Hi all,

Helena and I have just returned from three days trekking out in Damara Land about 200 km's North of Walvis Bay... and it was spectacular. Ah the solitude, the silence of the sunsets over spectacular vistas and the appreciation of simple pleasures like a fresh cup of tea... It was the perfect break.

Anyway, we are back... and sure enough, some things have changed in the world of speed sailing since we have been away. The WSSRC (governing body) have added a rule which basically says that the 500m outright record course must be in water over 50 cm deep (my knee joint begins at 50cm high). This effectively eliminates the possibility of wind and kite surfers from getting any benefits from ground effect in one form or another. Now like all rules it can be debated and pushed. Carrying a 50 or even 40 cm fin on a sailboard for speed sailing purposes is not viable... but it might be on another type of craft i.e. ours.

The fact is that there is a performance advantage for some craft when sailing in shallow water as they gain efficiency. We questioned the WSSRC about this some time ago and were advised that they were on the case. We are of the opinion that the outright speed sailing record for waterborne craft should be kept pure. By 'pure' I mean it should simply be the interaction of wind and water on a craft. The proximity of ground (or any other body)and its effect on the dynamics of the craft is known and it is real. To allow certain craft to push this corner of the rule would be to pollute the 'purity' of what this particular record is trying to achieve. Water could simply become a lubricant between the wind and the 'ground' (ground in one form or another). Now I see a lot of moaning on some forums from certain elements of the speed sailing fraternity who currently benefit from shallow water and a lot of their arguements I can sympathise with... but the fact is that the rule needed to get a little more specific. These same parties would be moaning their backsides off if some team of university students wanted to make a point and push the definition of shallow water much harder than they already have by building specific craft and courses to gain maximum advantage from this effect.

It does make it difficult for wind/kite surfers to determine what a viable course is i.e. "How close did you come in to the shore on that last run"? I have watched both disciplines very closely here on the Walvis Bay speed-course and noted the depth that they sail in. Typically, the windsurfers would be OK but the kitesurfers would fall foul (Many of the windsurfers would also on some runs). The fact still remains that they will still be able to sail in much shallower and hence flatter water than we could ever wish for. We draw slightly over 60 cm when planing... and generally are considering ourselves on the edge when we are in less than a meter. As far as finding the best water goes... they still have quite an edge.

I don't know if '50 cm' is the right amount and I'm sure that there will be plenty of debate on the subject. Whatever they all settle on, I personally think that it is a step in the right direction to maintain the aforementioned 'purity' of what a waterborne sailing craft is intended to be.

Now... what about the 'balloon-dragging-a-string-in-a-storm' clause?

The weather forecast still looks pretty average and we have to debate whether we should return to the UK earlier or later than planned. The useable tides are starting to creep into the afternoon again... but the wind is still absent.

Decisions, decisions.

Cheers, Paul