SPKA St. Andrews Kite Festival 2010
Report on the 28th of November 2010 - West Sands, St. Andrews
CANCELLED DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER
Unfortunately it was decided that due to adverse weather conditions (a combination of snow, hail and high winds) the event would not proceed for this year, hopefully next year will provide better conditions!
SPKA Race Day 2
Report on the 27th of November 2010 - West Sands, St. Andrews
Well a good number of competitors turned out, for all the adverse conditions that were prevailing and forecasted.
The day it’s self did stay dry and generally sunny although, as can only be expected at this time of year, a tad chilly! Wind direction unfortunately didn’t follow forecast and started with basically a North/North Westerly rather than the on shore we’d been expecting, it did waver around through the day teasing it’s self towards a NE but not quite making it.
General beach conditions still left the usual St. A’s film of water on a good proportion of the beach but between the frost and the tidal movements there wasn’t any soft sand (this did make it hard even trying to get an anchor stake into the sand). One pleasing factor was the lack of a lade, it has diminished considerably to what has been there for most of the year, no doubt due to all the man made sand movements that have been underway over these past months.
A 5 point course was set out in a general kidney shape formation and although challenging, especially in the changeable wind directions seemed to be enjoyed by most if not all.
The first, and as it turned out only, race of the day set off for a 20 minute duration. Wind conditions, after a light breeze on arrival, had gained to be peaking in the low 20’s for the start of the race; it didn’t last however and started to drop off as the race proceeded. With various changes in leaders and placing throughout the fleet, until the last couple of laps, which settled down to the finishing places.
The wind by then was in a rapid decline and never recovered sufficiently to get another race started. The encroaching tide along with the lack of wind prompted the end of the days racing to be declared at 2:30pm.
Our Secretary had arranged an evening meal booking and 13 of us enjoyed the fare provided by ‘Rules’ in the town.
Next race, Event 3, is at Sandhead, Sands of Luce over 12/13th February 2011.
See you all there!
If you're interested in trying racing then please take a look at the SPKA Buggy Licencing Page for more information, introductory races are held at each SPKA race day and provide an excellent opportunity to try racing without any pressure.
Results for the racing are now available: SPKA Annual Buggy Race Series Results 2010-2011.
SPKA Race Days 1 & 2
Report on the 16th/17th of October 2010 - Sands of Luce, Nr. Stranraer
The first weekends racing of the 2010-11 series, down at Sands of Luce by Sandhead, got off to a smashing day on the Saturday, blue skies, sun, lots of beach to play on the only lacking factor was wind!
It did have the odd little flurry that tempted some out and about but never sustained it’s self for very long at all. It was finally called a day at 3pm leaving a nice length of time for a shower and a nap for those that felt the need before the evening meal.
Saturday evening at the Tigh na Mara yet again proved how superb a venue it is with yet another excellent meal being devoured by all present along with the mascara and ice cubes causing some joviality as the evening wound down. Finally involving a little tippling session back at the campsite as one of the vans hosted a few survivors.
Sunday morning began with the forecasted cross-off shores coming in from the West at low to mid teens. Wind! race on! RM and scorer were duly drawn for each of 3 races so everyone knew where they stood. The first drawn pair Ian and Bob, set out generally a 4 point course with a fifth mark that, although not particularly difficult in normal conditions proved challenging to negotiate depending on the timings of the cross shore tack runs. The ‘wet’ish’ beach also held the odd surprise for those that traversed the watercourses at certain points but generally were not worth the effort of trying to pick dry lines to avoid them. The day developed nicely with a little wind speed variation throughout most of the races making kite choice a fairly critical point at times. Three good races ensued and justly decided the final results.
A BIG well done to the new racers joining the series for the first time, an excellent performance in difficult conditions proving how well versed they were generally in their grasp of the racing rules of the road.
A few wet kites were taken home along with a selection of repairs needing done to lines, strops etc., nothing that will stop all and sundry contesting the next event though, see you all there!
If you're interested in trying racing then please take a look at the SPKA Buggy Licencing Page for more information, introductory races are held at each SPKA race day and provide an excellent opportunity to try racing without any pressure.
Photos and videos are available here courtesy and copyright of Simon Arlott, photos located Here, videos located Here.
Results for the racing are now available: SPKA Annual Buggy Race Series Results 2010-2011.
SPKA Licencing Day
Report on the 15th of August 2010 - West Sands, St. Andrews
Due to increasing interest from the community a licencing session was arranged for the 15th of August 2010 at St. Andrews and after a low wind start to the day it picked up and cleared away the haar, revealing blue skys and a nice clean beach. With the theory side of the test completed early it allowed plenty of time for the practical element of the test.
Even with the efforts of experienced racers getting in the way and causing havoc 4 out of 4 attained their licences, so congratulations to Stuart MacKay Calum Mitchell, Ruairidh Munro and Joyce Strachan.
I'm sure everyone looks forward to seeing you all in the forthcoming series and fun races.
If you're interested in trying racing then please take a look at the SPKA Buggy Licencing Page for more information, introductory races are held at each SPKA race day and provide an excellent opportunity to try racing without any pressure.
Photos are available courtesy and copyright of Simon Arlott, located Here.
SPKA 10 Year Anniversary Summer Fly 2010
Report on the 27th of June 2010 - West Sands, St. Andrews
Well for the first time in a number of years the weather for our 10th Anniversary Summer Fly came good, just what the doctor ordered (well nearly)! We had ‘sunshine’ AND ‘wind’ AND ‘no rain’. The wind could have been in a better direction and the low tide a touch later but hey, we can’t have it all!
We had a very decent turn out of members, both regulars and the not so regulars ;-) but it was good to see them all enjoying the days festivities.
We had the BBQ lit and running for 1 o’clock (many thanks to Kieth & Joyce again for bringing it along) and everyone took their turn in the queue to pile it high with their goodies which were soon scoffed in record time.
The last formal part of the days events then followed with a short welcome speech from our chairperson and the presentation of prizes for the various awards, both the last race day and the annual ones.
The awards were as follows:
Race Day:
1st: Stephen Pirie
2nd: Alan Payne
3rd: Robert Mitchell
16" Wheel Class: Iain King
Overall Series 2010:
1st: Kev Arlott
2nd: Stephen Pirie
3rd: Robert Mitchell
Best Newcomer: Iain King
So congratulations to all of those above and everyone who has attended throughout the year!
After that it was back onto the beach to catch the dwindling available sand and for the stronger willed a splash around in the waves with the body boards.
Biggest casualty of the day was Dangerous Bob’s gazebo, definitely not high wind rated ;-) although Roors would have been top but for a fortunate find of a set of car keys in the sand, saving the recovery services from being called out!
All in all a good day, roll on the next 12 months of fun and flying.
Photos are available courtesy and copyright of Simon Arlott, located Here.
Celtic Challenge Scottish Round + Scottish Series Racing
Report on the 5th/6th of June 2010 - Sands of Luce, Nr. Stranraer
Well for the first year ever both Scotland and Ireland rounds have both provided conditions suitable to race in for the Celtic Challenge! With 5 races in Ireland and 3 in Scotland the cup falls into evil Irish Leprechaun hands for 2010! However we're told there is no pot of gold, simply a quaich of silver at the end of the Scottish round. Saturday proved decidedly foggy and with variable winds and the odd false start was eventually called off. Sundays offshore moderate-strong winds provided some excellent close racing however.
Results are now available Here.
The Celtic Challenge is an annual event so around spring-summer next year be prepared for another home and away leg!
Meanwhile the SPKA Annual Buggy Racing Series was decided upon during the event, with 3 races counting and unbeleivably close points totals proving that "it ain't over 'til its over". And with the SPKA's new 16" wheel class and 'Best Newcomer' prizes up for grabs there was the chance for prizes throughout the fleet.
So! What many have been waiting for is the final results which are as follows:
1st: Kev Arlott
2nd: Stephen Pirie
3rd: Robert Mitchell
4th: Alan Payne
5th: Tom Arlott
6th: Anne Downs
7th: James Armour
8th: Keith Haynes
9th: Iain King
10th: Mike Walters
Of which the top 5 have qualified to this years European Championships in De Panne, Belgium, alongside the top woman: Anne Downs.
All top 10 pilots may now run their placing as their SCO racing number until the next season ends (eg: SCO 1, SCO 2... SCO 10).
Meanwhile congratulations to Iain King! Who has taken the 'Best Newcomer' prize ( free entry to the 2010-2011 series) as well as 1st place in the 16" wheel class!
Prize giving will be held at the SPKAs 10 Year Anniversary Summer Fly 2010 held on the 27th of June at the West Sands, St. Andrews.
Full results available here: SPKA Annual Buggy Race Series 2009-2010 Final Results!
If you're interested in trying racing then please take a look at the SPKA Buggy Licencing Page for more information, introductory races are held at each SPKA race day and provide an excellent opportunity to try racing without any pressure.
SPKA Race Day
Report on the 18th of April 2010 - West Sands, St. Andrews, Fife
Yet another race day goes by without any racing taking place. Although there was wind at St. Andrews on Sunday there was just too much rain (and ash) falling from the sky to compete, and although it cleared up towards the middle of the afternoon there was not enough beach left to safely run a race. This means that the series will be concluded at the Celtic Challenge Scottish Round in June at Sands of Luce, Nr. Stranraer, see above for info.
SPKA Race Day
Report on the 7th of March 2010 - West Sands, St. Andrews, Fife
Again light winds plagued the start of the race day scheduled for March, but the wind picked up enough for people to get motivated and get onto the beach, and with steadily increasing winds a course was set out on the dry hard packed sand. During the introductory race however it became apparent that the wind was dropping off again, and after a lunch break and some occasionally promising gusts the day was called off.
The Introductory Race results were as follows:
1st: Stephen Pirie
2nd: Keith Haynes
3rd: Tom Arlott
4th: Robert Mitchell
5th: Iain King
6th: Stuart Mackay
7th: Drew Smith
SPKA Freestyle Day 2
Report on the 6th of March 2010 - West Sands, St. Andrews, Fife
Well with visitors from Scotland and down South it was hoped that the forcast would be false as it usually is, the beach was clear and the sun was out, but the wind just wasn't there for any more than a slow crawl around the beach.
Keep an eye out for Freestyle comps later in the year!
SPKA Race Day
Report on the 21st of February 2010 - West Sands, St. Andrews, Fife
Unfortunately the wind was just too light for many to even progress to getting kit out of cars on Sunday and with no sign of improving weather the day was called off at 12.30pm. However it did give everyone another chance to catch up and practice circus props. Medals were handed out for the last race day before people began to depart.
A fortnights time looks like it could provide some excellent freestyle and racing, so luckily its not too long before everyone can get out again.
SPKA Race Day 3
Report on the 24th of January 2010 - West Sands, St. Andrews, Fife
In the run up to the January race day the general consensus was that if we got racing, let alone flying, it would be a miracle, forecasts were all pessimistic however by the morning it was clear there was a strong chance of some fast and close racing, onshore mid range winds looked promising as everyone got ready to walk onto the beach.
No time was wasted before the start line and five points were set out by race master Roger Blake and a pilots briefing was called. Three twenty minute races were held before the cold sapped everyones eagerness to race any more and everyone packed up the wide range of kites on the beach.
Undoubtably one of the best days racing this year was made perfect by the combination of a smooth hard packed St. Andrews beach, a clean onshore wind of between 12mph and 22mph throughout the day, and cheerful, sportsmanlike camaraderie.
Photo Above: Paul Connor, 16" wheel class winner
Click here for the series race results to date: SPKA Annual Buggy Racing Series 2009/10 Results.
Some photos are now online, courtesy and copyright of Leah Wenham the album can be found Here.
Huges thanks to Roger, Joyce, Leah and Callum for organising and marshalling, serious respect is due for enduring the cold weather without drysuits!
