This is our annual downwind drag race and celebration for wind sports enthusiasts: a 15-mile race open to all wind-driven vessels. It's a fun and exciting way to get involved with the community. We see 70+ entries every year. There are three divisions, Kite, Wing and SUP/Foil, but we welcome any wind-propelled vessel.

Feel the Hype

Catch a glimpse of what race day on Tampa Bay looks like.

Race Day Schedule

Race weekend: Saturday, October 17 – Sunday, October 18, 2026 (all times subject to change)

Time	Event
Saturday, Oct 17 – 7:00 PM	Skippers meeting, live on YouTube. Start sequence and race-day plan announced.
Sunday, Oct 18
As early as 7:30 AM	Registration, waiver and jersey hand out
8:15 AM	Registration closed
8:30 AM	Skippers meeting
9:00 AM	Start of sequence
After the race	Award ceremony and tailgate party: raffles, music, drinks and more. Bring a chair and open your tailgate.

Where: Downwinder

From	Lassing Park – 2042 Beach Dr SE, St. Petersburg, FL 33705
To	Skyway Beach – Google “Skyway Beach”

Search Google Maps for the locations exactly as they are spelled to get driving directions.

Divisions

Kite (all)

• Men and Women: 1st, 2nd, 3rd
• Sub-divisions (1st place): Surf, Twin, Foil/Inflatable

Wing Foil

• Men and Women: 1st, 2nd, 3rd

Downwind SUP/Foil

• Paddle only. Men and Women: 1st, 2nd, 3rd
• Parawing can only be used to get started

Line Honors

• First to finish (separate award)

Registration

Register Here

Cost: $55.00 per racer

Liability waivers: Attached to your confirmation email. All racers must sign or they will not be given a jersey on race day. You'll need a photo ID to sign the waiver.

Communications

• Radio: VHF Channel 68
• Cellphone: (727) 800-2202 (text encouraged)

Scoring

Scoring is done individually for each division. The first one across the finish line wins Line Honors, then first across for each division.

Requirements to Race

Trophies

• Line Honors (first to finish): Beat the record of 15 min 48 sec set by Zack Marks in 2021
• 1st place Kite, Male and Female
• 1st place Wing, Male and Female
• 1st place SUP/Foil (parawing can only be used to get on foil and find your line)

Safety

Ability

This race is designed for experienced riders with a background in downwinders and self-preservation. If you have not done a downwinder, you should not attempt this race. You will jeopardize the safety of the fleet.

Equipment

All racers are required to wear our race jersey for visual aid, with a personal flotation vest underneath. It is advised to wear a personal locator beacon along with a VHF radio for extra safety. Bring your phone; a waterproof bag will be offered. Race smart and invest in safety. We highly recommend buying a safety sausage.

Actions

In the event you need a rescue, you are required to do a “self rescue”: eject from the kite, wrap up the bar and lines, get to your kite and use it as a flotation device until safety boats are able to get to you. This rescue may not be immediate. You will be found more easily by staying with your gear; it will be impossible to find you if you don't stay with it. Wing racers will be required to break down sails/wings during rescue.

After Rescue

Racers will be dropped off at the closest exit point (see “Safety Exit Points”). From there it is up to the racer to arrange transportation. After your rescue you will automatically be accounted for, but we still want you to try to contact your teammate.

Partner/Teammate

All racers are required to be in contact with their partner. You will not be scored if you do not know where your partner is when asked. If you can't find your partner at the end of the race, you are required to notify the Race Committee or Land Officers. If you are at the start line, you are required to check in by calling or texting the shop at (727) 800-2202. This is the Elite Watersports shop number and will be forwarded to 5+ phones.

Retirement

• You may not quit the race without notifying one of the following: race committee, safety boat, finish line boat, or safety personnel/land officers located at the start and finish. Once you are checked in, you will be excused with no further support.
• You have 1 hour and 30 minutes from the race start to finish the race. If you are not checked in 2 hours after the start, the proper authorities will be notified.
• You may not start the race more than 30 minutes after the race has started. If you start after that, you will not have the support of our team.
• All safety personnel have the authority to discontinue (“retire”) a participant's race. They will notify the race committee, and you will be clearly told verbally to vacate the race course.
• When you make contact with safety personnel or a safety boat, their first question will be “Do you need to be rescued?” If you respond “No,” they will move on to the next racer who may need help. Focusing on one racer for an extended period jeopardizes the safety of the entire fleet. They are there to rescue you, not assist you. Please complete the course as fast as you can. “Free riding” jeopardizes the safety of the entire fleet.

Starting Rules

• We will be running this race on an honor system.
• Starboard has right of way.
• If you are over the line early, you must exit the course and return to the start line without interfering with the flow of traffic.
• You must have reasonable forward movement to keep your board on plane at all times while waiting to start. No squatters! This causes a traffic jam, and you will be disqualified.
• Foilers may have boards in the water if this helps maintain control.
• No collision at sea is acceptable.
• Be courteous and have etiquette. It's a 15+ mile race, and you'll have plenty of time to keep up or make up.
• Racers not taking the race as seriously are highly recommended to do a static start from the Lassing Park sandbar.
• The start line will be closed 30 minutes after the start. Do not proceed. Anyone who violates this rule will be disqualified and forfeit the right to rescue, support and acknowledgment.

Start Line

East wind: The boat and yellow buoy will have 100 yards of separation, located perpendicular to the southernmost part of Lassing Park Beach.

The start sequence will be announced at the skippers meeting on Saturday, October 17 at 7:00 PM, live on YouTube, and online. If needed, the start sequence will be amended on race day. All registered racers will be notified via text (when you register, you must approve text messages).

Time to start	Signal
5 minutes	Orange flag goes up
3 minutes	Red flag only
1 minute	1x yellow flag
0 minutes	GREEN flag goes up. GO TIME!

The start line closes 30 minutes after the start of the sequence.

Time Allotted

1 hour 30 minutes (course record: 15 min 48 sec). The race committee and safety personnel will discontinue race support 1.5 hours after the start of the race, and search and rescue will begin at that point. Our search efforts will end 2 hours after the start of the race, and the Coast Guard will be notified of your disappearance.

Finish Line

East wind: The finish line will be southeast of the Skyway Beach sandbar. You must cross this line to finish the race. Look for the yellow tetrahedron (“pyramid”) buoy and the race committee boat with flags. Make sure your jersey is properly displayed; spotters on the boat will be looking for your number. Proceed immediately to the beach, check in with the beach officer and find your partner. You will not be scored if you do not check in with beach staff.

Safety Exit Points

East wind race: There are 4 designated exit points along the east wind route. We suggest you use these in time of need. Safety boat captains will decide the best drop-off location if they are assisting you. All racers are responsible for their own transportation after drop-off. All safety boats will be monitoring VHF Channel 68.

We highly suggest making your way to the sandbars and waiting for assistance, making yourself as visible as you can.

1. Lassing Park – 2042 Beach Dr SE, St. Petersburg, FL 33705
2. Point Pinellas Boat Ramp – 500 Pinellas Point Dr S, St. Petersburg, FL 33705
3. Scenic Windsurfing Launch – 33705, midway between Skyway Beach and the St. Petersburg mainland
4. Skyway Beach – Google “Skyway Beach”

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