Wednesday, December 23, 2009

New Boggy Satelite Images


Found this up-to-date image of boggy on the net. Looks like some exploration is in order!

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Is Boggy 2 better than Boggy 1?


I had my first session in months at Boggy 2 yesterday and it was one of the best sessions I can remember. It was only 12-17 but the centre flat section was magic and the runs were at east 4km long. My GPS is cactus so I dont know how well I did but is was just fast and effortless.

That got me thinking, is Boggy 2 better than Boggy 1?

Boggy 1:
+ Short walk to the water.
+ Big carpark, plenty of rigging space for 10+ sailors
+ Great Breeze.
+ Safe on a Northerly if you break something!
+ Did have a weed speed run on a westerly.
+ Can camp there.
+ Now it is great for landsailing.

- Only NM runs on eather N or S directions.
- Choppy.
- Gusty near the far bank.
- Tiger & Brown Snakes
- Carpark can be a mud pit when it rains
- Now it is empty!

Boggy 2:
+ Clean wind and awesome long reaches.
+ Choice of water states and even ramps when it howls.
+ Fewer snake sightings with the cows eating the cover.
+ Lots of nice grass to rig on.
+ Can camp there.

- Bit of a trek to the deep water.
- Carpark can max out with 10 cars or so.
- Off shore (out further) on a Northerly can be dangerous if you break something!
- Has had Carp problems when the water is low.
- Sometimes has a have fishing net.

These are just my initial thoughts, anyone have any other things they like/dislike about either?

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Sessions 09 - 22/11

A nice team effort was posted on Sunday the 22nd with sessions at Goolwa, Barmera, Seacliff AND Lake George! Well done Dee on a first post and welcome to Jamie (AKA Jimbob) from the SE.

Jamie said the weed is returning to the lake, we can only hope for the conditions of the early 90's to return. They had to be seen to be believed!

This Saturday looks like having some good wind so lets nail some big numbers and climb back up the GTC ladder!

Friday, October 30, 2009

Barmera Windsurfing Experience 09

The Onboard demo weekend is on again on the 7th & 8th of November.
There will be a chance to try some new gear and have a great time with other windsurfing enthusiasts.

There will be some fun races(weather permitting) and we may even be able to put up some prizes also.

I will be heading up on the day with the best forecast, unless it is looking good for the both. Lets try and get as many Demons there as possible as I am sure a great time will be had on the beach and in the lake.

Hardie(co-creator of GPSTC) may also be there to officially present the half of the spring cup that we won!

From SA Speed Demons

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Sailor Profile - Tim Hemer

Nickname: Timmy aka kimba
Age: 35
Occupation: Industrial Designer
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 110kg

Most used gear combo: JP Slalom IV 68 + 6.7 RS Racing

Favourite gear combo: JP Slalom V 60 + 6.7 RS Racing

Gear you wish you had: RS Racing Evo II - All of them! ;)

Favourite spot: Grundys

Spot you would most like to sail: Sandy Pt on a big day.

09 aspirations(sailing & life): Get a few PB's including a 26+ knot hour and 300+km. Spend quality time with the family and be free of health issues.

Favourite movie: The Life Aquatic

Favourite food: Chicken Parmy!

Favourite colour: Orange

Favourite saying: Full as a fat ladies sock

Wheels: Commodore SV6 & Enclosed Trailer



Friday, September 25, 2009

Goolwa Water Level - 25/9/2009


Since the flow restrictor has been installed all of our speed strips have been flooded but up until now the water on the "shelf" has not been deep enough to sail over with confidence. The water level has been as low as 800mm below sea level.
I think the old level of Goolwa lake was around 500-600mm above sea level, today it is 110mm above. Several days ago it was 70mm so the current rain falling in the catchment area east of adelaide is feeding the "Dam" well.
I'm sure we are all looking forward to being able to sail anywhere we like!

Friday, August 21, 2009

Sessions 09 - Grundys 15/8

Higher than average temperatures(27 in winter!) were experienced for the Saturday session at Grundys allowing 2 hardcore Speed Demons to head out in board shorts. They got a little to carried away though forgetting to don a harness resulting in another 1km round trip.

We finally had the 08 team together(less Reiffel) with medallions for our runner-up photo from last year. Chris also took some shots around the camp as we were all packing up and downing a few beers supplied by the Hamma's.

From L to R: Chris Dimond, Carl MacDonald, Sam Doecke & Tim Hemer.









Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Dog Lake Road

I am always looking for new sailing locations(as are many others) and one that may be the answer to Boggy lake & Boggy2 is access to lake Alexandrina from Dog Lake Road.
There is a bit of a walk(1km) on a sandy beach but the water seems to deepen much quicker than Boggy 2 or Milang. Its proximity to Boggy and the top of the lake may mean that it will get the Seabreeze effect during summer but being in the main lake runs can be 10km if desired. It may also be a good possibility for racing as there is no restriction on setting a course. Downsides could be if the wind drops out it would be a long paddle rather than walk.

I know we are all keen to try out a replacement for our beloved Boggy, lets hope this maintains the quality of flatwater spots we have had in the lower lakes for the past few years.

You can compare the depth levels with Boggy and Dog Lake Road by the colour banding. The yellow is sandbank recently exposed.

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Sessions 09 - Grundys 6/8

Had a bit of footage of some of the SASD team members, better than nothing I suppose.









And some photos...

From SA Speed Demons


From SA Speed Demons


From SA Speed Demons

Monday, July 13, 2009

Helper for Grundy's



still haven't sailed the new strip yet, wonder if this little trolley (Mk1) will help.
it even packs up for easy storage!

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Sailor Profile - Anthony Hamood

Nickname: Hamma
Age: 43
Occupation: Builder
Height: 179 cm
Weight: 81kg

Most used gear combo: Tabou Manta 59,7.0 evo 11

Favourite gear combo: CA 40 ,RS 5.0

Gear you wish you had: Happy with what i've got.

Favourite spot: Grundys

Spot you would most like to sail: Oossterland The Brace

09 aspirations(sailing & life): 46knot peak,40 knot Nm. Family to be happy and healthy.

Favourite movie: Most action movies , through my home theatre

Favourite food: Steak

Favourite colour: Blue

Favourite saying: Best not said!!!

Wheels: Merceedes vito van,Toyota Landcruiser



Facebook Link: None

Sunday, June 21, 2009

NM Heaven

Well the Goolwa - Clayton channel(nicknamed Grundy's after the launch road) is starting to show its potential with all team members who sailed on Saturday getting Nautical Mile PB's. It has also become the premier Australian mile+ venue with Anthony(Hamma) getting the Australian record of 36.79 - he had 3 runs over 36 Knots. Sam also set an Australian 1 Hour record of 27.07 knots.

See the session comments and gear used here:

http://gpsteamchallenge.com.au/sailor_session/show?date=2009-06-20&team=22

Well done to all, here are the days PB's (so far...)
Hamma - 36.79 NM (Australian Record!!!)
Chris - 35.99 NM
Choco - 35.61 NM
Sam - 34.43 NM and a 27.07 Hour (Australian Record!!!)
Carl - 33.94 NM
Joe - 31.47 NM and a 22.43 Hour

Add to the PB list Geoff with a 30.37 Peak and 28.48 5x10 Average on wave/freeride gear.

Chris also captured some footage on his new boom mounted camera..



Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Sessions 09 - Goolwa 8/6

As is usual this time of year, the forecast came through 10 knots less than predicted but that didn't stop some of the crew having a bit of light wind fun.
I caught a bit of footage tailing Carl & Joe. At least the water is flat when it is this light...

I looked at the camera after the run and noticed condensation inside the housing and thought the video would not turn out at all. In the end it is slightly blurred but still shows the action.

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Mystery Demon Quiz 1

Classic Sandy Point photo from 1991, can anybody name this handsome devil (demon)?


Thursday, May 7, 2009

Sailor Profile - Richard Upton

Nickname: Dr Duck
Age: 48
Occupation: Scientist
Height: 182cm
Weight: 83kg

Most used gear combo: 1998 Caveman Bump & Jump, 2000 Gaastra Grind 5.8, Fins International 26 cm free-ride.

Favourite gear combo: Exocet Kona, Grind 5.8 for playful fun when conditions are so light you know you should really be moving the lawn or something.

Gear you wish you had: I think windsurfing gear is a bit like computer software - sometimes the old version you know really well is better than the new version you have to learn all over again. I also like versatile gear - slalom boards you can jump and wave boards that go fast. Any suggestions welcome as my current gear is getting on a bit.

Favourite spot: Kingston Park - speed/slalom in summer & waves in winter.

Spot you would most like to sail: Anywhere the sun is shining, the sky is blue and the water is clear.

09 aspirations(sailing & life): Sustainable, happy existence for myself and family. Hit 30 knot peak on the Kona.
Hit 40 knot peak on a short board.
25 knot alpha.
Work on those nm and 1 hour speeds.

Favourite movie: The Flight of the Phoenix (original)

Favourite food: Custard. If it's from Holland even better. They make the best custard ever. Really.

Favourite colour: Blue

Favourite saying: Having fun is half the fun.

Wheels: My windsurfing trolley or 1991 Holden Jackaroo running on biodiesel (I'm a hippy!)

GTC Link: http://gpsteamchallenge.com.au/sailor/view/236

GPSSS Link: http://www.gps-speedsurfing.com/default.aspx?mnu=user&val=0&uid=1092

Facebook Link: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?success=1&aid=-3&id=1772198701&saved#/profile.php?id=1772198701&ref=profile

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Sailor Profile - Mark Macdonald

Nickname: Mr. Lovely (My receptionist named me, sounds a little porn like)
Age: 50
Occupation: Community Work Coordinator
Height: 185cm
Weight: 95kg


Most used gear combo: Hypersonic 133 and Maui Sails 6.5 MS.

Favourite gear combo: Hypersonic 133 and GTX 7.5 2007.

Gear you wish you had: 100litre slalom to show I don’t sail that bad and the above combo takes some skill.

Favourite spot: Love Milang with water and Boggy 2. Like big long runs.

Spot you would most like to sail: Burrum Heads looks special from the pictures on Seabreeze.

09 aspirations (sailing & life): To continue to show yearly improvements in speed, consistency and distance. Plus survive in a new potentially difficult new government contract which starts this year in new role.

Favourite movie: Hell Boy 2

Favourite food: Lasagna

Favourite colour: White

Favourite saying: That’s crap!

Wheels: VY Wagon with Mags to cart the gear around in.

GTC Link: http://gpsteamchallenge.com.au/sailor/view/139

GPSSS Link: http://www.gps-speedsurfing.com/?mnu=user&smnu=sessions&uid=913

Facebook Link: None

Friday, May 1, 2009

Sailor Profile - Chris Dimond

Nickname: Chris
Age: 39
Occupation: Architect
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 90kg

Most used gear combo: 2009 iSonic 101 + 2009 6.6m KA Sail Koncept

Favourite gear combo: 2009 iSW49 + 2009 5.8m KA Sail Koncept

Gear you wish you had: I’m pretty happy with what I’ve got.

Favourite spot: Goolwa Alpha Channel on a big westerly.

Spot you would most like to sail: Grundys.

09 aspirations(sailing & life): GPSSS top10. GTC top 5. Continued health and happiness for my family and myself.

Favourite movie: Goodfellas.

Favourite food: All

Favourite colour: Most

Favourite saying:

Wheels: 2008 Landrover Discovery TDV6



Facebook Link: None

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Sailor Profile - Meta Sindos

Nickname: Choco
Age: 44
Occupation: Semi-retired
Height: 180cm
Weight: 98kg

Most used gear combo: Loft Blade 6.8m Manta 67

Favourite gear combo: Carbon Art SP50-Blade 6.2m

Gear you wish you had: Carbon Art Slalom 62

Favourite spot: Lake Bonney

Spot you would most like to sail: Karpathos,Greece

09 aspirations(sailing & life): Get a 40+knot average,planning to travel to the USA and drive from west to east coast along route 66 and then return along US Canada border.

Favourite movie: Life of Brian

Favourite food: Pasta

Favourite colour: blue

Favourite saying: ”F*cked that up”

Wheels: Hilux ute



Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Sailor Profile - Dave Mossop

Nickname: Dave
Age: 53
Occupation: Coach Driver
Height: 170cm
Weight: 87kg

Most used gear combo: Isonic 115, 7.2 NP

Favourite gear combo: Starboard Carve, 6.6 KA

Gear you wish you had: Carbon Art 44 / 50 / 60, Full set of Sails to suit

Favourite spot: Goolwa

Spot you would most like to sail: Caribbean

09 aspirations(sailing & life): 40 knots peak, 40 knots Av (big ask on current gear), a weeks sailing holiday somewhere (with speed conditions)

Favourite movie: Forest Gump

Favourite food: Mexican

Favourite colour: No

Favourite saying: Hope I don’t have one !!

Wheels: 98 Forester (fit’s all the gear nicely)



Facebook Link: Not into it !

Sunday, April 26, 2009

08 GTC Results

Carl brought along the "GTC Runners Up" trophy to put in the Clubhouse, ain't she a beauty!



He also bought along the medals but since only 3 of the 5 team members(in 08) were present we will get a photo another time.

Sessions 09 - Goolwa 4-25

Plenty of Speed Demons were out to brave the cold and windy conditions that the Goolwa Alpha Channel had on offer. There were 7 PB's and many 40+'s on the dial as the wind hovered between 20 to 35 knots. The tower said gusts to 42 but as we all know it usually reads 5+ knots higher than at water level. I had taken my still and video cameras in the hope of getting some footage but ended up being on the water all day. There were a few spectacular crashes but only 1 breakage, a boom(not a demon though!) Some others may have photos which will be added.

Monday, April 20, 2009

First BIG frontal system of the season (09)

Forecast keeps getting better for the weekend...


Harness Line Length

Eric Loots (speedsurfingBLOG) has a poll running on harness line length. Add your vote, it will be interesting to see how long everyone elses are ;)

http://www.speedsurfingblog.com/

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Sessions 09 - Goolwa 15/4

Chris D and a few others had a good session down at Goolwa during the week. Dave M took some footage on which Chris has worked his magic.



"Early start, on water before 7am. 23-28 knots, but not ideal direction - too SW. Need W for SPEED! Two runs had screen peak over 40 knots, so that was nice - 40.2 + 40.1 (bloody doppler brought me down). As forecast, the wind dropped out quickly, and I ended up having a blast on the 101/7.5/38 combo. New 38 Venom was fantastic. Dave Mossop was out on the bank with his camera, so hopefully has some nice shots (no pressure Dave). First run also on the C3 Strike 22. I'm pretty sure I did my peak on this fin. The wind was swinging early, and the speed strip was no longer starboard tack. Also noticed I am a shit speed-sailor on port tack. This fin feels fantastic and I can't wait to get it out again in a solid blow to really test it out."

Friday, April 17, 2009

First BIG front of the season (09)

The WA boys look like they have a nice front hitting on Thursday, so we might get something on the weekend. Damn carpark will be full if I don't get there early!

http://www.seabreeze.com.au/graphs/wa.asp

Rankines landing might look something like this BUT..

  • The grass will be like burnt toast...
  • The carpark will be full as a fat ladies sock...
  • The water will smell like a fat ladies sock...
  • We will be more desperate to actually sail...

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Demon @ the PiT

SA Speed Demon Anthony Hamood had a nice session at Sandy Pt on Wednesday. He doesn't have net access while there so I am posting some video that Kato from the Pit crew posted. It was filmed by Alister Ryan AKA "the Waterboy". Anthony can add comments when he returns.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Welcome

Welcome to the SA Speed Demons Blog page. Team members are encouraged to post session comments, GE tracks, photos and any other topics related to windsurfing. If I don't have your email address please email me for an invite.