Thursday, September 22, 2011

Flynns Reef

Scored a session at the incredibly fickle Flynns Reef yesterday. You need a combination of tides, wind direction and a big swell all at the same time. It probably only happens three or four times a year. It was the first time I sailed it - pretty fun wave.
It is really sucky, similar to Gnaraloo but gets a bit more wind affected and is only short. The shorebreak is absolutely brutal as well!
Wind was good for a 4.5 for a couple of hours then it dropped, as did the swell. The pics are from late in the day when conditions were declining.



Zac

Monday, September 12, 2011

Victory!!


On the weekend we had the Round 1 of the Victorian Wavesailing Series. The forecast was calling for 20-30 knots cross shore and about half mast high waves at my favourite local spot - Right Point. Typically the contests we have are in fairly average conditions so I was frothing at the opportunity to compete in decent down the line waves.

Due to the tides we had to get in early so a 9am briefing was called. I wanted to sneak in a warm up sail before the comp started so was up at 6am. Checking the wind observations it wasn't really what we hoped for - it was fairly onshore. At least there was wind and the swell was up. I just hoped that it would swing back cross shore as forecast so we could really let loose.

Unfortunately it wasn't to be, the competition kicked off in a gusty 15-25 knots, cross onshore with half mast high waves and 5 surfers clogging the lineup. The expression session did not go well - I hate sailing in cross on conditions especially if the wind is light. It took me until the final few minutes of the heat to get a single decent wave which was enough to scrape through into the next round.

Semis



The surfers obviously got fed up with not getting any waves and left us in peace as we got down to the business end of the competition. The wind went a bit more cross shore and I was able to pull a few aerials and got the one jump required. Through to the finals! I was then up against 2010 Champ Hock and Joel Ryan to battle it out for the top three positions. The wind went back onshore and became patchy, I knew it would be tough as Hock had been sailing well in the onshore conditions.


On the first run out I wanted to get my jump out of the way so pulled a very clean forward only to turn around and see that the judges hadn't actually put the flag up!! Not a good start. I caught a couple of decent waves for the deteriorating conditions but still couldn't find a jump no matter how hard I tried. In the dieing minutes of the heat I knew I was in trouble so dropped a hand on a sick chop hop, hoping the judges actually noticed and would score it (clearly very low). Then I got a small ramp and rotated around another forward only to see that the flag was down and the heat over! Amazingly that chop hop got me over the line combined with my decent wave scores so I took the win by one point over Hock!!

Finals




Wasn't the sick conditions I was hoping for but still stoked to have such a good result so early in the season. Thanks to everyone that helped out - see you at the next one!

Jon was getting some good jumps but was unlucky to get through after helping another sailor with a broken mast into shore.

K4 Fins

Happy to announce that I am now riding for K4 fins. www.k4fins.com


My general consensus on them is that the flex gives you a much looser yet controlled feel on the wave, especially through critical turns. They are also very forgiving in choppy conditions and when you are late hitting the lip allowing you to make turns you probably wouldn't have normally with G10 fins.




Written up a more in depth review of the fins here.
Review http://www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/Review/Flexy-fins-K4-fins-review/


SHQ Boardsports in Melbourne will be stocking them so contact them to order a set - www.shq.com.au

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

The drought has broken!





Finally!!! Some waves and wind in the same place at the same time.
Not epic - definitely fun and more is on the way.
Was a cross shore 25 knots at Waratah Bay with the odd logo high set wave.
Thanks to Lachie for the pics.





Jon -


Saturday, September 3, 2011

Winter Summary + Vic Wave Series


This photo pretty much sums up winter - flippin the world off in frustration.
A whole winter of close to zero wavesailing conditions when we usually get our best wind and swells... It's been really really bad.

At least there has been some wind over the past few days, was nice to get planing powered up for once. Today went to Phillip Island but unfortunately the predicted 3-4ft swell didn't arrive and it was about 1ft. Still better than nothing I guess... It seems as though Spring should be off to a good start in the upcoming days, looks like we will actually get something proper.

Some pics from today trying out the 6cm and 13cm K4 combo - works pretty well in tiny waves.



Anyway the Victorian Wavesailing Series has officially started going from September through to March. Hopefully we will get some better wind this year and get a few decent events in the bag - check it out.
http://www.vicwavesailing.org/
http://www.facebook.com/VicWaveSeries