Page being updated for 2010

Weymouth Speed week

Weymouth Speed Week is the oldest and longest running sailing speed event on the planet, having started in 1972. It caters for all sailing craft, experimental and production
It attracts the novice to fastest speed sailors in the world to a fun and very enjoyable week.
Weymouth Speed week takes place around the first week of October, and is held at the all new Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy. The 2007 event is the 1st to 7th of October.

From 2007 WSW will be the British Speedsailing Championships. The benefits of this as well as picking up some great prizes. Is it will also give you world cup ISA (International Speedsailing Association) points in the world ranking.

The event is limited to approximately 120 sailors and is fills up fast, so get your entries in early to secure your place. All abilities are welcome and the top prizes of holidays and boards etc go to mainly the novice and amateur sailors.

The WSW Web site has more.

GPS ladder

We are putting together a British GPS speed ladder to run annually which will be on the gps-speedsurfing.com web site. This will rank the fastest in the UK, for that year. Based only on UK waters speed sites. There will be an annual trophy and prizes. (Details to follow.) So at any windy day you can set out with your GPS at your favourite speed spot, which could be on the sea or your local lake and set your own personal record. Then see how you did against the rest of the UK.

Concept of GPS Ultimate Speed Meetings

To help promote and support the GPS ladder there is the Ultimate Speed Meetings (USM). They are held at venues all over the UK. It is held with the help of gps-speedsurfing.com. These include premier spots such as West Kirby, The Ray Southend, Weymouth and Daymer Bay. Other venues will be allowed if the competitors want it to be included. Flat speed sailing conditions are important but not imperative. 40 knot averages are nice but 30 knot averages are just as impressive in choppy conditions. Everyone has to deal with the same conditions at a USM.

Timing equipment is not used at these events. Only hand held gps units are used. This enables events to be called at very short notice. Thus guaranteeing wind for the event. The main unit used is the Garmin Foretrex 201 and 101. Unit prices vary from £60 to £150.

If the forecast is good. (23 knots plus) The USMs are called provisionally four days in advance. The wind direction dictates where the USM will be held. This gives the competitors time to organise their weekend for the coming event. The event will be called two days in advance if the forecast stays good for the event.

Rules

The rules are base on the rules dictated by gps-speedsurfing. An average of the best five ten second times will give the speed for each sailor. The GPS units must recording at two second time intervals. The GPS tracks are up-loaded to a computer and speeds are calculated on gps software such as the free to use gps action replay. All downloadable from the website. Each competitor will then post his or her time on gps-speedsurfing. The results will then automatically appear on the gps results forum page. And once up and running the British only page.

Equipment

any equipment is allowed. It’s not only speed boards that are quick. A wave board attained an average of 40 knots at Sandy Point last year. So speed or slalom boards are not a must. There is also the incentive to be the fastest sailor on a certain board. Do you want to be the fastest Starboard Carve sailor in the world? Now’s your chance!

With the introduction of affordable hand held GPS units. The average sailor can now be sailing and getting speed sailing tips from the likes of Dave White, Bob Cunningham and Steve Thorp. What other format allows the average sailor to be rubbing shoulders with the world’s best. So if you want to join in send Simon Hinkley an email on simonhnkly@btinternet.com. And get posting!