Entries Tagged 'Michigan' ↓

Higgins Lake Michigan Regatta Sept 6-7 2008

2008 Higgins NOR .doc format   

MOWIND event organizer Nat Sidall says that this will be the 8th annual Higgins Regatta.  Many people have attended every one, but there are new faces every year, and we are always happy to have new people join us, at any skill level.  It’s a fun event, because it has the feel of a camping trip.  Most people stay at the campground, and sit around a fire in the evenings.  He will be glad to hear from any first-timers who might have questions about the event.    You can find Nat’s email address on the MOWIND calendar.    Below skippers gather for the morning meeting during the 2007 event.

Higgins skippers morning meeting.

  

 Once again we will feature a gourmet camp breakfast prepared by Steve Grody, on Sunday, lunches on site at the campground and a dinner nearby. We’ll have lots of great raffle prizes, plus a special award for the farthest traveling competitor.
 
The Great Lakes Demo Tour will be on site, offering $7000 worth of new gear to try out, and free introductory lessons.  Check out their  Web site for more information.  Plus, the demo guys are planning to organize a swap meet near the event site.  Bring your old stuff to sell, and your checkbook as much of the
demo gear will be going on sale at great prices.  If you are interested in buying or selling equipment let Dave know.

In recent years the South Higgins Lake State Park office has closed around 8pm.   So if you plan to arrive late Friday evening you may want to reserve your camp site online ahead of time.  That way you can set up in your spot then check in the next morning at the office.    The group stays in the west camping area around lots 369 and 358 but the rows on either side towards the lake are good also.   Usually a few people arrive late Thursday afternoon so they can get in a full day of fun sailing beforehand.     For those that want a hotel room there are some nearby by along US 127 and US 75.   Also the Soaring Eagle Indian casino is about a 45 minute drive away just off US 127 in Mount Pleasant.   If you are towing a camper they have a large RV/Bus lot across the street from the main casino which is a great place to stop.  You can play a few hands of video poker after you make lunch.   

Higgins Lake campground map

Michigan GPWC Regatta – return of the longboard

The Gross Pointe Windsurfing Club regatta took place Windsurfers rig up at GPWC in Patterson Park.Saturday June 21st at Patterson Park in Grosse Pointe Park Michigan. Patterson Park is just off Jefferson Ave about 8 miles north of downtown Detroit. It’s a beautiful park to sail from with access to Lake St Clair. I counted about 21 sails out on the course and everyone was battling hard in the 5 to 10 mph breezes. The fleet got 4 races in before breaking for lunch. About the time we all finished our pizza thunderstorms blew in and they didn’t want to quit. Hail, high winds, rain, lightning and more hail came down for near an hour, it was a bit scary. By the time it was over we were cold, wet and it was nearing 3:30 and more storms were coming so that was it for the 2008 edition of the GPWC regatta.

Of note were two new long boards on the course, a Starboard Phatton 380 and an Exocet Warp 380. These are boards that might just kick off the start of a real longboard revival.

Starboard Phatton 380 Exocet Warp 380

Here are the scores

2008 GPWC Regatta Scores