Thursday, January 10, 2013

Welly Paddlers Downwinders

This Sunday the well oiled Welly Paddlers machine springs back into action with the first of three mini downwinders. Checking out the forecasts and tides of each of the three potential venues means that the Poirua Area will be the first cab off the rank for this weekends event.

With brisk winds from the north the Plimmerton Boating Club bay was looking like being our starting point, but with the winds expecting to be very much on the strong side we may well be looking at Ngatitoa domain, Mana being our starting point.

Current forecast as at 10/1/13......... 35 kmh NNW gusting to 55 kmh NNW though much of the course will be sheltered by the Onepoto hillside as .you head downwind

If plan B comes into play we will likely be looking at a 3 km downwind for sups heading down to the finish buoy at Whitireia and a 5 km downwind for surf ski and W1 waka ama which is the same course as the sup but turning at the finish buoy for a 1km upwind leg to a buoy at Onepoto then a 1 km downwind back to the finish buoy at Whitireia.

We have an incoming tide with high tide being at midday.

The downwinders are open to sup - surf ski - W1 waka ama...........as all these craft are able to self rescue, as we don't run events with safety craft, because it's all about taking personal responsibility for your actions every time you get out on the water and looking after each other at our events.

Everyone will of course be conversant with the Wellington Region Bylaws which explain what you are required to carry as far as safety equipment goes..........read the link on the left hand side of this page.

Leg Leashes and PFD's save lives, one day it may be yours.


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