I've heard it said that whenever two sailboats are in close proximity, a race is inevitable. The start of class racing is when two of the same boats meet.

All it takes to organize a Getaway class is for SOMEONE to organize it, be it Hobie or Joe Getaway-sailor. You write down whatever rules you want, and encourage others to jump on the bandwagon. If you get enough attention, things become recognized, and it grows more.

That's what happened with the Wave class, and it has grown to the point that NAHCA said "Okay, you're for real; let's work together."

Before I bought my Wave, I had dropped out of class racing because I wasn't very good, and it wasn't much fun for me. The Wave is a fun boat on its own, single-handed or with a few friends on board, so I didn't miss racing. But when the opportunity came to join other Waves for a regatta across town, I gave it a try. I still wasn't very good, but I had a good time. Most of the races I go to are "fun" races, so not much pressure. Some people take it more seriously, and that's okay.

But personally, I do still prefer day-sailing to racing.