Slalom Racing Time!

[streetsailing]

The forecast looks great for our first Slalom race. This is a Friday Evening race hosted by the St. Francis and the first race will start at 5:30.
If you're not a racer but want to give it a try on your regular gear, this would be a great opportunity.
As a bonus, the Crissy Field Slalom Series starts the following Saturday, May 28th with a B Fleet design especially for non racers.
Hope to see you all there ripping it up.

https://www.stfyc.com/default.aspx?p=.NETEventView&ID=3867941&qfilter=&type=0&ssid=279128&chgs=

and

http://www.calcupevents.com/CFSS.shtml

[martyrosse]

Thanks Jean, Steve, and Soheil, for organizing these races and encouraging us non-racing hacks to participate. Much appreciated!! Hope to get out there!!!

As I missed the rules meeting and was googling slalom rules/tips, I came across this video which others new to racing might find interesting as well...about the "no rules" approach in Europe...have not formed an opinion, just thought I'd share it...

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjOo5DZl-TMAhVh3IMKHfOdAX4QtwIIIjAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fvimeo.com%2F136280538&usg=AFQjCNGL6jdyC95g__JH9XEI1eIgAFYkcg&sig2=ThIPe3n2ZxUGNxADsNQ8FA&bvm=bv.122129774,d.amc

[usa4]

13 slalom racers already signed up for the St.FYC Friday Night slalom series & another 16 racers pre registered for the Crissy Field Slalom Series. Its going to be a fun year of racing on the city front.

As for rules, while the no rule approach may work best for elimination style heats of the PWA- we encourage safety first. Getting into a collision and swimming while trying to get around the course is not usually the fastest way to the finish line.
At the rule clinic last week, we found several scenarios where it actually paid off to slow down and go wide around a mark when there a potential pile up.
Ill post a summary soon of the rules clinic for those who weren't able to make it.
sb

[usa4]

It was windy for the first St.FYC Friday night slalom race of the season last week (May 20), with 14 racers braving a gusty 15-25k sea breeze and strong flood tide on the City Front for five races starting just off Anita Rock and finishing moments later off the St.FYC race deck.
David Wells Of 101 Sports showed dominating control w/ 4 bullets for the night with Jean Rathle in full pursuit capturing the only other 1st for the night. Andre Larzul showed the most consistency to sneak into 3rd just in front of seasoned veteran Al Mirel.
Slalom racing emphasizes board handling, and if you can gybe, you can race. The key is short courses. Each race only lasts 2 to 3 minutes, so if you have a bad start or fall at the mark, you’ve got your another chance with the next race just moments away.
All windsurfers are invited and just about the entire spectrum showed up. This year we have windsurf foilers, diehard slalom racers, and newbies showing up on bump and jump gear. Registration available at
Next slalom race is this Saturday- May 28th with the start of the Crissy Field Slalom series run on a similar course. Registration available at:
http://www.calcupevents.com/CFSS.shtml

[LUCARO]

Anybody know if St Francis still offers youth (highschool) sailboard racing?

I see they have youth kiteboarding.

[coach@stfyc.com]

StFYC still offers windsurfing courses 14 weeks per year for beginner, intermediate, and advanced sailors in addition to 3-5 clinics and private coaching lessons. Check the website for class dates, registration, and contact info. https://www.stfyc.com/default.aspx?p=dynamicmodule&pageid=340612&ssid=240743&vnf=1

At this time, there aren't any junior kite programs at StFYC with the exception of a clinic or two each year. All kiting is outsourced to kite instructional facilities in the Bay Area.

I will also be running a US Windsurfing Level 1 instructor course this June for anyone who would like to be certified. http://www.ussailing.org/education/teachwindsurfing/level-1-instructor/

[LUCARO]

[usa4]

All windsurfers are invited for the Friday night series- kids, foilers, longboards, bump and jump boards, technos...
The only requirement is that you register with the race office.

[LUCARO]

[LUCARO]

Is the flood this saturday a significant disadvantage for a beginner sailor? My son can water start, and use the harness/footstraps pretty good and can hold upwind ground planing on 95L if there is not much flood, but I would have some reservations of him making it upwind in a strong flood.