THE EASTER BUNNIES - APRIL 2010
- Easter Bunnies
- Slalom Raced at NSC
- RYA Conference
- 8 for sail
- Stuff the End
EASTER BUNNIES
At long last, holidays and wind - a perfect recipe for some fun.
It all started on Good Friday at Tyrella. 5.5 - 6.3m was the sail size, the waves were of a reasonable size, the tide was in, there weren't too many kites on the water - and it was FREEZING! The car said 7 degrees, but it felt much colder than this. Maybe we're getting soft.
Wookie Tyrella
Nothing soft about Wookie (allegedly) and right enough he was first man out. 5.5m and having a great sail. Ali FN Tourettes Todd was next - just back from a week's skiing late the night before and so with his by now usual hangover look. He actually lasted pretty well (for a total wreck) and got some good waves and jumps before fatigue (and drink) caught up with him.
Lord Tyrella
I look 6.3m and thought I was in for a great day when my first run included a planing out gybe, catching a good wave and rather neat carving tack on the inside. Unfortunately for me it was slowly downhill after that. The problem we all had was the cold, although an increasingly strong rip added to it later on. If you got caught in the water a bit, it really zapped your energy. And there was a lot of hands between the legs going on - I mean on the shore, not some new riding technique. In my defence, I later found out I'd got a virus (thanks Pat) hence no staying power.
It was a good start to Easter, but by 2pm we were all driving home with the heaters on full blast.
The wind didn't play ball until Easter Monday - but then it did big time. The troops were divided between the wave-heads who went to Tyrella and the hibernating creatures who went to the club.
At NSC it was like one of those big international football matches where they trot out (actually carry out) the 1966 England team and parade them in front of an amazed crowd (who've all naturally assumed they're all dead). So it was at NSC as all the oul men who'd clearly been hibernating over winter had emerged in the full awfulness and were parading on the grass at Newtownards. Actually some of them looked they might have been carried there too.
First up with Trevor (my gear is from the Ulster Museum) Pollen. Trevor was mostly on 5.2 and told me that his endorphins were flying. I thought that was against the law in NI, but I guess he gets away with it on account of his age. The other thing he gets away with is having virtually no eyesight, so when he's on the water it's the rest of us (and the pier) who have to look out..
Then of course we weren't at all surprised to see turning up together (hand in hand as ever) Guy and Harry. None of dared to ask what they'd been doing all winter, but they did at least sail - I wasn't in the showers with them so I can't say any more than that. Turned out that Guy, who's lost a decent bit of weight - no doubt thanks to his exertions with Harry - had been out last week. Actually, we know he's been 'out' longer than this. But that time Harry came but didn't go out. Now where have we seen that before. But fair play to them, out they went and has a great sail.
And talking of colourful characters, Nigel 'Fanta Pants' was back on the water. Actually he was flying, had a great sail and because it was warm we could see him coming ie no helmet and ginger hair.
Others out included Paula, holding down 5.4 in some big winds, Gary (national under 7 egg and spoon champion), Pat, FN Todd, David Brown, Lorraine Kelly and Shipman. Actually Tony was really flying and showing no ill effects of all his reconstructive surgery at all - and of course a fine set of breasts in the shower afterwards....
Pat made our day by being brave enough to go for some ducks. He was nailing these big time at El Tur but choppy NSC is a different matter. His particular speciality seems to be the one where you walk to the front of your board (mid duck) and dive off. He then went home to fix the cracks on the noses of 2 of his board - not unrelated.
Casper was there and for once in really good time rather than materialising as we all came of the water. It was an expensive day for him as holed two sails without apparently doing anything spectacularly stupid. Like some of the windsurfers, I think they were just knackered.
I won't say it was very warm, but at 12 degrees and with some sun it was nice. Sails varied from 5.2 - 6.3 with a few people starting on 7m. But it was up and down a lot - the forecasts were basically right, but average wind speeds don't tell the full story. I was one of many who rigged two sails and boards and swapped between them a lot. 6.3m on 110 ltrs and 5.5m on 90 ltrs. Some people got it wrong at times, it was hard to do otherwise and it was a real bit of nostalgia to see Harry wallowing around in the shallows way downwind have been caught out.
It was lovely to see so many smiling (if ugly) faces and indeed such a crowd.
And what of the waveheads do I hear you ask?
Well the great and good assembled at Tyrella where they got 4m weathr and sunshine - and waves. A very good call. Wookie, Raptor, Bedford, Simon Saunders and Chris Cassidy were on the water and showing off as you do.
Now what can I say about the average intellectual level of the type of person who walks on our beaches in NI? Only slightly higher than those (elderly couples) who sit in their cars at various car parks like Ballyturd and 'enjoy' watching us get changed perhaps?
Apparently one of these intellectual powerhouses collared John Bedford and, no doubt mesmerised by that hair of his, asked if the group were professional. Titter ye not! History, or at least my hairy correspondent, does not record John's answer (yes, seems likely), but one suspects that young Raptor's aerial antics may have had something to do with it....
Winter's over and the fun has begun.
SLALOM RACED AT NSC
It was the first time the Irish Slalom Series had come to NSC and also the first time they'd run an event so early in the season - so there were some concerns. But they needn't have worried, around 60 windsurfers descended on the club and, ignoring the rotten weather forecasts (which turned out to be completely wrong) had 2 days great sailing.
If you want to see more you can find details at www.irishslalom.ie In fact this is really great site with piles of fantastic photographs - which mostly seem to be of Maurice kissing people. Strange way to race, but it obviously worked for him - probably put off his (male) competitors I guess. I'll leave you to speculate on tongues. But if you go to www.windsurfcraic.co.uk you'll be able to see the evidence especially from the Saturday night disco.
However, first off, what happened? Well, I'll hand over to our big-juicy-lipped correspondent Maurice Owens for this -
Fleet in action
March 27th - 28th saw the round one of the Irish Windsurfing Slalom Racing Series kick off at Newtownards Sailing Club, Co. Down. A poor forecast may have dampened spirits in the run up to the weekend, but come Saturday morning, the wind filled in for what turned out to be a great weekend of slalom racing for the 50+ entrants.
A major difference this year was the speed of registration, this was due to competitors availing of the pre registration and payment via irishslalom.ie This meant that competitors literally only had to pick up their vests on the Saturday morning allowing for an earlier 10am briefing and a timely 11am first race.
OD for the year Ciaran O’Brien laid out a 6 buoy downwind slalom course with the help of the NSC boat crew, opting for a “sail towards shore- port start” as opposed to the more traditional start from beach approach, the advantages to this was that there was much more room for sailors prior to the start to allow many sailors to hit the line flying as well as the visual importance for the spectators.
Gold fleet racing kicked off with two full rounds of heats on Saturday morning, this meant that only 50% of the fleet were ever racing at the one time, thus having fewer bodies on the line and at the marks allowing for less intimidating racing
Once two complete rounds were run it was decided that 5 back to back "all-in" races could be run in the afternoon with winds ranging from 20-30 knots. The action on the water was spectacular, with high speeds, dramatic turns at the marks and “drag like” starts out at sea racing towards the club house. The pace was very fast in the afternoon with current Champion Pearse Geaney and Maurice Owens fighting it out for the lead. Other top five contenders included new comer and local sailor William Revels, the steady Hannes Louete, Fintan Day and current Grand Master Chris Loughridge.
Kaleidoscopic racing
As the tide dropped and more beach revealed itself the silver fleet took to the water for a simple out and back format, 11 races were held in total with John Boyce stepping up to the mark coaching and encouraging the entire fleet who were feeling the effects of the winter water temperature. Standouts in the silver fleet included the youngest sailor, John Patrick Fletcher, all three ladies, Alessia Stocca, Laura Macauley and Rebecca Fletcher, but it was Kevin Cunningham, Aidan Granfield and Gary Pope who topped the fleet 3rd to 1st consecutively.
Saturday night started off with a banquet buffet in the sailing club followed by the 2009 prize giving with winners receiving locally handmade windsurf trophies. A special anural trophy in memory of Alan Harris was started for contribution to windsurfing in Ireland, a cause for which Alan was a driving force. Fintan Day one of the longest standing surfdock team riders proudly presented the trophy to Danny Mulryan.
Definitely something in the water
Later followed a vinyl DJ set from Newtownards own Alan DJ AJ Watts. Alan who is better known for his newsletter and online post www.windsurfcraic.co.uk and basically taking the hand out of anybody who steps out of line, was definitely the right man to have behind the turn styles! [I think he means turntables, but turnstyles might have been a better description when you look at the dodgy characters who got let in] Dodgy dancing was the name of the game and it was decided early the next day that Stephen Kelly had taken his third consecutive event win in this newly hotly contested discipline! This weekend was also the launch of the Irish slalom clothing range, hoodies and beanies are available from our website www.irishslalom.ie
Drinking before dancing
Free Bird
with t-shirts and accessories to follow. All proceeds from the sale of merchandise will go to promoting Irish windsurfing.
Shirts of fire
The love that dare not speak its name
A special thanks also to Eimear Owens from Discovery foods who laid on much needed hot lunches for the competitors on both days with help from friends.
Sunday dawned with yet again more bright and breezy weather (Much to the dismay of a few people! Some bodies were not capable to taking days of abuse this early in the season!) Nevertheless a slightly smaller gold fleet took to the water to complete five races to total eleven races and give an all important 3rd discard. A Master blaster where by the entire fleet followed a rib across the Lough and back, signalled the end of what was a great weekends racing.
After a reasonably early prize giving with generous local sponsorship from Pier36, www.wookieWindsurfing.com , Tushingham and McCready sailboats. A big thanks to all the volunteers in the boats who ensured racing ran smoothly and safely, as well as those who helped take in the boats at low tide which was a task in itself. We would like to thank the commodore and committee of Newtownards Sailing club for letting us avail of their fabulous facilities.
Watch this space for GPS replays of all the racing on www.irishslalom.ie with thanks to Cormac O’Brien
Gold Fleet
Overall
- Pearse Geaney
- Maurice Owens
- Hannes Louet-Feisser
Master
- Hannes Louet-Feisser
Grand Master Funk
- Chris Loughridge
U-20
- Matt McNutt
- Joseph Fletcher
U-17
- Ben McNutt
- Emmit Kelly
Lady
- Alison Beirne
Silver Fleet Overall
- Gary Pope
- Aidan Grandfield
- Kevin McGuinness
Ladies
- Laura McCauley
- Rebecca Fletcher
The Dodgy Dancing Award
Stephen Kelly
I don't know about you, but I just love the description of Ming the Merciless as Grand Master Loughridge. Makes him sound like Grand Master Funk - or something sounding remarkably similar.
Now of course Maurice may have covered the racing, but that pales into insignificance in comparison with the Saturday night disco. One of the many skeletons in my closet is that I used to be professional DJ, so it was that my 2000 strong vinyl collection was dusted off (more like industrially steam cleaned), gear hired and the usual stream of abuse from this newsletter was - for one night only - transferred to verbal abuse. Lots of it. You have to feel sorry for the hire shop who fell about with laughter when I asked for a twin vinyl deck (but located one) only to be floored again when I asked for a cassette deck to play my jingles. Anyway it all worked and eventually sufficient drink was taken to overcome the chronic lack of women that night. Most of the women who were there appeared to be married to Paddy. But this didn't daunt Grand Master Funk and Maurice 'the lips' Owens who didn't seem to care what gender they danced with. See the photographs and wince.
I also have to give a mention to the brave contestants for Bits 'n' Pieces, won by a very creditable 13/20 by a table with a combined age of 423 years - and that appeared to be a team of 3.
So all in all, it was a great weekend. Wookie came fourth by the way and we are still reeling with the shock that someone let Gary Pope into the Silver fleet - and he's now the national leader. I hear he's also going to enter the under 7s egg and spoon race as well...
The ISS were superb. Pat did all the arranging for the club, but once the ISS were on the scene the well oiled machine just purred into action. In the thank you department, a special word must go to Pat (Panty) Lyner - if it hadn't been for his 1 man determination and 6 months hard work (and 6 months talking) from him it simply wouldn't have happened. Nice one Paddy!
See you next year!
RYA CONFERENCE
By way of something completely different, I've heard from Mary Farrell, RYA NI Development Officer.
Dear Alan,
As you may be aware, RYANI is running a principals and instructor conference on the 10th April. As the main speaker is RYA National Windsurfing Coach, I am trying to use this as an opportunity to lead a discussion on Windsurfing in NI and perhaps what RYANI could do to support it and also to give NI windsurfers/clubs an idea of what is happening in the UK.
The details are in red as below, but I would like to invite windsurfers, be they instructors or not. The afternoon part of the day will have a demonstration about windsurfing instructor scheme (TBC) followed by a debate/discussion about windsurfing in NI.
I would be much obliged if you could spread the word about this conference to the windsurfers and perhaps attend yourself? It is free, and if you book in advance there will be lunch provided at the club.
Regards
Mary Farrell
RYA NI Development Officer
( Mobile: 07919 923 018
Phone: 028 9038 3875
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">
WEB: www.ryani.org.uk
Skype: Mary Farrell
RYANI Principals and Instructors Conference 2010.
Venue: Strangford Lough Yacht Club.
Date: 10th April 10am – 4pm
Book your place Now by contacting me!
Now as it happens I can't make this as I'm in England that weekend. But if any of you wish to go, you've got the full contact information. The RYA as far as NI windsurfers in concerned has often been seen as a rather distant and inconsistent organisation. Mary has said that she needs to understand a lot more about the local windsurfing scene - so this is your chance to help her. And there's a free lunch.
So if you'd like to give off about your views about anything windsurfing - RYA, insurance, developing kids (for windsurfing, not the priesthood), training courses, Maurice's tongue - whatever is on your mind, just go along.
8 for Sale
Despite all the horrible things I say about the age of Trevor Pollen's gear, he does keep it in immaculate condition. He's the only sailor I know who religiously hoses his sails down after each session. So when he has some stuff for sale, it's worth looking at.
Alan
I am selling an 8 metre Tushingham Thunderbird sail. It is in virtually new condition, has only been used a handful of times and has been carefully dried after each outing. On the basis that it is of little value to me sitting in my garage I am seeking approx 20% of its original price say £80.
Would you mind passing the message on through your various websites / threads.
Regards
Trevor
Trevor can be reached care of Ulster Museum or on
And while you're at it, ask him if he's got an Arthur Daily coat for sale ....
STUFF THE END
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You can also register your mates, just fill in their e-mail address and the system will e-mail them and check if they're happy to receive my meanderings. Why not share the pain with them?
These newsletters are about the people who windsurf - anywhere in Ireland. But a lot of the action takes place at Newtownards Sailing Club - probably the largest windsurfing club in Ireland. For lessons, great beginner kit, to join or just to sail there as a guest and try it out, see the website.