Dave,
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<br>Thanks for asking the question about the emphasis on racing. As I read through this latest thread, I found myself comparing the rise and fall of catamaran sailing to windsurfing. In the beginning, there were the “radical” enthusiasts at the fringes playing with something new and exciting. As time went on and the sport became visible on the water, it began to go mainstream. Windsurfing shops were opening all over. Here on Lake Champlain, rooftop rack-mounted boards could be seen on cars all over town. Everyone wanted to try it. The sport began to mature and the big early model and beginner boards began to disappear. The sport went high-tech. Performance of the boards and sails increased dramatically. No longer was one board/stick/sail combination enough. It got more and more expensive. The mainstream was left behind. Windsurfing returned to its roots at the radical fringes.
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<br>It would seem that we’ve seen the same transition with catamarans. Over the years the cats have gotten pretty high-tech and fast – influenced by the racing community. Unless someone has already been hooked, however, the racing scene can be pretty intimidating. Racing can be endless fun and heart-pounding excitement that includes a lot of camaraderie among sailors, but it’s usually not the place for the beginner to jump in comfortably. The boats and the rules of racing can intimidate the beginner. There are just too many strings to pull for the uninitiated.
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<br>What I’ve found so enjoyable about sailing is the combination of art and sciences that can be taken progressively to higher levels, but let’s not forget about the beginners. They need opportunities for easy, fun entry into the sport that may or may not include racing.
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<br>Cheers,<br><br> Kevin Rose
<br>N6.0na #215
<br>kevin@paddleways.com
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