Florida Wave Challenge

[clyde]

It has been a long time since the last wave contest here in Florida. For all the information...

http://www.floridawavechallenge.com/

[wavehobbit]

Plan to be there and bring a few sailors from the Upper Gulf Coast. Sounds like a blast.

[clyde]

Check out this photo from the event site.

http://www.floridawavechallenge.com/location.html

[clyde]

October is fast approaching and I would like to encourage anyone who is considering to compete in the Florida Wave Challenge to contact Bruce via the website, even if it's only a maybe. To make this event the best possible, knowing the number of participants is really important as the format will be a lot different than what you find at a racing event.

A Registration fee, if any, will only be used to pay for an event tee shirt and food. Remember, no event, no fee.

Generous sponsors are offering some great prizes. Most of the merchandise will be raffled off to the participants

[clyde]

Updates and the participant list grows. Stay tuned to the FWC website.

http://www.floridawavechallenge.com/

[clyde]

Competitors,

The 2006 Florida Wave Challenge is only days away so this is an update on the event with some details on what to expect.

Beginning one week from Friday, please check the website (www.floridawavechallenge.com) for the exact date of the contest. Based on the wind and wave forecast, I will post the decision to compete one day before the actual event. Please plan on arriving at 9am on the morning of the event so that we can initiate competition as soon as possible.


If the wind on the morning of the event is sufficiently strong, we will begin heats immediately in the open class. The quantity of sailors per heat will be based on the number of entrants, but is anticipated to be six. The duration of the heat is expected to be 15 minutes.


The judging criteria will emphasize wave riding and jumping. Although flashy transitions will add to the overall impression, a good jump or wave ride will provide more points to the total score. The judges and I agree that the fundamental theme of this contest is the thrilling interaction between windsurfers and ocean waves.


Following the first round of heats, all open class competitors will be assigned a second round heat and will once again sail 15 minute heats. The sailors with the highest total scores from both heats will enter a single elimination semifinal and final.


Depending upon the conditions and the attendance, the Kona, Junior and Women?s classes will be run between open class rounds. Following the finals, awards will be presented and prizes will be raffled to registered participants. We also plan on a post event gathering at a nearby restaurant/bar to be determined.


I hope to provide another update next week.

Bruce Thomas

[clyde]

Many updates on the website.

We have almost $4000 of prizes donated by our generous sponsors! The majority of prizes will be raffled to registered participants

[clyde]

FWC Participants,



The wind forecast for the upcoming weekend is discouraging: A front is scheduled to move through the area, but it appears too weak to generate a sailable pressure gradient. Tropical activity is also disappointing with no distant storms to provide a swell. Although the final decision for this weekend (Oct. 21st or 22nd) has not been made, all indications suggest that we should wait. Therefore, I recommend that sailors anticipate a contest on Oct. 28th or 29th. If conditions unexpectedly improve, however, we may announce a Saturday contest as late as noon on Friday (or a Sunday contest by noon on Saturday).



I know that several sailors are only available this weekend. If the contest moves to next weekend as expected, I apologize to those sailors who will not be able to participate.


Bruce Thomas

[clyde]

Florida Wave Challenge participants,



We now have a forecast that includes this weekend and it seems that wind is a real possibility. A front is due to pass through Central Florida on Saturday which I hope will produce sailable North winds on Sunday. The timing of the front will be critical because an earlier front passage would make Saturday a better choice. If the front is later than anticipated, we may have winds from the South for Saturday which would please the starboard tack jumpers.



I will make the final decision regarding a Saturday competition by noon this Friday. If we don?t compete on Saturday, I will communicate a decision to compete on Sunday by noon on Saturday. If the winds are too light to compete on either day, the contest will be postponed indefinitely with a potential rescheduling in the spring of 2007.





Bruce Thomas

[clyde]

Get Ready. Event worthy conditions have been posted in the Marine Forecast for Sunday. Final decision will be made on Saturday at noon.

http://www.floridawavechallenge.com/

[clyde]

The Grinch stole the forecast. The FWC has been postponed. Check the FWC website for rescheduling.