There has been a lot of heated discussion on starboards forums and in the windsurfing community about the proposed formula one-design for the 2012 Olympics, and I'd like to have a few of my own words about it.
One of the things that I am most interested in is the debate between the RSX sailors and formula sailors that seems to be evolving into a battle. RSX sailors are arguing that taking away the pumping aspect of racing is taking away the Olympic worthiness of the sport because you have to be in optimum physical condition to compete at this sort of 0 mph wind level. Frankly to be modest, this argument is a little self absorbed. I don't blame them for being discouraged because i know they all have worked very hard to reach their physical ability, and i respect them for that. What they have lost site of is; The Olympics is about being COMPETITIVE not being a super human.
Yes, some sports in order to be competitive you need to be in optimum physical shape, but windsurfing is a sailing sport not power lifting, marathon running, or a triathlon. Sailing is about using the wind in a strategic way to work your way around a course and beet your opponents. You don't see World Cup Sailing boats crews pumping their sails to get around a course do you? no.. If the wind is 0 mph you shouldn't be sailing that defeats the purpose. If they want it to be about physical ability invent Stand Up Paddle board racing and go race SUP boards. Lets also not take to much away from formula racing, it is still very physically demanding and your average joe can't just hop on a board go race and not be in any kind of shape. You still need to be in good shape, just not pumping around a race course shape.
Anyone ever heard of the Winter Olympic sport curling? Well if you haven't, it involved sliding a rock across an ice strip and getting it as close to a target as you can, to put it in vague terms. You can't tell me those guys are in optimum physical condition, they can eat doughnuts and do what ever the heck they want. What it does require is a lot of practice, finesse, and a COMPETITIVE drive, that is what competing is about, and that is why curling is in the Olympics. Another couple examples are bowling and archery same kind of idea. RSX racers are basically saying these kind of sports should be thrown out of the Olympics because they do not require being a super human.
I personally have been an athlete my entire life, and up until recently I have been in very good shape. I have been playing sports since I was 4 years old. I started in both football and lacrosse in high school, and I was an NCAA div. 2 lacrosse player (and yes i started in college too). Over the years while playing some of these sports I have learned the biggest toughest guy isn't always the best out there. The best is the person who focuses completely on being the best at what they do by practicing, doing what it takes and having a winning mentality. Physical ability does help you, but it is not everything. It comes down to how bad do you want it? and how hard are you going to work for it? narrowing it down to just how good of shape you are in isn't the answer, and RSX racers should no better than that because they all have worked very hard.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Thursday, May 1, 2008
First Formula Sesh
I got my new board yesterday, and i was able to get my first sesh on it today. At first when i got on the water i was shlogging around with some planing here and there. After about a half hour the wind started to pick up, AND DAMN. 22 mph gusts on a formula board with a bagged out 8.5 sail is SCARY, but freaking fun at the same time. I was doing all i could to hold down the sail even going as far upwind into the wind as i could. At the same time, i swear the fin was acting like a bull and trying to buck me off. It took every muscle in my body to hold everything together to keep from exploding on the water. One time the wind got under my board (i think bc i let off the gas a bit) and the whole damn thing took off like an airplane, i almost wiped out but was able to save it. When I wasn't in a gust it was very relaxing and easy planing which is the main reason i wanted to get a formula board, light wind planing. the average while i was out there was 11-15 mph gusting to up to 22
Lessons learned today:
-FORMULA IS FUN
- i need to invest in an adjustable out-haul so when the wind gets crazy like that i can flatten the sail.
-formula can be a work-out, which is what i want
-you can't give the fin an inch or it will take a mile
Heres my proof of the wind, I was out from 12:45-3
Lessons learned today:
-FORMULA IS FUN
- i need to invest in an adjustable out-haul so when the wind gets crazy like that i can flatten the sail.
-formula can be a work-out, which is what i want
-you can't give the fin an inch or it will take a mile
Heres my proof of the wind, I was out from 12:45-3
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
New Formula Board Baby!
There she is! My new mistral f2004 formula board! I got it from a friend in WET, he also sold it to me with an after market curtis race fin which was pretty sweet. The ride home was a little sketchy. The board was to big to fit in the car, so i had to strap it to the roof without a roof rack. I had to rap the strap around the roof of my car literally. I opened all the windows and fed the straps threw the car cabin and tightened them down. Luckily i looped the straps threw the board bag handles too because it was a little wobbly driving home. Good times. I was able to make it home with the board in one piece thats all i care about. Since i got this formula board iv come to the realization that i probably shouldn't keep my mistral explosion 130 anymore because the wind range overlaps. I'm thinking about selling it and buying a 100 liter board, but i dono. I love my explosion and i bought it new last fall i'd hate to get rid of it. We'll see i still have to think about it. I'm excited to get some formula action in though! My friend also gave me a 10.9 sail with it. the only thing that sucks is i don't have a mast or boom for it, so its basically useless. I'v been blowing to much money on windsurfing lately so i'm going to be good and just be happy and sail with my 8.5. 520 masts and formula booms are to damn expensive!
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
TOW at Old Dominion University
I got out at Old Dominion University today, which is my 
stomping grounds (thats my school). My friend Billy Mckindrey and I arrived to nuking 30mph gusts at 49th street beach, and I had to run home and get my 6.3 because I only brought my 7.0. The winds at this spot can be kind of fluky so i was skeptical to rig my 6.3, but billy talked me into it. As i suspected after we were both done rigging (he rigged a 5.6) the wind had droped off to 15-20. We decided to give it a go anyway and we got some planing runs, but we really just didn't have enough sail. It was still a good time there was some decent swell and i got a couple good jumps in, i think i actually cleared the fin on one of them (newbie jumper...). After an hour and a half of sailing i had to call it a day because i had to go pick up my dog from the vet because she got spayed today. poor dog is really out of it now. Billy had enough and came in and rigged his 6.6, after that he was planing for the rest of the time he was on the water. I knew i should have riged the 7.0!!
stomping grounds (thats my school). My friend Billy Mckindrey and I arrived to nuking 30mph gusts at 49th street beach, and I had to run home and get my 6.3 because I only brought my 7.0. The winds at this spot can be kind of fluky so i was skeptical to rig my 6.3, but billy talked me into it. As i suspected after we were both done rigging (he rigged a 5.6) the wind had droped off to 15-20. We decided to give it a go anyway and we got some planing runs, but we really just didn't have enough sail. It was still a good time there was some decent swell and i got a couple good jumps in, i think i actually cleared the fin on one of them (newbie jumper...). After an hour and a half of sailing i had to call it a day because i had to go pick up my dog from the vet because she got spayed today. poor dog is really out of it now. Billy had enough and came in and rigged his 6.6, after that he was planing for the rest of the time he was on the water. I knew i should have riged the 7.0!!
Sunday, April 27, 2008
2008 Wet Spring Regatta
Well I participated in the WET Spring Regatta this weekend and I competed in the sport formula class! This was great because I actually got to see what formula racing is all about. Dave Kashy let me barrow one of his formula boards for the two day long race. The wind on Saturday was marginal but just enough to plane for most of the time. Sunday on the other hand was pretty dead and i only planned on the last leg of the first race. It was really cool though because there was a pod of porpoises swimming in Willoughby bay and they actually swam up pretty close to my board. I will admit i didn't want them to come to close because A. I didn't want to run them over with my 70cm formula fin and B. I didn't want to fall in with them, call me a wuss lol. I was also wondering what they were doing so far up in the Chesapeake bay especially in Willoughby bay, they much have a food shortage or something, soon to be Dr. James Douglass would be able to answer that question.
As for racing the first day (saturday) we raced 5 races. The course was a typical triangle shaped course with an upwind marker a downwind marker and then a reach to the finish. The first race i smoked everyone and got 1st place. The second race was pretty much the same outcome. As for the third race the wind was light and i wasn't able to plane as much. It ended up being a photo finish between Dr. Bob, Fan pat, and I. Dr. bob slid by with first fan with second and myself 3rd. Fan Pat is a girl who weigh probably about 90 pounds and she was out there racing on a 7.5 sail on a bar owed formula board. to me that is pretty impressive and she was defiantly the competition i was worried about most.The next two races that day i was able to finish first in. I was really happy with these results because i never have raced formula before and i had only been on a formula board one other time.
The second day was pretty lame. The wind was offshore which sucked and the wind was right at or below 8 mph, so it was pretty hard to plane especially since i was only using an 8.5 sail, which is nothing considering most people racing formula don't go below a 10.0. I was excited because i was able to plane a little bit heading out to the start, but by the time the race started i wasn't able to plane (go figure). I ended up getting 3rd in that race, and it was so crappy that i said screw it and didn't race the next and final race. I didn't really need to race in the last race because they drop your lowest score and i had a pretty solid lead anyway.
After this weekend I am defiantly getting a formula board. Racing formula is so much more exciting and fun than longboard racing (when the wind is above 10 mph). You plane around the course before the longboards can even get threw the starting line (at least when there is relatively low wind). In fact i already have one lined up and i am just waiting to make the transaction with a fellow WET member Chad Perkins. It helped that over all i won the sport formula group and got a sweet plaque (picture comming soon). Dr. Bob got second place and fan pat got 3rd. It was great competition and a lot of fun. IM HOOKED. Bruce Powers, another guy (sorry didn't catch his name), and Marcy Kennedy all sailed great as well. Marcy only raced one race because she was the one who organized the event and she was busy.
As for racing the first day (saturday) we raced 5 races. The course was a typical triangle shaped course with an upwind marker a downwind marker and then a reach to the finish. The first race i smoked everyone and got 1st place. The second race was pretty much the same outcome. As for the third race the wind was light and i wasn't able to plane as much. It ended up being a photo finish between Dr. Bob, Fan pat, and I. Dr. bob slid by with first fan with second and myself 3rd. Fan Pat is a girl who weigh probably about 90 pounds and she was out there racing on a 7.5 sail on a bar owed formula board. to me that is pretty impressive and she was defiantly the competition i was worried about most.The next two races that day i was able to finish first in. I was really happy with these results because i never have raced formula before and i had only been on a formula board one other time.
The second day was pretty lame. The wind was offshore which sucked and the wind was right at or below 8 mph, so it was pretty hard to plane especially since i was only using an 8.5 sail, which is nothing considering most people racing formula don't go below a 10.0. I was excited because i was able to plane a little bit heading out to the start, but by the time the race started i wasn't able to plane (go figure). I ended up getting 3rd in that race, and it was so crappy that i said screw it and didn't race the next and final race. I didn't really need to race in the last race because they drop your lowest score and i had a pretty solid lead anyway.
After this weekend I am defiantly getting a formula board. Racing formula is so much more exciting and fun than longboard racing (when the wind is above 10 mph). You plane around the course before the longboards can even get threw the starting line (at least when there is relatively low wind). In fact i already have one lined up and i am just waiting to make the transaction with a fellow WET member Chad Perkins. It helped that over all i won the sport formula group and got a sweet plaque (picture comming soon). Dr. Bob got second place and fan pat got 3rd. It was great competition and a lot of fun. IM HOOKED. Bruce Powers, another guy (sorry didn't catch his name), and Marcy Kennedy all sailed great as well. Marcy only raced one race because she was the one who organized the event and she was busy.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
100l board or formula?
This question has been hindering me for a few months now. Ideally i'd want to have both, but limited space and green george washingtons won't allow that. So i'v recently been thinking of the pros and cons to each in my head.
Formula
Pros
-would probably get the most use out of formula gear
-light wind planing ability
-increased number of sailing days
-eventual racing potential
-making other sailors jelous on marginal days
-its a work out!
Cons
-EXPENSIVE
-huge sails to carry
-board takes up alot of space
-gear breaks alot
-I will never beable to win a race up against Dave Kashy (designer of the best formula fins to date)
100l Board
Pros
-Would beable to sail comfortably on those high wind days
-would be easier to work on my jumping
-would be good to learn wave sailing
-Cheaper option than formula
Cons
-would probably only beable to use it a handful of times a year
-my waterstarting still sucks and i don't want to drift out to sea
With the pros and cons both taken into consideration i am leaning towards formula because i think i would get more satisfaction. Id rather have a board that i can sail 3-4 times a week than 3-4 times a year. Also, the cost of formula can be off set by buying used gear from all the hardcore racers in hampton roads. They turn over thier gear almost every year.
I have heard from a lot of people that going formula is a bad idea, and no one seems to enjoy it. I have found more people trying to talk me out of it than talk me into it. Mostly the guys trying to talk me into it are the formula racers who are probably just looking for more people to dump there gear onto when they turn it over. I should probably take this as a hint not to go formula, but i really feel that i would enjoy it given my hard riding style. I also have riden a formula board before and loved it.
By the end of this summer my guess is ill have a formula board, and im really looking forward to it.
Formula
Pros
-would probably get the most use out of formula gear
-light wind planing ability
-increased number of sailing days
-eventual racing potential
-making other sailors jelous on marginal days
-its a work out!
Cons
-EXPENSIVE
-huge sails to carry
-board takes up alot of space
-gear breaks alot
-I will never beable to win a race up against Dave Kashy (designer of the best formula fins to date)
100l Board
Pros
-Would beable to sail comfortably on those high wind days
-would be easier to work on my jumping
-would be good to learn wave sailing
-Cheaper option than formula
Cons
-would probably only beable to use it a handful of times a year
-my waterstarting still sucks and i don't want to drift out to sea
With the pros and cons both taken into consideration i am leaning towards formula because i think i would get more satisfaction. Id rather have a board that i can sail 3-4 times a week than 3-4 times a year. Also, the cost of formula can be off set by buying used gear from all the hardcore racers in hampton roads. They turn over thier gear almost every year.
I have heard from a lot of people that going formula is a bad idea, and no one seems to enjoy it. I have found more people trying to talk me out of it than talk me into it. Mostly the guys trying to talk me into it are the formula racers who are probably just looking for more people to dump there gear onto when they turn it over. I should probably take this as a hint not to go formula, but i really feel that i would enjoy it given my hard riding style. I also have riden a formula board before and loved it.
By the end of this summer my guess is ill have a formula board, and im really looking forward to it.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Only Cool Kids Blog
Well, I finally bit the bullet and decided to start my own blog. Apparently it's the cool thing to do these days. I find myself reading other people's blogs a lot, so what the hell, I need something to do while I'm sitting in class bored out of my mind. Just a warning my grammar and spelling isn't that great so don't call me out to much, I guess this will be good practice.
I mostly blame James for this new endeavor of mine because like him I love to windsurf and a lot of things about society piss me off so whats more appropriate than to write about it on a blog! plus everyone always knows James at social events, and I want to be cool like him lol.
So, here I am writing my first blog post I hope you all enjoy it and i promise my posts will be more animated the more I learn to use this stuff.
I mostly blame James for this new endeavor of mine because like him I love to windsurf and a lot of things about society piss me off so whats more appropriate than to write about it on a blog! plus everyone always knows James at social events, and I want to be cool like him lol.
So, here I am writing my first blog post I hope you all enjoy it and i promise my posts will be more animated the more I learn to use this stuff.
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