I'd encourage people to put their review/reflections of 2009 on this thread, the following are mine:
Well the growth of the GTC proves one thing windsurfing is not dead but alive and well and thriving!!
The lowlights of the year for me were the injuries to people, and most recently one of the nicest blokes in the GTC Pinna's Captain Mineral with a badly broken ankle, and recently Slowies sliced leg.
Highlights well there were so many!! Team highlights were SA Demons leading the overall and looking like they were going to win, till man intervened. The Channels that were discovered bec of drought and the unbelievable speeds out of SA!! The emegence of The Tassie speedseekers as a true contender!! SRM's Threepeat what can you say about this team that hasn't already been said. The arrival of new teams in 2009. The international teams and our bonding with people from other nations. The seasonal cup winners The Pit Crew, The tied month and the sawing in half of the cup. Speedweek for me and meeting everyone and presenting the tied sawn off cups.
Individual highlights again so many, from people being delighted to achieving impt milestones and PB's, the friendships made, the battles between the juniors, the womens individual efforts, and the Worldclass Performances of the Division winners Spotty
, Doeke, Daffy, Hamma, and Morehead
For me finally joining the 40kt Club
Tell me yours:
Been in the GTC for just 15mths and been the best thing for my sailing. Met some great people and hope to meet a lot more. Looking forward to Burrum Windfest.
The Green Is Speedweek was a highlight, bloody good holiday actually.
Some wind would have helped.
Knocking over a few PB's is always exciting but changing from an Etrex to a GT31 has made getting those a bit more difficult. Still that's the challenge. Also helped some of the windsurf businesses with buying new gear and can't see it being any different this year.
Have fun everyone
For me personally it was my trips to Perth & Burrum where I was warmly welcomed, got to meet some of the GTC characters and made some good friends.
Also all the new FNQ Mobsters, some of whom haven't sailed in years and are now keen again which was one of the GTC's goals. The fact FNQM have all age groups, female & male and pensioners (Legends) with more get up and go than people a quarter of their age and who you just can't keep off the water.
All the awesome speeds that have been achieved and especially Dave Morehead's 511 distance on a cold rainy day, ha I can remember the discussion whether 100 was achievable.
And finally the big jump in new active teams including the international mobs, the only downer is it's now hard to remember who's who.
Oh yeh the other downer is a certain little bugger in Tazzie who is quicker than me and rubs it in, but I'll sort that in 2010 [}:)]
Thanks mobs Nebs and Hards 
Huge thanks to Hardie and Nebbs, been a bloody hectic year for both lads. Hardie off on a wind junket that proved to be more junket than wind
but you get that in this game. Start of season had him nursing Binny back into gear after a prang at the famous Hardies run.
Nebbs with the big move into his new house up our way near Pinneroo, did he let is faze him and some great TOW, and putting up scores, not a bit
The fun chasing the gun teams scores each week (day
) when we see there is a slight chance the buggers may have scored around Aus.
Then watching the wind gods just so we could gazump them at the last minute
Bloody strong bond being forged with people you have never met, who help out with advise and tips when ever requested.
Finally to the team Pinnas, YES YOU BUGGERS, its spelt and sounded P-I-N-N-A-S, short for Pinneroo[}:)]
They have to be the best bunch of guys around and all good mates with a variaty of skills to keep the team individual scores ticking along with our new Captain Mark driving us hard
And finally to the top teams, and in particular, Perth Southsiders, who we have a great time competing against Thanks for the competition its been great and has us all driving that little bit extra to make ground on you buggers.
All the best for 2010, may the top guns forget they have their fin covers still on[}:)] and the rest of us have a great 2010
Oh and ankle is healing fast. Cast is off, Air Boot is on, thank goodness, that cast was pizzing me orf
C'arn Pinnas, now lads its PINNAS orright
Personal observations:
I made a good friend through the GTC, first through Seabreeze, then via email and finally in person.
I had a disappointing year due to injury though the desire to go windsurfing again pushed me to take necessary surgery and then take the exercises needed.
Its been a difficult year for the Double Demerits as the number of active members declined and then the team amiably split with the Mid Coast Marauders being formed. However a few keen people have joined recently so it looks good for 2010. Its unlikely that we will consistantly challenge the top teams as we don't have the conditions but we will enjoy the challenge.
The growth of the GTC has been amazing. Now we are getting teams from all over the world. This means we learn of windsurfing spots and personalities in what seems like more and more places. Truely its a great concept thats going places and moving from strength to strength.
beating dad several times as firebob knows...... with me beating a couple of his pbs
The GTC has helped motivate me to sail more and improve significantly (through the advice of friends locally and across the world in the GTC.)
I've enjoyed every session on the water whatever the speeds and durations.
I have upgraded most of my kit so any short coming in speeds now is down to me...... I obviously have a lot to learn
Thanks go to Nebs, Hardie and others involved in making the GTC what it is (for me it is a group of people with hugely varying skills and equipment doing what they enjoy and generously helping others to improve their windsurfing).
I look forward to 2010, more international teams and more friendly rivalry and encouragement across all of the teams wherever they may be
For me it's always humbling to read about how our little site has made a difference to people's sailing. Stories like the ones above warm the cockles of my heart, and make me realise that it's all worthwhile
Big thanks go out to both Hardie and our sponsors, who go hand in hand really (he deals with the people, I deal with computers, it works well). We're now up to well over 400 entrants, and pretty much all of them went through Hardie's fax machine... Hardie's enthusiasm for the cups knows no bounds, and now I realise that it's a real motivator for the teams that are close to the top to try that little bit harder. Good on ya mate, here's cheers to an even bigger 2010 (And maybe one day the MMob might get a sniff at one )
Ok highlights time:
* Trying to convince Hardie that we should chop the cup in half, instead of buying two cups.
* Dave's amazing 500 km day, that I was so sure was a typo when I first saw it, that caused Realspeed to split it over two days, and when the dust settled it was as real as it gets!
* The tireless enthusiasm shown by so many GTC'ers, but especially Mineral and Firiebob, you guys crack me up
* Seeing the twin masterpieces that Decrep created, when I thought we were just going to get a cup that was chopped in half.
* Rocking up to Mandurah at dawn to find two other madmen already there and rigging up... you can't say that we'd do that without the site!
* GPSSS taking us seriously for a change
* The big interest shown by some overseas teams in the last month
* Finally breaking my 2 year alpha PB! YEEEEEEHHAAAAA!!!!
Lotsa Yyyyyyyeeeeehhhhaaarrrrrggggghhhhhhhhssss
Some of them with my eyes open on a run
I had more fun and managed to get PB's in all categories.NM and Alpha were 2yrs old.
I also learnt that Elmo is still faster than me
and can even go round corners]but thats ok as i like chasing him.
Thanks to all the teams that made it so fun.
All the on shore banter is what it's all about........ Oh and trying to beat a red fury muppet
Thanks once again to Hardie and Nebs for creating this awesome competition, there are so many sailors now pushing themselves beyond the limit to get their Team to the top of the ladder. It,s inspiring and most of all it's fun.
The things that stand out for me are...
Dave,s 511km's , simply amazing.
SRM for 3 in a row, can they be beaten?
Spotty and Tony,s amazing efforts on Big Sunday at the PiT. The craziest wind I have ever tried to sail in.(I got spanked,Ha!!)
Hitting the bottom at 40 knots and thankfully getting let off very lightly, only broken gear, no bones.
Doing 576 versions of the PiT Crew logo before I could get the team to agree on one!!!
This year looks amazing with all the new International teams. Bring it on!!!
As a result of spending a week with Hardie at Speedweek...we decided to enter a team, mainly to get some newbies into the concept of speed sailing.....we've now got a great crew and altho' we're not the fastest (yet), we give it a red hot go.
I'd like to thank you guys for starting this crazy thing....my lawns are three feet tall and nothing has been done around my house since The Southerly Busters were born!!!
Mick
I can’t believe how far this team comp has come in three years. 20 active teams to 50. By making it more than just a speed comp was the best thing ever. (Made it a bit hard for us tho)
High Lights
- Seeing Spotty,s runs
- a few more Pbs ( getting harder all the time)
- showing a few team mates the joy of sailing at dawn
-having our visiting competitors experience the Pit and the banter
-putting some faces to names at the SpeedFortnight
-helping Drift make the doco at the Pit
(How close can you sail to me???)
Low lights -not sailing very well when the 60kt hit (Well done Spotty)
-not getting enough wind for Hardies Pb at the Pit
-not sailing to 400km (next year)
GTC is a wonderful thing. It has made my windsurfing go from something fun to do to something utterly addictive and compelling. It has helped me meet some great people, have a heap of laughs, learn heaps (many thanks Pit crew team mates!), and encouraged me to upgrade my kit (never ending! Thanks team mates again for great second hand gear!).
Highlights:
Speed fortnight - at least the first nine days which I attended. Best fun I've had in years. Wonderful to meet so many kind and friendly people.
Big Sunday at the PiT, seeing the experts show how it is done.
Cracking 200kms in a day with Kato.
Dawn starts at the PiT, excitedly rigging up with team mates (thanks for the motivation Craig!).
Starting to pull off some planing gybes!!
Comparing results on GTC after a big day out.
Lots of new Vic competitors - welcome Southerly Busters - and friendly rivalry with Connewarre Crewmasters.
Lowlights:
Getting repeatedly flattened without even getting going on Big Sunday.
A bit of busted gear.
Having to work for a living when the sun is out and the wind is blowing.
Not having 30 knot WSW winds every weekend at the PiT. Surely not too much to ask?
Keep up the great work with the site Hardie and Nebbs! Careful not to change too much as it is hard to see how it could be better. I'm really looking forward to a great 2010 and more teams and a more international aspect should make it even more fun.
Highlights
Jan 1 huge start to year with top speeds on the 6.6 and SP44 at the Pit
Seeing Maquarie innovation flying at the Pit.
Jul 11 home spot big speeds and NM PB on the bay at Rye.
Sep 27 All time day at the Pit with all time wind and a 500 so close to WR, nudging the 50 with the 5.0 & broken battern. Good feeling giving it a crack on 'off the shelf' Aussie designed Sail, Fin & Board!!!!
Not having a crash on the big day.
Seeing a few storm surge/king tides decimate the dunes at the Pit.
The growth in GPSTC, seeing it focus newcomers to hang in there and improve thier sailing whilst feeling part of a helpful and great sporting community.
Lowlights
Getting skunked a few times going to the Pit with it looking all time on the forecast.
Seeing the dunes grow at the Pit.
Lots of encouraging posts here.
I agree with Herb&Lynn, it's a great privilege to be a part of the challenge.
I felt especially privileged to be given the job of splitting the tied cup.
Since hardie and elmo persuaded me to join the MM it's become a big part of my life.
If not actually sailing, trying to improve my abilities in the 6 divisions, or trying to improve our team score, it's experimenting, making/modifying/repairing speed boards and fins.
Exploring with mates, trying out different locations for the different divisions.
It's also great to meet visiting GTC sailors, this social aspect would be missing without the challenge.
Managed 4 PBs in 2009, 5X10 and distance at start of year, alpha and 1hr at the end.
MM was 1st for Dec right up to the last day, when the mighty SRM did a big distance and knocked us into 2nd. That was a high and low point.
Not too many low points, apart from stepping on the inevitable cobbler!!!
That wouldn't have happened without the GTC.
ok my 2 cents worth....
Highlights-
• Witnessing the birth of a global phenomenon known as the GTC !
• Watching everyday sailors perform extraordinary feats- by pushing themselves to the limit in the pursuit of personal bests and team success.
• The 50kn cracked by spotty!!
• The 500 plus km’s ground out by Dave
• The consistent long distance sailing by Claude
• the three peat success of SRM
• The honour of sailing with some very talented sailors in SRM
• The satisfaction of hitting 40kn the day after i took my wedding ring off
• The camaraderie of sailing with so many new friends on the river and down at hardies
• Not having a catapult in almost 3 yrs (fkin kite board excluded)
• Pulling a broken batten out of 25’s knee cap
• The sorting out of the track point/Doppler debate
• Benders 24kn peak on a sup
• Not breaking any gear
• The new freeway to hardies
Lowlights-
• The infestation of weed in the swan
• The infestation of kites
• Having to sail in winter cold and rain
• The relentless ferry and gin palace traffic on the swan
• The drive home from hardies
• The lack of winds above 25kn
• The hassle of doing up the Velcro strap on my aqua pack
• The equipment race and the cost of participating in it
• All the injuries collected while sailing, by so many mates
• Swallowing a mouthful of lake preston
• The vomit shortly afterwards
