, how far they sailed and how well they gybe, etc then it's just a matter of them posting their uploaded data (which is no more difficult than uploading photos to facebook).

An even better suggestion would be for you to all join the Tassie Speed Seekers!!!! We want you all on our team!!!! Serious plug: It is a heap of fun regardless what gear you are sailing or what level your sailing is at.

Anyway, back to the topic, Easty, you could be the official person to collate the data every now and again to select the reigning champ on different boards at each of the different locations and post it on this forum.

Hi Anthony, next time it's looking good at either Henty or Hawley, we'll let you know. I reckon you would do 30+ on your first run in flat water!!

Yes I wouldn't mind having a look at Henty too. I'm not really into the speed thing but I like sailing in different locations.

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houston said...

......
I also like the idea of crazy venues, Al, Trevalyn would be cool, does it get wind?

Trevallyn Dam was once "the spot to sail" though mostly before my time in Launceston though when I first moved up here there was quite a dedicated local crew (hell there may still be a local crew up there but I doubt they are wired into the interweb so I recon I am safe to dis them).

During some summers we get a regular inland seabreeze, not much on the coast on those days. Its very northerly and funnels down the valley. From the normal launching location you have about 60 to 100 metres till you need to gibe ( this is probably not the location for a NM record). On the upside its usually very flat and quite social due to the small distances involved.

The fresh water means its pretty cold in winter and when the dam is spilling a plastic river boat is the toy of choice, novice players should seek a the advice of someone with experience before attempting this.

I think Muddy Creek had replaced Trevallyn Dam as the more popular venue close to the city for most aspiring speedsters wishing to limit their carbon footprint.

Easty,

You know I will be in it as well. Looking forward to giving it a real rip this season.

Cheers Rusty

Dave I would be very keen to come along for a speed sail on my new speed board and I have a new 5.0 ka 2011 speed sail on order as well.

To infinity and beyond.

Where do you recommend purchasing a GT-31 from?

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TASSIEROCKS said...

Easty,

You know I will be in it as well. Looking forward to giving it a real rip this season.

Cheers Rusty

Dave I would be very keen to come along for a speed sail on my new speed board and I have a new 5.0 ka 2011 speed sail on order as well.

To infinity and beyond.

what board ya get???? im still edging to try my brand new jp speed 45 and neilpryde evo II's!!! and a new speed fin i used once.

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Jezstrt said...

Where do you recommend purchasing a GT-31 from?

give board crazy a call they do a good deal.

boardcrazy.com.au

$200 for a GT31 GPS from Board Crazy isn't too bad at all and is definitely the pick of the GPS's if anyone is considering buying one.

I bet you're keen to try that KA 5.0m Russ. Definitely have to christen it at Henty if you can!!

Sounds like we might get a few takers next time it is showing three stars on WindGuru for Henty!!!

Thanks guys, got one from Board Crazy $215 shipped overnight, much cheaper than I’ve seen advertised at other places and hopefully should be here tomorrow by the sounds Hopefully wind sunday

good to see you got one....you going to join GPS team challenge you dont have to be a slalom speed sailor,there are plenty of free ride wave guys on there.just in it for the fun side.

That's great to hear Jezstrt!! The units come loaded with all the internal software so you will just need to get a 1 GB SanDisk SD Memory Card (about $8-10) to be able to upload data to a computer. Other brands and sizes may work, but a 1GB SanDisk will hold thousands of files (a lifetime!!) and they are known to not cause issues (whereas a few other brands can cause some issues, apparently - all my cards are SanDisk).

There are settings within the GPS that you should change to get the most out of the unit for the GPS Teams Challenge. You only need to set these once, and it's worth doing. Also a good way to see all the different settings that the GPS has. You can find what settings to select at the following website, which also gives a little information about the functions of the GPS: http://www.freight-focus.com/download/gt31_manual.pdf

Goodluck with it and see you Sunday!!

Thanks guys for all your help, ill have to do a bit of reading on the device and the GPS Challenge. Yer would be good fun to join the team at some stage Izak, but I’m pretty new to the sport so certainly wont be setting any great speeds and not sure how the team thing works but I wouldn’t want to affect the teams results. But I’m looking forward to using the GPS for tracking my speeds and seeing improvements in my sailing/speeds. See you Sunday Dave and let’s hope for some wind

Will be good to catch up Sunday. Regarding affecting the team results, only the best two scores within each division count on any day, so you can't affect them in a negative way, only in a positive way!! Join up with the Tassie Speed Seekers and you'll be able to see yourself improve and get PB's as you progress!!

Ah, back in the world of computers! Looks like this topic at least generated a bit of interest in speed sailing.
To be honest I'm not even sure that I'm that interested in speedsailing, (loved sailing Sandy Point though ) I just thought it'd be a bit of fun, and it seemed to me that the GPSTC didn't cater for this type of "competition", ie/ different board categories at different locations, but as you pointed out Dave, it would be possible to accommodate something like this within the confines of the GPSTC setup.
Right, will have to get a kosher gps (not my trusty e-trex) and start getting some longboard records happening (challenge to Russ and Marlon ).

You are right Easty. How fast would our long boards go?? over 30??? lets find out.

Cheers Russ

I reckon 30 is possible. I took my gps out on the pond one day on mine, and it was blowing, well I can't remember but it wasn't enough to get the short board out, and I bore off the wind and sheeted in and got 24. something, with the big standard fin. I know I've been faster in other conditions, and have yet to try a smaller and more efficient fin.
This is the gist ( is that a word?) of my original post, lets try and get some fun elements into otherwise normal sailing days. Have a session on our normal gear if it's blowin' its tits off, then get out the longies and go for a "record".
But sounds like you've got some serious speed gear? You have too much gear already!

Yep - 30 knots is definitely possible on a longboard and in fact Patrice Belboch (big cheese at Exocet) clocked over that on the Exocet Kona one (the same model board I've got). He suggested you get better speeds running a bit broader than you would on slalom/speed gear. Of course, he is an ex PWA sailor and did also manage to back loop the same board in 30 knots of wind so he can probbaly do 30 knots on the veritable barn door.

Anyway, like the whole idea and am getting a data cable together for my GPS.

Cheers
Marlon

Hey Marlon I bought a data cable for my old Garmin and it cost about 1/3 the price of a brand new gt31, feel a bit ripped off now.
Johno

I've got lots of old/new cords around.
Can someone tell me what type it is and I'll try and find one.

Also I've got access to a separate stockpile.

I reckon it's a USB mini or similar.