New Weather.............

[Screen Name]

:eek: Nothing worth doing is easy? Who the heck came up with that idea? :o

The forecast has become iffy as of this afternoon. We are going to watch the weather closely, but we are not planning to make a decision any earlier than 10AM tommorrow (Friday) morning.

The trophys are awesome (just my opinion), the prizes are nothing to be ashamed of, the shirts are looking great........just about everything has fallen into place except for this little complication.

[Spearchucker]

Yeah, that shocked the crap out of me. 15 knots out of the NE makes anything but nearshore very difficult.

[Goin'Deep]

:eek: just about everything has fallen into place except for this little complication.

This would be my first spearfishing tournament ever if you guys somehow can feel our pain and call this for reschedule. :) We were going to dive off St. Augustine, and I don't see us doing that in 5-8 ft. with 30 knots out of the northeast. I'm heartbroken right now, not to pull against you, but I hope that it is rought enough that the tournament could be made up on a day that everyone could have a nice day on the water; I can't imagine those guys running out to the grounds on a day like Saturday! :eek: --

[liberty hound]

Looks like all the "east coasters" are out of it.
We were ready for the long drive to the weigh in and had the captains meeting covered and now this!
I guess its the gamble you take, and I wish everyone that gets to participate the best of luck!

[Spearchucker]

I don't like this:

[Shooter Dan]

NASTY:

Tarpon Springs To Suwannee River Out 20 Nm-
Tarpon Springs To Suwannee River Out 20 To 60 Nm-
229 Am Edt Fri Jun 24 2005

Today
Northeast Winds 15 Knots. Seas 2 To 4 Feet. Bay And
Inland Waters A Moderate Chop. Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms.

Tonight
Northeast Winds 15 Knots. Seas 2 To 4 Feet. Bay And
Inland Waters A Moderate Chop. Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms.

Saturday
Northeast Winds 15 Knots. Seas 2 To 4 Feet. Bay And
Inland Waters A Moderate Chop. Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms.

COASTAL WATERS FROM FLAGLER BEACH TO COCOA BEACH OUT 20 NM-
WATERS FROM FLAGLER BEACH TO COCOA BEACH 20 TO 60 NM OFFSHORE-
418 AM EDT FRI JUN 24 2005

TODAY
NORTHEAST WINDS 15 TO 20 KNOTS. SEAS 3 TO 4 FEET.
INTRACOASTAL WATERS CHOPPY. SCATTERED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED
THUNDERSTORMS IN THE MORNING...THEN NUMEROUS SHOWERS AND
THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AFTERNOON.

TONIGHT
EAST WINDS 20 TO 25 KNOTS. SEAS 4 TO 6 FEET.
INTRACOASTAL WATERS ROUGH. NUMEROUS SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN
THE EVENING...THEN SCATTERED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS
AFTER MIDNIGHT.

SATURDAY
EAST WINDS 15 TO 20 KNOTS. SEAS 5 TO 7 FEET.
INTRACOASTAL WATERS CHOPPY. SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS LIKELY.

[Spear One]

Yeah, it does not look good. I think you are looking at a very sloppy 3 to 5 foot sea and a sustained 15 knot wind. There is an upper level low forming off the east coast, which is causing the strong northeast wind.

Remember, these tournaments are supposed to be FUN.............no fun in that forecast IMO. If it were my call, I would cancel the tourney and wait for a better day!

With the forecast going to 25 knots Saturday evening, too risky for most folks IMO. If someone were to break down offshore, they would be in for a very rough and potentially life threatning evening.

[liberty hound]

I agree with Kevin.
If it's blown out on the east and sloppy on the west, another day would be better and more enjoyable for everyone.

[RabiSpear]

News flash: Fish have been spotted inside of the middle grounds. Contrary to popular belief there are fish living inside of 75 miles. Good luck finding a date with perfect weather 360 degrees around the State. 15kt winds? Come on.

Everyone has to adjust according to the weather, our team included.

[Don B]

The Son and I are sitting in a hotel in Tallahassee, Pissing and Moaning, damn. For selfish reasons I hope it's a go, If not I think it's time for my sons first trip to the titty bar ;) .

PS If we don't get to dive can we still get drunk? :D

[Steel Shootin']

.......just about everything has fallen into place except for this little complication.

And therein lies the single most frustrating thing about being a tournament organizer. No matter how many hours you bust your ass, no matter how organized and prepared you are, the one thing you can't control is the weather. I start losing sleep about a week before the SBO on account of the weather. I feel for you buddy, but we'll support both you, and your trusty co-chair, Bubblewrap. :D

[Goin'Deep]

Good luck if you guys can go on the West side, but it's gonna be something else in 2-4 with 15 knots over there. I hope this thing works out for the best for everyone.

[Shooter Dan]

We can all shoot the ditch by the Skyway, but I really don't think that will make good press for the St. Pete Times. :rolleyes:

I'm sure the FSDA Tournament Directors will evaluate all of the conditions and make the early call according to what is best for the participants.

[Armorkillshot]

I gotta go with Jerry on this one take a take a chill pill guys

[Screen Name]

The gravity of the situation:

Another year of planning.
A new plan that makes it practical for people around the state to compete....
Several months of hard work, and I mean hard work, for a number of people.
So much work, that for several people, their life is on hold for 3 months, as well as their work.
Thousands of phone calls.
Significant investment by sponsors.
Great trophies.
Great Tshirts.
Great opportunities for sponsors to thank their customers...
Great participants, who each have a significant investment of their own.
Another opportunity to promote and protect our sport.
Kids who planned on participating.........
Not only are we aware that a number of people cannot make the rain date. People who have been planning for months........but neither can two of the people who have done the most work to put this together......an incredible amount of work, really.....
Experience that says that a sloppy conditions that batter the participants do not promote the sport, the tournament, or the organization......kind of like throwing this years work out into a storm.

:(

The conditions are perfectly borderline. Don't ask me why they can't just be black and white, but borderline......... :rolleyes:

Figured I would try to get some sympathy before we make the no-win call. :D :D

[Bottom Dweller]

Hey Screen, what time will you guys make the call by. I'll be away from the computer the rest of the day and just want to be able to check in with some one.

Thanks for your hard work on the tourney!

[ScottZeagle]

Bubble Wrap -

What ever the call is, we all understand that it looks dicey. You guys do the best you can to make an informed decision, and realize that you are never going to make EVERYONE happy.

I, personally, would rather see EVERY tournament cancelled or postponed due to weather than to try to "force the issue" and have a diver lost.

After all is said and done, these are ONLY prizes and trophies, and not worth life or injuries.

Of course, Bret will tell you that I just need a few Midol...:D

Scott

[Armorkillshot]

????

[RichT]

Its my understanding that the next forecast comes out between 10:00 and 10:30.
I believe he will make the call then and I will support it no matter what it is, both publicly and privately. ;)

[ScottZeagle]

I will support it no matter what it is, both publicly and privately. ;)


As well you should...

:D

[RichT]

As well you should...

:D

As well as you know who should. :D

[Spearchucker]

Well, I am in no matter what, BUT:

1) low pressure systems suck
2) Intellicast windcast is not looking good
3) The forecast is for 2-4. Any of you guys who think your boat can take 4' seas are full of it.
4) Registrations at the Captains meeting will suck with this forecast.
5) Yes, their are fish inside of 75', but a tournament of this caliber should have tournament quality fish, and 2# hogs are not very impressive.

Just my $.02, but we are VERY early in the tournament season and have plenty of time to reschedule. That, and I just got all the crap that broke on my boat during the SBO run to the grounds fixed. That was a rough day, and the forecast for the SBO was much better than the one I am currently looking at. That low pressure system is like a swift kick in the balls.

[Armorkillshot]

More propoganda

SATURDAY
NORTH WINDS 10 KNOTS BECOMING SOUTHWEST IN THE LATE
MORNING AND AFTERNOON. SEAS 2 FEET. BAY AND INLAND WATERS A LIGHT
CHOP. ISOLATED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE MORNING...THEN SCATTERED
SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AFTERNOON

[snooker]

Blake, I hear you and agree with you. Who knows what the weather is going to be like on the make up date and to have perfect weather all the way around the state, yeah right. Especially this time of year.

John, it's a tough decision. We have borderline weather here and if you call it there will be people that won't be able to make it on the make up date. Also there's a very good possibility that the weather will be worse the next time, it could be better you never know.

Seas 2 feet on Saturday. Put your training wheels on and let's go. Just my $.02.

Many people have already stated that they won't be able to make that date as well. St. Pete Times (yes it's good press), who cares, we're not doing the tournament for them, we're doing it for us to have fun. I don't even care if they are there.

[snooker]

10:20 update:
SATURDAY
NORTH WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS BECOMING SOUTHWEST IN THE
AFTERNOON. SEAS 2 FEET. BAY AND INLAND WATERS A LIGHT CHOP. SCATTERED
SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS MAINLY IN THE AFTERNOON.

Ummm, ummmm. I remember days where I hoped for forecasts like this.

Does anybody know the sizes of the hogs for the top people at the Spearboard Open (ie. Harolf Dean)? You don't need big hogs to place high. Of course it helps but you really don't need them.

Strategy: Go to MG, hope for big hog.
Backup: Have no clue.

[kitefisherman]

This morning when I was going over my checklist of things to do before I get on the road, I discovered that I forgot to preregister. At this point, I don't know if that was a good thing or a bad thing. I guess I'll find out soon.

[mhuskey]

Just spoke with my brother in Boca Grande and it is blowing a steady 15 knots with an occasional 20 tossed in for good measure with white caps in the harbor. In my opinion anything out of the NE is not good and I plan on being only 40 miles offshore. Tomorrow is a transitional day with respect to weather it could go either way.

Matt

[The Collector]

Rain date for the Southern Open is July 16? Isn't that the same date as WCC#3?
So, if you paid for both, which do you shoot? Or does one get postponed again?
I know it will be a tough call and I am glad I do not have to make it but a cancellation creates even more headaches for the FSDA guys.

[Old Bateman]

Very hard decision to make, but some like DonB and son have already made the trip down here to shoot. Rougher seas will keep us closer to shore and probably keep everyone out of the grounds. Might be a good test of who can find near shore fish!

[fizisition]

Forecast as of 10:20 am EDT on June 24, 2005


Tampa Bay Waters-Englewood To Tarpon Springs Out 20 Nm-

Englewood To Tarpon Springs Out 20 To 60 Nm-

Today
Northeast winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2 to 4 feet. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Scattered showers and thunderstorms.
Tonight And Saturday
Northeast winds around 15 knots becoming southeast 10 to 15 knots on Saturday afternoon. Seas 2 to 4 feet. Bay and inland waters a moderate chop. Scattered showers and thunderstorms.
Saturday Night
South winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2 to 4 feet. Bay and inland waters a moderate chop. Isolated showers and thunderstorms.

[kitefisherman]

Mike, in that case I think that the WCC #3 gets bumped to a rain date.

[The Collector]

One other note... I am glad Dan and the Headhunter Crew don't make the call because with their balls we'd be goin out in 10 footers!!!!!

[fizisition]

Forecast as of 10:20 am EDT on June 24, 2005


Tampa Bay Waters-Englewood To Tarpon Springs Out 20 Nm-

Englewood To Tarpon Springs Out 20 To 60 Nm-

Today
Northeast winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2 to 4 feet. Bay and inland waters a light chop. Scattered showers and thunderstorms.
Tonight And Saturday
Northeast winds around 15 knots becoming southeast 10 to 15 knots on Saturday afternoon. Seas 2 to 4 feet. Bay and inland waters a moderate chop. Scattered showers and thunderstorms.
Saturday Night
South winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2 to 4 feet. Bay and inland waters a moderate chop. Isolated showers and thunderstorms.


Here's the grounds, Now what is conflicting here is a n east wind but calmer seas the further West. That does not make sense that the grounds will be calmer than the inshore forcast.

Forecast as of 10:30 am CDT on June 24, 2005
E Gulf Between 81w And 85w

This Afternoon
NE winds 10 to 15 kt. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Isolated showers and tstms.
Tonight
S of 27n variable winds 10 kt or less. Seas 1 to 2 ft. N of 27n NE winds 10 to 15 kt. Seas 2 to 3 ft.
Sat Through Sun
Variable winds 10 kt or less. Seas 1 ft. Widely scattered showers and isolated tstms mainly S of 27n.

[The Collector]

Mike, in that case I think that the WCC #3 gets bumped to a rain date.
OK, I figured that would happen. Please no scheduling of any tourneys from July 20 to the St. Pete Open.
I'll be in the Keys ;) :D

[Old Bateman]

Hey Fizistion,
Just bring a truck load of e-searider bean bags to the captains meeting, and then we can all go out!

[Spear One]

Forecast is looking much better today than it did yesterday but it is still a tough call. Either way, it is certainly not going to be "Chamber of Commerce" weather. However, with a 10 to 15...... 2 to 4ft forecast, you probably gotta run it anyway.

[Jaizzen]

However, with a 10 to 15...... 2 to 4ft forecast, you probably gotta run it anyway.


I agree.

Jason

[The Collector]

Hey Fizistion,
Just bring a truck load of e-searider bean bags to the captains meeting, and then we can all go out!

I agree!! :D

[fizisition]

Hey Fizistion,
Just bring a truck load of e-searider bean bags to the captains meeting, and then we can all go out!


There will be 4 on the prize table...This is a great opportunity for a "non-believer" to try them out.

[Gary Sanchez]

I guess it's a go! :) ?

[Shooter Dan]

Unless I missed it, there's no official post or details since 9:23?

What's the official call time and word?

[biggsy]

Here you go Dan. http://www.spearboard.com/showthread.php?t=18981

[RichT]

Good News!

The afternoon forecast just downgraded tommorows weather! It might not be to bad after all. :)




WEST CENTRAL AND SOUTHWEST FLORIDA COASTAL WATERS FORECAST
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAMPA BAY AREA - RUSKIN FL
140 PM EDT FRI JUN 24 2005

GULF COASTAL WATERS FROM BONITA BEACH TO THE MOUTH OF THE
SUWANNEE RIVER OUT TO 60 NM.

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO MARINERS...MARINE FORECASTS ARE ISSUED AT LEAST
FOUR TIMES A DAY. BOATERS ON EXTENDED TRIPS SHOULD ROUTINELY MONITOR
SUBSEQUENT FORECAST ISSUANCES AND UPDATES FOR THE LATEST MARINE WEATHER
INFORMATION.

GMZ850-870-250315-
/X.ROU.KTBW.MA.F.0000.000000T0000Z-000000T0000Z/
TARPON SPRINGS TO SUWANNEE RIVER OUT 20 NM-
TARPON SPRINGS TO SUWANNEE RIVER OUT 20 TO 60 NM-
140 PM EDT FRI JUN 24 2005

TONIGHT
NORTHEAST WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS. SEAS 2 TO 4 FEET. BAY
AND INLAND WATERS A MODERATE CHOP. SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.

SATURDAY
NORTHEAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. SEAS 2 FEET. BAY AND
INLAND WATERS A LIGHT CHOP. SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.

[WOPSTER]

Rich is ther a list of shooters posted somewhere to double check if I made the preregistration before the deadline ? If not can the Captain register tonight at the meeting?

[Screen Name]

Rich is ther a list of shooters posted somewhere to double check if I made the preregistration before the deadline ? If not can the Captain register tonight at the meeting?

GP, you made it.........

[WOPSTER]

Thank you for looking that up. Good luck to all of you tomorrow, dive safe.

[Shooter Dan]

Game On!!