Utah Summer Games - June 16th - Windsurfing and Kiting

[Josh Shirley]

Utah Summer Games
June 16th, 2007
Deer Creek Res. - Sailboat Beach
Course Racing - Windsurfing Open Class (could be divided into formula and slalom)
$20 - Event Fee (Paid at event)
$10 - UWA Membership Fee (if not yet paid)

The Utah Summer Games sailing event coordinator, Brett Bingham, has invited us to participate in the sailing event this year. Since the Utah Summer Games is sponsoring the event each participant will receive a teeshirt and the winners will receive medals (bronze, silver, iron pyrite.)

Event Schedule:
10:00 Am - Registration
11:00 Am - Skippers Meeting
Noon - Racing Starts
2:00 to 4:00pm - BBQ

We will have as many heats as the wind allows. A point system will be set up to determine placing.

The Utah Sailing Association will provide all the marks, flags, officials, and other stuff needed to run the race.

This should be a great event. Put this in your schedule.
If you kiters want to join in the fun, please tell me. Brett would set up a course for you guys as well.

I realize getting windsurfers to one spot is like herding cats.
Please email me if you are interested, so I can get a count to Brett.

Josh Shirley
joshua_shirley@hotmail.com - 801 859-9897
Brett Bingham
usabrettbingham@hotmail.com

[RickHeninger]

These Utah Summer Games have some potential... Seriously, if we get involved... I could see many more sports getting even more involved... Mountain Biking (might already be involved), rock climbing, paragliding... Kind of an x-games utah style...

So, I would encourage you to get involved with this on June 16th. I'm actually bummed that I'm going to be out of town to miss it... (although Maui is justifiable)... Otherwise I'd love to do it...

I know a lot of people are averse to competition... I'm one of those people... Because there are so many factors that determine "a win" in sailing... That's why a lot of the time in these competitions, the competitors are relatively laid back and just have a good time. It's how the downwinders are... Just a fun time. You really are in competition with yourself, mentally...

[Josh Shirley]

I spoke with Jason Morton after the downwinder about kiter involvement. He thought the kiter community would really dig an event with the summer games, but Deer Creek is not a great place to do it.

The benefit of the summer games is they take care of most all the legal stuff: insurance, park fees, liability waivers, provide medals/awards. I am sure they would prefer the event to happen near Cedar City.

So I am suggesting one of two things:
1- Come check out the event up at sailboat beach to plan for next year, but still participate. Then next year the kiting czar can set up a venue at event somewhere else.

2 - Or, get a hold of the Utah Summer Games and try to get in on it this year. At least for a different venue. I am sure they want it to happen within a one week period to correspond with the cedar city games. I am not sure who to contact at the USG but I am sure Brett Bingham does. If any of you kiters what to use this golden chance contact Les or Jason or Kenny(who seems the most willing to set it up.)

[Jacob Buzianis]

I will be doing it for sure. I have already put it down on my schedule.

Kiteboard race, All day Big Air contest and freestyle. Whatever event is going to have on June 16.

See you there then.

[Chris Hedquist]

Sounds sweet. Unfortunately i am in DC that weekend. Really sounds like a cool event.

Chris

[Sarah Ranes]

And I think it would be a fun experiance, but I also will be gone out of town on the 16th. Maybe next time.
Josh, I do want to say thanks for all the effort you put into getting this set up, it's fun to see some new events happening.
Rick....you too! I'm just sorry that I missed the Carp Crossing too!
Count me in next time.

[RickHeninger]

LES... Could you appoint yourself like 2 or 3 other kiters with whom you can work that can help you to communicate with Brett Bingham, and Josh and me, in order to organize something viable? If the Kiters are going to be involved... You guys need to be in direct communication with the Utah Summer Games in order to ensure safety, logistics, etc...

I'm thinking Jason M., Jake B., Ryan, and/or Mark J... You might have different ideas... But you need a committee of committed guys who'll really be able to get serious about organizing something that will HELP the USG create some viable kite competitions...

Thanks, Rick Heninger.

[Jacob Buzianis]

Hi Rick,

Im willing to help with the race course set up, safety, and freestyle event. I have people that will also help me with it.

Should I contact Brett?

[Rick McClain]

Boy,
I think this sounds great! I'm no racer but this is just what we need; an event that our members can all compete in because someone else is doing all the legwork and organization. It frees us all up to sail. I've never raced except at the Association summer party a few years back when Dimetri and others set up the course at Sulfur Creek, but I had a blast that day. The camaraderie and festive mood was great. What more could we ask than for someone to throw a party just for us? I hope everybody shows up to prove they can beat me!

[Josh Shirley]

Jacob,

Contact me about this. I will be calling Brett today about the kiter involvement.

Josh Shirley
801 859-9897
joshua_shirley@hotmail.com

[Josh Shirley]

This is a really good article. Eddy gave me permission to paste it into the forum.

http://utahwindriders.org/wind/htm/article.jpg

[Josh Shirley]

I spoke with Jacob B on Friday about the kiter involvement and then meet Brett Bingham on Saturday to do some more planning.

I think I have the course nailed down. Should end up being the same for both the kiters and windsurfers.

We will be setting up the course for 15 to 20 minute heats. It will be a downwind slalom course. This means the course will be 4 reaches across the lake with all the turns being jibes. This should make for a fast and fun course, which everyone can participate in. This year will be a simple as possible, so everyone that participates can have fun.

We will have as many heats as possible, so everyone gets to sail/kite a lot. Each heat the finishers will be scored.
1st place - 1 point
2nd place - 2 points
3rd place - 3 points
up to the total number of sailors in the heat.
All DNF get the max points - 10 sailors means 10 points for DNF.

At the end of the day, each sailor/kiter's score will be tallied and the highest score will be dropped to give a total.
So if I my scores were as follows:
Heat 1: 3 points
Heat 2: 5 points
Heat 3: DNF - 12 points
Heat 4: 8 points
Heat 5: 2 points
Total points: 30 points (Drop the highest score 12 points) = 18 points.

After all the heats are concluded the totals will be added and the winner determined.
This system allows for a lot of sailing and many mistakes. If Jim S keeps leaving you in the dust then the next heat you can make up for that.

This is going to a memorable event. Very well organized and a great time to be out. This isn't just for those who think your fast. This is a great day to get out with a lot of other sailors/kiters/friends/family and have a good time.

Also we have a pretty good dinner planned for after the racing.
If you can't participate for some reason but would like to come anyway, I could use a couple of volunteers to help with officiating.

[lesvierra]

Anybody camping out Friday night at Deer Creek? I'm not that familiar with the area, where is the best and closest place to pull up a trailer? Any kiters riding Friday afternoon?

[Josh Shirley]

There is a camp ground right there with spots for trailers.

I don't know if you need reservations though.

call them up.

Josh

[mike loeser]

I told Jake last night I'll be there, so sign me up. I might have to head to the bank if this is cash only or can we pay with a card/check? I'm also willing to help out if anything is needed for pre-race things. I've never kited at Deer Creek, should be fun.
Mike L.