With the Breakwater to Beacon coming soon and the potential forecast wind this weekend. Windsurfing Victoria is looking at running the first of the Up/Down Wind Sailing Clinics at Bonbeach this weekend.


What is the Windsurfing Victoria Up/Down Wind Sailing Clinic?
These clinics are meant to help any windsurfer to improve their up and down wind sailing skills. There are number of benefits; such as being a better sailor, able to go more places, and help you with the iconic events such as the Breakwater to Beacon and the up and coming Downwinder events. The key item is Fun with some learning attached.

Who can attend the Clinic and How Much is it?
The clinics are FREE for all current Windsurfing Victoria members. Membership will be required before the event.

Where is this Clinic being held?
Bonbeach (Williams Grv, car park - North side).

What Conditions is the Clinic run in?
Bonbeach is one of many beaches that stretches between Mentone and Frankston. This stretch of beach is open and can been seen from all beaches, thus making it safe and easy to see. The best sailing conditions to teach students how to sail up and down wind at Bonbeach is a Southwester between 15 to 20 knots.

How is the Clinic Run?
First off we will start with an event briefing, then some quick beachside guides and tips. Sailors will be teamed/partnered up.
All of us will head off in an upwind direction (i.e. follow the leader), we will gybe and continue upwind towards the Frankston direction until we reach a pre-set waypoint, where we will gybe and sail back to the car park on a down wind run. After this first run we will all meet at the beach to see how we all went and what we need to change to improve our up and down wind sailing skills.
We will continue to have additional runs higher up wind and longer. Pushing our abilities and strengthening our skills. The ultimate goal in the future is to be able to sail to say Ricketts Point to Frankston and back.
During each run the weather conditions will be monitored and if there is a sign of the wind dropping off or swinging, a recall to the car park message will be announced amongst the sailors.

Is this a Race event?
NO!!! All sailors will sail with each other, to help each other from a skill and safety point of view. You can treat it as fun cruise with your mates and other fellow windsurfers.

How do I join in with this Fun/Great Idea?
Send an expression of interest email with your name and mobile number to myself at president@wv.org.au

What is the Event Proceedings?
The clinic starts by all entrants signing a registration form and sign on sheet. (1:00-1:30pm)
A briefing on how the clinic will proceed including safety requirements will be held. (1:30pm)
Tips on how to sail up and down wind will be given on the beach (1:45pm)
Rigging, including a run down on how your gear should/could be rigged for sailing up and down wind (2:00pm)
First run (~2:30pm)
Second run etc.
Event Close by signing off the sign on sheet (~5:00pm)

Please note; the above times may vary based on weather conditions. By pre-registering your interest with your mobile number, allows details of the event to be sent by SMS to ensure we are all there for this fun event.

If you have struggled to reach the beacon in one run at the Breakwater to Beacon event, then this clinic has been setup for you in mind!!!
If you thinking of doing a down winder event in the future, then this clinic will give you a taste of sailing across a few suburbs in an open beach environment.

The forecast as of this afternoon is looking good for both Saturday and Sunday. See below.
Remember to submit your interest by email with your mobile number. We have good numbers to start already. Don't miss the fun.

Please Note; your skill level needs to be a short board sailor that can gybe and water start with easy. Someone who can sail in chop, in 15-25knots.

Saturday
Winds: Southwesterly 15 to 20 knots turning southerly in the morning. Seas: Around 1 metre.

Sunday
Winds: Southerly 10 to 15 knots increasing to 15 to 20 knots during the afternoon. Seas: Around 1 metre, increasing to 1 to 1.5 metres in the north around midday.