Friday, December 23, 2011

RS:X & Techno North Islands 2012 - Tauranga 21‐22 January

RSX/Techno North Islands  







A great venue, a friendly welcome, good harbour racing and all the fun of summer at the Mount: what more could you want from a regatta?  What better way to build up for Sail Auckland and the Nationals in February!  There are even some good prizes and trophies, including ‘North Island Champion’ with past names such as B Kendall!  And this is the third Kendall Cup regatta for the season so don’t miss it: enter now!
Why not come a couple of days early and get some training in – you can’t beat a change of location and our afternoon sea breeze is usually pretty reliable.  Get in quick to find some accommodation or let us know if you’d like help.  Call Stuart 07 5741169.’

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Dnick's Friday Report - Going 30+ knots in Speed Creek

 Friday Speed

Speed Creek, Tauranga
Windsurfing: Speed
1:30 pm - 3 pm yesterday
my rating 5 star rating
Wind Direction: W Wind Strength: maxed   using 6.1 - 6.5m sail. Swell Direction: Swell Size: nonexistent Tide: Low - Rising.
CA SL58, warp 6.4, MFC 34 course slalom
A planned low tide session actually worked. Wind was more WSW to start. Rob was on the creek early on a 5.8 x-15 as it was really honking 33-35knots.
By the time Darryl and I hit the water it had back off to under 30.
Good speed runs, if a little short compared to yesterdays airport sesh.
Some nice flat out gybes made life interesting laying it down at 30knts on a flat as channel.
Darryl didn't break any gear today
Craig showed up late as it went back west and he was flying on 6.4, in 35+ knts, clocking 34.9knts max, but Rob had the speed of the sesh with a 35. something, a PB for him....still waiting on the C3 Sting to arrive... 











Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Mount Coast beach restrictions lifted

Omanu Beach access now all go!
 15 November 2011: 1.30pm
Beach access restrictions between Tay Street and Maketū Spit will be lifted tomorrow morning, Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) says.
This means the public will now have access to beaches between Mount Maunganui (Mauao) and the Maketū Estuary. However, at this stage, two sections of the beach will remain restricted. The first section is from Harrison’s Cut, going past the Pāpāmoa Surf Lifesaving Club to Alexandra Place. The second section is the Maketū Spit. This is because these areas require further ongoing clean-up.
The restricted areas will be clearly marked with tape and signs.
The National On Scene Commander restricted public access to the beach to allow oil spill response teams, sometimes with large trucks and other heavy machinery, to work unimpeded on the most affected areas of beach.
The restrictions also aimed to minimise the contamination of otherwise clean areas by members of the public walking through and transferring material from heavily oiled areas.
National On Scene Commander Mick Courtnell said there was no longer any operational need, in terms of the use of heavy machinery, or risk of cross-contamination, to restrict public access to the beach.
However, he warned that members of the public should still exercise caution when using the beaches.
The rahui put in place by iwi remains in place.
This prohibits the collection of kaimoana between Bowen Town and Maketū.
“The beaches are not the same as they were before Rena grounded,” Mr Courtnell said.
“There are small amounts of oil buried in the sand, on some of the rocks and in some cases submerged in the water. Oil will continue to resurface with tidal movement and will be most evident after periods of rough or stormy weather.” Sightings of oil should be reported to 0800 OIL SPILL.
Mr Courtnell said the oil spill response team would continue to assess, clean and re-clean the beaches for as long as was needed.
“This may involve sections of the beach being cordoned off at various times – these will be clearly marked and we ask that members of the public are patient as we continue to work through this process,” Mr Courtnell said.
Mr Courtnell said six areas of high recreational use had been identified through consultation with local authorities and beach users. These areas would be targeted for regular clean-ups to give members of the public a higher degree of confidence in using those sections of beach.
The six areas of high use are Pilot Bay, Mount Main Beach, Tay Street, Ōmanu, Pāpāmoa East and Arataki.
“Public health officials have advised us that contact with the weathered oil presents a minor health risk. However, it should not be swallowed. Young children should be closely supervised.”

Maritime NZ

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Rena Latest - Volunteering

"Because we've got old oil that is remobilising on the shoreline, we still need lots of hands and bodies to sweep the beaches and pick up these weathered, tarry globs of oil.
Once this is done, the next phase can focus on mechanical recovery,'' he said.
Mr Quinn said while volunteer support had been outstanding, more people were still needed to help clean beaches over the coming days and weeks.
"We appreciate that people have busy lives, and that it's more difficult for people to get away during the working week to give us a hand.
"But if anyone can spare a few hours, either during the week or over the weekend, we'd love to have you come and help us. This is going to be a marathon - not a sprint.''
Mt Maunganui beach down to Tay St would stay open this weekend but other local beaches remained closed as old oil continued to come ashore."
 
Volunteering information
  1. You must be 16 years of age or older and physically fit. You should not be assisting with oil clean up if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
  2. You must be willing to work a minimum of a 4-hour shift.
  3. If you haven't already registered as a volunteer, please do so online at www.boprc.govt.nz/oilspillvolunteers/
  4. You must bring your own pair of gumboots. Volunteers without their own gumboots will not be permitted to clean-up for safety reasons.
  5. Do not bring additional equipment, such as your own protective suits, shovels, rakes, sacks and gloves: these will be provided.
  6. Bring a small back pack with your own food and water. Clean-up can be physically challenging so you will need to stay well-nourished. The back pack must be comfortable enough to stay on your back at all times.
If you have any experience in bird or animal handling and could help with wildlife recovery please call 0800 333 771.
For any further questions email renavolunteers@gmail.com or phone 0800 645 774.

Thank you for your ongoing support, help and enthusiasm - the response from the community and our volunteers is inspiring.
Pim de Monchy
Volunteer Co-ordinator

BOP Regional Council

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Smashed 'em!

Rena Latest, Beaches and Harbour opened.

"Maritime New Zealand clarified its position yesterday after 24 hours of mixed messages as to whether people could swim off the 3km of beach between the Mount and Tay St that is open to the public. National on-scene commander Alex van Wijngaarden said people could "use their own commonsense" and do what they wanted in that area, provided they did not enter the exclusion zone around the Rena, which has been reduced from 45km to about 20km."

"However, Captain van Wijngaarden said there was still oil in the environment and people needed to be vigilant if they chose to go into the water. People should be careful and look out for any sign of oil contamination. Although the residual oil is a lot less toxic than fresh oil, people should still avoid it. The rest of the beach, from Tay Street to Maketk, remained closed to the public." 
Maritime nz 
 

The harbour has similarly been given the all clear for water quality, however Warnings still remain in place, primarily to advise of 'user risk' as I understand it. The Kiteboarding Nationals have gone ahead with no issues and the local crew have enjoyed a couple of unaffected days sailing in the harbour. 
Mr B.Anderson
Dean will  however, continue to provide daily "dipstick" duties to ensure we don't get oil on our nice windsurfing stuff. Cheers Dean, legend!
Darren, Roger and Adam checking kite related water hazards
The author gettin' some!

Monday, October 10, 2011

Website launched for Youth Windsurfing in New Zealand - WNZ


Are you a kid or parent looking for more information about youth windsurfing in New Zealand? This is the website for you. Here you can find out about:Schools and clubs, competition pathways, where to buy windsurfing equipment, fun windsurfing events and competitions and how you can have your say...
Are you a kid or parent looking for more information about youth windsurfing in New Zealand? This is the website for you. Here you can find out about …
* Schools and clubs where you can learn to windsurf.
* The different competition pathways you can take if you decide windsurfing is the sport for you, and what you need to buy and do in order to follow a particular pathway.
* Where to buy windsurfing equipment and how to work out what is best for your age, size, and favourite kind of windsurfing.
* All the fun windsurfing events and competitions happening for youth around New Zealand.
* And how you can have your say about windsurfing issues and what you’d like to see available in the sport.

http://youth.windsurfingnz.org/

Elements Watersports Spring Windsurfing Tuition

It's been a busy few weeks here at Elements Watersports - Our First Tauranga Slalom Windsurf Regatta, Club safety boat courses for Rowing NZ, the Auckland boat show and of course not forgetting the Rugby!
Elements has, along with other great local activity operators, taken over the glass box at the strand over the past few weeks and are there promoting our tours, lessons and courses over the rugby world cup period.  It’s a great venue for a walk or a lunch stop on the deck looking out over the water and there will be lots going on over the school holidays to check out.
There's so much to do here in Tauranga so come and talk to any of  us at the glass box at the strand
any day of the week between 9am and 5pm.

What's new this Season
Youth - School holidays and Term 4
Elements is offering lots more options for kids to learn and improve this year, with term long courses to single lessons, weekend courses and school holiday program short courses.
Check out our upcoming courses below or visit our website to find out more http://www.elementsonline.co.nz/default.aspx?page=activities.schools

Learn to Windsurf     -     Start Windsurfing Course
This Windsurfing course is the perfect introduction for juniors
(8 to 18 year olds) wanting to Learn to Windsurf.
Our Beginners course will give you a great introduction to the exciting sport of windsurfing.
During your course you will learn how to sail across the wind, you will learn how to tack  and how to launch, set up and look after your kit.
All our kids’ courses include a variety of games and fun exercises that help you gain the skills you need to be a confident windsurfer in light winds.
We provide you with all your equipment and all your Watersports clothing and fantastic instructors.

October School Holiday             Start Windsurfing Course
When:                       Wednesday 19th and Thursday 20th October      
Time:                         9am till 3pm
Where:                      Elements Watersports, Kulim Park
Cost                           $125

Term 4                      Start Windsurfing Course:
When:                       Choose 4  x Mondays between 24th October and 12th December
Time:                         4pm till 630pm
Where:                     Elements Watersports, Kulim Park, Matua, Tauranga.
Cost:                          $125.00    Payment plans available.


Term 4                    Windsurf Improver     -       Intermediate Windsurfer
Our Windsurf improver’s course builds upon the skills you learnt on your Start Windsurfing course.  You will progress quickly over the next 8 weeks and once you’ve completed this course you will be skilful and confident enough to windsurf in more challenging conditions and competent enough to hire equipment with Elements Watersports or transit to the racing circuit.

Course start date:     Wednesday 26th October
Course finish date:    Wednesday 14th December
Time: 4pm till 630pm

Where:   Elements Watersports, Kulim Park, Matua, Tauranga.
Cost:  $260   Payment plans available.

This course also runs during our Summer school holiday program or can be booked over a weekend anytime during the year.
Book a course by emailing jules@elementsonline.co.nz or for more information on how to get started call us on 0800 486 729

http://www.elementsonline.co.nz/default.aspx?page=activities.schools

Monday, September 26, 2011

Elements Watersports Spring Racing - The Match Report

Another magic Tauranga morning raised a few concerns early on, but those enthusiastic competitors who had made the effort to roll down to Fergusson Park early were more than happy to register and wait. Along with Alexander from A’ND Distribution, some of Auckland’s finest sailors had also made the trip down for a bit of ‘Bay action’.
Peter and Julie from Elements Watersports ran through the format for prospective racing, and Alexander followed with a overview of some of his latest windsurf equipment. While keeping one expectant eye on the flags, everyone busied themselves with a bit of rigging and tuning in anticipation of a ‘call to race’. As predicted, the Nor’Wester built enough to warrant setting a course, and getting wet!
Everyone hit the water for the first round of racing, a straight forward ‘figure 8’ within the narrow confines of the channel. A couple of tight start sequences challenged the fleet early on, however cunning startline strategies started to evolve as the races progressed. Despite all of the hectic starts, only one passionate protest was directed at the committee boat, (and was quickly rejected after ‘careful’ consideration, sorry Darryl). Tim Wood (GBR7) had the measure of the day’s conditions, (and the congested short course) and was rarely headed over the 6 races. 
Following closely were a tight bunch of 6 or 7 sailors battling across the whitecapped harbour. Amongst this group and exhibiting no loss of form,(despite many years swinging from kites) was Glenn Bright, representing the locals with a 'class' effort. We were also impressed with the young RSX/Techno racers who gave the 'short version' of the sport a go, on their funny looking gear.
Those running bigger rigs were clearing out from the rest as the conditions eased, so the fleet was separated for the final few races. Fortunately, the race committee were able to evaluate final results after Day 1, as Sunday’s forecast failed to provide suitable weather to get a start*.
*A few hardy locals did head out to ‘test’ conditions, much to the amusement of those who were content with warm/dry clothing and hot coffee.
OVERALL RESULTS (with discards removed)
Congratulations Tim! And a special thanks to you and Marilyn for the all the valued technical assistance offered over the weekend.

While the Auckland crew showed their experience on the racecourse, some enthusiastic sailing from the Bay locals should inspire a few of us to look to competing in more organised events. Many thanks to those guys who came from out of town to sail with us, we look forward to catching up again soon for more racing.





 
A big thanks to the event sponsors for all of their assistance with Tauranga’s first serious windsurf event, in many years. After talking about running this type of comp for a long time (and finally having the support to put it together) we are now confident in offering more comps in the not too distant future.

 
www.assault.co.nz
 

A massive thank you to Anton and Bruce @ Windsurfing NZ for the technical, legal and emotional support to enable us to pull this all together. We certainly hope to follow this event up with another to further promote the sport locally, and generate a bit more of a 'community' feel to it.

Please give Brent Devcich a call if you are in need of any of his awesome photos. They are now posted on Flickr to view. Great commitment to sacrifice competing himself, to record the day's action for all to see. Cheers Brent.

Thanks to Barry and The Otumoetai Sports & Recreation Club for the use of  facilities over the weekend, much appreciated.

And thanks to Candace for providing the excellent food and coffee, and the great service over both days. Cheers.

Once again I would like to acknowledge all of the time and effort afforded by Pete and Jules to make this such a fantastic event. With their valued input, this event has highlighted the opportunity local sailors have at getting a little more organised, and a lot more competitive. Great work!