Atlantic City, NJ August 6, 2011 – The second annual Fun Fest at Lakes Bay showed the commitment of the NJWWA to promote the various watersports that their members are passionate about. Upon arriving early, the gears quickly got in motion; signs & flags up, buoys inflated and set, windsurfers rigged, paddling equipment ready. Our beginners got their land simulator lesson on the boardwalk deck at the rear of the Comfort Inn & Suites, where the Extreme Windsurfing shop is located. With wide, stable beginner boards, and sails ranging from 2.5 – 4.5, we soon had a broad array of beginners out on the shallow waters.
By mid-morning, several stand-up paddleboards were thrown into the mix, with instruction by Ben from Extreme Windsurfing. Both the SUP and kayak paddles got a good workout. Lakes Bay was a flurry of watersports activities well into lunch. Tom, Eileen, Brian & Guy all did a terrific job giving hands-on instruction on the water.
After lunch, which was served up by Jo-Jo’s Italian Grille, a simple Stand-Up Paddleboard race circuit was determined in the increasing thermals. The winds proved challenging, as some abandoned the race early, with the experienced pro fleet completing 2 laps. Some of our students who continued utilizing the beginner windsurfers had their hands full with the stronger wind and waves, but they were determined and kept with their efforts throughout the afternoon.
With winds pushing 15mph, Petra Kanz soon headed up the intermediate windsurfing clinic. This found 3 kids ages 12 – 14 learning about balance, jibing, beachstarting, and more. It is amazing how quickly the younger learners progress. These kids than all went on to win trophies competing in the 3 windsurfing slalom races.
With the afternoon winds having picked up, we set up a windsurfing slalom race course for our 9 competitors. With a LeMans start close to shore, it was a pretty far reach across the bay to the jibe mark. It was great to see 3 juniors racing alongside both veteran and first time racers.
With the clock ticking, we had one more race to complete- Kayaks. Another short course in windy conditions, and our juniors prevailed. Upon completion of racing, and awards ceremonies, Jim Karabasz from Extreme Windsurfing provided an assortment of raffle giveaways. Drawings were also held for iWindsurf & Windsport 1 year subscriptions.
A special thanks are due to the Comfort Inn & Suites and to Extreme Windsurfing for their generous support of our event.
UPDATE: One of the benefits of being a New Jersey Windsurfing & Watersports Association member and/or participating at one of our events, is eligibility to win valuable sponsor giveaways. We recently held a drawing at our last Fun Fest, which included the names of all windsurfing racers from three Fun Fests; Seaside Park, Bayview Park, and Lakes Bay. Congratulations to Corinne Gilfillan and Michael Larkin on winning one-year subscriptions to iWindsurf.com. Congratulations to Wallace DaPron on winning a one-year subscription to WindSport Magazine. These are such a great prizes for windsurfers to win. I hope it will inspire them to get out on the water more.
Requirements:
Open to ages 18 and older
Open to ages 9 – 18 with a parent or guardian present
Properly fitting lifejacket required
Beginner Introduction to Windsurfing Lesson:
This is a streamlined level 1 lesson designed to give you a taste of windsurfing. This program will help future potential windsurfers to determine if they want to make the commitment to invest in their own equipment. Age appropriate equipment is provided.
Availability may be limited to 20 participants.
All watersports participants must have swimming experience,
and be confident and capable of swimming 25 yards, unassisted,
in deep water (level 4), and tread water for 2 minutes.
Water Shoes or old sneakers Required.
Towels & Sunscreen Recommended.
We highly recommend that you get a jump start to windsurfing at www.windsurfing.sailingcourse.com. Study every page, and take the online test. Submit your Online Test Certificate to the registration table to be eligible to win a prize.
We suggest following up your windsurfing experience with a lesson from a qualified instructor.
For a nominal fee, you can enjoy the benefits of NJWWA membership, including discounts on lessons and rentals, and discounts on your initial purchase of an entry level windsurfer at our sponsor shops, potentially saving you up to $400 in savings
*If you choose to join the NJWWA within 2 days after the event,
you will only be charged an additional $15.
<<< Membership Pays For Itself >>>
Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) Lessons
& Fun Races
Equipment will be provided for beginners to try Stand Up Paddleboarding, followed by a Fun Race.
This may include an SUP relay race.
Awards will be presented to the top 3 competitors.
Divisions may include Pro & Amateur, and Kayak
Kayaks may also be available to try.
Novice Windsurfing Clinic & Fun Races
Equipment is not provided.
Rentals are available on site; reservations recommended.
This Q & A session may include a static simulator,
covering rigging, jibing and waterstarting.
Demonstrations may be performed on the water.
Fun Races will consist of a LeMans Start (1,2,3, go!) and may be a variety of either course races, or slalom races, depending on the conditions. Open Class will include Men’s and Women’s divisions.
The Sailing Rules of the Road will apply.
Trophies will be awarded to the top three finishers in each division.
All windsurfing fun race competitors will be entered in a drawing to win a 1 year subscription to iWindsurf.
All participants are eligible to win prize raffles at each event.
Become an NJWWA member and save on future events, lessons, rentals, and purchases from our sponsor shops.
These programs exist because of members who volunteer their time and abilities. Many volunteer opportunities exist; we can find a niche for you to fill. Please consider volunteering.
Directions
From North Jersey – Garden State Parkway South to exit 38 Atlantic City Expressway. Atlantic City Expressway East to exit 5 Pleasantville Route 9. Right off of exit at traffic light onto Route 9 South. Follow .5 Miles and make a left at traffic light onto US 40/322 East for 2 Miles. Comfort Inn & Suites/Extreme Windsurfing on the right, 7079 Black Horse Pike, West Atlantic City (Pleasantville), NJ, 08232.
From Philadelphia – Route 76 East to Walt Whitman Bridge into New Jersey. 42 South for 10 Miles to AC Expressway. AC Expressway for 39 Miles to exit 5 Pleasantville Route 9. Right off of exit at traffic light onto Route 9 South. Follow .5 Miles and make a left at traffic light onto US 40/322 East for 2 Miles. Comfort Inn & Suites/Extreme Windsurfing on the right.
From Cape May – Garden State Parkway North to exit 38 Atlantic City Expressway. Atlantic City Expressway East to exit 5 Pleasantville Route 9. Right off of exit at traffic light onto Route 9 South. Follow .5 Miles and make a left at traffic light onto US 40/322 East for 2 Miles. Comfort Inn & Suites/Extreme Windsurfing on the right.
Latitude: 39.382462 Longitude: -74.502007
Use these coordinates to locate this hotel when using a GPS device or web map.
Race Results:
SUP Pro:
1st place Petra Kanz
2nd place Ben
3rd place: Michael
SUP Amateur:
1st place Jimmy L.
2nd place Tony Reis
3rd place Daniel Roberts
Windsurfing Ladies:
1st place Ally L.
2nd place Petra Kanz
Windsurfing Sport 7.5 limited:
1st place Michael L.
2nd place Rick Rohrbough
3rd place Tom Latham
Windsurfing Open Unlimited:
1st place Jesse Sander
2nd place Mike Pinto
3rd place Jimmy L.
Kayak Race:
1st place Michael P.
2nd place Daniel R.
3rd place Tom Latham
