Keeping the tradition and our streak alive! One of the longest runniing windsurfing events in the world continues on. We haven't been stopped by hurricanes (Michael 2018) nor will murder hornets of 2020 stop us. However, Covid-19 does mean we, being mindful of the safety of others, will be doing things a bit differently this year.
Unlike years past of having a big official weekend with bunches of us in close proximity, we'll be having an informal, distanced event one day on the weekend of Oct 17-18. The previous Wednesday, we'll make a preliminary guess as to which day will be better and confirm that Thursday. There will be a minimal fee to cover costs and a separate shirt option. Camping is available, the bathrooms open but the kitchen is closed and no formal meals. BYO food, drinks and gear.
Chris will follow up with details. It's not the event we usually have but all of us are fortunate that in a year of cancellations and worse, we can still get out on the water and find out that, just like last year, we're still slow. 
I will be there
Racing -in any sport / activity that I participate in- is not my thing but i hope to cheer on those who participate.
This 12 yr old Swiss kid will not be attending. The rest of you old buzzards can breath a sigh of relief that he didn't kick your butts all over Lake Lanier.
Hamdi, it's not about competition. Think of it as an obstacle course - it improves your skills because you have to do things not only when they are convenient. Sometimes it's sailing overpowered, sometimes it's jibing in a rough patch, sometimes sailing underpowered upwind. You are only racing against yourself. A man who wears a GPS and knows his top speed is already doing that.
HamdiD
Hamdi,
The first time I went I was worried about all the aspects of competition. But it really turned out to be fun. Everyone was nice and there was a lot of laughter on and off the course.
William is correct in his statement and in my opinion if you participate you will be better for it
Racing on Saturday and Sunday?
Hamdi you should come regardless, the event tends to attract wind.
Alan
Yes everyone was nice but I remember a certain pin that sure was being mean to William
Alan
It wasn't mean. It just felt a connection with me. It was all for the best, I shouldn't even have started that race with the wind dying. The previous race was worth it.
Much appreciated encouragements from William, Langdon, and Alan made me reflect why i have been so adverse to competition in any activity. Then I realized i have in fact competed in one sport - taekwondo- and that was because it was a requirement to participate in so many tournaments to get your black belt. And having gone up to 3rd degree black belt, i had to do a fair share of those. Let's just say that it wasn't pretty and definitely not my kind of fun. Partly because of the nature of such tournaments- sparring by definition does not emphasize being nice to fellow competitors- but also because i discovered that i take competition too seriously for my own good and loose any chance of having fun with it.
So, best for me to stick to cheering and hope Alan is right about these events attracting wind so I can do some sailing between competitions (if that's feasible).
Starts are sources of tragedy - laughter, and tears.
I've never been beaten up at the Fall Classic, hungover maybe, but never punched or chopped :-).
Windlord should have chimed in by now
Hamdi.
I am glad that you are coming even if you are not racing.
My kids did karate and both spectated some national level and (at least Simon) participated in a few local tourneys and if tae kwan do tourneys are anything like karate, no effing kidding, the competition is intense. As a spectator, you quickly realize that the slow paced choreography of a fight/brawl in popular culture is a total myth. Even though it's supposed to be simply sparring for points (as opposed to boxing or MMA where brain injury is the objective), the pace is absolutely insane and even with protective gear punches and kicks land hard. Props to Hamdi for even stepping on to the mat.
Good news is that the intensity of the Fall Classic is more like lawn croquet. Most of us are out there just to watch and learn from the really good guys and girls and get around the course quick enough not to hold up anyone from lunch too long.
Hamdi, when you are ready, I think you'll enjoy giving it a go. If it means anything, I knew when I went to foil in Clearwater that I'd likely be DFL (last) or there abouts. Didn't matter - nobody cared how poorly I did, I learned so much and made a bunch of new friends. Best part is that nobody tried to kick me in the head.
Langdon
HamdiD
My wife, son, and I went thru 1st don Black belt in Albuquerque where our dojang had quite a number of adults participating. Sparring with adults was also intense and we all had our share of bruises even under the protective gear and some minor injuries. Larger tournaments with out of state & country tournaments occasionally matched us with younger -win at all cost- type opponents and fortunately we got thru without any major injuries. Then we moved to ATL in 2009 and the demographics of all the dojangs we visited were much different- very few adults, much more kids and teenagers. We joined one and my son went thru 2nd don, my wife and i went thru 3rd don over 6 years or so. Men, sparring with teenagers day in and out is a whole different 'fight or flight' adrenaline run! Finally my wife got her surgery requiring injury (torn knee ligaments) and we said 'i think it's time to stick with activities that don't require this kind of adrenaline rush on a daily basis'.
safe for me to assume this is an open thing? You guys accept windsurfers from out of state? Who knows if I could really come (I worry already I'll have conflicts in my schedule)...but it does sound like fun. What kind of course do you run? Upwind/downwind? Reaching? Just windsurfers on the course, or does this coincide with and share a course with sailboat racing? Could you spell DFL out for me? (just kidding. I think I get that one. From experience
)
Just us windsurfers. Typically, full race is usually traditional windward/leeward but we've done slalom, long distance and even reaching before. Chris tries to have the course that is the most fun for the participants and the conditions. Longboards are usually the call but when conditions are ripe, formula and foil work, too.
btw, Dead F* Last as you were probably assuming.
For me, the race is somewhat incidental to a weekend/day of being somewhere with a ton of my windsurfing friends hanging out. I even have fun on the days where the wind bails on us. How often are you windsurfing and this is what the beach looks like?
https://windsportatlanta.com/gallery/album/492/list
zzholt
Back before I was banned for life from racing, I proposed a club event teaching others my racing secrets. If you would like to know more, check out page 14 of this. BTW - there were a couple of other events I proposed for the club as well to grow interest, but the then ruling executive committee (mainly AJ and his dogs) vetoed all of my ideas, leading to windsurfing's "dark ages" which lasted until the invention of foils.
https://windsportatlanta.com/sites/default/files/pastnews/200011.pdf
What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.
While that whole issue and Randy's entire article are great reads, some won't have the time to click on the pdf (polite way of saying most of us are lazy.) Here's an excerpt. I will say that had we actually adopted these tactics, Hamdi's martial arts experience would have been much more relevant.
World Windsurfing Federation (WWF) Course Racing Tactics
Another event many would like to see would be some instruction on course racing tactics that go beyond the usual “stay between your man and the mark” or “sail faster than the other guy”. Perhaps some insights into tactics and race strategy that pull no punches might be a little better in helping to really level the playing field (or at least your opposition). While most racing tips concentrate on helping you to sail faster, sometimes, it is just as good if your opponents can be made to sail slower.
Topics might include the following:
Well, you get the picture. These and many other “over the top” events are being considered for the year ahead. Many other ideas will be discussed at the club’s special “Men’s Night Out” at the Gold Club. Stay posted.
FoilDodo
Thanks Webguy. Now some of these secrets are out in the open.....
What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.
Sounds fun. Can I race a paddle board with a sail on it?
Only races I ever won were, 1 in high school when elected to office and 2 times at 1st Place motorcycle Harescrambles.
At least it's three and not zero. That should count for something.
PeelSkid
Langdon
Sure, bring the paddleboard with sail. Just don't expect the win count to get to four.
Just come out and sail over the starting line and you'll have already beaten everyone who stayed at home. That's a victory, right?
Pages