I've just returned from the 2010 Windsurfer One Design Nationals held at Port Stephens over the Australia Day Long weekend. I hadn't ridden a Wally for 21 years and apart from removing most of the skin on my hands I had a great time sailing, competing, catching up with old friends and making new ones. The Wally really is an amazing platform for enjoying windsurfing, whatever the conditions.
Is there anyone out there interested in resurecting the class in SE Qld. There is losts of activity in NSW, Vic and SA. Also are there any second hand Wallys (particularly with retractable centre boards) in garages and under houses, I want to buy one and start sailing regurlarly again.
Hi John,
you know i am kicking myself right now. i usd to race one design back in the 90's so have a love of them. a full setup sold on ebay last week for $150.
i wanted to buy it but got distracted with work. it was one of the yellow boards with retractable centreboard and 6m sail......
bugger.
other than finding people on seabreeze,
you could also contact the lake cootharaba guys who race longboards.
also may pay to give peter nitschke a call at caloundra wind and surf. he still has a few and is the one design guru in qld and usually attends the nationals. i think this year he was unable to make it. he "might" be able to help also.
Hi John
There are two of us sailing longboards regularly at the Lake cootharaba sailing club. some others showing interest. We sail with the dinghies so there are races on every weekend. You are welcome to join us with your Windsurfer any time.
It is unlikely that we will get any serious numbers for the wally class any time soon at any particular venue in queensland. I would encourage you to consider the general raceboard class instead. I think you will find more competion with that class. It is just as much fun as the wally (if not more) and there are plenty of cheap boards around. They also all have adjustable mast base and retractable C/boards.
Simon at Board crazy has a few boards listed on his website. The old raceboards have prooved still very competitive in the international competitions against the new raceboards.
We sail them with modern rigs so there are plenty of rigs around as well. I think the rig technology has come a long way and new rigs are more fun to sail than the old triangular rigs, especially in strong conditions.
Since I live in Brisbane, I sometimes sail at the Brisbane Sailing Squadron at Bulimba on the river. The Darling Point Sailing club at Manly have said they will allow me to sail there in their alboats fleet (but I haven't yet). It is hard to beat Cootharaba for sailing conditions and frequency of events. Its also the only place I have found any raceboards competing so far.
