i-to-i (NOR)

The i to i, (Inlet to Inlet Distance Race), will take place in Fort Lauderdale at Vista Park Beach either Saturday, December 9th, or Sunday, December 10th. The day and race course will be determined according to the prevailing weather conditions, but the preferred course will be Vista Park, to Port Everglades Inlet to the Hillsboro Inlet and back to South Beach Park. The non-race day will be practice and tuning and won't score towards the event and is optional. See News & Updates section for current status at http://i-to-i.org.

It's about 11.5 miles from inlet to inlet. Depending on the wind direction and strength it could take as little as an hour or quite a bit longer! The marks are far enough offshore that the race can and will be run if winds are offshore. As this is a bit of distance to cover and the possibility of breakdown, fatigue, or injury exists, combined with potential offshore winds, it is strongly encouraged that you carry a cell phone for emergency use. Any charged phone, even without an activated phone plan will be able to call 911 for help, but still needs to go in a cellphone bag so you can use it on the water. There are secure waterproof bags for carrying cell phones that allow their use in the water without damage to the phone from seawater entry. Please don't take chances with your safety! Procure a case for your phone and bring it with to the race as there will not be chase boats or anyone but yourself looking after you. With that said, the coast is pretty friendly up and back, and with the exception of most of Fort Lauderdale public beach and a small stretch of Pompano public beach, anywhere along the beach is a landing spot for a rest or adjustment if needed. A map of the shoreline will be handed out with some landmarks you'll see from the water and distances marked from the start. If winds are light, or if there is interest in a shorter course from all or part of the entrants, that will be considered as well on the day of the race.

Race rules: Be safe, have fun, try to finish, attempt to be first! Any board, any sail, any craft that can go the distance is welcome. What you start with, you must finish with, unless you come back to the start and re-start with other gear. We'll write down your sail number and home/cell phone number at the skipper's meeting.

Classes & Scoring: Class scoring offered for submission to US Windsurfing National Race Tour will be Windfoil, Formula, Hybrid, and Open. As this is a long-distance race, a single start will be held with all sailboard & kiting classes to start at once. Scoring will be in order of finish, with qualifying classes to be scored as separate classes. For scores to be recognized for the US Windsurfing NRT a minimum of three participants is required to form a class score and you must be a current US Windsurfing member to score for the NRT.

Prize(s): TBA

Entry Fee: None!! But you must bring a waterproof bag for your cell phone that you can use on/in the water during the race.

Race Time/Date: First possible race start Saturday, December 9, 2023, 9:00 am. It's a good idea to arrive early (8:10 am), to get an easy parking spot at Vista Park, $4.00 per hour, (right click to open link in new window). There is grass or beach to rig on Practice / fun sailing Saturday or Sunday depending on weather conditions. Skipper's meeting will give course directions and course options.

Location & Directions: The race start is on Fort Lauderdale Vista Park just south of Oakland Park Boulevard. See parking information above paragraph. It is in a residential neighborhood. Arriving from Oakland Park Boulevard is the preferred route. (There will be a beach music festival in South Fort Lauderdale and taking Oakland Park Boulevard should have the least traffic).

From I-95 north exit 31, Oakland Park Blvd., East to ocean. South on SR-A1A continuing south to NE 30th Street and left to North Atlantic Blvd. Vista Park is one block south on the ocean. There is additional parking lot one block south at Loggerhead Park.

From I-95 south exit 31, Oakland Park Blvd., East to ocean. South on SR-A1A continuing south to NE 30th Street and left to North Atlantic Blvd. Vista Park is one block south on the ocean. There is additional parking lot one block south at Loggerhead Park.

Parking Considerations: Vista Park & Loggerhead Park are pay parking at $4.00/hour with a maximum 3-hour load. There is Pay By Phone available and the parking machine. I personally have the Pay By Phone all setup. There is a credit card reader or dollar bill reader which accepts payment. There are other places to park that do not have 3-hour maximum loads. The Parkopedia Website details the parking options nearby. I program in my phone my license plate number and have the Pay By Phone app setup for one click operation from my phone in the bag if I need a replenishment. There may be some on street parking options and neighbors who will allow us to park at their homes for the race.