What do people think about the idea of a MOWIND slalom fleet or class?

This was discussed at the Dam Jam event in Iowa last year when we had strong
winds on one of the days.

Some of the issues discussed were:

(A)
Kona fleet has an upper wind limit for racing - so what do those sailors do when
the winds are strong? At Dam Jam, they ran informal/no official points races on
the same slalom course as the others.

(B)
Some people suggested that Raceboard class and even hybrid could have similar
issues if racers aren't comfortable on high volume longboards (or hybrid) in
strong winds.

(C)
People also discussed that perhaps we could attract some new racers by having a
slalom category that we only run in stronger (15-25+) winds on reaching courses
(figure8, downwind slalom, etc). I believe the thinking was that there are
non-racing sailors that enjoy going fast and maybe even racing on their
shortboard/slalom gear, but wouldn't consider racing in light winds on
longboards.

(D)
It was suggested that maybe we have all fleets/divisions scored together for
high wind slalom races, since most people switch down to smaller sails and
shortboards that they are comfortable with in high winds. Perhaps still keep A
Fleet and Sport separate or call it something like Gold Slalom (A Fleet/more
experienced, etc) and Silver Slalom (Sport/Workshop/less experienced). So, a
particular event may have a course racing score as usual with the normal MOWIND
Fleets and Classes, and may also have Slalom racing score.



Let me know what you think. We want everyone to have a chance to give their
opinion so that MOWIND can host events that are MO-FUN!

Regards,
Arden

Kevin, nice booth at Strictly Sail. It looks like you're a professional or
something ;)  I'm glad to see you down there trying to build interest in these
watersports.

Steve, I agree that it would be great to have scores and regatta reports and
everything associated with an event up in a timely manner. The hold-up isn't
usually the a ailability of the information, it is getting it posted to the
site. This is easy enough to do, but like Kevin said and I an attest to as a
race director, there are many other things going on to ensure a succeasful
event, so it can be difficult to find time to to the website stuff.

If you can help out with posting results, regatta reports, or posting pictures,
please do. Remember- we have a picasa online picture account and even a youtube
account for mowind: mowindracing@...

It is quite easy to use the website and post files, we just need to find time to
do it. Mobile devices are making it easier to do this all the time.

Steve, do you have a user account for the mowind site? That is the first step.
Then, just tinker with the Word Press blogging tool and you should find it quite
easy to post articles and associated result files. Let me know if you have any
issues.

Anyone else that is interested to contribute to the mowind site can let me know.
It would be great to have more people putting content on there. Race reports,
sailing adventures, results, pictures, etc.

Regards,
Arden

I am interested in finding out the reason that points are given for each race at
a regatta rather than for the just the final results for the whole event. I
don't see the value of scoring lots of races at a single event in a season long
series. The winner will still receive the most points by defeating the most
sailors.

--- In mowind@yahoogroups.com, "Arden Anderson" <ardenalan@...> wrote:
>
> A few people have asked to discuss Series Scoring for the year.
>
> Please post your ideas and comments to this thread.
>
> Currently, the Series score is made by adding each racer's five highest event
scores.
>
> The suggestion has been made that we should use position scoring rather than
event scoring. So first place out of 20 people would get 20 series points, on
down to last place getting one point. This is basically what the US National
Race Tour does. I think they slightly modify it by giving everyone 10 points for
attendance, and then 1 point for each person you finish in front of. This makes
a difference in the NRT because they include ALL events, not just the top 5.
>
> Regards,
> Arden
>

1. On the USWA NRT: Whatever scoring method MOWIND uses will work for the NRT as
long as that method produces a ranking list that shows the racer's "finish place
with their class..." for that event as a whole.

The following quotes are from the USWA website:"Racers will receive NRT points
equal to the number of competitors in their class, minus their finish place
within their class. In addition, they receive 10 bonus points for participation.
A racer that finishes 5th in class that had 30 competitors (each with at least
one finish score), would receive 30-5+10=35 points."  "Only the best 5 scores
for each class will count toward that classes' ranking..." (that is each racer's
best 5 NRT events).

2. On including SUP or sailboats or both at windsurfing events:  I'm all for it.
And I think the increased number of paying participants will cover the increased
insurance costs.

3. On including SUP or sailboats or both on a start line with windsurfers or on
the same course:  My experience as a Kona sailor with the O'pen Bic sailboats at
Kevin's Wind Power Championships and with several different sizes of sailboats
at Steve Callaway's Columbus Day Regatta proved to me windsurfers can enjoy
sharing events with any other non-motorized craft.  I'm all for it.

Good winds,

Del





--- In mowind@yahoogroups.com, Brad Woodworth <windsurfwoody@...> wrote:
>
>
> Hey Arden,
> well my opinion would be to align with NRT scoring to strengthen US
Windsurfing as a whole. MOWIND has probably one of the most active racing scenes
in the country so MOWIND scoring  would carry some weight in terms of overall
scores .
>
> -Woody
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
>
> From: "Arden Anderson" <ardenalan@...>
> To: mowind@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 9:05:10 PM
> Subject: Re: [mowind] Series Scoring
>
>  
>
>
>
> Woody, just to clarify, our MOWIND region NRT events get scored two ways. For
the MOWIND Series they report the regatta score, and for NRT they report by the
NRT method. So, if someone came in 3rd out of 20 sailors and had 110 points for
their regatta score, that racer would get 110 points for MOWIND series, and 28
(10 + 18) for NRT. I hope that makes sense.
>
> What do you think is the best option for MOWIND Series? Stick with what we've
done? Align with NRT? Other?
>
> Thanks,
> Arden
>
>
>
>
>
> On Jan 31, 2012 8:51 PM, Brad Woodworth <windsurfwoody@...> wrote:
>
>  
>
>
>
> if NRT races are giving 10 points for just attendance, we better make sure we
are on the same page for NRT events in our MOWIND schedule for this coming
season. Imagine a guy like Del who tries to make most NRT events, well
he could be missing out on 30 or 40 points for his final score.
>  
> -Woody
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
>
>
> From: "Arden Anderson" <ardenalan@...>
> To: mowind@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 8:20:07 PM
> Subject: [mowind] Series Scoring
>
>  
>
>
>
> A few people have asked to discuss Series Scoring for the year.
>
> Please post your ideas and comments to this thread.
>
> Currently, the Series score is made by adding each racer's five highest event
scores.
>
> The suggestion has been made that we should use position scoring rather than
event scoring. So first place out of 20 people would get 20 series points, on
down to last place getting one point. This is basically what the US National
Race Tour does. I think they slightly modify it by giving everyone 10 points for
attendance, and then 1 point for each person you finish in front of. This makes
a difference in the NRT because they include ALL events, not just the top 5.
>
> Regards,
> Arden
>

Hi Everybody,

I agree that SUP could be a great addition to our events.  Although I wonder if
maybe we could do some specific things for SUP/beginning sailors and
windsurfers.  Bringing Esther the last few years has given me some new thoughts
on this.  As racers we are all stoked to get on the water and race and get
pushed hard.  This is not so with newer people.

Personally, playing with the iowa crew, and Mike Reed when I moved to IL really
helped me to gain confidence.  That added confidence has really helped me to
enjoy the racing more.  I wonder if we could create some structure that is not
as racing oriented but more just fun on the water.  I am thinking something like
getting some small marks and throwing them in near shore.  Then encouraging
people to try new things/tricks in that area.  I am thinking this is mostly for
the kids and newer people and possibly SUP.  But the idea would be to encourage
people trying to sail backwards, short drag races, or synchronized sailing.  I
am thinking maybe Kevin has some ideas from the un-regattas.

I am not sure I am making sense, but I just want to get more people on the
water.  Looking into the future, I will want to bring my own kids to races.  I
believe that is how we will grow the sport when we have a family event.  When we
try to drive everyone to "race" then I think we turn some families off.

I would be willing to spend half the race day on/near shore encouraging this
type of activity if the group thinks it could help out.  I would even donate
some marks to the group to help get it off the ground.

Alex

--- In mowind@yahoogroups.com, "Kevin Gratton" <keving@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Everyone,
>
>
>
> I agree with Scott having SUP races in conjunction with MoWind races.  The 2
> sports can support each other.  Some SUPpers might like it so much they will
> put a sail in their hands.
>
>
>
> I think it's a great concept.
>
>
>
> Kevin
>
>
>
>
>
> Thanks,
>
> Kevin Gratton
> Owner - Certified Instructor
>
>  <http://www.windpowerwindsurfing.com/> www.WindPowerWindsurfing.com
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> WindPowerWindsurfing.com
> N7351 Winnebago Drive
> Fond du Lac, WI 54935
> 920-922-2550
>
>
>
>   _____
>
> From: mowind@yahoogroups.com [mailto:mowind@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
> Brad Woodworth
> Sent: Sunday, January 22, 2012 5:05 PM
> To: mowind@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: [mowind] Re: Meeting Topic - INSURANCE
>
>
>
>
>
> I agree with Scott on the kiting scenerio he mentioned.
>
>
>
> SUP could be included in any MOWIND regatta where we don't have enough wind
> to race. A start for SUP would make most sense in the sport fleet where the
> A-Fleet and Kona Fleet have the least amount of congestion at the start line
> as possible.
>
>
>
> I don't know why there would be an issue to get MOWIND insurance to have SUP
> included, as well as 'lessons' for both windsurf and SUP for that matter.
> After all, if we aren't trying to promote either boardsport at our events,
> then our numbers will slowly fade in time.
>
>
>
> We currently only have one MOWIND event that handles windsurfer's & kiters
> together, that being The Crossing. Michael Fox has been able to secure event
> insurance for his event to include kiters so we could leave it at that
> unless any other event was thinking of a combined kiter/windsurf race. I
> know there's kites always present at our events, just not organized racing,
> so I don't even know if that is a problem with our current insurance policy.
>
>
>
> -Woody
>
>   _____
>
> From: "Scott" <shaas@...>
> To: mowind@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Sunday, January 22, 2012 1:32:36 PM
> Subject: [mowind] Re: Meeting Topic - INSURANCE
>
>
>
>
> There are SUP events going on in parts of the country, see posts in this
> online magazine blog for examples. http://www.standuppaddlemagazine.com/
>
> Combined SUP and Windsurf competitions .. I don't know why a SUP start
> couldn't work within the normal race sequence. I would think most Sport
> fleet courses would be the right size. This surely would be a way to bring
> two different sets of boardheads together. Windsurf racing needs a way to
> expose itself to new people. Especially people who have a desire to compete
> and be on the water.
>
> Kiting .. IMHO kites should never be put into the mix of sailing craft doing
> course races. Low flying lines or lines in the water are hazards we don't
> need on the race course. Yes kites could do long distance where the course
> is more open and freestyle but windsurf competitions with those diciplines
> are rare. I think there are enough kiters that they could form a MOKITE and
> invite windsurfers to compete in their long distance and freestyle
> competitions.
>
>
> Scott Haas #H
>
> --- In mowind@yahoogroups.com <mailto:mowind%40yahoogroups.com> , "Arden
> Anderson" <ardenalan@> wrote:
> >
> > I am starting this discussion thread to collect input on INSURANCE or the
> upcoming winter meeting Feb. 7.
> >
> > Reply back with your thoughts about the insurance for MOWIND events.
> >
> > Some facts on our insurance situation:
> >
> > - Our policy has cost $715 per year
> > - Each event pays $80 MOWIND dues in order to pay for the insurance
> > - The MOWIND account currently has a balance of $1805.46
> > - The current insurance does NOT cover lessons, kiting, nor sup
> >
> > Insurance options exist to cover lessons, and I think we are finding
> options that could cover kiting and sup as well. These options are more
> expensive. How much is it worth to Mowind to have coverage for lessons? For
> kiting? For sup?
> >
> > Chime in ...
> >
>

I think the national race tour has the best idea. The scores would be dependant
on the place finish from the regatta, plus the 10 point bonus for attendance. My
concerns with the Mowind scoring is that there is too much that is out of the
control of the racers, such as the number of races at an event. Take the
possibility of a thunderstorm canceling all but a few races at an event. If that
event is one of the events you have counted on to score points, the winner of
the stormed out event could get "out pointed" by someone who got 20th place out
of 25, but they had good weather and got in 10 races at another event. Sailing
ability would be secondary to getting lucky at the events you attend. I propose
that we change our scoring to be based on the equality of all events regardless
of the number of individual races. This would reward winning large events by
giving you place points, but not have the series championship so vulnerable to
chance. The ten point bonus would at least give everyone some points if the wind
did not show up at all. This way of scoring will still reward the winners of
large events by the number of racers you defeat, but take the number of
individual races and chance out of the equation.
     Rather than complaining without offering solutions, I would volunteer to do
the scorekeeping and work with someone else to provide awards for the series.

I am also in favor of the low point system for scoring within a regatta. It
simplifies the race committee job. They just have to have a list of numbers to
add up to get the scores. Results would be much easier to understand if you were
looking at a 1 for first place, 2 for second, etc. rather than having to do math
to find out your place. Currently, my math challenged mind has trouble looking
at results and determining my place. The low point scores can easily be
converted to the series scores just by inverting the place and scores. If there
are 25 sailors, 25th gets 1 point while 1st gets 25, and so on. With this
simplification, it should make it much easier for race hosts to get the results
figured faster and avoid delays in awards while waiting for a computer to work
it out. I remember when I first started racing, the race committee would usually
have the results calculated before the boat was back at the dock. But that was
in the 60's before computers.
Thanks for the consideration,
Steve


--- In mowind@yahoogroups.com, "Arden Anderson" <ardenalan@...> wrote:
>
> A few people have asked to discuss Series Scoring for the year.
>
> Please post your ideas and comments to this thread.
>
> Currently, the Series score is made by adding each racer's five highest event
scores.
>
> The suggestion has been made that we should use position scoring rather than
event scoring. So first place out of 20 people would get 20 series points, on
down to last place getting one point. This is basically what the US National
Race Tour does. I think they slightly modify it by giving everyone 10 points for
attendance, and then 1 point for each person you finish in front of. This makes
a difference in the NRT because they include ALL events, not just the top 5.
>
> Regards,
> Arden
>

I will agree that going out of our way to make new people welcome will go a long
way - but add that we place too much emphasis on racing.  Windsurfing is about a
lot more than racing, and though I spent more than my share of time chasing
racing events I know that the opportunity is a lot bigger than winning a race or
event.  The years that I ran the Bradford Beach Jam event in Milwaukee we always
had 'fun events', ranging from windsurf soccer (we made that up and nobody and
no equipment was permanently damaged) to tandom 'races' where one board & sail
towed another board & passenger.  Then there is freestyle - an opportunity to
play and learn abailable to all levels.  Lessons are a great way to invite new
people and make them fee welcome if insurance can be resolved, but the point is
that it is way too easy to get lost in the focus of running/winning the next
race at the expense of the overall experience we all love so much.

--- In mowind@yahoogroups.com, Bruce Matlack <matlackwindsurfing@...> wrote:
>
> Hi all-
> I have been following your various threads intently on all issues.  These
> are the same issues facing every sailing organization these days.  Alex
> chimed in with an excellent notion that should be expanded upon as an
> important thread.  I believe the owner of Kona just chimed in as well on
> this...what he calls, "The Kona Spirit".   Below has nothing to do with
> Kona really, but it is an example of what can easily be done to grow any
> sailing organization.
>
> Jim Brown ( famous pioneer trimaran designer) and I came up with an answer
> to the issue Alex raised about lost people who might have common interest
> in a group's activities but do not race.  That's the issue in a nutshell I
> think, along with the fact that less than 10% of owners ever race..  All
> organizers share the same problem.  Yacht Clubs and in deed, US Sailing
> itself who exist solely for the serious race scene, are loosing numbers
> every single year.  I am, and always have been, a serious race participant
> from the 'get-go' (1st Windsurfer National and World Champion).  Well, I
> never heard a reply from US Sailing, acknowledging my letter or
> congratulating us on our success, however MOWIND folks I bet are a lot more
> savvy.  I am a racer and Jim Brown is a cruiser who hates the idea of
> pushing a boat to its limits.  So the two of us were cruising somewhere in
> the Chesapeake on his 1972 31' trimaran Scrimshaw last summer jawing about
> how we could get more Windrider trimarans to show up at this big multi hull
> event at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron in October.  What got me thinking
> was that one of the boat owners out of the five from the previous year's
> event had told me he had a miserable time and would never race again. The
> remaining four of us loved it.  It bothered me to hear such from a good
> sailing friend, and I began thinking of how I could make the upcoming event
> fun enough for even him to return.  Jim, I think ,came up with the answer.
>
> The October, 2011,  letter copied below is my response to the organizers
> about how all this new interest we had generated for their regatta was *taxing
> their patience and resources *way above the norm of a typical regatta
> scene.   So please read this and I will explain the end result below it.
>
> Nana-
> You and I stumbled upon a solvable problem yesterday with the one fellow
> who is eating up too much time.  Hopefully, I have helped with the
> immediate issue by suggesting that you delegate his care needs to *Brian*
> (941-685-1400) or myself (727-364-8426)., so that one "bad apple" does not
> spoil the whole barrel-so to speak.
>
> (beginner Windrider owner asking dumb questions- above)
>
> *Two edged sword -*However, further to that, the situation at hand brings
> up an important dilemma that we briefly discovered between the two of us in
> yesterday's conversation in that there is a two edge sword to having new
> people join our ranks.  One side is that all of sailing has been losing
> numbers for many years-a fact that is not arguable.  As you know, I am
> virtually single handily responsible for the swelling ranks of Windrider
> owners showing up for this regatta-simply out of love for sailing-I have no
> financial interest..  Last year at the last minute, I got a fleet of the
> first 5 to come inside of 30 days notice, prior to the regatta, a number
> that represented 20% or more of multi's that participated!  This year I
> have some 20 coming- not just expected-mind you-95 % are prepaid and
> preregistered!!!  Well over the percentage of  (preregistered) any other
> class attending!
>
> It might be interesting for the Squadron and/or to the likes of *Gary Jobson
of
> US SAILING * to analyze deeply, how one person can make such a difference
> in such a "losing *sails*" world.
>
> OK- to get back to the problem at hand I have created- the other side of
> the sword-  A majority are newbies to racing and the regatta structure.
>  So, we can either make them feel welcome, or we can "yacht" *club* them to
> death so they go away and never return to organized yachting events.  The
> end result and ultimate responsibility rests with all of us who are in the
> know.
>
> *Solution ideas*-short and long term:
> Volunteers and or members of SSS could be specially identified for the"
> Newbies" of where to go for information ( special badges, caps, shirt
> colors, etc..  As in- "look, these guys are information specialists on how
> things work- no question is too dumb for these specialists who will be
> searching out for those who are wandering around in a daze of stupid
> questions of,- "How do I launch? What happens if it rains? Where is the
> race course? Where can I camp? when do I set up a tent? Where is the
> bathroom? What are the rules?----kind of stuff)  *Specially designated
> knowledgeable people to look for them *is the key I believe.  Every youth
> at the club needs community service points-why not earn some points this
> way?   Windrider people like myself and Brian will be especially rolling up
> our sleeves to assist in this regard.   Our mission, by our actions, (Brian
> and I) has always been to simply to get more people into the fun experience
> of sailing.
>
> I got this idea from an Air France experience in Paris, after competing in
> a  kona world championship regatta-2009.  I was late for my flight, had a
> little too much to drink, and was wandering around this massive terminal
> where every one was speaking foreign French. I was none too sure of the
> French anyway.  An Air France specialist sought me out and directed me to
> another specialist in "lost and found" who happily got me into the right
> seat on the right plane.  I was so impressed!  I will never forget!  I'm
> sure they cut some red tape along the way to make sure their client was
> given full, hand over hand service.  I think this is what we have to do for
> the Newbies so we can "hook them in". BTW I will always choose Air France.
>
> My goal would be to really wow these Newbies and show them why the SSS is
> so unique and friendly to all sailors, and why we chose the facility for
> our WOW event.  (Windrider Owners Weekend)
>
> I know you have a meeting today with race/club/facilities management.  I
> respectfully ask that you read this letter to those you feel would be best
> able to properly help handle this two edged sword, such that there are no
> losers, and the SSS can seize a great opportunity that we have presented to
> increase their stature in the sailing community.
>
> It's just an idea...
>
> Respectfully,
> .
> .......Read conclusion and result below:
>
> My goal was to double the number of boats showing , but nearly 5 times that
> goal *preregisterd* in hard cash at $85 per head to the tune of 23 boats!
>  All but one was preregistered.. Now, we know a very small per cent ever
> preregister for *any* regatta anyway heh?.. Needless to say, this club took
> notice of that in a hurry and really stepped up to the plate as follows:
>
> One of the major player members, Charlie Ball, at the SSS called me and
> arranged a personal speed boat tour of Sarasota waters and possible camp
> sites, and pointed out a "sail up famous beach bar"..  Also, he volunteered
> a last minute  a full on RC and boat to offer beginners their own special
> short races on their own course, the day before the main event.  It was
> unbelievable how the Squadron responded to what I was trying to say...
>
> So, to break it down, this is all we did:  We added 1 day to our event and
> called it the WOW, instead of just a 3 day multi hull race regatta.  A
> Camp/cruise volunteer came out of the owners to lead that charge.  My
> disgruntled friend who vowed never to return was one of the first to
> preregister!  He as well as more than half the fleet *did not race *the
> main weekend regatta event.. The camp cruise half found *O'learies* on the
> water, sail up bar across the Bay, and they camped right on site instead of
> wanting to go elsewhere to all the great optional sights we had picked out.
>  They had a ball just jawing and partying while those of us who raced had
> excellent race management and conditions for a memorable, very competitive
> regatta.  Another thing we did was bring in a famous name speaker to offer
> tips on boats and seamanship.  We did a clinic of 'how to's' on the boats
> from expert racers in attendance..It was such a smash hit, that we expect
> to have International attendance next year as well as charters for those
> not able to tow a boat in to participate..  This year I expect 30-40 boats,
> and to have many more sponsors...
>
> Think win win!  If you are from MOWIND, come up and say hello at Calema-
> Florida event that I know some of you are attending this year.  And, if
> anyone out there know's how to get this in front of Gary Jobson, that could
> be another bonus.  Right on Kevin!  Get rid of the intimidation factor is
> the answer.  That's what and how Jim Brown and I did for Windrider.
>
> Bruce Matlack
> International Measurer
> Kona OD Class
>
> On Fri, Feb 3, 2012 at 1:24 PM, Kevin Gratton <
> keving@...> wrote:
>
> > **
> >
> >
> >  Hi Alex,****
> >
> > ** **
> >
> > I think you bring up a very valid point and you have a great idea on a
> > solution to it.****
> >
> > It's good to hear things like that because I and some others probably
> > forget the intimidation factor because we have been racing for so long.***
> > *
> >
> > ** **
> >
> > Excellent ideas, you have my vote to implement them.****
> >
> > ** **
> >
> > Kevin  USA 8****
> >
> > ** **
> >
> > *
> > *
> > *Thanks,**
> >
> > **Kevin Gratton**
> > **Owner - Certified Instructor** *
> >
> >  [image: www.WindPowerWindsurfing.com]<http://www.windpowerwindsurfing.com/>
> > ****
> >
> > ****
> >
> > ****
> >
> > *WindPowerWindsurfing.com
> > N7351 Winnebago Drive
> > Fond du Lac, WI 54935
> > 920-922-2550*
> >
> > ** **
> >  ------------------------------
> >
> > *From:* **mowind@yahoogroups.com** [mailto:**mowind@yahoogroups.com**] *On
> > Behalf Of *truckman1972
> > *Sent:* Friday, February 03, 2012 8:00 AM
> > *To:* **mowind@yahoogroups.com
> > **
> > *Subject:* [mowind] Re: Meeting Topic - INSURANCE
> > ****
> >
> >  ** **
> >
> >   ****
> >
> > Hi Everybody,
> >
> > I agree that SUP could be a great addition to our events. Although I
> > wonder if maybe we could do some specific things for SUP/beginning sailors
> > and windsurfers. Bringing Esther the last few years has given me some new
> > thoughts on this. As racers we are all stoked to get on the water and race
> > and get pushed hard. This is not so with newer people.
> >
> > Personally, playing with the ****iowa**** crew, and Mike Reed when I
> > moved to IL really helped me to gain confidence. That added confidence has
> > really helped me to enjoy the racing more. I wonder if we could create some
> > structure that is not as racing oriented but more just fun on the water. I
> > am thinking something like getting some small marks and throwing them in
> > near shore. Then encouraging people to try new things/tricks in that area.
> > I am thinking this is mostly for the kids and newer people and possibly
> > SUP. But the idea would be to encourage people trying to sail backwards,
> > short drag races, or synchronized sailing. I am thinking maybe Kevin has
> > some ideas from the un-regattas.
> >
> > I am not sure I am making sense, but I just want to get more people on the
> > water. Looking into the future, I will want to bring my own kids to races.
> > I believe that is how we will grow the sport when we have a family event.
> > When we try to drive everyone to "race" then I think we turn some families
> > off.
> >
> > I would be willing to spend half the race day on/near shore encouraging
> > this type of activity if the group thinks it could help out. I would even
> > donate some marks to the group to help get it off the ground.
> >
> > Alex
> >
> > --- In mowind@yahoogroups.com, "Kevin Gratton" <keving@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Hi Everyone,
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > I agree with Scott having SUP races in conjunction with MoWind races.
> > The 2
> > > sports can support each other. Some SUPpers might like it so much they
> > will
> > > put a sail in their hands.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > I think it's a great concept.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Kevin
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > >
> > > Kevin Gratton
> > > Owner - Certified Instructor
> > >
> > > <http://www.windpowerwindsurfing.com/> www.WindPowerWindsurfing.com
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > WindPowerWindsurfing.com
> > > N7351 Winnebago Drive
> > > ****Fond du Lac**, **WI** **54935****
> > > 920-922-2550
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > _____
> > >
> > > From: mowind@yahoogroups.com [mailto:mowind@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf
> > Of
> > > Brad Woodworth
> > > Sent: Sunday, January 22, 2012 5:05 PM
> > > To: mowind@yahoogroups.com
> > > Subject: Re: [mowind] Re: Meeting Topic - INSURANCE
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > I agree with Scott on the kiting scenerio he mentioned.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > SUP could be included in any MOWIND regatta where we don't have enough
> > wind
> > > to race. A start for SUP would make most sense in the sport fleet where
> > the
> > > A-Fleet and Kona Fleet have the least amount of congestion at the start
> > line
> > > as possible.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > I don't know why there would be an issue to get MOWIND insurance to have
> > SUP
> > > included, as well as 'lessons' for both windsurf and SUP for that matter.
> > > After all, if we aren't trying to promote either boardsport at our
> > events,
> > > then our numbers will slowly fade in time.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > We currently only have one MOWIND event that handles windsurfer's &
> > kiters
> > > together, that being The Crossing. Michael Fox has been able to secure
> > event
> > > insurance for his event to include kiters so we could leave it at that
> > > unless any other event was thinking of a combined kiter/windsurf race. I
> > > know there's kites always present at our events, just not organized
> > racing,
> > > so I don't even know if that is a problem with our current insurance
> > policy.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > -Woody
> > >
> > > _____
> > >
> > > From: "Scott" <shaas@>
> > > To: mowind@yahoogroups.com
> > > Sent: Sunday, January 22, 2012 1:32:36 PM
> > > Subject: [mowind] Re: Meeting Topic - INSURANCE
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > There are SUP events going on in parts of the country, see posts in this
> > > online magazine blog for examples. http://www.standuppaddlemagazine.com/
> > >
> > > Combined SUP and Windsurf competitions .. I don't know why a SUP start
> > > couldn't work within the normal race sequence. I would think most Sport
> > > fleet courses would be the right size. This surely would be a way to
> > bring
> > > two different sets of boardheads together. Windsurf racing needs a way to
> > > expose itself to new people. Especially people who have a desire to
> > compete
> > > and be on the water.
> > >
> > > Kiting .. IMHO kites should never be put into the mix of sailing craft
> > doing
> > > course races. Low flying lines or lines in the water are hazards we don't
> > > need on the race course. Yes kites could do long distance where the
> > course
> > > is more open and freestyle but windsurf competitions with those
> > diciplines
> > > are rare. I think there are enough kiters that they could form a MOKITE
> > and
> > > invite windsurfers to compete in their long distance and freestyle
> > > competitions.
> > >
> > >
> > > Scott Haas #H
> > >
> > > --- In mowind@yahoogroups.com <mailto:mowind%40yahoogroups.com> , "****
> > Arden****
> > > ****Anderson****" <ardenalan@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > I am starting this discussion thread to collect input on INSURANCE or
> > the
> > > upcoming winter meeting Feb. 7.
> > > >
> > > > Reply back with your thoughts about the insurance for MOWIND events.
> > > >
> > > > Some facts on our insurance situation:
> > > >
> > > > - Our policy has cost $715 per year
> > > > - Each event pays $80 MOWIND dues in order to pay for the insurance
> > > > - The MOWIND account currently has a balance of $1805.46
> > > > - The current insurance does NOT cover lessons, kiting, nor sup
> > > >
> > > > Insurance options exist to cover lessons, and I think we are finding
> > > options that could cover kiting and sup as well. These options are more
> > > expensive. How much is it worth to Mowind to have coverage for lessons?
> > For
> > > kiting? For sup?
> > > >
> > > > Chime in ...
> > > >
> > >****
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
> --
> "One Board; One sail - Kona One"
>

I'm sorry to have cut short my participation. My apologies for  trying to speak
over someone to sign off before my third phone lost it's charge. Thank you to
every one in the group who cares so much about windsurfing! I will look forward
to some discussion over the scoring.
Steve