Interesting scenario Martin. I am very surprised you got an earful from a “fellow”? speedy.

The speed strip is defined as the first few metres of flat water to the lee of the sand bar / wall (as with WK).  As you were heading back up wind off the speed strip, your actions are fairly easy to predict, you are sailing tight to the wind as you can, in order to make your way back up to the start point. The speed sailor heading down the course who decides to bear off, away from the strip, the onus is on him / her to ensure that their projected path is clear of all other speedies, either heading down the course or heading back up. Only they know their projected path, you don’t. Bearing off is very unpredictable and usually happens when a big gust hits, all due care should be taken when conducting such a manoeuvre.  Also the likelihood of a big off is substantially increased.

You were left in no mans land, not knowing which way to go. When in that situation hold your line – you were correct to continue your course.

Steve Thorp at West Kirby is worth mentioning here. He loves, on the odd occasion to bear off and go deep, riding out the chop in pursuit of max speeds. I have never seen him do this whilst there is traffic heading back up the lake, “in his way”.  He will wait for a run down the course that is clear of returning speedies before going deep.

However, where ever we sail we will always encounter the “slip road to outside lane” type driver who blows his horn off because we were in his way.

With the increase in traffic both kite and windsurf on our best speed runs it is  vital that every sailor understands and follows some basic rules and etiquette that allow safe and fast runs for all!  These basic rules can only apply if all sailors at that spot are speed sailing only!

When   freestylers are on the water,  standard sailing right of way must apply!

In extreme conditions following these basic rules will make your session faster and safer!     ( Speed run =  bearaway run down the length of the sand bar)

·        The sailor  on  a bear away speed run has absolute right of way.                  ( but  must never  intentionally endanger other sailors)                                                                            
·       Never overtake a sailor already on the speed run. (if the leading sailor suddenly gybes or pulls into bank you may not be able to avoid collision)

·       Never sail windward of another sailor standing in water while on speed run.   (loss of control could result in death or serious injury to that sailor)

·       If you crash or break gear in area of run either sail out of speed run or  move gear onshore as fast as possible.

·       If walking back up run make every effort to pull gear out of water and hold secure until  sailor on run has past. (forcing any sailor to veer downwind  to avoid a sailor or rig in water greatly reduces speed on that run)

·       Stop only at top or bottom of run to tune gear or chat, but move onshore clear of sailing line. If stopping partway down run  sail back up wind or move gear onshore as fast as possible.

·       Do not leave shore to sail back up wind  if any sailor has entered the run, wait until sailor passes.(your wake will slow that sailor down, worse on a square run)

·       If pulling or jibing out of a run  part way down track always check behind for approaching sailor.

·       If course is square,  direction with downwind bias has right of way; if sailing back up course   do so when course is clear and give way to any sailor coming down course.                                                                    (either sail well downwind of sailor on course or pull gear onshore)

·       STAY OUT OF COURSE AREA  UNLESS ENTERING AT TOP END TO START A RUN  (sand bar edge to approx 15m downwind of shoreline)

There will always be exceptions  but if courtesy and common sense prevail we will give everyone the opportunity to record top speeds!