Commodore's Notes:   Flying Duo Half Over Comprehensive Interpretive Plan
The year is half over and I’m trying to figure out if I have half of my sailing in.  If I kept better (any) records maybe I would know how many days I sailed this year.  I know I missed a day or two last weekend but it was worth it to see the “FLYING DUO” at Fiesta Texas.  Ask Connie and Wally  about their flight on the 180 foot swing where they were strapped in and pulled up 180 feet then dropped like a pendulum.  Maybe we can take up a collection for counseling.
The National Park Service has invited me to attend a workshop on Aug 24th & 25th for developing a “Comprehensive Interpretive Plan” which will be the basis of all services and activities.  I would like for those of you who have any suggestions or complaints to put them in writing to me and I will bring them up.  Now’s our chance to speak up. I will be attending, but if something happens I would like to have someone as backup.  If you are interested let me know.
Our road trip to Goose Island is scheduled for Sept. 10th through Sept. 12th.  That’s Friday night, Saturday day and night, and Sunday till you want to leave.  The location is close enough for those that do not wish to camp overnight to come for the day.  The sites are on the bay and the sailing, fishing, kayaking, sail boating, biking, etc is great.  Water, electricity, showers, shelters are available.  Last year I ordered up some wind, but sort of overdid it.  We canceled the event because of a tropical storm.  Hopefully my order won’t be messed up this year.  Reservations can be made by calling the park.  Ask for bay front sites.  The Whataburger awards ceremony is scheduled  for Saturday, August 21st don’t forget to attend.  The Awards Ceremony will be held at race director Randy Yates’ home.  As usual there will be lots of raffle goodies and a crab boil.  This one will also be a going away party for Randy who will be moving to Maui to take a new job - we’re going to miss you Randy!
We recently purchased a large (10” by 20”)  shade tarp for the club for use at our events.  Hal has volunteered to build us a box to carry it in.  Any club member who would like to borrow it  for a family reunion or whatever is welcome to use it.  We also purchased portable VHF radios for safety at the events.
See you on the water!     Chester

Gran Canaria Goes Off Big Time
Several online windsurfing ‘news services’ have reported on the windiest PWA event ever.  The ‘99 Gran Canaria grand slam event held at Pozo Beach caught winds in the 50-60+ knot range throughout the entire event and the wave riders were pulling off 50 foot high jumps during the competition.  Bjorn Dunkerbeck was leading the wave competition until the last day when he was overtaken by Francisco Goya; that win put Goya atop the wave competition and dropped Dunkerbeck to second place for the first time this year.  On the women's side, Diada and Iballa Moreno (the ‘Pozo Twins’) finsihed first and third respectfully at what use to be their home launch before they moved to Maui.  From the various reports this was one event to be remembered and you can bet the magazines will have full coverage in upcoming issues.  Here are some of the quotes from the competitors:
Kevin Pritchard:
"It is gnarly out there, super windy. It is the windiest place on earth I have ever seen, when you see the big guys like Dunkerbeck and Seeger pulling out 3.3's, you know it is windy. I was just fighting for my life, basically. Nobody was prepared for this, it is insane!"
Scott Fenton:
"Yesterday I was on a 2.9m and today I have been using a 3.3m. Today looks even windier so I might have to cut my 2.9 down to a 2.5m. It is smoking out there, out the back it could be sixty knots, smokin' sixty! it is survival"
Jason Stone:
"It is insane out there, I just don't know what to do, I am on a 3.3m and it is not small enough. This is the windiest I have ever sailed in my entire life, definitely! Neil Pryde doesn't make anything smaller than a 3.3m and we have all pretty much hit the bottom. I am going to be holding on for dear life and trying not to get blown onto the rocks!"
Diada Moreno:
"My arms were like double big after hanging on so much, I was on a 3.0 and overpowered, I enjoyed it though. This is the windiest I have ever seen Pozo. My sister got catapulted six times in her heat!"

Editor's Puffs:
The club is now the owner of a slightly used SpeedWatch courtesy of the nice folks at
SPEEDTECH INSTRUMENTS.  This freebie resulted from a tip Vicki Duncan gave me that the company had offered free SpeedWatches to clubs or other non profit organizations that would see to it that they were put to good use.  I sent the Speedtech folks an e-mail after reading the bulletin board notice about the giveaway and, after agreeing to pay shipping, it was on its way.  In my request justification I outlined a plan to attach the gadget to several different competitors during both course and slalom races just so those of us who only watch such events would get an idea of how fast and how far you sail in a race.  Its a good deal for all involved:  the club gets a new toy and SpeedTech Instruments gets a tax break while they also unload used goods.  These are units that were used in the regatta-in-a-box program that the club took advantage of for the speed check back in April.  It has a few scratches on it but it works!  Any current club member that would like to borrow the unit just let the club know and we’ll work out a loan program by the next meeting.

The ‘99BC (Bird to the Causeway run) fun event was canceled by threatening gray skies and a forecast for thunder storms.  Those who showed up at Bird got in a few good runs between downpours.  There has been no rescheduling and as of now there will be none until July 15, 2000.  I’d like to thank Dick Ward, Chester, Crab, Nancy and others who collectively (and as it turned out, correctly) decided to call off the event.  Have you ever spent an hour or so shivering while hiding under the sail and drifting downwind  and/or current with thunder crashing all around?  I’m sure glad I didn’t wind up going through yet another episode of that sort.

In a futile attempt to cool off while roasting out at Bird, I got to thinking about Thanksgiving (its a logical progression!).  For the first time in more than a decade WorldWinds won’t be open Thanksgiving Day and more importantly Vicki Duncan won’t be in town to organize the Thanksgiving Day pot luck feast.  Chester and Pam will be out of town too which eliminates their input as well.  What we need is someone to step up and take it on.  There’s still time for you to coerce some friends into assisting you - come on do it!

Whataburger V Results
The winds steadily increased and after three course races the marks were reset and the
final two heats were run as downwind slalom.  With four firsts in the first four heats, Craig
Greenslit was able to throw out his fifth heat results and further solidify his hold at the top
of the series standings.  Peter Nordby again finished in a solid second position by winding
up one position ahead of third place finisher John J. Ernst in all but one of the five heats.

Whataburger VI, The ‘99 Finale
In quite windy conditions, ‘race dictator’ Peter Nordby worked in 9 heats 7 of which
were course races- a tough end to another good series.  Elon Wong * was awarded third
place finishes in the final two heats because he was involved in an ‘at sea rescue’.  As you
can see below, Craig Greenslit again dominated the event but with Pete being occupied as
the race director job,  Guy Racette easily took  2nd place in this one.

 

To view a couple of pictures from the    July '99 full moon bonfire, click here:

Bird's Eye View:	Wind Peaks   May, Jun, & July '99
This article is on hold.	May         Jun      July   1       30mph    25mph  31mph   2       25mph    22mph  32mph   3       29mph    26mph  35mph   4       24mph    28mph  31mph   5       26mph    31mph  22mph   6       36mph    33mph  22mph   7       24mph    22mph  17mph   8       24mph    23mph  21mph   9       28mph    24mph  22mph   10     35mph    26mph  22mph   11     21mph    29mph  23mph   12     52mph    25mph  21mph   13     20mph    21mph  20mph   14     26mph    31mph  29mph   15     33mph    37mph  23mph   16     31mph    24mph  22mph   17     31mph    24mph  28mph   18     63mph    24mph  21mph   19     21mph    18mph  21mph   20     23mph    24mph  22mph   21     23mph    30mph  29mph   22     17mph    30mph  20mph   23     16mph    26mph  21mph   24     15mph    21mph  14mph   25     24mph    25mph  22mph   26     24mph    26mph  24mph   27     30mph    29mph  23mph   28     24mph    24mph  20mph   29     21mph    24mph  22mph   30     24mph    26mph  24mph   31     22mph        -       25mph
WHATABURGER  '99   THE SERIES
Awards Ceremony, Aug. 18th.... Be There

Volunteers Wanted:  The club sponsored events, both races and fun events, need people to help out on and before the events.  This is particularly true for the U.S. Open.  Last year, the CCWA was a sponsor and had a booth at the Open; but we didn't have sufficient help to man the booth throughout the event.  We don't want that to happen again!  Similarly, other events suffered because of a lack of help.  How about volunteering your help this year?  Just phone an event coordinator and offer some help.

Corpus Christi Windsurfing Association Membership Application Name:______________________________________Phone: (       )______________ Family membership, list names of family members:_____________________________________ ____________________________________E-mail Add:_________________________ Address:_______________________________________________________________ City:_________________________________State:_________________Zip__________ Please enclose $20 for individual; $30 for family (1 year membership) Mail To: CCWA,  PO Box 81453, Corpus Christi, TX  78468

 

Used Gear:	Classified ads are free to members, non-members:  $5.00 Please submit the ads by the 25th of the month. Mail ads to: LooseClu@prodigy.net
96 F2 Thommen edition 275, very light & very fast $500 OBO.  Call Matt at (361) 852-0545.  NEW!   8’6” Naish $1,000 if interested call this pager:  (361) 889-9143.  ‘95 Aerotech Course Race 9.5 1995 multiple race winner.  This is a great race sail in  very good condition $100.  Contact:racetteguyjen@msn.com ‘98 Fanatic Bee 307, 159 liters, 9.9kg  includes 2  Powertrim finbox Maui G-10 freeride  fins (34 & 40cm) and the Quicklock foot strap system. Used 9 months, in excellent  condition $650 shipping included!     Call Wally  (210) 829-8770 (work)  (210)  824-3845 (Home) ‘98, 7.3 Aerotech freeride, 2 cams sail is in great shape $250.00 ‘98, 6.3 Aerotech  powerlite no cams sail is in great shape and very easy to water start $200.00  ‘97, 5.6  Aerotech wave needs slight repair work in the luff sleeve $75.00  Call Ric  (334) 990-8091   jrfcrb@bellsouth.net Housemate wanted - share beautiful 1900 square foot house on Padre Island.  Private  bath and bedroom, shared office, garage, storeage, all appliances, great neighborhood. 1  mile to Bob Hall, quick to BIB. $485/month. Call Paul at 949-0690.
For more web classifieds, check out the Windsurfing Classifieds at "the other CCWA".