It is interesting and sad that there used to be quite a few of these in Victoria. I would guess it is the same elsewhere since the demise of the 'Longboard' from the dominant type.

Two classic events which are sadly missed are:

The 'Hollands Landing to Lakes Entrance' marathon which was organised as a non-competitive event annually by the Paynesville windsurfers. It was a group sail up the Gippsland Lakes from Hollands Landing (the entrance to the the straights which separate Lake Victoria and Lake Wellington) via a number of rest and 'catch up' stops at Wattle Point, Paynesville, and Metung to the final goal of Lakes Entrance foreshore. I only had the privilege of participating on one occasion in 1983. I think this was the last year the event ran.




The 'Round Raymond Island Marathon' was a race held by the Paynesville Yacht club annually for many years from the Late '70's until the late '80's. It attracted fleets of well over 100 at it's peak with many of the windsurfing 'boomer babies' entering just for the fun of it on their Windsurfer One Design's, TC Runner's, Waylers YPSI's, F2's Lightening's, Mistral Equipe's etc. There also developed a strong competition in the open class in later years with many of the states top racers turning up with 8m+ sails and custom race boards. Of course, there was always a band and a HUGE party in the yacht club in the evening!
The strongest competition was always amongst the Die Hards on the Windsurfer OD's and there has always been a strong fleet at Paynesville. They have the Nationals this Easter I hear and are doing the round the island as the Championship Marathon. I was thinking this would be a good opportunity to join them do the circle again. I think I will use a Formula this time though, unless it is very light and then I will have to dust off my old 'Speed' Raceboard.



There was also a race held in conjunction with a Lakes Entrance Festival in the mid '80's. It went from Lakes Entrance, up the lake around Rigby Island and back to the start - about 9kms. (I think I might have won that one :-)



The potential for this sort of event is making a bit of a comeback now that the Formula and Wideboard revolution is with us. I recon the first two of these would be quite possible, and enjoyable on a Go 150/170 or Formula board and many people nowadays have something like that. It would be a no-brainer for a Starboard Gemini Tandem and any of the new Hybrids or Longboards that have come onto the market in the last couple of years.

I wonder if we can get a fleet together to follow the Windsurfers around Raymond Island at Easter? Just for fun! Any Takers?