Kevin,

Do you have any adjust mast tracks for an older Prodigy with red
graphics?

What about a comp rig?

Bruce

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We had 9 Prodigy windsurfers out on the centerboard course for the
Inter-Lake-Yachting-Association regatta held Aug 4-6 2008.  For
pictures and complete story read my blog posting at
http://www.amoka.com/blog/?p=120

Talk about tradition, this was the 115th running of the Bay Week
regatta!  The event is unique in that it is held out on the Lake Erie
Islands with small boats racing on a course set just south of Middle
Bass Island.  The Put-In-Bay Yacht club hosts the event and does a
great job making sure competitors have a good time.

I hope to see more Prodigy kits out their in 2009!


Check the I-LYA Web site at http://www.i-lya.com/ come Spring 2009.

Scott -  #H

This group has really been quiet. Hope to hear some Prodigy racing
reports this summer.

We had a nice turnout of 11 Prodigy at the May 31 / June 1, 2008 race
in Toledo Ohio.  Some video and images can be found at

http://www.mowind.org/wp/?p=98

Sail # and order of finish was:

NATI Nat Siddall
OH10 Chris Barry
MIG  Glendon Gardner
H    Scott Haas
GL240 David Chapman
1    Rod Clevenger
S1   Scott Fohey
57   Dennis Brengartner
U    Gary Smith
X5   James Donahue
9    Frank Murray
36   Philip Dufresne


I am also happy to announce my shop Amoka Wind Sports is stocking
Mistral Prodigy now! Eventually I will be carrying spare parts that
will be available via my online catalog in the Prodigy section at
http://www.amoka.com/catalog.

The Prodigy Comp 8.5 sail for 2008 is trimmed in BLUE dacron! A new
color scheme which matches the blue trim on the deck of 2006+
Prodigy.  I've heard people say in the past they didn't buy a Prodigy
because they thought it was ugly.  It's EVA deck color pattern and
blue matching sail make the kit a thing of beauty now.


Scott Haas / #H

Anyone in Pinellas county Florida?

Hey Joe,

Sorry I didn't get back sooner I lost your info.  I have the better mast
tracks ordered from Mistral.  Should be here in end of April.  I heard you
might need a weed fin and your going to South Padre.  I booked a ticket for
April 1st to 8th.  I should see you down there.  My cell is 920-251-1002

Cheers

Kevin Gratton
Wind Power Windsurfing & Kitesurfing
920-922-2550
  <http://www.windpowerwindsurfing.com/> www.windpowerwindsurfing.com




   _____

From: usa_prodigy@yahoogroups.com [mailto:usa_prodigy@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of joethewindsurfer
Sent: Tuesday, January 15, 2008 5:52 PM
To: usa_prodigy@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [usa_prodigy] Adjustable Mast Track Availability



Here in Houston, we've been calling the 2 types of adjustable mast
tracks the 'thermometer' style and the 'rectangle' style.
The 'thermometer' style is wider than the rest of the track in the
pedal area, just like a thermometer is wider where the alcohol or
mercury collects. This track is readily available, but only fits in
blue trimmed hulls that have a thermometer-shaped cutout. The
majority of hulls in folks hands right now have a rectangular cut-
out, and can only use the 'rectangle' style track. It's the same
design as the Mistral One-Design's track.

When we did our group purchase in Houston, many of the hulls had the
rectangular cutout. North Sports was able to get us adjustable
tracks for those hulls, and promised that they would continue to
supply parts for them. Well, as everyone knows, they ran out of
parts, and have now decided that it's not worth their time to get
them manufactured.

It's getting near a crisis situation here. We've already passed on
buying some used Prodigies, because they had rectangular cutouts, and
couldn't be upgraded to adjustable tracks.

Does anybody have any ideas on how to get the guts for the
rectangular tracks? I know Kevin told me that there were some new
faces at North Sports. Can they help? Are the parts available in
Europe? Should we, as a group, try to build our own? Can we design
a narrow pedal for the new style tracks so that they can fit a
rectangular cutout?






[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

The Island Style Classic Sarasota race had around seven Prodigy
racing.  There were a couple other Prodigy owners there that raced
longboard instead as they flew down and were using borrowed
equipment. I raced well and managed 2nd, the top finishers were  Nat
Sidall, Scott Haas and Rod Clevenger.

Nat had a house emergency and couldn't make it to the MidWinters,
Rod's sail gave out and the other guys returned home leaving me as
the only A Fleet Prodigy entry at the Calema Midwinters and with just
one other Hybrid Richard White on a RS-X the Hybrid division was down
to just two.  There was one other Prodigy there, but was sailing in
Sport Fleet. With only 7 longboards the Longboard/Hybrid start was
very small compared to 2007.  Last year besides several OH/MI Prodigy
racers several Olympic teams were there with near 21 RS-X's in the
Hybrid division.   In 2008 the Kona A fleet start grew and had around
20 and Formula A 52 entries.   Junior, Sport and Sport Formula added
another 20 or so and thus there was around 100 entries total.  Of
note is that of the 20 in Kona A fleet at least 12 of them were
chartered if not more.

The winds were not blowing enough for Formula until late afternoon
and thus the Longboard/Hybrid fleets got 11 races in over the three
days.   So I really had some good practice and was able to size up
myself on the Prodigy to the RS-X(on it's 9.5 sail) and several
Equipe longboards using sails from 7.5 up to 10.8 in size.     In
really low winds, non-planning conditions for a longboard, the
Prodigy with the 8.5 Comp sail kept up and bettered the RS-X with
it's 9.5 and Equipes with a 9.5.   But when the wind picked up a
bit .. at 190 lbs I could not plane up quick enough to keep up with
RS-X or Equipes with bigger sails.   I did manage one race to better
Pat Nugent who was on his Equipe and 7.5.   Since I wasn't racing
Prodigy One Design I really would have liked to have tried a bigger
fin and a 9.5 sail.  I think I could give the RS-X a run for it's
money then in any conditions.  Unfortunately we never ran any race in
consistent planing winds, so I didn't get to compare how I could do
against them in what I'd call heavy air conditions.

On Sunday afternoon with the tide out and wind from the NE the water
got real low and the Formula guys were crashing their big 70cm fins
into sand bars.  The RS-X crashed hard after the last race and he got
his ankle crushed a bit between the mast and the board.  He was
putting weight on it later at the awards which was a good sign.
Anyway those big fins and shallow waters are very dangerous and I
can't help to think that there likely are more injuries now with more
guys on Formula equipment.

Last to report is something fun.  I got some Prodigy One Design T-
Shirts made up.  Of course they have my Web URL on the front.  I've
uploaded a photo of the shirt to the forum photo section here.   I
have a few extra and they can be ordered via my online catalog at
www.amoka.com.    I'm hoping when I got it on it will be a
conversation starter this summer.  With luck maybe the shirt will
help me persuade a couple new people to come over to Prodigy.

available with class fin , racing large carbon dagger , footstraps ,
adjustable on the water mast track , plus several other fins (a large
weedfin ,  a larger than class 65cm formula fin for lightwind
planing , and a smaller speedfin). The board is the racing version .

If anyone is interested I will bring it to Midwinters or to the Miami
48 hr race .

Thanks,
Matt

Hi Joe,

This is Chuck,
I had the prodigy down to SPI last year and used what weed fin I had
which was an Orca 34.  It was Ok for just sloggin around but when the
wind came up and was ready to plane it felt out of control and spun out
a lot.   (For what its worth)  I knew it wasn't enough fin for that big
board.

-chuck



-----Original Message-----
From: usa_prodigy@yahoogroups.com [mailto:usa_prodigy@yahoogroups.com]
On Behalf Of joethewindsurfer
Sent: Tuesday, January 15, 2008 5:21 PM
To: usa_prodigy@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [usa_prodigy] Weed Fin for Prodigy

Does anyone have any good experience with weed fins on the Prodigy?
Mine have been pretty bad. I can't remember if it was a 44 or 46 cm
Orca weed fin I tried, but it definately didn't plane as early (even
though the area was similar). The other problem was that the center of
resistence moved back so that I had to put my back foot behind the back
footstrap when on a full plane. By the way, that is a power box, isn't
it?



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Jeff Koeberl is going I'll try to get his wife and him to join the Prodigy's

Kevin

   _____

From: usa_prodigy@yahoogroups.com [mailto:usa_prodigy@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of Scott Haas
Sent: Saturday, January 12, 2008 8:50 AM
To: usa_prodigy@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [usa_prodigy] Florida races coming up .. Feb 23rd




I posted a message on the MOWIND news site about the Flordia races
coming up. see http://www.mowind. <http://www.mowind.org/wp/?p=30>
org/wp/?p=30

Anyone from Texas going over to the Sarasota and Merrit Island races?

I'm going, Rod says he's going and I assume the usual troup of several
other OH/MI Prodigy riders will be going down.

Scott #H






[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

HI Joe, Scott and everyone else,

Well I'm back home finally.  Left my house Thanksgiving Day to do some Deer
Hunting with some good friends and I finally got home.  Not a trip I ever
want to repeat. I can throw the crutches away in 2 weeks, but it will soft
water before I will try sailing or kiting.  I am looking forward to seeing
everyone back on the water.

Weed Fins on Prodigy's,

I have used the GS weed 50.  It overlaps the centerboard as Scott says but
being a smaller fin the overlap is less.  I believe like and inch or two.  I
found the Daggerboard has enough play to move to the side and therefore it
can go full up and down.  More overlap could cause problems.   The fin box
is Power Box.
The issues Joe encountered is common with most weed fins because the center
of later resistance is farther back,  The more rake the farther back it will
be.
I also have a Orca weed 44 and the aspect ratio is higher on it than the
weed 50 I used.  I think the 44 is a little small so getting on a plane
would suffer.  I talked with Bill Kline from GS fins and he felt the 50 was
a better fit and I agree at this point.

Mast Tracks,  I'll work with North Sports this week and see what I can do
and get back to all.  I have a few customers looking for the rectangular
type. I don't think they plan to stock to many rigs this year either.  I'll
look into that also.

USWA Nationals in Worthington,  I will be there assisting with the race
venue.  And yes there should be a great Prodigy fleet.  Please bring the
contingent from Texas.  It's the best way to grow future races and Prodigy
racers.  Sorry I cannot make the Houston race.

Cheers  Kevin  USA 8

   _____

From: usa_prodigy@yahoogroups.com [mailto:usa_prodigy@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of joethewindsurfer
Sent: Tuesday, January 15, 2008 6:07 PM
To: usa_prodigy@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [usa_prodigy] Biggest Prodigy Event in the Country !



If you want to attend an event with 25+ Prodigies, plan on coming to
Houston on the first weekend of June. There is a good chance that high
quality charters will be available. Reply to this group if you're
interested in a charter. More details will be coming soon. Refer to
message #44 on this board for some information on the sailing area.

And, please, contact fleets in you're area to make sure other events
aren't scheduled on top of us!






[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

--- In usa_prodigy@yahoogroups.com, "joethewindsurfer"
<joethewindsurfer@...> wrote:
>
> Does anyone have any good experience with weed fins on the
Prodigy?
> Mine have been pretty bad.  I can't remember if it was a 44 or 46
cm
> Orca weed fin I tried, but it definately didn't plane as early
(even
> though the area was similar).  The other problem was that the
center of
> resistence moved back so that I had to put my back foot behind the
back
> footstrap when on a full plane.  By the way, that is a power box,
isn't
> it?
>

Joe,

I have a big 56 GSport Someweed that works nicely .. but here is the
catch .. the base of it goes forward over the centerboard slot by
like 3 inches. So there is no putting the centerboard down when I'm
using that fin.   What I want to do is get a standard centerboard and
cut that down enough to work with that weed fin. :-)

GSports has fins in Weed, Someweed and Sortaweed styles each with
less rake.  I've use the Sortaweed model around here on Lake Erie
where we have just a light weed problem and they work great.  I think
all the larger weed fins GSports sells will interfere with the
Prodigy centerboard.   Here is an image of a GSports weed fin.  You
can see alot of the base is forward of the slot which avoids some of
the problems you mentioned.

http://www.amoka.com/images/fins/sortadtt56b.jpg

Scott

--- In usa_prodigy@yahoogroups.com, "joethewindsurfer"
<joethewindsurfer@...> wrote:
>
> If you want to attend an event with 25+ Prodigies, plan on coming to
> Houston on the first weekend of June.  There is a good chance that
high
> quality charters will be available.  Reply to this group if you're
> interested in a charter.  More details will be coming soon.  Refer to
> message #44 on this board for some information on the sailing area.
>
> And, please, contact fleets in you're area to make sure other events
> aren't scheduled on top of us!
>

Joe,

June 12th-15th .. is the date this year for the US Windsurfing
Nationals in Worthington MN,  about 1000 miles north of Houston.  It's
like a 900 mile drive from Toledo but all of it on the 80/90
Interstates.  I suspect we will have good representation this time
around in the Prodigy Fleet.  Hopefully you'll be able to get at least
a small crew together to make it up there.


Scott

If you want to attend an event with 25+ Prodigies, plan on coming to
Houston on the first weekend of June.  There is a good chance that high
quality charters will be available.  Reply to this group if you're
interested in a charter.  More details will be coming soon.  Refer to
message #44 on this board for some information on the sailing area.

And, please, contact fleets in you're area to make sure other events
aren't scheduled on top of us!

Here in Houston, we've been calling the 2 types of adjustable mast
tracks the 'thermometer' style and the 'rectangle' style.
The 'thermometer' style is wider than the rest of the track in the
pedal area, just like a thermometer is wider where the alcohol or
mercury collects.  This track is readily available, but only fits in
blue trimmed hulls that have a thermometer-shaped cutout.  The
majority of hulls in folks hands right now have a rectangular cut-
out, and can only use the 'rectangle' style track.  It's the same
design as the Mistral One-Design's track.

When we did our group purchase in Houston, many of the hulls had the
rectangular cutout.  North Sports was able to get us adjustable
tracks for those hulls, and promised that they would continue to
supply parts for them.  Well, as everyone knows, they ran out of
parts, and have now decided that it's not worth their time to get
them manufactured.

It's getting near a crisis situation here.  We've already passed on
buying some used Prodigies, because they had rectangular cutouts, and
couldn't be upgraded to adjustable tracks.

Does anybody have any ideas on how to get the guts for the
rectangular tracks?  I know Kevin told me that there were some new
faces at North Sports.  Can they help?  Are the parts available in
Europe?  Should we, as a group, try to build our own?  Can we design
a narrow pedal for the new style tracks so that they can fit a
rectangular cutout?

Does anyone have any good experience with weed fins on the Prodigy?
Mine have been pretty bad.  I can't remember if it was a 44 or 46 cm
Orca weed fin I tried, but it definately didn't plane as early (even
though the area was similar).  The other problem was that the center of
resistence moved back so that I had to put my back foot behind the back
footstrap when on a full plane.  By the way, that is a power box, isn't
it?

I posted a message on the MOWIND news site about the Flordia races
coming up. see   http://www.mowind.org/wp/?p=30

Anyone from Texas going over to the Sarasota and Merrit Island races?

I'm going, Rod says he's going and I assume the usual troup of several
other OH/MI Prodigy riders will be going down.


Scott   #H

The Prodigy standard works well for children and adults that are not going
to use sails larger than 6.0 and don't really sail in winds high enough to
get planning.   They adjust the manual mast track to the best position for
their weight and sail size and leave it there.  The fin and dagger are small
and made of plastic, so they work but they do not give much in the way of
performance.
The Prodigy comp has an on the fly adjustable mast track.  when you reach
planning speeds you can pull the mast track back and increase your speed get
in the back footstraps rip.  The 50cm fin promotes early planning and is a
must for sails 7.5 and larger.  The large (race) epoxy daggerboard maximizes
lift for upwind sailing in nonplanning conditions. You will go upwind at a
higher angle with more speed.  The Prodigy sails upwind like a formula when
you can plane, just retract the daggerboard, or if it's consistent planning
conditions leave the daggerboard on the beach.  The Comp also comes with 6
footstraps rather than 4 on the Standard.
The Prodigy planes early and is very fast for it's size.  In boarder line
planning conditions it can outperform shortboarders.  It is fast around the
race course.
When planning it jibes very easy and controllable.

I feel the Prodigy is the best learning board out there constantly comparing
it to other boards in my sailing school.  It makes learning so easy fast and
fun.  Beginners progress very fast and enjoy cruising around because sailing
upwind is easy and they have the confidence to get back to the beach.
I enjoy doing freestyle on it.  It turns really fast and has so much
stability that tricks are easy and dry.

I hope this helps you understand the differences.

Wind Power Windsurfing has both models of Prodigy in stock constantly.  It's
been our best selling board since it can out in 02.
Feel free to call Kevin anytime @ 920-251-1002 with questions

ENJOY

   _____

From: brucebraun00 [mailto:bbraun1@...]
Sent: Sunday, November 11, 2007 9:04 AM
To: usa_prodigy@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [usa_prodigy] Prodigy Designs



I plan to update my board and rig this winter and need someone to help
me understand the differences, if any, between the standard and
competition Prodigy boards. I see Mistral dealers on the web who sell
the standard board but no where can I find competion packages.

Can someone elighten me? Do they both have adjustible mast tracks?

BooBoo






[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I was talking to Rod C. and he said he would try to contact BooBoo
about the upgrade kit.   Rod said in the newer Prodigy boards with the
foam covered deck the mast track unit is taller than in the previous
boards.  Getting the newer style competition upgrade kit should be easy
as a dealer should be able to order it right from the distributor.
Unfortunately the availability of the older style mast track is
questionable.

Anyone buying an older standard Prodigy thinking they can do an easy
competition upgrade might not be able to.   Has anyone put the newer
taller track on the older board?

Scott


--- In usa_prodigy@yahoogroups.com, "brucebraun00" <bbraun1@...> wrote:
>
> I plan to update my board and rig this winter and need someone to
help
> me understand the differences, if any, between the standard and
> competition Prodigy boards. I see Mistral dealers on the web who sell
> the standard board but no where can I find competion packages.
>
> Can someone elighten me? Do they both have adjustible mast tracks?
>
> BooBoo
>

I bought a "race kit" with my Prodigy. That inluded a sliding mast track, 50 cm
race fin, and performance daggerboard. The kit is a "must have" for racing and
high performance sailing similar to formula.
   john
   itsnukin@...

brucebraun00 <bbraun1@...> wrote:
           I plan to update my board and rig this winter and need someone to help
me understand the differences, if any, between the standard and
competition Prodigy boards. I see Mistral dealers on the web who sell
the standard board but no where can I find competion packages.

Can someone elighten me? Do they both have adjustible mast tracks?

BooBoo





  __________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I plan to update my board and rig this winter and need someone to help
me understand the differences, if any, between the standard and
competition Prodigy boards. I see Mistral dealers on the web who sell
the standard board but no where can I find competion packages.

Can someone elighten me? Do they both have adjustible mast tracks?

BooBoo

June is the busy month here in the Mid-West for windsurf events.  But
don't let that stop you.  This is a big country and we need more
windsurf regatta especially in a major population center like
Houston.

The Florida Sarasota and Calmea Mid-Winters are coming up the end of
Feb.  Port Canaveral is about 1154 miles from Toledo and about 1014
from Houston!  At least for the last twenty-some years about eight or
so of us from the OH/MI area have made it down there each year. It's
a welcome relief for us to escape from the frozen tundra we have up
here that time of year.  Unfortunately I don't believe I've seen any
Prodigy competitors from Florida?  We need to recruit more when we
are down there and make some converts out of those old timers still
using 1990's longboards.

Last year before and during the Mid-Winters I camped at Jetty Park
www.jettypark.org  which is just a 5 minute drive from Kelly Park
where the Mid-Winters is held at.  My mom has a place just 25 miles
from the Sarasota race so I stayed with her during that event.




Scott - #H - from Toledo ...


--- In usa_prodigy@yahoogroups.com, Thomas Burean <mi15@...> wrote:
>
> How about a charter fleet for people that might be interested in
> flying in?
> No way am I going to take my Prodigy kit with me on a plane.
>
> On Nov 7, 2007, at 12:07 AM, joethewindsurfer wrote:
>
> > Hey Everyone !
> >
> > We just got back from Prodigy Nationals about a week ago. It was
a
> > great time, but the
> > hybrid attendence was pretty weak. I think something like half
of
> > the folks who were there
> > last year couldn't make it this year. To make up the difference,
> > there were 6 or 7 folks this
> > year who weren't there last year.
> >
> > Folks around here talk about how great it would be to have an
event
> > with 30+ hybrids on a
> > line. We're guessing that the only way to get those kind of
numbers
> > is to try to have an
> > event down here, in Houston. (Although, we'd still like to go to
> > Bobby's event.) We
> > certainly understand what a committment it is to travel to a
race.
> > So, here are some ideas
> > we'd like everyone's input on.
> >
> > o We currently have 27 hybrids in our area. Does that get out-of-
> > towners motivated to
> > come to Houston?
> >
> > o Local skill level ranges from top notch to folks who have
> > difficulty making it around a
> > course in some conditions. Does that help?
> >
> > o We'd consider making the event free to anyone travelling more
> > than 200 miles. Does
> > that increase interest?
> >
> > o The event site has free indoor and outdoor camping, hot
showers,
> > refrigerators, and a
> > kitchen. Is that a plus?
> >
> > o The race could be held in June. Kids are out of school, the
water
> > is warm, the
> > seabreezes are consistent, and hurricane season is not here yet.
> > Also, there is a huge
> > firework display over the water every Friday in June and July.
> >
> > o For non-sailors, there is an amusement park and NASA's Johnson
> > Space Center close by.
> > You may even get to meet or sail with an astronaut or two.
> >
> > o Anyone getting into town early enough would also get to
> > participate in our famous
> > Wednesday night races.
> >
> > o The races are professionally run. The courses and staring line
> > are 'squared-up' when
> > the wind shifts.
> >
> > o The Houston fleet generally enjoys the social aspects of
events
> > every bit as much as the
> > racing.
> >
> > Please let us know how we can get y'all down here to sail with us!
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

How about a charter fleet for people that might be interested in
flying in?
No way am I going to take my Prodigy kit with me on a plane.

On Nov 7, 2007, at 12:07 AM, joethewindsurfer wrote:

> Hey Everyone !
>
> We just got back from Prodigy Nationals about a week ago. It was a
> great time, but the
> hybrid attendence was pretty weak. I think something like half of
> the folks who were there
> last year couldn't make it this year. To make up the difference,
> there were 6 or 7 folks this
> year who weren't there last year.
>
> Folks around here talk about how great it would be to have an event
> with 30+ hybrids on a
> line. We're guessing that the only way to get those kind of numbers
> is to try to have an
> event down here, in Houston. (Although, we'd still like to go to
> Bobby's event.) We
> certainly understand what a committment it is to travel to a race.
> So, here are some ideas
> we'd like everyone's input on.
>
> o We currently have 27 hybrids in our area. Does that get out-of-
> towners motivated to
> come to Houston?
>
> o Local skill level ranges from top notch to folks who have
> difficulty making it around a
> course in some conditions. Does that help?
>
> o We'd consider making the event free to anyone travelling more
> than 200 miles. Does
> that increase interest?
>
> o The event site has free indoor and outdoor camping, hot showers,
> refrigerators, and a
> kitchen. Is that a plus?
>
> o The race could be held in June. Kids are out of school, the water
> is warm, the
> seabreezes are consistent, and hurricane season is not here yet.
> Also, there is a huge
> firework display over the water every Friday in June and July.
>
> o For non-sailors, there is an amusement park and NASA's Johnson
> Space Center close by.
> You may even get to meet or sail with an astronaut or two.
>
> o Anyone getting into town early enough would also get to
> participate in our famous
> Wednesday night races.
>
> o The races are professionally run. The courses and staring line
> are 'squared-up' when
> the wind shifts.
>
> o The Houston fleet generally enjoys the social aspects of events
> every bit as much as the
> racing.
>
> Please let us know how we can get y'all down here to sail with us!
>
>
>



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hey Everyone !

We just got back from Prodigy Nationals about a week ago.  It was a great time,
but the
hybrid attendence was pretty weak.  I think something like half of the folks who
were there
last year couldn't make it this year.  To make up the difference, there were 6
or 7 folks this
year who weren't there last year.

Folks around here talk about how great it would be to have an event with 30+
hybrids on a
line.  We're guessing that the only way to get those kind of numbers is to try
to have an
event down here, in Houston.  (Although, we'd still like to go to Bobby's
event.)  We
certainly understand what a committment it is to travel to a race.  So, here are
some ideas
we'd like everyone's input on.

o  We currently have 27 hybrids in our area.  Does that get out-of-towners
motivated to
come to Houston?

o  Local skill level ranges from top notch to folks who have difficulty making
it around a
course in some conditions. Does that help?

o  We'd consider making the event free to anyone travelling more than 200 miles.
Does
that increase interest?

o  The event site has free indoor and outdoor camping, hot showers,
refrigerators, and a
kitchen.  Is that a plus?

o  The race could be held in June.  Kids are out of school, the water is warm,
the
seabreezes are consistent, and hurricane season is not here yet.  Also, there is
a huge
firework display over the water every Friday in June and July.

o  For non-sailors, there is an amusement park and NASA's Johnson Space Center
close by.
You may even get to meet or sail with an astronaut or two.

o  Anyone getting into town early enough would also get to participate in our
famous
Wednesday night races.

o  The races are professionally run.  The courses and staring line are
'squared-up' when
the wind shifts.

o  The Houston fleet generally enjoys the social aspects of events every bit as
much as the
racing.

Please let us know how we can get y'all down here to sail with us!

The Houston folks have the trailer loaded up.  A few are going on Tuesday, and
sailing in FWB
starting on Wednesday.  Bobby sez we're allowed to sail out of the FWB Yacht
Club (the race
site).

I'll be driving through Louisiana, and I'm planning on picking up some great
gumbo (seafood
or chicken and sausage) and ettoufe on the way, to eat during the week.  Anyone
want me to
pick up a quart for them?  It'll probably be about $10/qt.

The neighbor's dog bit me on the butt today as I was cutting the grass.  I have
that long drive
to look forward to...

See y'all there!

Joe the Windsurfer

If there are any Prodigy sailors in the Seattle area interested in
participating in our semi annual Winduro event on 10/27-28, check the
link below! It's free, challenging, and a lot of fun!
John Fernstrom
itsnukin@...

http://psionyx.us/winduro/forum/YaBB.pl?board=general

Hi Joe,
Thanks for the welcome and the tip on planing through jibes. I'll be
working on it when our fall winds come-which is soon! I agree that
flat water makes it sooooooo much easier. It sounds to me like I need
to work on committing more by increasing pressure on the leeward
rail. It is really great to be included in this usa prodigy group.
Formula is pretty big out here in Seattle, but most sailors here
still have a longboard for the light winds. The Prodigy is a perfect
alternative for our local waters like Lake Washington and Puget
Sound. I have seen only a half dozen Prodigies out here, but there
seems to be an interest in hybrids for those who want to sail in any
wind conditions. Our local sailing group tries to have an informal
race series every year here that encourages any sailor to come out
and race. The motto is "run what ya brung". I have learned so much
just by talking to the other sailors and participating. I won't make
it to the Nationals this year, but it is in my sights for the near
future!

PS Sailing the Prodigy locally here in Seattle has been a great
alternative to making the 3 1/2 hour road trip to the Gorge.....Since
I bought my Prodigy, I have tripled my time on the water!

Thanks again........
john fernstrom
itsnukin@...

--- In usa_prodigy@yahoogroups.com, "joethewindsurfer"
<joethewindsurfer@...> wrote:
>
> Hey John !
>
> Welcome to the group!
>
> I was hoping some of the other folks would have responded by
now...I'm having trouble,
> too.
>
> I've been able to make full planing jibes at a place called South
Padre Island.  The water
> there stays flat, even when it is blowing hard.  I really moved my
back hand backward
> extra far on the booms (8.5 rig), and moved my back foot where I
put it to start a jibe on a
> short board (right behind the middle footstrap on the leeward
side).  I had to use soooooo
> much foot pressure!  I flip the sail, get on a plane, and then
switch my feet (which is how I
> jibe short boards, too).   Is that called a 'Euro-jibe'?  Moving my
foot back on the tail to
> reduce the amount of foot pressure needed on the leeward rail just
made the tail drag too
> much.
>
> Now, all that being said, when I sail at home in bumpy Galveston
Bay, I haven't been able
> to plane through a jibe either.  I'd like to be able to get there
before going to Nationals.
> (Are you going?)  I'm getting desperate, and trying to learn how to
do one of those
> complicated 'step jibes' they try to teach beginners in the
magazines and at ABK camps.
>
> Joe the Windsurfer

Hey John !

Welcome to the group!

I was hoping some of the other folks would have responded by now...I'm having
trouble,
too.

I've been able to make full planing jibes at a place called South Padre Island. 
The water
there stays flat, even when it is blowing hard.  I really moved my back hand
backward
extra far on the booms (8.5 rig), and moved my back foot where I put it to start
a jibe on a
short board (right behind the middle footstrap on the leeward side).  I had to
use soooooo
much foot pressure!  I flip the sail, get on a plane, and then switch my feet
(which is how I
jibe short boards, too).   Is that called a 'Euro-jibe'?  Moving my foot back on
the tail to
reduce the amount of foot pressure needed on the leeward rail just made the tail
drag too
much.

Now, all that being said, when I sail at home in bumpy Galveston Bay, I haven't
been able
to plane through a jibe either.  I'd like to be able to get there before going
to Nationals.
(Are you going?)  I'm getting desperate, and trying to learn how to do one of
those
complicated 'step jibes' they try to teach beginners in the magazines and at ABK
camps.

Joe the Windsurfer


--- In usa_prodigy@yahoogroups.com, "itsnukin@..." <itsnukin@...> wrote:
>
> I was wondering if anyone had any good tips for jibing the Prodigy on a
> plane. Even when fully powered, I can't seem to keep the board on a
> plane 3/4 of the way into the jibe. Maybe I'm not banking the rail
> enough? Any tips?
>
> Thanks!
>
> itsnukin@...
> John Fernstrom-Seattle WA
>

How many hybrid and longboard sailors from the Higgins race were planning on
going to Ft.
Walton?  And, those of you going to the Wind Power race this weekend, try to get
a feel for
the hybrid folks going to Ft. Walton.  Bobby is going to have weight classes
this year.  It
would probably be good to get him a guesstimate for total number and general
weight
classes.

Hi Scott,
Thansk for the reply.
Rumor has it a few others from the Toledo area are making the trek.
Tilmans, Clevengers and Sean Fidler.  Looks to be a great event, with the
2007 MoWind Awards Banquet Sat. night followerd by a huge bonfire
surrounding an E-scow stood on end.

Cheers

Kevin

   _____

From: Scott Haas [mailto:shaas@...]
Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2007 11:57 AM
To: usa_prodigy@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [usa_prodigy] Re: Prodigy Racing Wind Power Champs




Kevin,

If Fond Du Lac was 200 miles instead of 398 from Toledo I'd be there.
I'm just to lazy or maybe too cheap to do more than a couple long
distance driving trips per year now days. I'm planning on next year
on going down to the Sarasota and Mid-winters races again and
hopefully the Nationals in Worthington, MN.

Keep selling the Prodigy!

Good winds for your event,

Scott - H

--- In usa_prodigy@ <mailto:usa_prodigy%40yahoogroups.com> yahoogroups.com,
"Kevin Gratton" <keving@...>
wrote:
>
> Sept 22nd & 23rd is the National Tour Regatta, Wind Power Champs in
> Fond du Lac, Wi on windy Lake Winnebago.
>
> Come and join us, there will be a Prodigy class. Saturday evening
> there will be a Dinner and Awards banquet for the 2007 MoWind
season
> followed by a huge bonfire with an 28ft. E-scow stood on end in the
> middle.
>
> Racing will included course, Slalom weather permitting and Long
> distance.
>
> Prodiys available for charter.
>
> E-mail Keving@... to get a registration flyer
>
> Cheers
>
> Kevin USA 8
>






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