AUGUST 25, 2009 NEWSLETTER and FINAL EVENT UPDATE

JUST TWO DAYS TO GO!

In these final few days before the big event, all of us at the NWWSA are working hard and fine-tuning every last detail. We hope that the information below will answer most of your questions. If not, please don’t hesitate to contact us by email at info@nwwsa.org.

When we began planning this event last year we could have only hoped for this degree of response and enthusiasm from our competitors and sponsors. We want to thank everyone who has offered his or her time and financial assistance. The event would not be the same without your help and we aim to show that all of your contributions were put to good use. We are also extremely thankful for the support and financial assistance of our major corporate sponsor Citrix Systems.

MotoPlex of Lynnwood, Centurion and Inland Surfer have also made this event possible by providing the beautiful Centurion Enzo SV24 competition tow boats for the event.

We expect this will be the last general email concerning the tournament, so please review it carefully. Some of this information has been repeated from previous emails for the benefit of our newer NWWSA members. We can’t wait for this weekend when we can meet all of you in person!

TOURNAMENT UPDATE

As we have mentioned before, the tournament is full. If you are a registered competitor and your plans have changed, such that you will not be able to attend, please let us know as soon as possible. For those of you on the wait list, while it does not look like we will be rotating any additional folks from the wait list to the competitor list, we would still love to see you all at the event.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

FRIDAY, August 28, 2009

• 12:00 – 5:00 p.m. at Vasa Park: Practice runs on the course will be available behind the tournament boats. This will be a great opportunity to check out the new Centurion Enzo SV24 and get familiarized with the course. There will be a sign-up list at the registration tent on the beach. In order to sign up for a practice run you must first be pre-registered and have received your wristband. Included in each competitor’s registration packet will be the heat list that will indicate when each competitor will be competing at the tournament on Saturday. Priority for the practice runs will be given to registered competitors but time permitting, all members are welcome to try out the wake. There will likely be several other members on the lake with their own boats, so we hope everyone will be able to surf. Vasa Park has a $4 (adults) and $1.50 (children) entry fee for everyone except registered competitors and designated volunteers.

• 6:00 p.m. Issaquah Brew House: The official practice runs will end at 5:00 p.m., so that everyone can get ready for dinner and drinks at the Issaquah Brew House (35 W Sunset Way, Issaquah). This no-host evening is not limited to competitors or members, so bring your friends!

SATURDAY, August 28, 2009

• 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.: Parking lot across from Vasa Park: All competitors must be at the MANDATORY COMPETITOR MEETING at 8:30 am sharp. In order to start the first heat on time it is essential everyone arrive on time for the meeting. The competitor meeting will take place across the street from the entrance to Vasa Park. During the meeting you will hear from dock starter Mike Cameron who will explain the logistics of the tournament, and from head judge Mac Page who will explain the judging criteria and rules.
• 9:00 a.m.: Vasa Park opens. There is a $4 entry fee (adults) and $1.50 (children) for everyone except non-registered competitors, members and designated volunteers.
• 9:15 a.m. – 7:00 p.m: Competition. It is essential that each competitor be checked in at the competition site at least one hour prior to your scheduled heat. Failure to do so may result in disqualification.
• 7:30 p.m. – Midnight, Jeff Page's home: Awards ceremony and BBQ starts. Further details below.

SUNDAY, August 28, 2009

• 10:00 a.m. – 6 p.m., Lake Sammamish: For those of you who have requested it, we will be matching you with a local surf boat for some surfing on Lake Sammamish. We are currently planning to have one dock be a central meeting location, and will start surfing at 10:00 a.m. Everyone participating will be encouraged to bring food and drinks to share on the dock. More details will be provided on Friday and Saturday.

COMPETITOR PRE-REGISTRATION AND REGISTRATION

Pre-registration will be available on Friday at Vasa Park. Registration will be available on Saturday at Vasa Park. We strongly encourage all competitors to pre-register on Friday as your registration packet includes the heat list so each competitor can see when they will be surfing.

Each registered competitor will also receive their backpack, generously provided by Northwave, tournament t-shirt and wristbands. The wristbands will allow you access to the park and admission to the BBQ. There are a few extra t-shirts for sale at the event, but additional shirts can be ordered and shipped to you. Order forms will be available at the registration desk.

RIDER EQUIPMENT

Each competitor is responsible for providing his or her own equipment, (i.e., vest and board). You are responsible at all times for your own equipment! Competition vests are allowed during the tournament.

AWARDS AND PRIZES

Each division will have first second and third place awards. The awards will be handed out at 8:00 p.m. at the BBQ. There are also merchandise prizes including Inland Surfer surfboards, Nice-Rack Custom Tower Accessories, with additional prizes from Coastal Surf Boutique, Ronix and Pyramid Breweries. There will be a "Big Trick" prize in the open division for whoever throws down the best trick of the day during the final 300’ of their run.

Raffle tickets for additional prizes will be sold at the tournament.

VIDEO AND PHOTOS

Robert Garcia and his family will be providing a live video feed from the tournament boats that will be broadcast to monitors on shore for spectators. Even if you have already competed or are awaiting your heat, this will be a great chance to watch some of the best surfers around compete. As mentioned earlier, we'll have plenty of photographers on hand, as well.

VASA PARK RESORT

Vasa Park Resort is located approximately 15 minutes east of downtown Seattle, and is easily accessible from I-90. For directions and more information on the park click: http://www.vasaparkresort.com/1530.html

Admission to the park is $4.00, payable at the door. Admission to the park is included on Saturday for competitors, members and designated volunteers. There will be a NWWSA representative at the gate at all times to facilitate admission to the park.

All entrants to the park have access to all the amenities at the park including the swimming beach, swim dock, volleyball and basketball court.

FOOD VENDORS

Two food vendors, Dante’s Inferno Dogs and Jumpin’ Jack’s Coffee will be at the event on Saturday, and we encourage all of our members and spectators to purchase food from them. Alcohol is permitted in the park, but no glass is allowed in the beach area.

BOAT ACCESS TO VASA PARK

Spectators or members can arrive at the tournament (after 9:00 a.m.) by water. Although there is no dock to tie up to, boats can anchor just off shore. A $7.00 mooring fee must be paid to the park, and the receipt placed on your dashboard. Spectators arriving from water are still required to pay the $4.00 Vasa Park admission fee and members and competitors should register at the NWWSA desk as well.

BBQ DETAILS

Jeff and Deb Page have been kind enough to host the BBQ and awards ceremony on Saturday night. The BBQ starts at 7:30 p.m, with the awards starting at 8:00 p.m. Jason Wilson will be roasting two whole pigs with side dishes and beer will be donated by Pyramid Breweries. If you have any dietary restrictions, or would prefer beverages other than beer, feel free to bring what you like.

The BBQ is over capacity at this point, so unfortunately we can’t open the doors to the public. For those of you who have already reserved a space at the BBQ but have not yet paid, you will be able to pay at the BBQ. Please bring exact change if possible.

BBQ DIRECTIONS AND PARKING
1418 W Lake Sammamish Pkwy NE, Bellevue, WA 98008

The Page’s house is on Lake Sammamish, 5-10 minutes north from Vasa Park. To get there by car, start at Vasa Park and continue north on West Lake Sammamish Parkway until you reach the “North Rosemont” neighborhood as indicated by a large sign. The Page’s house is the last house at the northern end of the neighborhood. As there is no turn-around at the end of the neighborhood we do not recommend driving all the way to their house. Parking is very limited, so we encourage car-pooling. Acceptable parking areas will be marked with neon orange NWWSA signs. Please be careful to not block any driveways or garages. There will be golf carts shuttling people up and down the neighborhood to your cars, but it’s not a very long walk to their house either way.

You are welcome to arrive at the BBQ by boat; however, dock space has already been assigned. Guests are more than welcome to anchor their boat just off shore.

NWWSA DISCUSSION BOARD

As always, the discussion board that can be useful for coordinating rides to and from the airport or the event, organizing accommodation logistics, or just to connect with other members to buy/sell equipment, discuss techniques, or find a wakesurfing partner. Sign up at: http://groups.google.com/group/NWWSA.

Thanks again to our sponsors and volunteers. We couldn’t have this event without you.

The Board
NW Wakesurf Association
PO Box 6097 - Bellevue, WA 98008
Phone: (206) 234-8586 - Fax: (206) 621-1365
www.nwwsa.org