Towards the end of last season there was a lot of discussion regarding what divisions should be used for wave and slalom events. Most of this discussion grow out of the fact that most of us are now able to sail Masters (over 35) and therefore age groups as they are currently set don't really work.

The following divisions will be trialled for Wave Events this season:
Elite - No change i.e. you have/will or should have sailed PWA events

Open - No Change i.e. Not at PWA level but striving to win and have a reasonable skill level i.e. landing forwards, back loops and general carving up the waves.

Weekend Warrior - This is the category which consolidates Masters/Grand Master and those not at the level of open. This division also gives people an entry point into competition rather than having to go straight into the Open Fleet.

By consolidating divisions we are able to run more rounds and get people on the water for longer at an event.

Sailors will be able to pick their division but should someone be killing it in their chosen division, at the next event it will be strongly suggested they step up to the next level. Hopefully with these categories we can have 3 strong divisions of sailors of similar skill level.

As for Slalom Events, there was a strong response to the proposed Free Ride Division i.e. no cams, no race boards, race what you have division. We will attempt to fit this division into the slalom draw so everyone can get a taste of racing but not be left out the back of the fleet all day.

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WindsurfingWA said..
Towards the end of last season there was a lot of discussion regarding what divisions should be used for wave and slalom events. Most of this discussion grow out of the fact that most of us are now able to sail Masters (over 35) and therefore age groups as they are currently set don't really work.

The following divisions will be trialled for Wave Events this season:
Elite - No change i.e. you have/will or should have sailed PWA events

Open - No Change i.e. Not at PWA level but striving to win and have a reasonable skill level i.e. landing forwards, back loops and general carving up the waves.

Weekend Warrior - This is the category which consolidates Masters/Grand Master and those not at the level of open. This division also gives people an entry point into competition rather than having to go straight into the Open Fleet.

By consolidating divisions we are able to run more rounds and get people on the water for longer at an event.

Sailors will be able to pick their division but should someone be killing it in their chosen division, at the next event it will be strongly suggested they step up to the next level. Hopefully with these categories we can have 3 strong divisions of sailors of similar skill level.

As for Slalom Events, there was a strong response to the proposed Free Ride Division i.e. no cams, no race boards, race what you have division. We will attempt to fit this division into the slalom draw so everyone can get a taste of racing but not be left out the back of the fleet all day.

How many wave events will there be?

I think I'm between open and WW, I can land fwds and backloops, but wave-ride like a chump, I guess if you can land forwards then WW is a no go?

Including Geraldton and Lancelin i think there are 4 Wave events
5th Nov - Geraldton
3rd Dec - Greenhead
13th Jan - Lancelin
4th Feb - Margaret River

There are 6 rounds of Safety Bay Slalom
19th Nov, 4th Dec, 10th Dec, 21st Jan, 4th Feb, 18 Mar.

GWC are planning some Slalom, Gun runs and downwinders too.

windsurfingwa.tidyhq.com/public/schedule/events

^^ Gero maybe changed to a week later


I thought the introduction of weekend warrior class was to encourage participation rates.

I know it is hard to have many classes, but Masters and Grand Masters can be full of ex-pro's and Nationals competitors. I disagree with combining it with weekend warrior.
Just my ponderings ................

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Mark _australia said...
^^ Gero maybe changed to a week later


I thought the introduction of weekend warrior class was to encourage participation rates.

I know it is hard to have many classes, but Masters and Grand Masters can be full of ex-pro's and Nationals competitors. I disagree with combining it with weekend warrior.
Just my ponderings ................

Those guys should choose to enter Elite or Open then, the divisions are split in to skill levels rather than age - simple.

^^^ but they don't always. And they are split into age groups (simply by virtue of the existence of Master / Grand masters!!) and ability (Elite and weekend warrior)

Like I said, the weekend warrior class was proposed to expand participation rates and that is what was discussed. In discussion end of last season, it was rapidly embraced as a class for the 'normal people' for that reason. I find including it with older folks who could be sh!thot sailors a bit strange.
I don't care as I will enter some comp/s and lose whatever the class - just mentioning it as the proposed reason seems far from what we actually got. Maybe I am wrong but I thought the vibe was to get the "hmm I'm not good enough yet.." people to enter waves.

Hi Mark, good points but basically we have all got old and most people could sail masters or older. Rather then split on age we are trying to split on skill level.

Based on who sailed in what division last year, we feel WW will be a mix of ages but at a similar skill level. Potentially the description above is not worded the best

^^ can you create "hopeless" class?
Or maybe "all the gear but no idea" haha

I'm in :)


EDIT oooh better:

Elite
Open
Normal people with 1 surgery
"" "" 2 surgeries
"""" 3 surgeries