With the advent of the handheld GPS we can all have some fun pushing ourselves to new limits. Just for fun we run a speed contest where the fastest speed of the year wins the coveted trophy.
We run two speed ladders each year. One is for the highest peak speed and the other is for the highest average speed over 10 seconds. A short burst of speed is one thing but maintaining it for 10 seconds is a real test of nerve, especially on Brogborough Lake where strong winds are always accompanied by widespread chop!
We occasionally run a one day event where people are able to compete against each other in exactly the same conditions. The aim is typically to be the fastest sailor over 250m or perhaps the person with the fastest 10 second run(s). Even if the top spots are slightly out of reach, personal bests are a great target for anyone getting to grips with speed sailing... trying to push themselves and their equipment to the limit.
Anyone wishing to purchase a GPS for windsurfing should look no further that the Locosys GT-31. It is regarded as the most accurate GPS device by GPS-Speedsurfing.com and has many useful features built in such as the "Speed Genie", keeping you informed whilst out on the water and remembering your best runs for when you get back to shore. It also writes directly to an SD card thus avoiding the need for any leads, etc.
