March 26th, 2013 — Ohio
The date this year is Sat-Sun May 18-19, 2013 as Memorial day weekend comes early this year.
Paul Sandstrom posted on Cownet there would be some changes this time around in 2013.   Instead of launching at the marina the group will be using an area in the campground itself.   Did I mention that Chris and Paul got a nice RV last year?     See the details on the Mowind Alum Creek page.    This will be a fun start to the new summer season in Ohio!
July 29th, 2012 — General Announcements, Ohio
Six windsurfers battled each other in the Perryburg Boat Club regatta Saturday July 28th on the mighty Maumee River just south of Toledo Ohio.    Winds were a favorable down the river NE direction with light 8 mph breezes and a few rare 15 mph puffs.      Six races were ran in total with a lunch served up by the members of PBC.    The RC ran a tight two start sequence with a starting air cannon that could be heard for miles.    The course was a triangle until Dr. Drag the Mark Glenn Gardner rearranged the windward mark the first three times he went around it .. costing him a chance at winning the event.    Eric  Rahnenfuerher sailed Irene, his hydrofoil with a 9.0 sail and got a second place in the one race that had several good wind puffs.  Eric has been experimenting for years now with the concept and can plane up in really light puffs.  The board he found abandoned in Hatteras after hurricane Irene almost destroyed it.
Below Scott Fohey receives his first place flag from PBC Commodore Don Hoste with RC member John Bureau presiding.
1st
PBC will be celebrating 75 years next season.   They have a fleet of Sunfish which was the other division in the regatta.  The Sunfish were start one and with a three minute head start most of them finished before the windsurfers.
Windsurfer Division results:
1 Scott Folhey  (Detriot)
2 Chris Berry  (Perrysburg)
3 Glenn Gardner (Detriot)
4 Scott Haas (Perrysburg)
5 Eric  Rahnenfuerher (Cleveland)
6 Frank Murray  (Detriot)
Scott #H
July 15th, 2012 — General Announcements, Ohio
The New London Ohio Reservoir Rendezvous went off without a hitch again this year. The city supplied trophies .. the campground sold T-shirts they printed up for the event ..  there was no entry fee .. a food ticket for lunch, supper, breakfast was $20 .. the weather and winds cooperated nicely.    A great crowd of about 60 people attended plus several dogs.     Robby cooked yummy  fried calamari until midnight on Friday and again as an appetizer on Saturday evening.     Below .. on the right .. chef Carl inspects the meat.
The park has a new public grill !
Thanks to Mark Ulicki for overseeing the skipper meetings, running the start sequence and results scoring duties.  Eric Rahnenfueher set course buoys utilizing the water space.     Three rival Ohio groups (BONCs - Boardheads of North Coast from the Cleveland area), COWS (Columbus Organization of Windsurfers)  and TABAs (Toledo Area Boardsailing Association) battled on the course.   Six races were ran in 5 to 10 mph winds on Saturday and four more extra long races on Sunday morning.  The awards were given out and most people were on their way home by 2:30 ish. Below some of the group taking in nourishment with part of camp windsurf in the background.
Camp Windsurf
It was great to again see lots of kids on the water learning to windsurf.       Friday afternoon things really went off and several of us tuned up on a strong easterly wind that even brought out the shortboards.  We believe the surrounding corn fields must supercharge the air!     After the awards ceremony on Sunday about a dozen people were still on the water powered up by some nuclear level west winds as a westerly heat front blew in with gale force.     The elevated New London Reservoir is maybe Ohio’s best kept windsurfing secret spot .. it seems to produce wind even when none is forecasted.   Hope to see you there in July 2013!
Results Fleet Overall     Results by Division
More Pictures        Some More Pictures       Some Video
June 2nd, 2012 — Ohio
Cattail Regatta report – Toledo Ohio Sat June 2nd, 2012.
The forecast was for 20 with 30 gusts .. right .. how often does that happen on Saturday afternoon ..  but it did and the RC abandoned the racing during the first race.  The wind was sustained gusts that lasted five minutes with little 30 second lulls.     Results of those getting blow-ed off the water in blow off order:
1. Gary Smith – Toledo
2. Joe Belhobek – Cleveland
3. Eric Ruthenford – Cleveland (went back out on a 4.5)
4. Scott Haas – Toledo
5. Gordon Bitlle – Columbus
6. Scott Foley – Detriot
7. Chris Berry – Toledo
Thanks to all that attended .. after derigging most of us enjoyed a Pirate hamburger with fries, pie and keg at the Jolly Roger Sailing Club.   This year launching was easier at a new ramp area in the Lost Peninsular marina.
New launch area
We are hoping to round up a few windsurfers for a little regatta held locally here in Toledo on July 28, 2012 at the Perrysburg Boat Club on the Maumee River.   River racing is tame and great for beginners as there are no waves and usually not much wind .. also you can’t blow over to Canada like you can on Lake Erie.   Those skilled in quick tacks and able to play the wind shifts .. will have an advantage
May 20th, 2012 — General Announcements, Ohio
The 25 year plus streak of Alum Creek windsurf regatta was kept alive by a smallish group of six windsurfers.   We battled in 4 light air races before retiring to a local establishment for food and drinks.  Alum is surely a nice facility and we wish more Columbus area locals would dust off their longboards and join the fun.   This year we had temps in the mid-80’s and the waters were warm so just bathing suits is all you needed for sailing attire.
Alum Creek lake looking south from Chesire Road
