Skippers' Meeting Online


Safety First!

You alone are responsible for your own safety.  There are no provisions made for your rescue should the situation require.  You are on your own.  If you are uncomfortable with that, please do not enter the race.

 Skippers Meeting


The course is pretty simple:  

1. Start

2. * Possible inside Port Everglades Channel Marker (To Be Announced at Beachside Skipper's Meeting).

3.  Port Everglades Inlet Channel Marker about 2+ miles offshore due east of Port Everglades Inlet.  It's a large single mark.

PE Mark
4.  Hillsboro Inlet Channel Marker  -  Just south of Hillsboro Inlet, due east of NE 16th Street Pompano, about 3/8 mile offshore.

Hillsboro
Alternate Courses:

4 a. Substitute Northern Mark as Commercial Blvd. Fishing Pier (Anglin's Pier) Swim Buoy

4 b. Substitute Northern Mark as Sunrise Blvd. Swim Buoy

Anybody completing the long course will beat anybody finishing the next shorter course

5.  Finish - Same as Start Line

Questions?

What about having a chase boat, jetski, etc?
 
It's a long period to have someone on standby so getting a volunteer with a boat is asking a lot.  It would take quite a while and distance to get someone to you anyway as a jetski or most people's personal boats can't go very fast in the ocean, especially if it gets rougher.  But with that said,

NEIL HUTCHINSON/ Kitesurf USA Instructor - CELL - 954-647-7228

www.kitesurfusa.com
may have a jetski available for rescue if you call him.
 
The fully charged cellphone in the waterproof bag is your rescue boat.  I personally feel anybody sailing offshore, or even Biscayne Bay, would be wise to carry one every time they sail.  Even in a self rescue it's nice to call home and tell someone your situation that you are running late so they don't worry or worse yet call unneeded rescue services.  I've been sailing offshore since I started windsurfing in 1979 and have broken down a number of times but have always been able to self rescue or have gotten a tow or ride in from a friendly boater I've been able to hail within 15 minutes of my breakdown.  Offshore winds are more of a concern because you are drifting out instead of in, the phone is super crucial then.  The good news is, in onshore winds you drift in, the water is warm enough that hypothermia is not a major concern and our boards are floaty enough to keep you out of the water.  My self rescue routine is to derig the sail and roll it up and tie it on the board with outhaul or downhaul lines.  (Carrying a spare line in your harness is a smart precaution as well).  I use the mast top or bottom section as a kayak paddle and kneel over the sail on the board and paddle in.  You make amazingly good time back to the beach in this mode.  It is hard to paddle into the wind so if you are downwind of where you started you probably won't wind up where you originated.  You can call a cab or a fellow sailor for a ride back from your cellphone. 
 
I called the Coast Guard office in Miami and confirmed what happens when you call.  The number below is a 24x7 command center and fields emergency calls.  If you call 911 you'll get routed to the local fire department and they will probably call the Coast Guard office in Miami.  Some local police departments have boats and I suspect they could be dispatched as an alternate. 
 
Coast Guard - 305-535-4472
Police - 911
Sea Tow Fort Lauderdale, 954-525-0037 - Expensive.  Minimum charge, $275 and it will probably be higher.  They suggested as a windsurfer you call the Coast Guard
 
I would recommend you put the Coast Guard as a speed dial for the race in case you get in trouble as it can be hard to see your cell phone display on the water.  Mine is speed dial #7 for the Coast Guard number above.  You should dial 911 without a problem.  The Coast Guard would be the most likely rescue source if things got bad and you were hurt or blowing offshore in case we go in offshore wind.  If you don't want to take your regular cell phone with, take an old deactivated and charged phone and dial 911.  911 calls work on any cell phone that can power on. 
 
What about help getting out through the shore break?
 
The shore break can be daunting, even to experienced windsurfers.  It is a major concern in some conditions, i.e. straight onshore and big shore pound, that make it a very risky proposition.  Each sailor needs to weigh their skill getting out and in and make a decision as to whether they can make it and if they can afford to break their gear.  It's doubtful manufacturers will warranty race equipment broken in the surf so you need to make the choice as to is it worth it because it ultimately will be your loss.  With that said, it should not be a problem to have someone watching out when those who want help launching can help and attempt to divert problems, but that's not a guarantee of safety either.  The other option is for a more experienced person to sail the gear out through the break with the understanding that if they crash and break your gear helping you it's not their fault.  Stuff happens, and it can happen to anybody.  Of course, tips and advice are always available for the asking from more experienced windsurfers.
 
Hope this answers your questions.  The i-to-i is not an easy race.  It is a personal challenge on many fronts.  It builds character and experience and is very rewarding when you progress.  Weather conditions are always unpredictable.  Use your head on the water and be prepared.  

Good Luck!  
 
Ron