2009 - the year in review

Despite the cold, 2009 was a good year for windsurfing in Wellington. To review 2009 I have used the stats from Sessionlogs to answer the following questions:

• How often did I sail?
• When did I sail?
• Where did I sail?
• What sail did I use?
• What discipline did I do?

The stats that follow represent a good indication of the type and frequency of sailing a motivated wave / freestyle sailor can get in Wellington while working a full time job and wrangling two young children.

How often did I sail?

In 2009 I had 103 windsurfing sessions, up six sessions from 2008. This number of sessions represents:

• approximately one windsurfing session every three days, or
• 28 per cent of days sailed.

When did I sail?

Figure 1 shows the distribution of these sessions by month over the year.

Figure 1  Distribution of windsurfing sessions by month

January was clearly the most windsurfed month at 18 sessions followed by November at 15 sessions.  Months with high frequency of sessions are primarily due to the effect of daylight savings.  Months with longer daylight hours (longer days equals more opportunity for afterwork sessions) and holiday periods generally had more sessions.

The least windsurfed months were the winter months (June, July, August, September). These were least sailed primarily due to the effect of daylight savings during these months. That is shorter daylight hours meaning no opportunity for afterwork sessions.

What did I sail?

Figure 2 shows what sail size I used during what month and figure 3 shows the percentage of sessions on each sail. Figure 2 give an indication of how windy each month was while figure 3 shows how frequently each sail was used.

Figure 2  Distribution of windsurfing sessions and sail size used by month

Of particular note is May. Out of eight sessions this month 5 were on the 4.0, two were on the 4.5 and only one was on the 5.0.  May was uncharacteristically windy in Wellington dominated by super strong and super cold southerly storms. 

Figure 2 also shows the seasonal influence on the size sail used.  The spring equinox increases not only sailing frequency but the number of sessions had on the smaller (especially the 4.5) sails. Likewise the summer months (Jan, February, March, April) are more dominated by sessions on the bigger sails (5.0 and 5.7).

Figure 3  Frequency of sail size used 

Figure 3 shows that the 5 metre sail was the most frequently used, then the 5.7, closely followed by the 4.5, with the 4 being the least used sail (but probably the most abused!).  However, all sails in the quiver are well used and therefore needed to maintain the current number of sessions per year.

Where did I sail?

Figure 4 shows the distribution of windsurfing sessions by location. Obviously the Wellington spots (Ditch, Lyall, and Plimmerton) feature the most frequently.  Out of the Wellington spots the Ditch, and Lyall Bay are the most sailed mainly because they are the closest to home. The ditch is a favorite due to its consistency

Figure 4  Windsurfing sessions by location

What discipline did I sail?

Figure 5 shows the time devoted to the different windsurfing disciplines. I devoted almost all of my sailing in 2009 to either wave or freestyle sailing. Surprisingly and without conscious effort my time is almost split equally between wave and freestyle sailing.

Figure 5 Percentage of sessions devoted to each discipline

A special thanks to the Sessionlogs team for providing the excellent website that has enabled me to compile this information.