It is hard to believe that the Spring 2008 NRT racing season is just a few weeks aways! Well that is for those of you that are going to Florida for some windsurfing, sun and 80 degree temps in late February.
Information and registration (with pay on arrival option) for the Sarasota Race can be found at the Masters Seniors site. The date is Feb 23-24, with registration and rigging day on Friday. This has been an growing event attracting 37 entries last year. The event is held at Ken Thompson park with sailing in the protected inter coastal bay. Last year the longboard fleet race area was located mostly in chest deep waters just a few hundred yards from shore while the Formula course was separate and set a mile to the north out in the middle of the Sarasota bay. This event is hosted by Sarasota Sailing Squadron which is right next door to Ken Thompson park.
Information on the Calema Mid-Winters can be found at http://www.calema.com/ The date is Feb 28 – Mar 2. Last year the attendance I’m guessing was around 100, down some but that was good making it less crowded on shore. The A fleet races Friday, Sat and Sunday with a must do registration and skippers meeting Thursday. Sport fleet races Sat and Sunday. The location is Kelly Park on Merrit Island (Port Canaveral/Cocoa Beach) which from Sarasota is near a straight shot across the state on US 4. Calema Windsurfing is located in Kelly Park. The sailing is on the inter coastal Banana River in what I’d call protected conditions so no waves and just a few shallow spots to watch for. Last year I tent camped at Jetty Park barely a ten minute drive from the event site. Jetty Park is right on the ocean so plenty of beach walking can be done from there.
In 2007 several of the MI/OH Prodigy team made it down for the races. Tinho says on the event Web page they will have a separate Prodigy awards division if enough show up. I’m hoping a few of the Houston TX Prodigy sailors will make it this year also.
Scott - #H
