This year there were only 4 cats at Eden. Two of us Mozzies and two Paper Tigers (both from Mallacoota).
The monohull fleet was way down on previous years as well, with only the NS14s and Flying Fifteens there in strength.

The cats used to be represented by A-classes, Hobie 14s, 16s, 17s, 18s, & 20s, Paper Tigers, Maricats, Windrushes, with 20 or more boats only a few years ago.

I guess since most of the fleet at Eden comes from Canberra this says more about the state of cat sailing in Canberra (dead!) than anything else.

It's worrying to see such a big regatta shrink so much. It makes me wonder what we as a class should be doing about it.

Do we try harder to encourage people to travel to regattas to meet, race and socialise (how?), or do we accept people dont want to travel any more (for whatever reason) and focus on building up a few large club fleets?

Just looking at Victoria, there are plenty of Mosquitoes around sailing regularly at various clubs, but with the exception of Somers, there are usually only between 1 and 3 at any club. If these could get together at just a few clubs they would have 6 or more boats on the start line, and that can be enough (critical mass) to start bringing more people in (as happened at Somers).

What could the class do to encourage this?