Totally Unofficial Long Island Windsurfing Event

The Peconic Puffin is pleased to bring you word of A Totally Unofficial Windsurfing Event! June 7-8
at Hecksher State Park

Ready to freestyle?  Ready to race?   Ready to windsurf with a whole lotta people?   Mike Burns, the legendary Long Island freestyle ace and possibly the most stoked windsurfer on Long Island (or is it George Marr?   Well anyway...) Mike Burns says "let's have an event!"    

There will be racing.

There will be freestyle.

There will be fun!

This is a completely casual, unofficial, unsanctioned, unsponsored, unsupervised event.   Totally organic, it contains no preservatives.  Some aspects of the event are known to the state of California to cause blisters. You will need to pack your own lunch. The Peconic Puffin will be carrying information and updates about this event as they develop...messages and comments can be left here, or emailed to Mike Burns directly.

For more information on Heckscher State Park check their website.

Racing Details

- The number of events will depend on who and how many sign up.  Basically we will be looking to do Long Board and  Short Board events.  If enuf  1-designs show up, (Formula, Kona, etc.) we'll create a separate division and scoring for each of them.
- Within the fleets will be categories, such as Masters (45+), Youth (18 & under), Women, and any other groups that have 3 or more.    But whoever competes will have a real shot at winning or placing in their category, and winning the Overall.
- The courses will likely be Windward-Leeward, but a Slalom course may also be set, depending on wind.  We will have inflatable racing marks and a Race Committee/safety boat.
- The basic rules of racing will be observed (if you're on Port tack, give right of way to the starboard guys, etc.)
- There will be a timed start count-down, (probably 3 minutes, 2, 1, :30, :20, :10, Go!) and a starting line clearly marked, probably close to the beach.
- We will try to run as many races as is reasonable, depending on conditions.
- A full set of Sailing Instructions and schedule will be available on race day.
The emphasis will be on having fun! Everyone should keep in mind that this test-tube event could lead to a larger event and party next year, which could become "the" happening summer event on the East coast.  Would be pretty cool if we attracted a bunch of the Pros to do their thing on LI.  We need to start small this June, but participation this year is required in order for this to reach it's potential. Send us your feedback, soon. Thanks, Tomas Principal Race Officer (PRO)

King of the East Freestyle Event details

The freestyle event is going to be for everyone.  There will be a class for those more advanced freestylers that can vulcan, loop, or willie skipper called the Championship class.  From the Championship class the crowd can expect to see flakas, ponches, shakas, funnels and all the newest freestyle tricks from these guys.  If you go into the air, you should enter the Championship group.  The second class is the sport class.  If you can sail, you can enter this class.  The sport group is usually the largest group in the competition.  Go show off your duck jibe, helitack, or just go out there and try your first forward.  Even your classic stepjibe will be judged in the sport class.  There is no wind minimum for the freestyle event, just enough wind to make us move forward, so bring a blg floaty board to show off your light wind skills.  The idea is to have fun and there is a ton of fun to be had in the light wind too. The judging will be based on overall impression.  More difficult or risky tricks will rank higher than easier ones.  It will also benefit to try different moves instead of doing the same trick over and over.  Keep in mind that it will be possible to win the event by only knowing one trick in the sport class.  Competitors will also score points for attempts so get out there and just go for it.  The way the heats are run will depend on how many people sign up. There are a few different options as to how we can set up the heats, so as we get closer to the event we'll keep you posted. -Mike Burns

The Editor-in-Chief of the Peconic Puffin will be competing, which guarantees that you won't come in last place. So even if all you have in you is a helitack, come and have fun!

Speed Details:

Maybe your windsurfing skills are so finely honed that you can smoke anybody on the water.

Maybe you can’t jibe or tack, but can go in a straight line like a bat out of hell until you explode.

Maybe you’d just like to know how fast you can go.

So come see just how fast you are!  On June 7th and 8th at Hecksher , during the East Coast Windsurfing Festival there will be a speed challenge (in addition to racing and the King of the East Freestyle Event.)   The fastest windsurfers will be awarded trophies:

Men - Rocket Man Award
Women - Rockette Award
Youth - Missile Award

You know you want one of those awards.   I want one.   But I couldn’t beat Brewster in Hatteras…maybe he won’t come

Mike Burns provides the details:

GPS units will be available for the entire weekend (donated by Ocean Air Sports). When you think the time is right, strap one on, go sail, and show us the speed! Speeds will be recorded for each competitor by a dedicated official.    Since the speed event isn't on a timeline, sailors entering other events will have an opportunity to show their speed during a break in competition.  Be aware that the GPS devices are equipped with a mapping device, so we'll know if you broke the world speed record driving in your windsurfing mobile on the highway.  (You laugh now, but we've already caught someone in Hatteras using the "drive on the highway" technique to win a prize a couple years ago.)

So leave your car in the parking lot, downhaul your sails and share your need for speed with one and all on June 7th and 8th at Hecksher State Park.

How about directions?  Here is a link to directions from the Long Island Expressway.   The parking lot is Field #7.

(Another way to find Hecksher, or any of the dozens of windsurfing spots in our area, check out the Long Island Windsurfing Map.)

 

 

Comments

[Graham]

Hey, I'm going to school in Princeton, NJ. And I'd love to go sailing here on the East Coast. Are there any events like this in the spring? Who organizes the events; I'm interested in helping out as much as possible.
- Graham

[T-Bone]

Sounds Very Cool!! and Kudos to Mike B and company for taking the initiative to organize something that is way overdue! Even tho staging Freestyle and Race events seems out-of-the-box for the LI group, it sounds like it could be a helluva time with cheering from the beach. Count me in, and whoever else has the chutzpah to actually compete, count on me to be cheering you on.

[Michael]

Hi Graham...we don't have too many windsurfing events in the northeast...this is a casual one not officially organized by anybody. Stay tuned for information on how you can help!

[George]

Wow! A real rock star windsurfer is coming!

Graham from Princeton could only be the son of my favorite sail designer.

Perhaps we could also have a wave expression session at Gilgo?

Graham, I'd be happy to show you our Long Island Ocean spots anytime! It's usually on shore wind swell but we do have a great spot in Democrat Point.

[Mike Burns]

Graham, you have get down here and do the freestyle event. It would not just be great for the event, but to show the crowd the potential of the sport. I'll be looking forward to competing with you.

[T-Bone]

Graham the man Ezzy! you're in our 'hood so you gotta show up Dude - it's like man-law!

[Pc45]

I don't freestyle, but I hotdog, is it as good? ;-)

Seriously, health and work permit (8-hour drive), will try to make it.

Cheers,
P.

[Michael]

"I don't freestyle, but I hotdog, is it as good?'
It's very good! Hope to see you there!

[Juan]

Sounds like a lot of fun!!! I hope to see other RI sailors that weekend... and who knows, may be I'll feel brave enough to race :)

[Dennis]

I just received my Exocet Pacer board today, so am excited to enter the course racing event at the windsurf festival (45+ class).

The last time I raced a windsurf board (not a boat) was the event that Lee from Olympic windsurfing put on many years ago. I finished 2nd in the novice class, so am anxious to get out there and see how I do now.

Will be practicing every day during the upcoming 5 day weekend from school. woo-hoo!!

Thanks for putting on this event, I am sure it will be loads of fun.

[Sharon]

The Northeast gets its own windsurfing festival. Awesome, I'm so there! And, if anyone has word on where to stay this weekend or wants to do a share, send them my way. :-)

[michael]

There's information on where to stay in this post.

[ames]

the event was great! i enjoyed watching from shore but I'll have to join in next time. Anyone have a beginner setup for sale??