Killer E. Coast race!!! End of Feb!!!
 

2010 Central Florida Open Ocean DownWinder

Kitetricity Kiteboarding, VooDoo Kiteboarding, along with Cancer Care Centers and Foundation of Melbourne will have the 2nd annual "Central Florida Open Ocean DownWinder" which will be held on either the 20th, 21st of February, with back-up dates of the 27th, 28th of February, or the 6th, 7th of March. The Event/Race will cover 60 miles of the East Coast of Florida, starting at Cocoa Beach and ending at Vero Beach, or vise versa, depending on the wind direction.

Brand New this year will be a 30 mile downwinder for those who think that they can not make it the whole 60 miles. The half-way point for that event/race will be at a place called Sebastian Beach Inn Restaurant (S.B.I) 7035 S. Highway A1A, Melbourne Beach, 321-728-4311. S.B.I is half-way from both directions, coming down from the north, or coming up from the south.

There will be a 72, 48, 36 hour "heads-up notice" prior to the Event/Race per the Wind. If the Event/Race starts at Cocoa Beach, it will start at a place called "Cheri Down City Park" (corner of Washington and Ridgewood Ave, Cape Canaveral), which is where we started last year. If the Event/Race starts from the Vero Beach end, then it will start at South Beach Access at the end of East Causeway Blvd (17th Street Bridge).

We are working on getting a 15 passenger van or something of that size to transport Kiteboarders and gear to the "Start Line". If this does come together, then Kiteboarders will meet at the "Finish Line" to be transported up to the "Start Line". We are also hoping that "Support Teams" (i.e., parents, friends, kite companies, etc) will be traveling A1A for any Kiteboarding support. The Passenger Van will be limited to gear and number of Kiters, and it will be a $5.00 fee per Kiter. So choose Your gear wisely before you get onboard the Van, it will be a "One-Way" trip ONLY. First come, First serve, unless We have a reason for two vans, just contact us so we can get a head count.

This is an EVENT/RACE, but it will not be that hard to figure out "How to Do it". Just go very FAST along the Shoreline, and avoid the two piers and one inlet. You must stay offshore at least 100 YARDS to be SAFE of the Life Guard Stations… PLEASE… There are only 9 on the 60 mile downwinder, so be COOL, and stay out of the "SWIM ZONE"...

On Event/Race Day, there will be a Skipper's Meeting 30 minutes before the Start, MANDATORY.. There will be a $40.00 Race Fee for All Kiteboarders. We will collect that the day of the Event/Race, prior to the Skipper's Meeting. We do have Clearance to Cross in Front of Patrick Air Force Base again this Year, but it will be a very small window, so try and get across that "Air Space" as soon as possible.

Kitetricity Kiteboarding and VooDoo Kiteboarding wants everyone to know, that if you do this Event/Race, You will be responsible for anything that happens to You and Your gear. This event is for FUN Only, and if you are not up to 60 miles in Open Ocean Conditions, then you should at least try the 30 mile part of the event. We are looking for Help for this event, if you just want to be part of history, and don't think you can make the DownWinder….Contact Us if you want to Help, We can use you...

This Event/Race will have a 1st, 2nd, 3th place finish for Men...(60 mile downwinder)
1st, 2nd, 3th place for Women..(60 mile downwinder)
1st Place for Master's..(45 years and older, 60 mile downwinder)

1st Place for 20 year old or younger..(30 mile downwinder)
1st Place for Woman..(30 mile downwinder)
1st Place for Master's..(45 years and older, 30 mile downwinder)

Schedule for the Event/Race Day..Loading for Transportation starts at 7:30 til 8:15...Transportation Leaves at 8:15… SHARP!

9:15 til 10:00 Reservation
10:00 til 10:30 Mandatory Skipper's Meeting
10:30 til 11:00 Getting Ready for the Race
11:00 Race is ON, if the Wind is Good...(15mph plus)

After the Event/Race is over, there will be a Trophy presentation at S.B.I. 7035 S. Highway A1A, Melbourne Beach, 321-728-4311..So enjoy the Food and Spirits until the "Rescue Team" has finished the Race..(A.J.Morgan, Scott Polera, and anyone else that wants to just come with us and enjoy the ride, instead of Racing, can but we will be moving as fast as possible also..)

There will be a Pre-Party Event at Sand on the Beach Bar and Grill at 1005 Atlantic St, Melbourne Bch FL 321-327-8951 the night before the Event/Race..We will be shooting for the 19th of February around 7ish...

A.J. Morgan

P.S. We are looking for any Sponsor’s to donate any “Swag” to the Event/Race, (i.e. t-shirts, hoodies, kite gear, board bags, magazines, etc) to be presented to the Riders at the Trophy Presentation…

Reigning Champ from last year is Sean Reyngoudt, who did it in 2 hours and 18 minutes...

the cool thing about the timing of this event is that we will have some very good riders in town if it happens the first week. I know that Sean Farley of North will be in FLA training with Gebi before the world cup starts the 1st of March in Mexico. Sean just beat Damo in La Ventana on the crossing which was pretty broad. Sean, Damo, Gebi, Billy, Sean R., Jeremy L., Mike H., and a ton more. This will be the most competitive down wind race ever. If you get a top 5 in this one you will have earned it!

i'm thinking that we need a manufactures cup at this race.

maybe it goes like...

1 man, 1 women or junior, and 1 master per team will count. add the scores and the lowest points win. Given that some smaller brands may not have a women and a junior it is probably best to have 1 or the other. Master is 40+ and Junior under 18.

thoughts? this might get a few more companies involved in supporting this stuff. can't wait for this one!

so Kent...going to recruit Gebi for the masters member of the team? you're not old enough for this one

i know... it's normally 40 so we will have to check on the classes, but I don't mind being a "man" for a few more years if possible. I'm not sure if Gebi is even 45 yet.

What ever the case, we need to standardize the age classes. Steve, do you know what they use in the worlds and IKA by chance?

How can 40 be the masters age. You can't handicap someone who is only 40. It needs to be 50.

at the SF World's, it was 40 for masters and 50 for grand masters, and I think <18 for Juniors
we use the same for the Cabrinha Race Series
steve

old boy lacrosse: Grand Masters 45, Super Grand Masters 50+

FYI-

Okay Kent, you asked for it.

We're going to be running the "NPX Manufacturers Cup Series" at this and other Florida events this season. NPX will award the winning team at each event with a package of wetsuits, tops, and boardshorts worth over $1,000. But more importantly, bragging rights are at stake!

Here are the rules:
-----------------------------------------------
Teams:
-Whichever brand kite you're flying that day is the team you're on. If you finish the race on a North, you're on the North team.
-You don't need to sign up for this part of the competition, you'll be included automatically.
-You don't need to be a pro or sponsored by any kite company, everyone is a participant.

4 Categories:
-Top Man (Between 18 and 39 years old)
-Top Master (Over 40 years old)
-Top Woman
-Top Junior (Junior is under 18 years old)

3 Score: Top 3 categories are added to get lowest score.

Here's an example:

Team Slingshot:
Top Man: 3rd Place Overall
Top Master: 7th Place Overall
Top Woman: 12th Place Overall
Top Junior: 30th Place Overall
Total Score: 22 (3 + 7 + 12, Junior is dropped)

If a team does not have a finisher in 3 categories, they'll take a "Last Place + 1" score. For example:

45 finishers total

Team Best:
Top Man: 2nd Place
Top Woman: 5th Place
No Master finisher
No Junior finisher
Total Score: 53 (2 + 5 + 46)

For this event, 60 mile finishers will be counted only.

If anyone has any questions, please post them here. Best of luck!

wasn't masters always 35+? ;)

Okay, all is set for next weekend, if the winds come in. We just finished up with all the Trophys, and here is the order of Finishing:

1st place Mens Overall 60 Miles
2nd place Mens Overall 60 Miles
3rd place Mens Overall 60 Miles

1st place Masters Overall 60 Miles. (45 years and up)

1st place Woman Overall 60 Miles

1st place 30 Miles
1st place Master 30 Miles (45 years and up)
1st place Woman 30 Miles
1st place Junior 30 Miles

BTW, There will be NO Transportation offered for this Event/Race. No one asked for it, so We just cancealed it for this Event. Maybe next year.

I know that everyone is looking forward to this Event/Race, and y'all have no idea how much I am too, since I did not even make it all the way last year...lol..I am having a very small problem, but I know with all the people coming, that this small problem will be taken care of...I need Volunteer's..I am looking for at least 8 people, and these people will be given jobs to do at the Event/Race...i.e, keeping time, help land kites, collect money from the kiteboarders for the Event/Race and for T-shirts, etc..I will need 4 people at the 30 mile finish, and 4 people at the 60 mile finish..Any help afterwards at the Trophy Presentation would be helpful too..

I'll be bringing at least one volunteer with me, Leslye. She said she'll be happy to help keep times or sign people up, but she can't land kites. I'll see if I can round up some more.

Some shots from last year ...


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album385/Off_II.jpg


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album386/incoming.jpg


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album386/race_IMG_8236.jpg


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album386/Kent_001.jpg


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album386/sebastian.jpg

Lots more where those came from at:
http://fksa.org/showthread.php?t=8052

I'll be bringing 5 volunteer and 3 riders

enrique

Thanks Latino, for bringing all the Riders and Volunteers..AWESOME...

I am SORRY to Say...The 72 Hour Notice is being POSTED....There is NO RACE this coming Weekend..If You are like Me, and there is a DEEP Passion in the Blood for this Sport, and it never ends, but to know that "Mother Nature" is NOT going to be here for US for this Event/Race, it is hard to post this info...We are now looking to do this Event/Race the following weekend, the 27th or 28 th of February, but to also know that the 6th and 7th of March are the Back-up dates...

I am also asking Sean Farley, and ALL the Other Top Pro's to contact Their Sponsors, and to let them know this info, so hopefully They can STAY, and be part of this Event/Race/Charity next weekend, if "Mother Nature" does come thru..It would be a Shame to know that Y'all were here, and did not get to race against an Amputee, who KICKed everyone's Butt last year..Sean R. just called Me personal, and told me quote "I plan to Kick Everyone's Ass again this year, period"...You heard it here, from last years "King of the 60 mile Downwinder"...

We will be doing something different this year for the "Start"...Two things:

First, there will be a 10 minute Delay between the 60 mile downwinders and the 30 mile downwinders..If anyone has a comment on this, please feel free to "Comment", we are all ears..

Second, there will be a 10 minute, 5 minute, then a 1 minute start for the Main Event/Race, for the 60 mile downwinder, not the 30 mile...30 Mile downwinder will start 10 minutes right after the 60 mile downwinder starts...


THIS IS A 72 HOUR POST...NO RACE THIS WEEKEND of the 20th or 21st...

There will still be a Pre-Party the evening before the Event/Race, next week...

What's the plan for te rstricted area in front of the Air Force base?

The 10 min delay will require some very good record keeping of who started in what group. As the front riders in the second group will be mixed with the back riders in the first group as they get to the 30 mile mark.

So far I've got word from Slingshot, Nobile, Cabrinha, and Best that they'll be "rallying the troops" to come out to the race.

Hope we get some wind next weekend!

Here is how we are wanting the start to happen...We will have one clock running at the 30 mile and one at the 60 mile finish...I will call the person at the 60 mile mark when I am counting down to the 1 minute start for the 60 mile..At the start the clock "starts" for the 60..10 minutes later, I call the 30 mile person with the clock, and do the samething for the 30 mile leg...If you "Sign-up" for the 30, then You stop at the 30, if you pass people, so be it, but you must stop at the 30, that is where your time ends, on the "check in sheet"..There will be a "Sign-in" sheet with everyone who is doing the 30, and one for those doing the 60...You stop at the leg you signed up for...After the sign-in is done, "A Runner", per say, will leave and drop off the sheets at each finish, while the Riders get things ready for the Race....

There is NO ISSUE about P.A.F.B, We have been cleared to "GO THUR", but You CANNOT STOP, unless You break down, of course..They would understand that, All About Safety...

My fingers are losing feeling from having them crossed, praying for WIND next Weekend....

So keep the word going about the Event/Race, and pray for wind...We are hoping for NNE 15 plus...I like that direction myself personally...lol..

We know that this is Sunday the 21st, and We all know that "Mother Nature" can decide what is going to happen with Us daily..We are looking at ALL weather sites to give Us the "heads-up" on what might be coming in for the next few days..What We are seeing is that the winds "might" be here for next weekends Event/Race, maybe..We are also seeing that the direction is looking like Side Offshore wind, which is NOT a great thing to see..But this is Sunday, and things will change between now and then..Keep looking at the "post" for the 72 hour notice, which We will post on Wednesday, if not sooner...Pray for wind and the right direction, please..

Well, well, well...We see that "Mother Nature" is not going to help Us out this weekend AGAIN..We all now that She has been bring in Westerly winds here on the East Coast for weeks, which is NOT GOOD for Us, but maybe Tampa Bay..So We are going to Postponed the Event/Race AGAIN, til NEXT WEEKEND, the 6th or 7th of March..

We want everyone to know, that there has been a lot of time and effort but into this Event/Race, and We are wanting it to HAPPEN..BIG TIME..So please come and be part of this Event/Race, whenever We do get "Mother Nature" on Our side..

We do have an idea, and We are very open to hear from the kiteboarders about this..We know that there are future events coming up, like Tampa Bay on the 13th, Islamorada at the end of March, and then Miami on the 10th of April..

So We want to still have Our Event/Race without getting in the way of the other ones..So what We are wanting to do is try for the first available weekend while the other Events are going on, which would be the 3rd or 4th of April, if not then, the last weekends of April..17th or 18th..24th or 25th..We had this Event/Race last year around this same time frame, (April) and it was AWESOME..

The reason We are wanting everyone to still make this Event/Race is because a lot of Manufacturers like Epic Kites, Cabrinha, NSI, Nobile, Kitaddict, Crazy-Fly, SBC Kiteboard, VooDoo Kiteboarding, NPX, etc have come on board with this Event..Because of this We have added more finishing categories to this Event/Race this year..We have 9 BIG Trophies and 23 other places to give out after the Event/Race..So make plans to join Us, and We will keep everyone "updated" on the Event/Race, per "Mother Nature"..

A.J. Morgan
Owner
Kitetricity Kiteboarding School
VooDoo Kiteboarding
P.A.S.A. Examiner
321-795-7626

Would Everyone PLEASE do Us a favor, and do the "Wind Speed Dance"..The "Wind Direction Dance" was Awesome, Thanks.....It looks like the Winds are going to be in the RIGHT direction, We just Need the WIND SPEED...lol...

A.J.Morgan

We are having a hard time in making a decision on what to do about the Event/Race this coming weekend, most likely it would be on Sunday...

Here is what We are asking, and P L E A S E respond to this email, honestly.. We are seeing that there MIGHT be NNE winds at 14 to 16 mph on Sunday...DOES EVERYONE WANT THIS EVENT/RACE TO HAPPEN...and no I am not yelling, just made it in caps..

Now let Me let everyone also know, that there has not been any waves over here, and the winds are changing to the north by tomorrow, sometime..What this means, that by Sunday, the waves could be big and with iffy winds, this could be an unsafe downwinder, but you would just have to use a big kite, and a big board...

We want the winds to be like last year, which were 15 to 20 plus, out of the NNE..We have the right direction, but the wind is somewhat questionable, in Our opinion, but it is up to Y'all to make the call..The majority emails will make this call, and We will post asap to everyone on the decision..

If the Event/Race is put off again, then the next time frame will be April the 3th or 4th, after that the 17th, 18th, or the 24th, 25th..Everyone knows why We are doing it on these weekends..So We do not take away from the other Events coming up. So with that being said, could anyone that is thinking about doing an event during the posted dates, please email Us back..If not, then We will keep this Event/Race alive/going if We post-pond it again this weekend.

One more thing, if there is less people coming, then ALL the work that we have done to bring in the Big Sponsors, with all the categorizes, then all the Sponsors will not get Their due..We are hearing and hoping for at least 50 to 60 plus riders for this Event/Race, if the winds come in during the weekends..This weekend could bring in less, because of the speed..

Again, We are at the mercy of the emails, so make your call, and We will do what the Riders Want...

Hey Everyone...Well this is going to be the 3rd time that We have postponed this Event/Race...We have heard from the Riders, per say, and most Riders have said to wait..I know that there are a lot of the top riders out of the state, and they are wanting this to happen as badly as I am..They have their reputation on the line, and I have all the representation of the Sponsors on Mine..lol..

Here is the New Date for the Event/Race: March the 20th or 21st...

If you remember from last year, this was the exact same weekend..Winds out of the NNE 15 to 25, and huge waves, and very fast times too for the conditions.

We are still going to use the dates in April of the 3rd or 4th, the 17th or 18th, or the 24th or 25th if the winds do not work for Us on the March dates...after that, I will be shooting Myself, and cussing Mother Nature..

Okay let's try this again..I have a concern, and I want the Rider's point of view...We see that there is going to be some wind on Sunday, looking like 14 to 16 out of the Southeast...I want to know if everyone wants to have the Event or wait..

I will be leaving this coming Monday to head to OBX for the season...BUT....I will travel back down to Melbourne each weekend to have this Event/Race, if We don't do it this coming Sunday..I want this to happen, but I also want the winds to be good for the Riders..So chime in here and let Me know what y'all want to do...Don't force the answer just because of Me, do it because you would come or not come, because of the wind speed...Thanks..

Next weekend of the Event/Race would be the 3th or 4th of April, after that it would be the 17th, 18th or the 24th, 25th...

Event/Race Update 3/20/2010

Well here We go AGAIN....The Event/Race is being Postponed...Here is the new dates for the Event/Race...April the 17th,18th or the 24th,25th...There will be NO April the 3th or 4th weekend Event/Race, because that weekend is Easter Weekend, spend time with your love ones..

Now on to something that happened today, which We are so excited about...We have a Helicopter on stand-by to do Photo shots of the beginning of the Race, and some shots at the Inlet...Patrick Air Force Base is also on stand-by, waiting for Our call to let them know when the Event/Race will be happening...

We also added three more categories to the Event/Race to be given away at the Finish of the Race...That puts Us at 32 categories for the Race...Thanks to ALL the Sponsors...

On a footnote...Josh Noe from NPX is still doing Their manufacturer part of the Event/Race, which adds a ton more of products to the Event/Race..Thanks for doing that...

If for some reason people don't make this Event/Race this year, like last year, then you better be sure to make plans to do next years...It is going to be BIGGER than this one, hint,hint,hint...It will be held on the month of February, 2011...