Malaysian event - maybe

[Greg]

Hi all
Our company has received approval from our Menteri Besar (state governor) to stage an endurance windsurfing event in Malaysia.

Question - How far is too far?
Our plan is for between 30 and 60 nautical miles (65 to 130km).

Question - What prizemoney do the big races pay for a win or better still, the total pool? Anyone know?

Question - What other goodies do the participants normally get.
Here in Malaysia there's not much to go on and the 'net doesn't answer my questions.

Our event will be managed by the present secretary of the Malaysian Yachting Association.

Can you guys help me get it all right with the above?
cheers

[Norman]

Hi Greg,

Allow me to pop a few devil's advocate questions off the top of my head.

I assume this an "Open" event? Longboard/Shortboard? What time of the year will it be? What area of Malaysia? Will there be safety vessels? Should it be a race at all? Is there any navigation involved?

As far as distance, this obviously depends on the wind. Assuming boardspeed of an average of 25-35 kmh at 14-16kts, the event at 100km would take roughly 3 hours - not that extreme.

That said, I'm sure some of the hardcore regatta/marathoners here will be able to guide you along just nicely. I think some of them are racing (and eating) in Penang right now. But they'll be here once they get "wind" of your news

Great development btw, great for windsurfing.

[P.J.]

Sound great. Need to know where you intend to hold this event. Is it from Mainland reaching to one island far away ( like Tioman ) then how do you take care of saftey issues because not sailors will have the same proficiency and reaching only on one tack is not easy.  What if there is a storm  ??
or downwind along the coast then you have to consider the ability to go deep but easier to manage since they will be closer to the coastline.

I think if you can organize a barbecue and free beer at the end of the day with some lycra for the participants will be enough to make everyone happy.

[PlaneSailin]

Sounds great, please do it on a weekend, if possible!

A race for people who don't gybe very well!  Sounds like a dream come true!


A lot of issues need to be considered, most of which Norman and PJ have already raised.  Obviously, considering the distance, if there is insufficient wind on the day, it will be virtually impossible to hold such an event.  So the location would need to be one with the highest likelihood of good conditions, and this should be the main priority at the initial stages of planning.  (That's "planning", not "planing") 

[P.J.]

Yes on a weekend please. Can be a Sat & Sun event.Say during South West - ( July / Aug )

Sat - Mainland to a Island  then party ,
Sun - Island back to Mainland then pack drive home.

Looking forward !

[Bats]

Sounds fun! as long as its kept safe with enough safety boats deployed

[Denis Wee]

As far as distance, this obviously depends on the wind. Assuming boardspeed of an average of 25-35 kmh at 14-16kts, the event at 100km would take roughly 3 hours - not that extreme.

You will need to be planing the whole time.  Will that be possible?

[Norman]

As far as distance, this obviously depends on the wind. Assuming boardspeed of an average of 25-35 kmh at 14-16kts, the event at 100km would take roughly 3 hours - not that extreme.

You will need to be planing the whole time.  Will that be possible?

No, it's not possible Denis. This is why my calculations make allowances for a rest break lasting anywhere between 2.40 and 4.25 seconds. (est.)

 

[sukhdev]

Greg, which state?

To give you an idea of what has been done in the distant past:
- round pangkor island
- several long distance events in penang.
- marathons in port dickson : these were held fairly regulary for a number of years, from PD Yacht club to the island off the port, back towards blue lagoon then back to yacht club.

if its a west coast state then conditions are rarely favourable for modern boards, too long a distance without wind would just mean a dreadful slog that would have to be abandoned.

if its east coast, depends which state, monsoon time would be ideal (statisticaly January is the windiest month according to malaysian met office records)
- Johor : we did some planning years ago on a Tioman to Mersing race but at that time couldnt find sufficent sponsors
- Pahang : Kuantan downwind to Pekan is possible, same with say Chukai to kuantan
- Trengganu : Redang to KT? or from KT harbor around the island offshore

I've sailed pretty much all the known locations on both west and east coasts, if you need more information contact me through here.

[Denis Wee]

No, it's not possible Denis. This is why my calculations make allowances for a rest break lasting anywhere between 2.40 and 4.25 seconds. (est.)

 

Norman, I'd like to see you do an average speed of 25 - 35 kmh over a distance of 100km.

[Denis Wee]

Johor : we did some planning years ago on a Tioman to Mersing race but at that time couldnt find sufficent sponsors

Tioman to Mersing should be nice - downwind all the way.  Has anybody ever done it?  Hey, why don't we have adventurous people this part of the world?  Maybe someone like Norman . . . ?

[Syamil]

Hi Greg, I'm a Malaysian. Which state governer are we talking about here?

It's kind of interesting because the last time a politician promised a proper place & sponsors to local windsurfers down in Balok it was never materialised.

No offense.

[Greg]

Hi all and many thanks for the highly uselful info.
Time to rest a few doubts -

1. This event is being managed (on the water only) almost entirely by Megat Fairus of the Malaysian Sailing Association, our company is simply the promotor.
Megat has vast experience in this type of event management though not so much for windsurfing.
2. We have another event planned for December involving dinghies. We believe it will be the biggest dinghy event in the world. The windsurfing event is a forerunner to it.
3. Location - two possibilities - one from Melaka to Port Dickson, one from Port Dickson accross the Straits to Pulau Rupat (google it)
4. We have a letter of endorsement from the Menteri Besar of Negeri Sembilan. To allay your fears, he is NOT involved in any way; just endorsement to assist us with sponsors.
5. Time - most likely July this year. Megat says the wind and current conditions are good at that time of the year.
6. Safety - yes definately. Megat's department again but we're thinking one safety boat for 40 boards. Paramedics/rescue, marshalls, judges, all on the water. We're hoping for a "follow the fleet" so there should be lots of other boats on the water including TV.
7. Party? - you betcha!!
8. Distance/extreme - our December dinghy event is extreme, so we want to make this windsurfing event also extreme.
That's why i'm seeking your guidance. We can stretch it to over 160km (85nm) if we can get the support.
We have the Navy, marine police etc, all behind us so we can also cross the Straits if people are crazy enough to try.!!??
9. We want to make Pangkor look like a waltz.
10. Prizes?? Apart from the beer and goody bags, what do others offer?

Thanks for your many replies guys. BIG help
greg

[lat]

registration form pls.Race in Penang marathon before n do not finish[DNF]. SHA

[38 mph]

Greg,
I did the Straits of Malacca from Pulau Rupat to Port Dickson in 1990. I've also crossed the Straits of Singapore and the Sunda Strait.
I also helped run the Malaysian leg (Kuantan) of the Asian Windsurfing Tour for 10 years.
As Sukhdev said, any long distance on the West coast is likely to be logistically very difficult. I basically "drifted" across and it took 8 hours. I paddled the last mile or 2 in the dark.
I'm presently in Kuantan until 25 march. Phone 017-2008446 or georgewk21@hotmail.com
My services/advice FOC of course (oh well ok then-some Tiger will suffice !).
Good luck.
George Warren
K-21