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For the 2nd consecutive year, Aberdovey will play host to Round 2 of the JP / Neilpryde Slalom event. The competition is open to all windsurfers from first time competitors through to Pro Fleet sailors, with races for all levels.

Format...
The format for the racing is very simple, if you can windsurf, no matter what experience or ability there is a fleet for you...
 
Pro Fleet
Race against the best in the UK, line up alongside the likes of Hawkins and Baker and see how hard you can push them...
 
Challenge Fleet
Uses the same course and format as the Pros, but for the sailor who wishes to try out a championship/ranking format, but is new to racing and prefers a more laid back approach or "toe in the water"...
 
Groove Armada Fleet
Simple master blast format, usually incorporating a beach or dry start, many novel twists and run purely for fun. Groove Armada offers sailors to be part of the event and its many benefits but with a heavy emphasis on the social aspect...
 
Prizes...
Each event has its own unique offering but consistently throughout the series there are many product prizes from across the industry, with an emphasis being on little and many as opposed to huge and few, so everyone can expect to gain something from taking part. However, that said, at Aberdovey the top flight Pro sailors will be sailing for hard cash prizes put up by the local town council...
 
What you need...
All you need is the will and desire to try something new, be open minded with regards racing and not to take it too seriously. Racing is a word that is off putting for many sailors but the reality is that only a select few are there to actually race, the rest are there to get out sailing for a laugh with friends and competitors.
 
On the equipment front, come with what you have. You don't, and most competitors don't, have the latest or indeed any racing gear. This is a  misconception, to race you simply need kit you enjoy sailing and feel comfortable on. However, if you actually want to try out the latest gear then this is an option for you, as you can take advantage of the many brands who are arranging demo gear for you to try over the weekend.
 
What to expect..
In a word a weekend of fun, action and above all having a great laugh with like minded windsurfers...
 
On the day you can register and either a sail number or get allocated a bib number, you'll be briefed relevant to your fleet and then it's race time, simple. If you want to pre-register then call us at the shop 01543 505084.
 
In between races or during light winds you can also benefit from technique talks from some of the UK's best sailors with team and sponsored riders offering talks on every aspect of windsurfing from gybing, speed to forward loops and extreme freestyle.
 
How it's judged...
It is a simple format depending upon the numbers in your fleet, quite simply you race a course and get placed accordingly. If you're in a low number fleet you will just keep racing with no need for heats. However, if you're in a highly populated fleet then you will be split into heats, with results from those fleets deciding who goes into the 'A' final and who goes into the 'B' final. The beauty with slalom is, that you will always be racing and there is no dreaded "knock out" situation where you race briefly and then watch for the rest of the day...
 
To summarize...
Slalom racing is simply what we all do everytime we go sailing on flat water, straight out and back with a gybe somewhere in the middle. The joy with slalom racing is that you're simply sailing with others en masse, windsurfing with friends and competitors is not only a laugh but a very subtle way to push and improve your sailing at the same time.
 
The entry fee for the event is £45, for this you are entered into the compettion, get a JP / Neilpryde Slalom Tshirt and access to the sailing club with an evening barbecue were you just need to bring along the meat of your choice, chips, salad are provided.
 
 
Ok enough of the racing, now the demo bit...
Who's there...?

Fanatic / Mistral / North
Starboard / Tushingham
JP / Neilpryde
Severne
RRD / Ezzy
Simmer
Angulo
Goya / Quattro
Thommen
also
Britian's fastest men... Farrell O'shea & Dave White aka 'Whitey' and the UK's best ever PWA sailor Nik Baker.
Ant Baker will also be at the event running clinics.

What time does it start and finish...?


The demo boyz usually get to Aberdovey around 9am and WILL need an hour or so to rig up and get ready, so if you can be patient and give them till 10ish before you dive in to try the latest toyz - it would be really helpful. As the light nights are here the demo action will continue until one of three things happen, no wind, no water, no light - or any combination of the above. Once all the kit has been packed away it's off to the Aberdovey Inn for beer and food. On the Sunday depending on the wind conditions we usually pack up a bit earlier at 4pm.

Where is it...?

The demo is held at Aberdovey, which is a quaint little village on the Welsh coast, please use the link below to locate the venue:

http://www.multimap.com/maps/?zoom=12&countryCode=GB&lat=52.5424&lon=-4.0587

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Originally posted by AndyW
Al, looks like I'll be free Sunday if anything. Post where you're riding on Sunday once you've sussed things out. Assuming there's no wind for the demo, that is.
Andy

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