Important Windsurfing News

Nedlands Yacht Club - Windsurfing Racing

Windsurfing WA (WWA) has initiated a formal agreement with Nedlands Yacht Club (NYC) to have Windsurfing included as an official section of the Club, providing regular Sunday Course Racing for Perth Windsurfers from early October through to early April.

In essence, the package will provide some very real benefits to Western Australian Windsurfers and Nedlands Yacht Club will gain by increasing its membership in a sailing area with real growth potential.

Welcome to the Club…

You get 3 complimentary days of racing. (Yes - Totally Free)

Nedlands Yacht Club provides this opportunity to allow interested sailors/potential members to get a feel for what being part of the Club is all about. You will, however, be required to fill in a temporary membership form and after your three free days you will be invited to join the Club.

What it will cost? - A full season (May to April), Senior Membership for WWA members only- SAIL AWAY - NO MORE TO PAY - $372 (Note - WWA membership for 2005/2006 is unchanged at $50.) WWA members are offered a special membership deal to join NYC - negotiated by WWA to encourage you to join and provide the best value for money possible. Normal senior membership including all fees is $574 - this is a saving of $202!!!

Students - $212

Juniors - $101

Storage - $64 per Annum per board.

Why is WWA doing this?

Rationale - WWA's role is to promote the sport of windsurfing in WA. As the peak windsurfing body in the state WWA's job is to coordinate and encourage the development of opportunities for the sport. Because WA racing has seen a steady decline in numbers - change is necessary. Generally, WWA Members no longer have the time to travel large distances to race, and have had trouble justifying the expense of racing equipment due to a lack of appropriate racing opportunities. As such - WWA is endeavoring to bring regular racing back to Perth, in a user-friendly, Internationally relevant format that encourages participation by the widest possible spectrum of sailors.

Regularity - Two races on most Sundays*, starting early October and finishing late March will give you 6 months worth of racing opportunities a year - that way you'll have every chance to wear out your favorite gear. (*Except when there are other WWA racing events on the calendar.)

Great Value for Money - Plenty of racing, right to the limits of the season - no more watching the wind blow until April and wondering why nothing's happening….. Once you're a WWA / NYC Member there's nothing more to pay on regular NYC race days except for your after race drinks and BBQ pack - just come and race…. You'll also get much cheaper entry to WWA run events held at the Club.

Social - NYC has a licensed bar, after racing BBQ's and the best spot on the river for a post race drink. You'll even be welcome to relive your triumphs and disasters with your fellow racers.

Contribution to Nedlands Yacht Club - As members you will be expected to contribute to the running of the club by occasionally providing help to get things organized for racing. Putting boats in, getting helpers for recording results, manning the canteen etc. A not too onerous obligation at the end of the day but everyone will be expected to help out at some stage.

Access to River - The Swan River is one of Perth windsurfers' favorite spots to sail and NYC is in one of the best spots with cross shore wind and beautiful grassed rigging areas along with million dollar views. An association with NYC also provides the chance to access weekend river usage for competition, which is normally dominated by yachting events.

Family Friendly - NYC is surrounded by parklands, has playgrounds nearby, and has a comfortable patio area for viewing of the racing. Bring your kids along… you might even be able to get them to have a go….

Home Grown Champions - NYC Racing will provide an ideal environment for WA sailors to train, race and gain experience as they aspire to compete in Local, National, and International competition at the highest level. Formula Class racing and the new RSX Olympic Class are both welcome and encouraged to compete at Nedlands. The yacht club environment also provides the racing atmosphere and intensity to get WA sailors to the next level.

Storage - Locked storage is available to members at NYC for an extra $64 per Annum. WWA is working to establish a shared, (exclusively for WWA members only) high security storage area for windsurfing gear, ready to rig, on any day of the week.

Facilities - Hot showers, Toilets, Ample Parking, Clubrooms, Rescue boats, Storage and an awesome lawn area for rigging right on the river with deep water 5m from shore mean NYC has a huge amount to offer.

Insurance - A Yachting Australia "Silver Card" gives - PERSONAL ACCIDENT INSURANCE (this covers any costs incurred which are not covered by Medicare or a private health fund).

Bonus benefits - WWA will be running some of its events from Nedlands this summer and as such, NYC members will be able to enter these events at a significantly reduced rate. As a Yacht Club Member you'll also be eligible to enter the "Cock of the River" race and see if you can match it with the fastest yachts around. The Moths on their hydrofoils think they've got our number - we'll have to test that theory….

Clinics, Training and "Have a Go" days - WWA in conjunction with NYC will be organising opportunities for people to try Formula gear, to learn the racing rules and to improve their general sailing and racing skills. Watch the WWA website for details.

Give it a go and see what you think - All Welcome - Hope to see you there -

Regards

Daniel Engdahl

Chairman

Windsurfing WA