All valid points - good to get the discussion out there. Remember we do have the Coffs Harbour comp in Oct.

I've go a couple of "Youths" where I teach who would come along to a comp but rely on parents to get them there. One dad said he is not comfortable letting his son sail without rescue facilities such as a jet ski (and ambulance accessability)

The other issue is that Local Councils are getting quite strict on risk management strategies and risk management plans. Although many of us launch into pretty hard core stuff from time to time the Association must have permission from local council at all venues - contingent upon these plans. There is also NSW Maritime, NPWS, even parking management plans! At least we are not as bad as the Health and Safety in the UK. I know in the UK they have an unofficial "Wave Jam" which gets around all the legalities but it's a much more informal system of judging and assessing.

I agree the best publicity for the sport at a comp is having good sailors in good conditions, however, getting to participate is a high priority amongst many sailors who come along, i.e time on the water.

No flaming from me

So there is no conflict of interest in my comments - I do the Waterways permissions for the club and taking on judging role this year.

Personally I just want to go hang out, get some sailing in and help raise the standard of sailing for your average wavesailor
cheers

The decision was made last year due to the fact that there was a hell of alot of water moving. And with the fickle wind most people didn't want to go out at all. It was very difficult sailing to say the least, even good sailors like ma were prodominantly sailing the inside which bears testimony to the conditions. At the end of the day the decision was made due to the fact that if someone got into difficulty we could not assist them adequitly. We held an expression session so as not to force anyone out who didn't feel comfortable or safe. In the circumstances what other choice was there?

The decision not to hold a birubi comp was a very difficult decission to be made with pretty much a 50/50 split on the idea at the AGM. Alot of people wanted to remove the winter comp from the scoring rounds completely (i was one of them) due to the un-predictable winds which we often encounter during winter and the fact not many people are all that keen that time of year. In the end after a huge amount of debate it was decided and voted that Port Kembla in september would give us a better shot of good competition sailing. It wasnt chosen due to it being a great spot to sail in a westerly (Birubi is definately the best option for westerlies) it was chosen due to the fact that in the local area all of the predominent wind directions could be sailed. Southerlies at windang, SW-Westerlies at Port Kembla and NE'ers at Gerroa or Warrila.

Krusty said...
Remember, all of this is decided by members of the NSWWA most of them live in Sydney or on the south coast and most go to the AGM every year and they all vote on decisions like this...........funny how it works out

As I said... it might make sense to rename it the Sydney Wavesailing Association...
... don't get me wrong I'd rather go down to Wanda than drive all the way up the coast for a comp. Sadly though I always seem to be either in WA (Gnaraloo to be exact) or somewhere overseas when there is a comp on.

that said I'd also like to point out that Dan Berry seems is doing a pretty good job at flying the flag for NSW not just here in Sydney. He is one of a few people that will regularly travel to comps up and down the East Coast... all despite the fact that he had a baby arrive not too long ago.

Might try and nip this one in the bud before it gets nasty again
1. If you don't like something go to the agm and vote to change it.
2. If you don't like the way the committe makes decisions. Put your hand up to do some work in the committee and have a direct role in improving it.
3. If you don't do well at a comp, sail better.
Plenty of people comes to the comps and have a great time, last comp at birubi we had 5 people drive down from qld for the comp, I wonder why?
Because they enjoy it and have a good time maybe

dan berry said...
Plenty of people comes to the comps and have a great time, last comp at birubi we had 5 people drive down from qld for the comp, I wonder why?
Because they enjoy it and have a good time maybe

That was my point Dan... Birubi is 3 hours less driving for those guys... if you come from Brisbane that means driving 6.5 hrs... vs driving 9.5 hrs. ... not saying it can't be done but I think you want a real incentive to make sure it's worth the drive...

Tim Williams said...

Is there a Newscastle venue that will provide the right sort of conditions during NE seabreezes. We always discuss the venues at each year's AGM so happy to get the input.

cheers

Great idea Tim - well worth discussing. I can't see it happening until 2010/2011 as you've probably already got the waterways organised. Nobbys? Isn't there a good spot in the National Park by Frazer Beach? Apart from Woolgoolga all the comps are down south and I wouldn't mind saving the cost of the bridge toll by going north .

BTW the dates and locations are now up on the NSWWA website.

Peto where do you guys normally sail up there in a southerly?

I'm not for or against any of the decisions about venues, I wasn't at the AGM and infact I didn't make it to any events at all last year. But I don't think that Port Kembla should be underestimated. I don't sail there much because I dont really sail in winter much. But when I have it has been good. I reckon that it will be closer to the conditions of Birubi than you give it credit for.

Also while you girls are having your massDebate. I will be surfing perfect waves in Samoa

Tough life George, I'm off to puerto RICO for a month sailing and surfing and no doubt eating so I'll be havin a tough time too