Maybe its a mid life crisis, but I'm not getting any younger, all of these clever spinny freestyle tricks are likely to be beyond me, and whats more I'm getting fatter these days rather than fitter.

So, maybe it is time to put that weight to some good use, holding down a big sail and trying to go as fast as possible!.... Time for some speed sailing.

I'm sure I'm not the only one in this position, so, who's going to get into some seriously fast action and if we feel we're up to it maybe we could enter a speed event or two??

It would be good to turn up to such an event 'en masse', if we've all been sailing together for a while we'll all have an idea how fast we are against each other so there shouldn't be too many surprises, and at least if we are all really slow in comparison to others we'll all look stupid together!

Anyone interested? Windsurfers and Kitesurfers of course.

Al.

Of course, that also sounds like a perfect excuse for some new toys...

Time to blow some cash on some speed kit!

What do you think would be the ideal speed kit without going completely mad money-wise.

Al.

As you know Ive spoken to you all ready AL. I think itd be fun, so well have to get some serious training in. GPS's at the ready!!!!!! Did u find out any more about the forerunner101??

Well, the specs for the Forerunne r101 say:

quote:

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Training data: Can display training time, pace, distance, lap pace, lap time, lap distance, average and best pace, elevation and calories

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The other thing to bear in mind with the foretrex series is that you won't be able to use them for 'normal' GPS navigational uses as I don't think they can be used in such a way..

We've just spent a morning doing some geocaching, so you wouldn't be able to use it for that.

Al.

Did you get a GPSr Shem???

You'll be wanting a dedicated speed board soon.

I'm going to have to rethink my speed equipment soon.

Al.

sounds expensive to me.

I think my kit needs to be general purpose on the whole so I can get max use from it.

Having said tjhat the new ranges of slalom oriented boards look quite good. www.ebay.......... hmmmmm

Are you planning on using the speed strip in the estuary?

Hey what a great reason to buy some more toys. I am nearly there, just need a 100 litre supercross board or the like and maybe a 6.0 stable sail and I there. I reckon it will be great when Ivor blows.

This is my fast equipment at the moment.

F2 stoke 127
8.5 Lightning
7.0 Lightning

Hmmm... question is, do you want fast but big kit to maximise speed when the wind is light to moderate, or do you want some REALLY fast kit to get overall top speeds when the wind is howling.

I guess if you are going to turn up to speed events and compete then you need it all, but if you're just going to try to get an absolute top speed when Ivor is in full force then its the little kit you need...

How about a 50cm wide, 64 ltr F2 Missile??

Then you obviously need a super stable speed sail to go with it!

I guess the Starboard iSonics would be good for bigger sized boards?

Al.

I really believe that to go fast, you have to be comfortable. There is no use trying to sail a tiny little board that may get a few extra knots faster in ideal conditions but the rest of the time you cannot use it!!!

A small supercross board will give you the control to hold maximum power over any conditions. It may end up being faster on the speed course due to the variation in wind and sea over the distance.

When I sailed the Isonic on the demo day, it really was a fast board but you felt more of a passenger than a driver. If it is just staight line speed then no better board but you must have fun doing it. I dont think us mear weekend sailors have the skill of driving these boards to the max. We may be quicker on the slightly detuned models.

I was a bit apprehensive with the rocker on the iSonics. Theres not much so you were always wary of the nose digging in if you were to hit any small chop. I didn't nose it in at all at the demo day in the Dyfi channel but its something thats always on the back of your mind when your screaming along.