Course Racing Series

[slipp007]

Sounds like there is plenty of interest, too bad we wont see any significant wind till after summer.
Until then I guess the first thing would be to get a web site going that will have all the info (projected schedule, race courses, rules, ect)
I will post when it is ready.
As always please let me know of any info that would be useful in planning the series (things like...I heard down at so and so they used a reaching course at it worked great/or didnt work at all, ect...)
either post as a reply or email me at Slipp007@aol.com

Slip. That's the kind of stuff that could easily be added here -
http://www.tbka.org/index.php?option...d=25&Itemid=83

It could have it's own section, no problem.

[slipp007]

Scott, that would work great to have the series sponsored/supported by TBKA
Steve L (there are a ton of Steves, I guess I will be Steve L)

Cool. I wrote you an email previously as well. I know it is a ways off, but a section is waiting.

http://www.tbka.org/index.php?option...110&Itemid=106

[Kiteboarding Tampa Bay]

That was fast work Scott!
I put up a post about course racing in the forum section for planning.
http://www.tbka.org/forum/


Racing is totally NIFTY!

[kent]

That's a great idea. We have been participating in a small Wednesday night series here in Miami. This one is run by Shake a Leg Miami and is very low key. There are several sail boats, windsurfers, and now some kites.

We started a very large series in California at the STFYC about 4 years ago. It has grown into something more than it was, but they still race every other Thursday night and everyone is learning about racing now.

In our Miami series, we actually start with the windsurfers and it makes it quite interesting. Generally since it is a Wednesday night there are not too many racers, but we usually see 4-5 formula windsurfers and 3-6 kites (all from my office, but we hope to change that soon).

I think that the most important part of making your series work is making sure that people have the right boards to race on. I'm sure you can find previous posts on this. It is important to know that with the right equipment, racing is great in winds as little as 9-10 mph. In the interests of time and simplicity, windward / leeward courses two times around with a down wind finish seem to work well. Shoot for a target race time of about 10-12 minutes for the first finisher to start. This will allow you to get in hopefully 3 races. I'll attach detailed and illustrated rules for those interested to review.

Racing is growing nicely and offers a fun, competitive environment for everyone regardless of how bad their knees are. After doing a few, you will no doubt find that Florida's wind conditions are even better for kiting that you previously thought. Have fun.

PS. regarding the entry fees... how you going to pay for gas, buoys, etc., if everyone doesn't help out? Our series is $5 per night and usually includes a few beers and burgers.

Kent

[slipp007]

Thanks for the info Kent, greatly appreciated.... about the courses, I was wondering if a reaching course works (or is it just a boring drag race) obviously a windward leg is ideal for including more advanced tactics (playing shifts, current ect) but I am concerned it may exclude newer kiters that dont have the ability to make their way to windward. What do you think?

[BigR]

Tampa afternoon summer wind is very different from Miami afternoon summer wind.

In Miami you can almost always count on a little breeze 9-12mph forming in the afternoons.

In Tampa you can always count on either dead still wind or else huge T-storms with 60kt winds happening in the afternoon. Unless the air is very dry then we get a seabreeze.

[slipp007]

Yes, I dont think anything will happen until october, St Pete Summers are just too dead!

September, possibly scary wind.