Howstev-
That is exactly how I used to get new sailors to race when I started the Prindle fleet in San Antonio. Not that I was that great a racer but I knew what I was doing and as Captain of the fleet was naturally looked up to be the newbies. I would offer to crew (NOT skipper!) on their boat in a race/regatta/whatever they were game for- sometimes just going out on a windy day with them! You have to leave a certain amount of your competitiveness on the beach IMO when you do this because they will still be intimidated in certain situations (starting, mark roundings, etc.) and the point is to teach them and give them some experience so they will be more comfortable doing it themselves. Starts with helping them rig their boat correctly and giving tips (ala how to tie battens and check tension for instance, where "fastpins" are good or bad <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />, etc.). Back in the day I sailed every weekend at one spot- pretty much everybody in the fleet did and knew where we would be and how to find us. I just love to sail and for me racing is one aspect of that and I think that attitude is more agreeable to many "newbies" than the (perceived at least) "hard core racers" who only show up to race, race, and then are gone.

Kirt