Southern 80

Now it's Quiet

2009-05-21T13:25:00.002+10:00

Well everyone, while it's quiet we can get a few things done!

Firstly the dates for the 2009/10 season are out and the MWSC will be holding the Barrie Beehag Ski race on Saturday 14th November.

The 2010 Southern 80 Ski Race Classic will be over the weekend of 12,13 & 14 February. Lots of people are confused with what is the correct date, so that's it. If you've booked accommodation for the wrong weekend, you better change it Now!!!

The MWSC committee are participating in the 2009 Clean up the Murray day on Sunday 31st May at Vic Park Boat ramp. We will be cleaning up from on the water along the river bank with a BBQ lunch supplied afterwards. If anyone would like to attend and assist, please contact the office to register numbers, (to assist with catering).

The MWSC are also working on having a display at the 2009 BIA Boat Show in Melbourne from the 2-6th July. Come down and say Hi to us on our stand and have a look around at all that's on offer inside.

The committee is working hard on planning already for the 2010 event with more info to be out soon on all that's happening.

WHAT A WEEKEND!

2009-02-09T06:33:00.003+11:00

Well where do I start, what a weekend. With the extra hot weather it was always going to be a challenge over the weekend.
Wasn't the new venue for Cantech Engineering's Breakfast with the stars, a great spot. It was very pleasant to wander around under the gum trees and look at all those great boats.
Scrutineering went off great, except for those who failed to notice the"NO STANDING" Signs along one side of the street, a fine is on the way for those guys!
The very warm night didn't stop those attending the launch night from enjoying themselves either, but as it was still over 35 when I left at 11.00 that night I knew it was going to be a bad day Saturday.
From all accounts the static display was well attended with a lot of fantastic machinery on display for the crowd to enjoy.
The new social format running on Sunday morning was well received by those competing in it, Had a few hiccups with social skiers not taking notice of the fact that the river was closed, but we stopped them, and racing was underway.
The regular afternoon racing from 5 Mile went off well, with the Superclass guys showing what we've always said about our sport, that we're all a BIG family! They patiently waited at the top of the ramp to put their boats in while A team worked feverishly to get their boat going to tow a little tadpole. Thanks Guys, it was greatly appreciated but the little skiers Mum and she wanted us to thank you!
The new Top 40 format was well received, and all was going to plan till we had a boat loose steering and end up crashing into a houseboat, which brought out the first ever RED FLAG in the history of the southern 80. it only affected the last couple of boats in this event.
Sunday morning dawned but the cool change promised Didn't appear, even though the temp wasn't as extreme as the day before. the new format of all the expert running except for top 40, was going great and made posting of times easier for officials, as classes were able to be accounted for a lot quicker.
But while we were going along great, the rest of the state was in dire trouble, with the bush fires, which resulted in the government declaring a state of emergency and recalling our paramedics off the site to work elsewhere, so the Moama Water Sports Club committee had no other alternative but to Abandon racing and once again out came the RED Flags. whilst the majority of classes were completed, some weren't due to some of them being part of the Top 40, yet to start.
The committee will now have to consult with their Chief and Assistant Judges and SRA to work out what we decide to do re these classes.
I hope that every one has a safe trip home, and we look forward to seeing you all over the weekend of 12,13, 14 Feb 2010.

IT'S HERE AT LAST!!!

2009-02-06T05:42:00.002+11:00

Well here we are, Friday morning of the 2009 Club Marine Southern 80 and it's going to be BIG.
WE have Big entry numbers, BIG number of Boats, BIG number of people and BIG BIG BIG Weather temperature forecasts.
With the forecast for Saturday to be around 47 and Strong winds, A bit like the Thursday at the Aussie Titles, I would like to ask that you all take care, drink lots to hydrate, use a good sunscreen, look out for each other and try to find a shady spot. BUT PLEASE.don't swim in the river during the race, it's TOO dangerous for the competitors!~
I would also like to ask that if you see any of the Moama Water Sports Club Committee over the weekend, take the time to Say 'Thanks' to them for putting on such a great event for you all. they all are volunteers and have given up many, many hours over the past few weeks to get this together and once you've gone home, they still have many more hours left working to clean up and Debrief with all the Emergency personnel etc.

Hope you all have a very successful weekend and travel safe over the weekend.

The Countdown continues

2009-02-03T03:00:00.002+11:00

Another day and another day closer we are. Everything seems to be happening and at times I feel like I've got it all covered and then other times,I wake up at 2.00am and remember things that I haven't yet done and how short the time is really!!!

The office is starting to get calls from teams who want to substitute a boat coz theirs is broken down, or perhaps Stuck In Cairns and can't get out coz of the floods! While we will try to help as much as possible Please Remember, As per SRA's new seeding rules, We have seeded in Classes this Year! NOT overall seeding. This means, that you need to make a change suitable to your class. 'Like for Like'. If there is a spot we may be able to move your class BUT if there's not, You need to find a similar boat as a Replacement.
Also if your original boat was listed to attend scrutineering, then your replacement boat needs to attend instead. This will then help with any confusion as to whether you attend or not.
For those lucky enough not to come out in the draw to attend scrutineering, don't forget to present your log book at Briefing/Paperwork collection. I
f your log book had a note in it re fixing something, then you'll need to bring your boat so that the scrutineer can see that it has been fixed and sign off on it!

5 Days to Go

2009-02-01T16:08:00.002+11:00

Well it's countdown time now, only 5 days to go and it'll be all happening here at the Southern 80 office.

I've just updated the latest email of info from SRA and my list of

'Incomplete entries' is still massive! If you haven't finalised all your stuff with SRA, get onto it today coz You are Basically too late already!

To those who have done the right thing and got their 'Act together' and got their entries completed, you'll be cruzin' through at Briefing/Paperwork collection time, while the others will be in the long Que Waiting, waiting waiting!!

Some things to remember, it's been VERY VERY VERY Hot here and looks like still being like that over the weekend.

Bring extra sunscreen and water.

Also as people can get a bit Frazzled when it's so hot, so Please bring your Good Manners, patience and common courtesy along as well.

Scrutineering

2009-01-29T02:40:00.002+11:00

Well time is running out and the Southern 80 weekend is only a bit over a week away. The team captain of those who have been picked to attend scrutineering will have received a text re this yesterday and an email.!!!!!
Well this is providing you have supplied SRA a current Mobile and Email address.(Amazing how many emails bounce back, check your stuff when it comes back from SRA & let them know when somethings not right. Otherwise you don't get the important stuff sent to you!)
There is some concerns in the Scrutineering camp within SRA re the random scrutineering and the number to do. So be Prepared for a few more to get informed that they have to attend as well.
The list of entries that are NOT COMPLETE DUE TO OUTSTANDING PAPERWORK WITH SRA is huge!!!! ****Remember all info must be to SRA 5 days before an event or you will not be current.
AS well as we have notified many team captains via either the return email when your entry was processed or the actual paper copy in the mail, of Boat rego's and Drivers Maritime Licences that have or will expire before the race and need to sent a copy of new one to SRA.
If at Briefing/Scrutineering when you come to collect your paperwork and this isn't fixed-NO Race!!! All information must be up to date!

On a More interesting note, the MWSC office was contacted yesterday by DPI with regards to locusts in the area. For those who haven't been up our way over Xmas we have had Locusts travelling all over the area and there is now a concern that we will have them moving around our area over the race weekend. We will be updating the website with an info sheet from DPI as well as placing this sheet in the Competitiors pack. Main concern, all Drivers and SKiers need to wear goggles!!!! More info on this at a later date.

Numers and Start Times are out!

2009-01-21T06:17:00.002+11:00

Well it's getting closer to the Biggest Weekend on the Ski racing Calendar, with only 2&1/2 weeks to go till the Southern 80 starts for 2009. All team captains that have supplied a current email address would have received their numbers and start times last week. And all the team captains that are current with SRA, giving us a current address will have received the same information by mail this week as well.
Now I have started to get a few questioning phone calls and emails as to Why peoples numbers are much higher than last year? Why is someone else's number much lower than ours etc etc. remember we Have had to do our seeding in Classes this Year as per SRA'S New rules. If your class number is a higher number than someone else's class your number is going to be HIGHER. As for those who think that someone in their class has a better number than them, You NEED to wait till you've seen the Final Draw, not what someone says that they know!!!! We have quite a few jokers out there who like to pull the legs of their friends, TOO bad that I'm on the end of those calls and emails from people who think we've put them in way behind others! Not many apologise for being blunt and rude to whoever answered thier call or received the email, when they find out what they think is right really isn't!
Don't forget time is running out for all those whos till have paperwork etc to fix up with SRA. Briefing and your paperwork collection will be much easier and quicker if you have completed entries with us. If you have TBA's on your entry, NOW is the time to get a name listed!

Entries have Closed

2009-01-08T16:00:00.002+11:00

Well Entries have Closed and the draw is being finalised.

Race numbers and times will be arriving by Email and Late Post Next week and the program will hopefully be out on 23rd Jan.

If you have'nt put your entry in, it's too late!!!!

The Crews Invited into the Presidents Invitational have recieved their telephone call informing them of their Invite.

If you haven't fixed up all your paperwork with SRA it's time to get it done, as they will be down here at Charm for the Aussie Titles soon and won't be in the office.

Entries Are Rolling In!

2008-12-09T14:07:00.002+11:00

The Entries are Rolling in for the 2009 Club Marine Southern 80 Ski Race. They are being processed at the moment and all those early birds will be noticing the balance dip on their credit cards soon. For those who haven't done their entries yet, REMEMBER They close on 31st December 2008. It's so easy this year, just go to the link here on the website, fill in the form and email it straight in! Done.

I hope that you all have had a look at the new format for this years event. The MWSC Committee is hoping that the new format will give all the competitiors some great racing.

One day to Go and then it's Happening!!!!

2008-11-20T15:28:00.003+11:00

Well it's that time where everyone is on the phone making substitutions to their entries due to injuries to either skiers or Boats!!!!

I hope that you all got your paperwork into SRA in plenty of time otherwise you'll miss out on racing. The weather has been a bit gloomy and wet over the past few days, but we have needed the rain.

If you are travelling up for the Barrie Beehag, please drive safely and we look forward to seeing you all bright and early Saturday morning for briefing.

Barrie Beehag happenings

2008-10-28T14:22:00.002+11:00

Entries have now closed for the Barrie Beehag, and the draw is being finalised as i write. Numbers will be sent out on Friday. A lot of the entries are not complete and have outstanding paperwork due with SRA. This need to be done ASAP. Remember SRA has a deadline for paperwork prior to events! If you don't get it done you won't be racing!!! Keep your eye on the Southern 80 web page for new information soon on the NEW look Southern 80 and also for entry forms. They'll be available online like the Beehag ones were, so no excuses for being late this year! AND we won't be taking late entries this year as we have to get it all finalised a week earlier!

Barrie Beehag Entries now available

2008-08-24T19:15:00.001+10:00

Entry forms the the 2008 Barrie Beehag ski race are now available on the Southern 80 web page.

Congratulations to Hellbent

2008-02-10T22:46:00.000+11:00

Well Hellbent has won the 2008 Club Marine Southern 80. For full results check out the main Southern 80 web page.

Thank you all for your support of this race

Sunday 10th Feb.

2008-02-10T08:31:00.000+11:00

Here are some photos of the crows at 8.15

The first boat has left Victoria Park

2008-02-09T08:38:00.000+11:00

Spontaneous is away

Saturday Race Day - 7.15am

2008-02-09T07:16:00.000+11:00

Well it is here - Race day

Here a photos from the finish line at 7.15am

Victoria Park on the 6th Feb at 7.15am

2008-02-07T09:32:00.001+11:00

Victoria Park at 6th Feb - 7.15am

2008-02-06T10:06:00.000+11:00

Vic Park is taking shape.

Victoria Park on 5th Feb - 7.15am

2008-02-05T22:00:00.001+11:00

Victoria Park Finish Line area is starting to take shape. Fences are now up and some of the trade site tents are in place.

The setting up of the 2008 Club Marine Southern 80

2008-02-01T20:34:00.003+11:00

Here are some photos taken at Vic Park, as the S80 finish line area, starts to take shape

River Watch @ 1st February

2008-02-01T20:24:00.000+11:00

This is the Murray River at the 1st February at 6pm.

From the top of the boat ramp

View across the river

Looking down the river

A view from Victoria Park

2008-01-27T10:11:00.000+11:00

Here are some more photos of the River at Victoria Park

Victoria Park Boat Ramp @ 20th Jan

2008-01-20T16:25:00.000+11:00

Here are photos of the Victoria Park Boat Ramp, taken on Sunday 20th January 2007 at 3.30pm.

View from the top of the ramp.

View looking across the river from the bottom of the boat ramp.

View looking downstream towards Merool Caravan Park.

Our Youngest competitor skiing at the Port of Echuca

2008-01-17T17:50:00.000+11:00

This morning - the 2008 Club Marine Southern 80 was highlighted in the 6.30am weather report on the Today show on Channel Nine.

Four of our competitors braved the chilly waters to have a run in front of the Port of Echuca (a 8 knot zone for which we were given special persmission to ski on for the cameras).

Here is a photo of our youngest competitor - Dani Altham who turned 5 today (Happy Birthday Dani) skiing behind the Family boat Riverside Marine.

Special thanks to the teams of

Sonic - Corrine Donald

Riverside Marine - Dani Altham - the youngest competitor at the 2008 Club Marine Southern 80

Vulture - Bob Jefferson - the oldest competitor at the 2008 Club Marine Southern 80

Simply Senile - Jason McKenzie

For getting up and on the water at 6am.

Special Thanks to Maritime NSW for their support in allowing us to ski down the river.

View of the Murray River @ Vic Park

2008-01-12T09:35:00.000+11:00

These photos were taken on the 11th January at 10.15am

View from the bottom of the ramp

Looking downstream

Looking from the top of the ramp

Last day for your Entries.

2008-01-04T17:50:00.000+11:00

Hi Everyone, for those who haven't realised Entries close today!!! And boy hasn't my fax been getting a work out and the computer savvy ones have been emailing to make sure that theirs gets here! few regulars not in yet? I wonder have they forgotten or are they just away and not done it???? Lets see what arrives over the weekend and in Mondays mail!! Our office has been working like clockwork this week and nearly all the entries received have been processed, which is fantastic, as the last minute rush won't be so hectic!(I Hope anyway) Bye for Now Betty.

View from Vic Park Boat Ramp

2008-01-04T17:33:00.001+11:00

Here is the view from Vic Park Boat ramp this morning, from the top of the ramp.

This is the view from the bottom of the ramp

Entries close tomorrow

2008-01-03T17:10:00.000+11:00

Well at the end of a busy day.....

278 entries entered into the system.

With about 50 entries recieved but still to be processed.

The fax has been a little busy today - but knowing ski racers - it will be FLAT OUT tomorrow.

Margaret from SRA is off to the Nationals after tomorrow - so SRA memberships won't be processed till she gets back, hopefully everyone has completed all their paperwork.

The fax is loaded with paper and I am sure that it will be empty tomorrow morning when I arrive at the office to continue to enter in more entries for our great race.

Good Night

Betty

Hot Fax

2007-12-27T16:04:00.000+11:00

Well the fax has been running hot with all the entries after Xmas. At least the rain during the last few weeks has slowed the calls asking "is the race on". If you haven't already joined SRA, you better hurry as Margret will be away at the nationals soon! If you haven't put you entry in, please do so and for those who have, I've started processing them, so you'll have less in the bank soon and should receive an email (If you Have a current email address with SRA!) and a letter to confirm I've received your entry and what if anything is still needed!

Entry Time

2007-12-19T14:29:00.000+11:00

Hi every one, it's that time when all the entries start to arrive in the office. I have more in for this time of the year than ever before. You all are starting to get a bit more organised I think! Please don't leave it till the last minute to get your your entries in, if you don't have a full crew yet, dosen't matter just get what you have into me. makes life so much easier than if they all arrive in the last two days!!!! If you have a question, please ring the office and I'll do my best to answer it for you. If you haven't yet joined SRA. Please do so ASAP.

Yes the river does have water

2007-12-18T21:53:00.000+11:00

Here are some photos taken from Victoria Park Boat Ramp (the finish line for the Club Marine Southern 80)

This is from the bottom of the boat ramp.

This photo has been taken from the top of the boat ramp.

The aim is to post photos of the river in this blog weekly.

All the best for Christmas

Southern 80 2008 is ON!!!!

2007-11-12T14:57:00.000+11:00

Hi Everyone, I've been a bit slack and writing in my blog. I like to leave it till the end of my work day in case I get something interesting to tell you and then I run out of time. For all those who keep ringing and asking YES YES YES!!!!! the 2008 Club Marine Southern 80 Ski race is definitely on. So please, please spread the word and then people might stop with the ridiculous stories doing the rounds. NO we're not holding the event on a lake, at mildura, in the bay, just on our beautiful Murray River like always!!! See you then. Betty

Update to web page of photos from the BB

2007-10-22T20:51:00.000+10:00

Recived some photos taken of the crowd at the Barrie Beehag - so they can now be accessed at the http://www.southern80.com.au/History/2007/BB/BB2007_photos.htm

Don't forget that there are hundreds of photos available at RMI Images from the event

Webmaster@southern80.com.au

well the race is over

2007-10-13T20:07:00.000+10:00

Congratulations to Hellrazor on winning another Barrie Beehag in a record time of 23:23.15.

It was great to see the crowds on the banks of the river at Deep Creek and along the river enjoying the racing.

I hear (but did not see) the mankinis on display - can't wait for the photos.

Great to see many records smashed - congrats to Sportspage, BL Marine, Petty Cash & Ace Racing (all in MOC). SMOC Kaned it and Stalker broke records. Breakaway was the record holder.

Well time to sit down for a meal.

Thanks to the competitors for a great days racing

PS I think I might have to revisit the average KMS per hour - I think I got them wrong, but will do tomorrow.

Julie Golledge

It's Time

2007-10-12T15:01:00.000+10:00

Well the time has finally arrived, the count down to the Barrie Beehag ski race is on! I've spent today, Friday, Answering calls from skiers trying to find a tow! Quite a few calls asking is the race on? Yes! it is, what do you think i've been working towards for the last 8 weeks!! And putting together my mobile office to move to a houseboat for the day! Have a great day everyone, safe racing!!

Only 3 1/2 Days to go

2007-10-09T13:11:00.000+10:00

Well everyone, the time has arrived, the Barrie Beehag Ski Race is only 3 !/2 days away. I'm now getting the calls from crews frantically trying to find Skiers or Observers. Plus the calls from disappointed crews whose boats are not ready to go or broke down at the point score on the weekend.
Programs are now out in the Newsagents and everyone should now have their race numbers.

1 week 2 go

2007-10-05T12:22:00.000+10:00

Numbers went out in the mail this week.

Thanks to those who read their briefing sheet & found the errors. A new briefing sheet should be in the mail on Monday.

There are still about 120 people that haven't paid their SRA memberships, hopefully they will be paid up by Monday.

Yesterday we had fun packing all the showbags for the kids to purchase at the Barrie Beehag. Great value for $5.

Thats all for now Betty.

Processing Race Numbers

2007-10-01T13:25:00.000+10:00

Well today is the day!

I'm taking a break from folding and stuffing envelopes to notify teams of their race numbers. Boy it can be tiring - as many members still don't seem to be members of SRA yet! Hopefully they will not be ringing SRA the week of the race, to pay their memberships!!!

So in the snail mail tomorrow your race numbers should arrive (depending on Australia Post).
We have not done email notifications this time, as many team captains did not provide their email addresses.

Till another day

Betty

Barrie Beehag Ski Race

2007-09-26T22:02:00.000+10:00

Yes the race is on the 13th October from Deep Creek Marina to Torrumbarry.
105 entries recieved - a full field