Otago

South Island Cup Round 2

Sat 3 Dec 2011 - Sun 4 Dec 2011

Dunedin

The South Island Cup is a fiercely contested race series contested between members of the various windsurfing clubs in the South Island - Canterbury Windsports Assn., Dunedin Windsurfing Assn., Southern Lakes Windriders Club, Invercargill Windsports.

The first event is in Christchurch, the second in Dunedin

Life's a breeze - windsurf into summer

Sat 22 Oct 2011 - Sun 30 Oct 2011

New Zealand wide

The winds are stronger, the days are longer so its time to get that windsurfer thats been lurking in your garage out. Check everything is still working and safe, and get back onto the water.

Starting with the Taranaki Wavesailing Classic, one of New Zealands biggest and most social event on the windsurfing calendar, this week will feature a number of activities around the country to mark the start of the 'windsurfing season'.

Aviemore Summer Bash 2012

Sun 1 Jan 2012 - Tue 3 Jan 2012

Lake Aviemore

Windsurfing and kiting social get-together. Repeat of a great event. Simple across the lake and back race series for Windsurfers and Kiters. Think about this as an option for Xmas/New Year, there's always lots of windsurfers and kiters camping there. Very social.
Possibility of and Upwind/Downwind race as well on New Years eve.

Proposed man-made islands would take over Dunedin's main windsurfing area

The islands could be positioned to create a windbreak for rowers on one side of the harbour, and more windy areas for kite surfers, wind surfers and sailors in other parts of the harbour.

The Big Queenstown Downwinder.. Huge success on Saturday

Kiters and windsurfers from around the south island were delighted by the blue skies and fresh breezes on Sat to finally take part in this years long distance event from Glenorchy to Pigeon Island on Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown.

Organisers had bad luck this year with the event having a number of postponements before the conditions came right. However all were agreed it was worth the wait.

The Big Queenstown Downwinder: Looks good for Sat 2nd April. Moderate/strong NW due

Long distance downwind race - start training (its different from your normal sailing)
looks good for Sat 2nd April. Moderate/strong NW due. All of those entering the race receive a free T-shirt, $40 colgate pack and plenty of DB and sausages! The plans are looking good and we've got lots of exciting spot prizes including a paraglide flight, Milford Sound trip(for 2) and Rafting trip (for 2), beer, bar and meal vouchers.. yee ha ! check your emails, watch this site or Facebook!

Severne NZ Windsurfing Slalom Nationals and Oceanic Slalom Championships final results

Dunedin's Gareth Wood held a clear six-point advantage over James Dinnis (Taranaki) and Rowan Law (Perth), to claim the national title, but as Wood was not racing the Formula 42 board, he did not qualify for the Oceania title. That title went to Law, from Paul Vliestra (Dunedin), second, and Terry Beentjes (Christchurch), third.

Severne NZ Windsurfing Slalom nationals and Oceanic Slalom Championships day 3 results

The results for day 3 are unremarkedly similar to day 2 as the wind failed to kick in sufficiently consistently enough to run any races. A fickle NE teased the sailors with everyone rigging big (7m - 8.5m) and their biggest boards. Although a number managed to make it onto the course and climb up to the start line the wind never consistently reached the bottom marks so after several delays and a southerly change which also failed to kick in strongly enough the plug was pulled on the days racing. A competition was held involving heaving the weights that the previous day were used to anchor rigs against the winds, followed by a BBQ. Saturday is the final day for racing, although Sunday is tagged as a backup day if the race committee decide another day is required to get a result. For those interested attached below is a plot of speed and heart-rate for a typical race ...

Severne NZ Windsurfing Slalom nationals and Oceanic Slalom Championships day 2 results - stronger winds test competitors

Day 2 saw stronger winds averaging probably around 20-25 knots and gusting 30 or more. In the morning round the winds were lighter and steadier making ideal conditions for 6-7m sailing and gybes were smooth. Later in the day the wind built (and built) until most were sailing 6m or less and some were down to the low 4m sails. The results changed accordingly as those sailors more used to the higher winds and difficult conditions started to move up the placings as completed gybes became more important than passing on the runs. Course map and results are attached below.

NZ Windsurfing Slalom nationals and Oceanic Slalom Championships day 1 results

Day1 got away well with 8 races completed in fresh conditions with most sailors on 6-7.5 m sails. The 50 competitors spent the day battling it out on Otago Harbour in a downwind slalom course just off shore opposite the Dunedin Windsurfing Club rooms (great spectator viewing). Winds built slightly during the day with many changing down a size later in the afternoon. Results are interim and unconfirmed so placings may change. Fortunes changed frequently as some of the favoured sailors posted good results initially and then dropped the ball on subsequent heats to keep the top sailors in each class close. Leaders after day 1 include Men - Gareth Wood, Masters - Terry Beentjes, Grand Masters - Tim Wood, Silver Fleet - George Cooper, Women - Annie Crombie and Youth - Laurence Carey. More wind and more racing expected today. Complete day 1 results are in the attached pdf.