An open letter to the Multihull Community:
Dear Multihull Sailors
Way backing in 2001 our US SAILING Multihull Committee put forward the idea of starting a national regatta for youth multihull sailors. The purpose was to generate enthusiasm with our children by introducing them to the concept they could be successful sailing catamarans. Our 7th annual US Youth Multihull Championship was sailed last week at ABYC in Long Beach, California. What a real success story.
Someone recently asked if we need the Tornado in the Olympics to be successful. Take a look at these names: Anders Straume, Hunter Stunzi, Tom & Jerry Tullo, Marc Kennedy, Todd Riccardi, Brett Sullivan, Chris Batchelor, Laura Young, Harry Newkirk, Tom Fruitticher, Marie Appel, Tim Wallace, Mike Iames, Frank Burns, Jennifer Innwood, Jack Field, Tyler Burd, Duncan Padura, Andy Warwick, Tyler Faust, Allen Michael, Cameron Biehl, Pike Harris, Kyler Hast, Mike Siau, Sam Ingham, Evan Miller, Sarah & Elizabeth Newberry, Eric Raybon, Jason Bilow, Luke Lawrence, Alex Sachs, Kaitlan Yasher, and Sierra Manno. Please think about who these people are for a minute. I bet you know several of these fine young sailors. These kids and many more are the direct result of efforts put forward by so many volunteers within our Multihull Community all across the country. They are our friends and our competitors in today’s real world of Catamaran sailing.
We have an opportunity now to take control of our own destiny. A new group is forming called NAYMA and along with Performance Catamaran, Sl16 Class Association and the Jacksonville Sailing Foundation, a massive effort to bring youth Multihull sailing to the next level will be achieved.
Performance Catamaran has announced their support by offering 6 new SL16 Catamarans to NAYMA for their use. This is a huge financial commitment to children.
The first year plan is to bring these new SL16’s to venues across the US and provide round robin racing and clinic opportunities to local children already acquainted with sailing. Those kids that sail catamarans with their dads, Lasers, CFJ’s or 420 sailors . We all know them at our clubs or they can be found sailing at yacht club sailing foundation events on any given weekend. We expect to offer each venue the opportunity to purchase at manufactures cost 1-3 boats if they agree to use them in their sail training programs. By the way, this is not a US SAILING program.
What can you do to make a direct impact?
1. We are asking the entire Multihull Community in the U.S. to send a check to Darline Hobock, 5373 East 27th Street, Tulsa, OK 74114. More is better if you can afford it as its all tax deductible. Founding membership is $2,000, Supporting member is $75.00 and sustaining member is $40.
2. What are we going to do with that money? It is going directly into this program. No other organization is getting a penny. We have an agreement with our insurance agents, our 501c3 corporation is in operation and trucking to venues is being arranged.
3. Volunteer your club or sailing venue to host a regatta.
Our goal is to raise $100,000 to eventually offer sailing programs free equipment. But we need start up funds right now to get a truck full of equipment on the road. We are besieged with parents wanting us to come to their venues and sail because of the championships in Long Beach.
We have the experience to make this work. Remember our Fast and Fun Program? After three years and 5,000 children I think we know something about exposure and working with children. With your help, we can make a significant difference. Almost a thousand responses to USOC andthe Tornado question must tell us something..
Sincerely yours,
Arthur J Stevens
Youth Multihull Advocate
310-245-0614
www.nayma.org
