Lets Race!!!!!

[CrazyJay]

The 2008 TampaBay KiteMasters is finally going off!

www.TBKM.org

I have checked every single wind forecast available and talked to several local meterologists.

Here's the good news:
-The wind should be strong, averaging 16-23 knots
-The tides should be perfect. Low tide is around 4:30 AM so it will be incoming around 1-2 feet deep for much of the race.
-The weather is supposed to be sunny and around 72 degrees.

Here's the not-so-good news:
- The wind will be starting out in a NNW direction and switching to N then NE later in the day.
* I have made this run on a NW and it is easily doable with low tides. Riders will need to stay offshore close to the sandbar. Luckily this wind direction does not cause it to get lighter near downtown. It usually causes it to be stronger.

THESE COULD BE SIDE OFFSHORE WINDS FOR MUCH OF THE RACE. IF YOU HAVE ANY DOUBTS ABOUT YOUR ABILITIES PLEASE THINK LONG AND HARD BEFORE PARTICIPITATING. THERE MAY OR MAY NOT BE RESCUE VESSELS AVAILABLE TO HELP YOU.

All riders need to meet at the Gandy beach by 8 AM. Riders meeting at 8:30.
We hope to start the race by 9-9:30 AM

Remember to bring someone with you to drive your vehicle to the finish line.

All riders should have a whistle. Wetsuits are recommended for safety and floatation. Booties are HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. It can be a long walk/swim back to shore.

The post party celebration will be at the Holiday Inn Sunspree (3 miles north of the finish line) once all riders are accounted for.

Please tell your friends and other riders. Some emails have been coming back.

See ya in the morning,
Jayson
www.TBKM.org

[ryboflavn]

Not that I am apposed to the race being held given these conditions, I am just wondering why we are holding the even with NW winds when we've been holding out for NE winds this whole time. Even in the rules of the event it says we will have winds from the North-Northeast-East. We've had many other opportunities to ride NW winds that were stronger than this front. Has there been too much pressure or influence to hold the event soon? Just wondering.

[Steve-O]

Here we go....it's race time. With a little luck we will see some good NNE winds in the am. It will probably switch over to NNW by the afternoon. We have seen this pattern a bunch this year.

I will be there early tomorrow to offer any advice regarding self rescue. Everyone should be completely clear on how they would flag their kite and then perform a self rescue. Safetly leashes should be connected to flag points at all times. I will be in a green rodeo with Watersports West on the back.

I brought some goodies with me if anyone is interested. I have whistles, heel straps, and a handfull of reel leashes for sale. I also brought windsurf uphaul lines that would make a good board leash in the event you have to self rescue. I am not recommended these be attached while riding, but it might be nice to have something to attach to the board if your in the water performing a self rescue. I was the self rescue king last year and was sure glad my board was something I didn't need to keep track of while winding up my lines and flying the kite in by hand.

I think my favorite piece of equipment on the race course last year was the heel strap.....what a difference that made......I never lost my board off of my feet and the gulf was a mess.

Should be a great time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Gator Gris]

I am not a race official, but there is no wind tomorrow morning!

[Steve-O]

Gris, I love you like a brother and you may be right....but Jayson has been chasing wind for a long time now. You have had less than a year under your belt. Let's wait and see. It is midnight and the Tyndall Tower bouy out in the gulf is showing 25-28 out of the NNW behind the front. There is some air moving behind this thing.

[H]

Not that I am apposed to the race being held given these conditions, I am just wondering why we are holding the even with NW winds when we've been holding out for NE winds this whole time. Even in the rules of the event it says we will have winds from the North-Northeast-East. We've had many other opportunities to ride NW winds that were stronger than this front. Has there been too much pressure or influence to hold the event soon? Just wondering.

Being a Nole and all all give you, and everyone, my 2 cents. Many of you might not know me, but I've been around a while and have done this run in NW winds. It does work. Downtown actually nukes and aside from that it should be obvious to stay offshore. when you get to the point (bay vista) there is a little secret, but if I told you it wouldn't be a secret now would it. Right now, I'm thinking we may delay a bit, but theres a safe bet we're racing today. Crazy Jay does know what he's doing.

[latino]

tuesday 4/29,2008 6:40 AM
TAMPA BAY , FL

noaa

Fire Weather Watch
Hazardous Weather Outlook
Red Flag Warning


Today: A 20 percent chance of showers before 8am. Partly cloudy, with a high near 82. North wind between 10 and 13 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 57. North northwest wind between 8 and 14 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.


godd luck to the organicers , i pass on this one

[Gator Gris]

Great race today guys! That was my first kitesurfing race. I am not proud of my 1 hr 30 m time, but I learned a lot.

All the pro riders could not be more down to Earth and nice gals and guys!

Bring it next year baby!

G

[CrazyJay]

http://www.tampabays10.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=79273

channel 13 FOX is also running a story.

[amber]

thanks 2 everyone who came out today and made the event a huge success. pics will be posted soon!!!

[Steve-O]

Kick ass race today.....it was challenging, fast, and fun. It has been a tough year for calling races, but I had no doughts that today was gonna work. Good call organizers. Last years race for me felt like survival....but this year felt like a race. I pinched myself when I saw Bill Parker to my left about 10 minutes in. He just smiled and shouted at me to keep up. Classic Billy Parker.

Thanks to all that arranged their schedules last minute to make this happen. It was great seeing all the smiles at the end. Can't wait until the next one.....

Steve-O

[onthefritz]

Sounds like a great race. Congratulations to all the riders who finished and those who tried.

[bayflite]

true that dude!
jason has a knack4 this stuff.
makes it look easy.

[<jason]

I was probably the most inexperienced kiter in the race today....
and I am very proud to say that I finished the race under my own power and did not finish last...although it wouldnt have made any difference if I did ...just very glad I made it:)

Although im sure i would have done better if i would have used my board leash..
( lost my board like 8 times :confused: ..)
thanks to everyone involved..

[amber]

fritz, we missed you! More people will be sporting your apparel thanks to your donations though.

after 8 hours of cropping, trying to fix exposure due to overcast skies, etc. I am done. Just need to put them in a gallery and they'll be up tomorrow. i'll let you know when.

[onthefritz]

Thanks! Wish I could have been there to cheer everyone on and meet some of you. Cant wait to see the pics. I cant imagine cropping for 8 hours.. wow. Kuddos to you Amber!

[genew]

Yesterday was a HOOT! I have been kiting for about 7 months. Having never been off the flats, I really didn't know what to expect. Combining the aprehension of a new deep water expierience, with that of pre-race jitters, I certainly didn't need any more coffee! Having never done a downwinder, I rigged for what I thought would be a managable easy ride, 11M (I weigh 165 wet). Big mistake, should have ridden at least a 13 or maybe a 15.
Anyway all things considered it was a great event (Props to Jason and Chris!)
I will for sure do it again and I highly recommend a downwinder for any novices. You can learn more in 1.5 hours downwind than you can in 5 hours in the flats.
Thanks for the fun and excitement, can't wait for next year
By the way Jay, my wife has volenteered to help out next time if you need it.:D :D :D