Annual long distance wind riders event on huge success !
39 windsurfers and kiters from all over the South Island descended on Glenorchy on Saturday 27th Feb
for the Southern Lakes Windriders Club’s annual downwinder sail from Glenorchy to Piegeon Island. They were rewarded with a stunningly sunny and warm day.
It was a spectacular site at the start with an array of coloured kites and windsurfing sails that quickly dispersed at varying speeds downwind. Winds were gusting approx 25 knots with variable and at times challenging wind conditions.
The informal race started at Glenorchy and finished on the Glenorchy road at the beach opposite pigeon island, a course of approximately 10 kms. First to arrive at the finish line, in approx 15 minutes, was local kiter Mike Holland (Queenstown) using a large 17m2 sail. First windsurfer was Gavin Jackson(Dunedin) on a 6.0 sail. 39 competitors took part in the event(compared to 19 last year) with the youngest kiters achieving fantastic results; Bennett Jones, 16yrs old (Dunedin) came in 2nd overall and Blake Porter(Dunedin) only 15yrs old came in 5th overall. Participants travelled from as far afield as Christchurch, Dunedin and Invercargil….. with one competitor even from the USA.
Supported by the coastguard and two other smaller locally owned boats manned by volunteers, the event is a memorial to previous club secretary Jude Green.
Event organiser Sue Bradley hailed the event a huge success. “It was amazing to see so many people taking part, the sight as the start was a real tear jerker all these pretty coloured sails in this gorgeous setting.. and what fun ! That was the most fun I’ve had on a windsurfer in a long time ! “
Ends.
Further info; Sue Bradley 027 640 8596.
SOUTHERN LAKES WIND RIDERS NEWS.
It’s on Saturday !!!!!!
We have a beer sponsor ! (Many thanks to DB Export 33)… and the foreacst looks great, so see you all there with bells on !!!
* Please, please confirm if you haven’t yet even if only a ‘maybe’ I really need an idea of numbers for the planning . Return email or text Sue 027 640 8596.
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THE BIG QUEENSTOWN DOWNWINDER WILL BE HELD THIS WEEKEND AT GLENORCHY.
(A memorial to our friend Jude)
FRIDAY NIGHT;
8pm. Winnies pizza and drinks social. Pre event get together for anyone who is in town early.
SATURDAY;
12 noon meet at Glenorchy, warm up/ sausage sizzle/ go out for a sail and work out what size you’ll need.
12.30-1.30 registration back at the beach. You’ll need $25 registration / club members free. We’ll want details of identifying features for you and your sail/ gear and a name of a buddy you’ll be sailing with (or we’ll allocate one to you). You’ll be given your first prize, a pack worth $40 from Colgate one of our sponsors, and a tee shirt (sponsored by A.C.T. builders) for the first 30.
1.30 Briefing.
2 pm. Horns /Hooters/ Screams will announce ‘ we are off ‘ ! Start will be from the beach.
2-3 ish. Sailors/riders will be heading down the way with huge grins on their faces supported by the rescue crew towards the end point of ….. The access road from the main Glenorchy Rd to the beach opposite Pigeon Island. (Detailed map available at registration). Approx 12 kms direct.
3ish. Sailors/Riders will be met by the welcoming gang at the finish point. Your names will be taken, at which point its OK to go back on the water and free sail if you wish until the others are finished. Check your buddy is OK… if not tell us ! Transport will then take you and your gear back to your cars at Glenorchy.
5 ish onwards. Prize Giving and spot prizes (worth lots of money) donated by our kind supporters at the Glenorchy Hotel. You will be given your ” I did it !” certificate.
SATURDAY NIGHT;
Pizza/Dinner at the famous yummy Glenorchy Café, and then back to the Glenorchy Hotel to socialize the night away!
Anyone who wants to stay the night can get rooms at the Glenorchy Hotel, cabins/tent sites at the camp ground, or rooms at a local motel.
DETAILS
1. Registration fee of $25 for non club members (or club membership is $25). This is to cover safety boats, transport, event costs etc. Your registration form will need details of your sail colours and other distinguishing features and you will be required to sign a disclaimer. There will be a minimum of 3 safety boats, including the local coastguard.
2. For safety purposes you will be asked to register with a buddy of a similar level (or small group) so that you can keep an eye out for each other. Or if you come alone you will be allocated a buddy.
3. The club expect a minimum level of ability; windsurfers, waterstart and gybe; kiters, experience of sailing downwind in sole control.
4. The club recommend that you wear life jackets/vests or other suitable buoyancy and a helmet and insist that you conduct yourself on the water in a safe cautious manner at all times.
BAD WEATHER ?
Looking unlikely but if it isn’t suitable we will be aiming to repeat the same timings and plan for the following weekend.
SUPPORTERS/ SPOT PRIZES.
As this is a social fun day out rather than a race, the prizes will be focused on random spot registration number draws. (OK ,I know some of you will feel the need to ‘go for it’ !) . So do try to stay for our prize giving we have some amazing prizes donated from our generous friends including;
Watercooled Sports; wetsuit hoodie vest; windsurf action video.
Small Planet Sports Shop; 2 X Sports drink bottles; 2 X Caps.
Fanatic Windsurfing; sweatshirt,
G Force Paragliding; Paraglide flight
Winnie Bar and Restaurant. Food voucher.
Queenstown Fibreglass; $100 board repair voucher
Mike @ G Force; Kitesurf rental/lesson (for a windsurfer !)
Windsurfsue ; Windsurf rental/lesson (for a kiter !).
DB Export 33; Lots of yummy low carb beers
and the very generous ……
Rodgers Dental/Colgate; $40 product packs for every participant
A.C.T. Builders – Tee shirts.
Many, many thanks to all our Supporters.