Only a few days to go until the Wave nationals down at Phillip Island - starting next Saturday! This is the first time they have been back in Victoria for around 15 years so it would be great to see everyone get behind it.
At this point the forecast is looking quite good for this Friday and registration day on Saturday - I would say Saturday should be 15-20 knots cross-cross off, sunny and head high waves or so. We can't run any official competition but it should be a great day to come down for a sail, get some photos and have a bit of fun! Surf looks pretty sweet on Sunday too for those who can hang around.
You can pre-register for the event here through SHQ's website - www.shq.com.au/products/2014-wavesailing-nationals-registration
The amateur division is going to be focused on fun and inclusive sailing so even if you are just getting out in the surf it would be a great experience to come down. Thanks to Core Boardsports for putting up a Goya Guru wave sail as a prize for the amateurs.
I'll be updating info periodically and as the forecast unfolds - this thread will be more for locals who want to be involved in the event. There will be more info happening in the General and Wave forums as well.
Please follow the event on Facebook here - www.facebook.com/windandsurffestival and check the website for updates - http://windandsurffestival.com/
See you all down there!
See below for event details for Registration, Forecast Summary & Pre-registration prize winners.
Registration:
Registration will be open Saturday 1st March, 12-3pm & Sunday 10am-1pm. We will confirm when registration closes based on the forecast. Please register at the event house - 14 Sunnyside Ave, Cape Woolamai.
Alternatively register online using this link here - http://www.shq.com.au/products/2014-wavesailing-nationals-registration
Please make sure you have current AWA membership via your relevant state body.
Forecast Summary:
At this point the first day of possible competition will be Monday, with Wednesday looking very promising for nice conditions at Cat Bay.
So far the forecast is calling for S-SE Seabreeze on Saturday - there will be no official competition on Saturday but we may score a fun session at Woolamai if the wind tends more to the SE.
There is a solid long period swell arriving Saturday night that will light up all of the breaks around Phillip Island on Sunday. At this stage the wind looks fairly variable but we may get lucky with a seabreeze in the afternoon ? there is the possibility that Cat Bay will be sailable but otherwise the surf will be great.
Monday - we are considering moving the competition to the back up venue of Sandy Point on Monday afternoon if the wind is not strong enough to be contestable at Phillip Island. However the forecasts are now looking more promising so we may get some nice E-SE at Woolamai and kick off the competition.
Tuesday - looks like a surfing day, offshore with fun sized swell for the beach breaks.
Wednesday - a cold front is moving in along with a new swell, this should provide S-SW wind - perfect for Cat Bay. The tides are not super favourable so competition will be early morning before the water drops, and then after lunchtime as it fills back in. Make sure you stay updated on this.
Later in the week - the long range forecast is showing a strong SE pattern on Friday - this could potentially serve up epic Woolamai. Fingers crossed this develops and stay posted as the forecast develops.
Read up about the spots here:
windandsurffestival.com/location/
Pre-registration Winners:
Check out the video below to see if you won a prize from Flymount or K4 fins!
Ben Newson came over from WA early - he was rewarded with a fun session yesterday down at our back up location for the event - Sandy Point.aa
Daily updateRegistrations:
Registrations are open today until 3pm at 14 Sunnyside Ave, Cape Woolamai.
Last minute registrations tomorrow 9-11am at the same address. Registrations will be closed at 11am Monday March 3rd, to allow us time to finalise the draw - for all those thinking of competing please register by sending an SMS to 0400 483 760 and include your Name & Division (Open, Junior (under 18), Masters (35 +), Womens, you can enter two if you wish). You will need to complete paper work on arrival before hitting the water.
For those who may not be able to make the next few days, the forecast is looking very good for Friday and Saturday (7th & 8th). We would strongly encourage everyone to register now so you are at least in the draw and can still compete in the Double Elimination.
Today: There is a nice groundswell building today that should offer good surf. We are having an Opening Social Night at Magic Lands Cafe & Bar (on Vista Pl, Cape Woolamai) from 7pm in the pool room. The food is good and the beers are cold. See you there!
Competition: Competition is likely to start tomorrow with a move to Sandy Point to take advantage of the easterly wind acceleration there. We are expecting 15-20 knots cross off and 3-4 foot of swell. Likely to start heats is around 2-3pm. At this stage we would like everyone to be there at 1pm to prepare. Conditions are expected to serve up something like this.
Prizes:
We have got plenty of great prizes lined up from our sponsors, including this Goya 4.5m Guru from Core Boardsports. This sail will be won by one lucky amateur division sailor so make sure you register to be in the running!
Forecast update:
Tuesday - Surfing day.
Wednesday - looks like Cat Bay could be good although swell is slightly smaller than initially expected.
Thursday - Surfing day.
Friday - this could serve up seriously good conditions at Woolamai - logo high, cross off.
Saturday - probably similar to Friday.
Monday - 3rd March
Registration:
Rego and the draw are about to be closed.
Today:
We are about to head down to Sandy Point. The cloud is burning off and the temperature is rising - looks promising for the Easterly breeze to kick in down there in a few hours.
Briefing will be at 1.15pm on the grass across the road from the shops where the Surf Lifesaving Club is.
The plan is to then go to Shallow Inlet to prepare to sail Long Arms across from the Inlet with first possible start of heats at 2.30 pm.
See you down there.
Event update so far.
Sunday: A solid long range ground swell filled in across Phillip Island on Sunday, lighting up all the reefs in the Cat Bay region. Everyone got out and made the most of the awesome weather and great waves.
Monday: With no wind forecast at Phillip Island, the event was moved to the back up location Sandy Point. The warm temperatures, sunshine and easterly airflow provided all of the elements necessary to accelerate the cross-offshore wind. With waves anywhere between shoulder and logo high the conditions delivered for the first round of competition.
Photos thanks to Jodi at Whitecaps Photography.
We have completed the first round of Opens, Masters, Juniors and Amateur division and the results are now live here: http://windandsurffestival.com/results
Tuesday: Glassy, offshore conditions for most of the day saw all of the beach breaks firing across Phillip Island. Everyone made the most of the great surf, particularly at Woolamai. The sand banks are lined up nicely at the moment which could potentially provide us with epic windsurfing conditions later in the week when the wind swings back to the South East.
Pics by Ben Newson
Tomorrow:
Competition is set to resume tomorrow – briefing will be at 11.30am Right Point, Cat Bay. We are expecting 15-20 knots, cross to cross-offshore wind and waves around 2-3 ft.
common vic sailors get pumped arghhhhhhhh yahoo 
