It's getting to the time of the year when everything hots up, and it's certainly happening. We've got new fleets, new sailors, cut price rates at the Salamander Shores hotel for the nationals...but wait, there's more!

ILLAWARRA INTERCLUB AND WALLIES IN SPACE

The Illawarra Interclub is on this Saturday from 10 am (Juniors) or noon (seniors). The IYC sailors are a great crowd who have been really supporting the Interclub series, so let's get a big turnout for their home regatta. Steve Walsh has the lead in the Interclub after a superb performance in the light winds of Round 1 at DAC, and with his home round at Narrabeen still months away he could take a lot of beating if he has another good weekend.

On Saturday evening we've got a meal planned up at the Yottie, then it's time to head about 45 minutes southto Seven Mile Beach caravan park at the beautiful town of Gerroa for Wallies in Space on Sunday. It's been years since we've had Wallies in Space - the world's greatest, oldest, most popular and richest longboard wavesailing event - so this year we're joining the wavesailing crew at the Gerroa regatta. BTW apparently the Saturday night session at the Gerroa fisherman's club is epic.

Deb, Mim and I had some fun surfing the Wallies at Gerroa a few weeks ago - in a nor'easter it's got a combination of great wind and gentle surf. If the surf's up too much, we can head down to Shoalhaven Heads for some cruising.

NATIONALS ACCOMMODATION BARGAIN AT SALAMANDER SHORES

Salamander Shores, the hotel next to the Port Stephens Sailing and Aquatic Club, is offering reduced rates for anyone who mentions the Nationals when making a booking for the regatta. Gardenview Rooms are available for $115 per night twin share, or $145 per night including full buffet breakfast twin share. Upgrades to Spa rooms or Seaview rooms would be additional $20 per night per person. I stopped over for a lunch a while ago and was suitably impressed with the quality of the food and the hospitality of the staff. See www.salamander-shores.com

By the way, feedback about the social functions at the Nationals is welcome - do people want to pay about $38 for a good meal in the Shores one night. or rough it in the club with pizza ordered from down the road?

The interest in the nationals is strong; it should be a great regatta at an ideal venue. We now have an official association and racers will have to pay $20 to join for one regatta (to cover insurance) if they have not paid beforehand. A year's membership for regattas will be $40; those only doing one regatta or sailing in one fleet can join for $20.

NEW FLEETS IN SYDNEY

Sydney is filling with new sailors. Jessica Crisp (three time Olympian, two time world pro champ) has bought the Macquarie Uni boards and trailers and has been getting up to 16 kids out at Middle Harbour. Deb has been coaching at DAC, and some of the new breed there are absolutely powering; freestyling and racing on big rigs on their fourth or fifth time sailing. All the new boards for this year have already been bought as kids get into windsurfing, but apparently a new batch is already being ordered and Jess' boards will be available for charter at the nationals.

This Thursday sees the first race of the Rose Bay fleet. There's some old timers and new faces who should be turning up. Boards can be hired from Jess, so tell any mates who could be interested to get down to Woollahra Sailing Club for a twilight.

OTHER NEWS

Narrabeen has been ticking along, with three to seven sailors; DAC has been getting about 10-12 sailors per week, with some really close racing as the less experienced sailors get faster and faster. One prominent sailor at Middle Harbour and DAC has been Krystal Weir - former world Laser Radial women's champ and Olympic Yngling finalist. Krystal has just started windsurfing and is out there just about every day.......... it looks like we could be in trouble with the Olympic Laser team for stealing on of their brightest hopes for the 2012 Games!

So what else is happening? Anyone in Tassy or Victoria want to fill us in?

Chris