60 Mile Jupiter to Ft. Lauderdale Race 2009

[ricki]

Just spoke to Neil fresh from competition in La Ventana, Mexico about this year's 60 mile race. He said, yes, he's planning on running it again, likely in March. So, here's a heads up for March, should be a blast yet again! This is early news, look forward to what Neil has to say about it in coming weeks.

Checkout some images and details from past runs of this epic race at:

http://fksa.org/forumdisplay.php?f=95

and a personal favorite, the first pre-race in 2006 in winds to 33 mph and seas to 15 ft. It also includes useful landmarks and distance waypoints. Good to know how far along you are in something like this:
http://fksa.org/showthread.php?t=2489

[ricki]

Here's another update:

"Event: Xtreme Downwinder III, 60 miles kiteboard race
"kiteboard race, 60 miles race jupiter to fort lauderdale, tiki beach"
What: Sporting Event
Host: Tiki Beach Watersports
Start Time: Saturday, March 14 at 9:00am
End Time: Sunday, April 26 at 3:00pm
Where: Jupiter to Fort Lauderdale, Florida"

"THE RACE IS ON...AGAIN!

Race from Jupiter, FL to Ft. Laudrdale with XRated Kiteboarding in the event that will kick off our 2009 riding season. Last year's second annual race was a huge success. Don't be left out this year and this year we will host our own Raffle! Take part!

This years' event is tentatively scheduled for the
third week of March 2009

Opening party Sat. March 13th
First possible start date March 14th
Entrance fee is $50 cash only

Waiting period March 14th - April 26th 2009 or unless otherwise posted.

ABOUT THIS EVENT

There is no maximum amount of riders allowed to qualify.

We will try for the first three weekends for wind after which we will run the event on the first available windy day.

The finishing line will be marked by two Red Bull buoys of which all riders must pass between to complete the race.

Upon registration you will receive a number of which you will be referred to as for the duration of the event.

The race will take place the first available day of wind during the third week of March 2009.

The minimum wind will be 15 knots with a max of 30 knots with a direction from between NE to E.

Via e-mail there will be a 72hr on standby e-mail with a final confirmation 36hr to start.

To be confirmed in the race all riders must complete all registration forms, insurance waivers and submit their entrance fees. (http://www.xratedkiteboarding.com/im...se-JUPITER.pdf)

There will be no refunds to riders who can not complete or start the race.

There will be cash prizes to the top 3 men and 1st woman.

All riders will receive a complementary gift bag.


EVENT RULES

To receive emails and event alerts, you must have completely filled out both the Registration Form and the Event Waiver.

All riders start at same time from either dry land or on the water behind an imaginary start line at designated time (9am). Latest start time will be 10am.

All riders must clear the Delray check point by 2:00pm or abort.

All riders must be of an intermediate or advanced level of kiteboarding expertise.

Anyone who drops out of the race must contact us immediately at 954-647-7228.

All riders are highly recommended to carry medical insurance and to be in good physical health. Don't take this race lightly! Train, train, train!

After clearing the Delray checkpoint all riders must stay at least 300 yards from shore, out of the surf and swim areas or will be disqualified. We can not stress this point enough. ANY riders riding inside the outermost swim area bouys will be disqualified on sight. Further information and rules on this subject will follow. Please stay off shore!

All riders must carry $150 in cash and $1 in quarters. (Bus fare, cab fare and change for phone calls)

To be confirmed in the race all riders must complete all registration forms, insurance waivers and submit their entrance fees no later than the Kickoff Party March 13th 2009.

Any rider unable to complete race must immediately inform the race officials at the Tiki Beach finish line (954) 647-7228. This keeps the event organizers informed as to your position and intentions. Please don't make us send the Coast Guard out to look for you because we believe you are lost or in danger.

For more information and to register for this event please visit our web site: http://www.xratedkiteboarding.com/xtreme/index.htm "

[ricki]

Latest update from Neil. Be sure to get those waivers in and if you race, stay out of the swim zones!

"Hi All, its that time again, The Jupiter to Ft. Lauderdale race 3rd annual is on! We are running it a couple of months later this year due to conflicts with other events but we should have plenty of wind and time to pull it off.

Check out http://www.xratedkiteboarding.com/xtreme/ to register, after registering please be sure to fill out the waiver and fax it back to me at 954-524-1103.

This year we really want to make sure that people stay out of all swim areas, I need your help on this and how to regulate it fairly, any ideas will be greatly appreciated and I am open to them all.

Remember to keep on getting updates you must register with all your info, the last time to pay will be just at the opening party.

Please pass this info on to all your friends, web sites and forums.

Hope to see you all again this year. Cheers Neil"

[kent]

Good to hear that the event is on again.

I think that the most important thing is for you to really enforce the rule this time. We talked tough about it last year, but then it wasn't enforced. By not enforcing it last year, it kind of set the precedent for future behavior.

You can not have an arbitrary rule like "300 yards". Any thing that is subjective and open to what people think 300 yards is will not work. As I see it there are a few things that would work.

#1. GPS tracks. You could either rent them to riders or they could use their own. If any rider is in question we go to the track. This is also pretty cool for your website as there are two companies that can do live broadcasts of the event. They did this at the Fuerte Speed event and it was killer.

#2 Marks. This might be difficult but you could actually have large marks set well offshore in areas that don’t have swim buoys. Maybe the rules would actually be that riders need to round these marks on the way down.

#3 Jet Ski enforcement. You might be able to work a deal with Riva Yamaha or someone similar to support your event with 3 skis to escort the riders down the coast. There would be a lead ski, a middle ski, and a trailer. When the ski sees that a rider is in too close they display a yellow flag. Two yellows give a red and the rider is disqualified. It is really most important to police the front of the pack as the remaining riders will largely follow similar tracks. This might be a very good option that is actually workable.

#4. Just like in any sailing race you have the provision to “protest” a rider for riding in the swim areas. The protesting riders needs a witness and if it is determined that a rider violated the rule you toss them.

In all of the instances you really need to not only set the rules, but enforce them. Aside from the fact that this is a pretty easy event to win if a few rides race along the beach while others duke it out in the open ocean, the real issue is that it is a great section of coast line that we don’t want to lose. Good luck Neil. I can’t wait until we are flying down the coast again.

[b-rad]

Hey everyone! Man I hope I'm in town this year when this event happens to beat you guys!!!

Kent, I think your right man...any discrepency gives too much room to bitch. There needs to be a black and white rule...

And Neil, I know you know we are holding the www.IslamoradaInvitational.com again this year...maybe you forgot the dates. The wind window is March 6 - March 15 as we announced back in September of 08 (I took a verbal beating from Kent for scheduling a demo or something that caused some conflict and didn't want that to happen again). We should all try to keep the same standards right? There are alot of kiters that want to participate in both events...me included! Any chance in having the first possible start the following weekend? Kent, Rick any thoughts?

[kent]

no thoughts from me as I'm now at piece with myself and enjoy living the life of a pacifist.

well, just 1 thought. i still don't totally like the idea of the "wind windows" outside of at least being over the same weekend (ie a saturday or a sunday). it kind of makes it impossible to really get behind any good event and organize sponsorship, etc.

[b-rad]

holy moly spicoli! Kent the pacifist? Sweet, lets go get a beer man...glad to have you back!

I just want everyone to have fun. And me and my crew want to race too! (and lots of sofla kiters love both events)

Wind windows work better for sponsors...look at surfing. They just can't be never-ending...

[ricki]

Hey Brad,

I had forgotten about your post on 9/27/08:

Originally Posted by b-rad

March 6 - March 15, 2009

Stay tuned for details...

http://fksa.org/showthread.php?t=7232

I saw Ray at the Jupiter event on Feb. 1 and he mentioned the event was going to happen. I said, great, let's get the word out with details because I suspected most people didn't know anything about it. I sent an email out about a week ago following up asking for some info to put up as the time was getting close. Your post is the first info on this that I've seen since September. It would be outstanding to have the Islamorada Invitational back. It was the largest event in Florida for some years in a unique venue. Folks can checkout images from the past events at: http://fksa.org/forumdisplay.php?f=115

It may be too late to get folks down for big event a couple of weeks off but let's get the word out? Put something up on your website, post some details here and let's get it done before the wind season ebbs. Let's bring the Classic back!

What do you think?

[b-rad]

I went to Texas on Jan 30, got the flu, then MRSA pneumonia and spent 2 days in the er and a week in Baylor Hospital coming back to life! It sucked! I just got back and (after losing 2 prime weeks of promotion...and 20lbs) hit the ground running. I would have liked to put more web pr out sooner, but that's always the case!

Ray took flyers (with Jeremy's approval) to the invasion and gave them out...everyone he talked to was stoked and glad we were bringing it back... every kiter I have talked to knows and is planning on coming...

the site has been up for a while... www.islamoradainvitational.com and follow the link to the event...same website since 2002...the event schedule will be posted soon

we've secured sponsors and already made all arrangements to throw at least as good of an event as the last one...lots of work so far...everyone's invited and we'll be having fun for sure...keys style...we've been working on 30x40ft fun box that all the rail guys are stoked to hit...boats, jet skis, winches, ultralights and sup's for the slack days...

Just thought in the spirit of working all events out together (like everyone grilled me on in the fall) we might be able to all participate in both events. What do you think Neil?

[ricki]

This just in from Neil:

"Hi all,

Due to the fact that the Islamorada Invitational and the finals of the CKA are scheduled for the first possible weekend for the race we are postponing the opening party and the first possible weekend until Thursday March 19th for the opening party and Saturday March 21st for the first possible race day. Once again we will shoot for any of the first three weekends and if the wind does not co operate for them we will then switch to the first available day.

As for the rule about riding in the swim areas, this is how it is going to work, there will be a race committee formed of 3 people, including myself. During the race if a lifeguard hut or stand is present all riders must immediately ride off shore beyond all swim area buoys 200 yards off shore. If anyone failing to do this they can be reported to the race committee by another rider if that rider has a witness to what they both saw the rider breaking the rules will be disqualified immediately. Therefor it takes 2 riders to visually spot another rider riding within a swim area, so if you see a lifeguard head out! That's the rule and I want it "black and white" this year with no exceptions. If anyone wants more details on this or has any questions please let me know.

Also there is a miss print on the waiver, the correct fax # is 954-524-1103. Lets get this going.

Hope to see you tomorrow at the Miami Kitemasters, then the Islamorada Invitational, CKA Finals then the opening party to the race.
Cheers Neil "