Association Forum - Any suggestions are welcome

Assn Members Area · Join

Home.

Association Forum

Ships Store

Cruising

Racing

Technical Tips

Photo Gallery - New

Boat Search - Updated

Manuals & Brochures

Swap Meet

Links

Officer Flag Line & Staff

Bylaws & Constitution

Members Area

Join the Association

Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.

Association Forum

Username:	Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

All Forums

Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Racing Forum

Any suggestions are welcome

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

Renzo
Admiral

Member Avatar

USA
621 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/07/2009 : 06:45:34

I will be race chairman for the Clinton River Catalina Association next year and need some suggestions on how to encourage people to race. Over the years, our once robust, one design, racing program has dwindled to a point where it is now threatened by extinction due to lack of participation. The reasons decrease in particpation are the same as those theat other clubs, ie: Lack of interest in sailing by younger people, the current economic conditions, difficulty in finding crew, older sailors unwilling to expend the energy and commitment that racing requires,etc. Consequently I am looking for ways to rekindle an intrest in racing. I am considering adding a "Crusing Class" start after the regular race starts for a less competitive, more fun type racing experience and /or a boating skills competition where boats have to perfom certain tasks related to boat safty and handeling as they go around an abreviated course.I am interested in waht the C-25 brain trust has to offer in the way of suggestions or similar experience. Thanks

L.Caricchio
ZINGARA – Sail #4222
C25 Fleet Captain-Fleet#3

Navigo Ergo Sum
https://www.createspace.com/3613985

Edited by - on

Elliott
Deckhand

Members Avatar

18 Posts

Response Posted - 11/09/2009 : 17:13:04

I would avoid making it more complicated. If you have a Cruising Class in addition to the more competitive race, I don't think you'll get more boats. I think you're more likely to divide the same boats up and have two very small races. So I recommend you address the actual causes instead. Get more publicity to junior high schools, high schools, and universities to develop more young sailors. Start a crew locator service to fill all the available boats.

I don't know how the economy affects racing, unless you have entry fees for your races. Here, races are all free, and they are sponsored by someone who wants to advertise a product. This summer, we had the Chailland Business Solutions Regatta, the New Orleans Rum Regatta, the Copeland's City Social Regatta, etc. Yesterday, I raced my CP25 for the first time in a Corinthians Sailing Association Boat of the Year Regatta. I'm 34, and I had a crew of all 20-somethings to low-30's.

Today, we're having a Tropical Storm. Go figure.

Edited by - on

SailCO26
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
457 Posts

Response Posted - 11/10/2009 : 19:12:10

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Elliott
 If you have a Cruising Class in addition to the more competitive race, I don't think you'll get more boats.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I have to disagree with this - I think if you "open" up the classes to folks who are otherwise not inclined to race (the "I-won't-be-competitive" metality) that you WILL see increased attendance.

We just had our end-of-season awards dinner last Sun. Interestingly, someone was passing around the scratch list from the 2001 racing. Most of the boats were OD racers - J/22s, CP22s, and a slew of Merit 25s - even if there weren't sufficient number for a real OD fleet for any hull. As a note, NONE of the Merit 25s are currently racing (we're working on the 1 remaining at the venue).

This past year, there are in my estimation about twice as many more boats today than there was then - and we currently run TWO cruiser fleets (in addition to an 8-boat J/22; a 6-boat CP22; and a 4-boat PHRF-A fleet):
PHRF-B (200-242) with 11 boats; and
PHRF-C (243+) with 4 boats.

Several boats in the "racing" fleets are from members who were previously in the "cruiser" fleet (myself included). And this in Colorado, where we're not exactly known for our large expanses of water...

Jim

Edited by - on

SailCO26
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
457 Posts

Response Posted - 11/10/2009 : 19:26:49

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Renzo
 ...need some suggestions on how to encourage people to race.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
1. Make it easy for people to get out and join you. Encourage existing skippers to pick up crew (get an available crew list going, and encourage dock-side pickups).

2. Have an informal get-together for potential new skippers to go over rules and starts/SI - these can appear complicated to newbies and this is a good way to ease the concerns. Express that you don't need to memorize ALL of the rules - just the ones that come up most frequently on the water. Explain WHY the rule exists, not what the rule says - that makes it MUCH easier to understand and remember them.

3. Have "rookie" race(s) where newbies are matched up to ride with existing boats for un-official races - they get firsthand experience with starts and rules, and see how much fun this is!

4. Offer discounts for "rookie" racers for the first season/series. Also offer discounts to join the club (if there is one). Here, ALL races cost something - be it a series fee or regatta entry fee. WISH we could race for free!

5. Offer a "chalk-talk" session or two, talking about how to eke a little extra performance from your boat. Spread the wealth of knowledge and increase the skills of the ENTIRE fleet.

6. Encourage newbies to join/help the Race Committee. Not only will RC then have an extra hand aboard, the newbies get more experience with how races/starts operate.

7. If you have a boat show in the area, get a booth and show what you do - plus have a crew-available sign up sheet (and USE it!).

Jim

Edited by - on

Nukey
Deckhand

Members Avatar

USA
13 Posts

Response Posted - 11/11/2009 : 20:33:39

Make sure you advertise what you decide to do by posting it to the forum! I'd probably be interested in driving across to state to attend racing seminars for newbies and participate in rookie races.

Edited by - on

Renzo
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
621 Posts

Response Posted - 11/16/2009 : 06:05:50

Thanks for the input guys. I knew I could count on this forum to have some good ideas. Discounts on race fees for the crusing class are a definate possibility as is increased advertizing. I'm also considering combining a race with one of our club's many cruise/ rendesvous.Racers would race to a destination and have the option to spend the night partying with the rest of the club.
Nukey, I will be sure post our race schedule here. we would be happy to have you or any other C-25 in the area join us. By-the-way, There's a warm spot in my heart for South Haven because it's where I got involved with crewing on tall ships. One of my fondest memories is being on board the three masted barque "Picton Castle" and sailing past the lighthouse at the end of the river. The other memories are helping to build and launch the mini-tallship "Perius Magnus" designed and built by two of my shipmates from the Picton Castle. But I digress - Thanks again everyone if any of you think of something else that might help get more racers out on the water let me know.

Edited by - on

Topic

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Jump To:

Association Forum

Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.