But what we have not heard is the stories of all the fleets that no longer put on regattas because the same people (usually one or two people) always did all the work and finally got burned out and quit. And nobody stepped up to the plate to replace them.
Mary,
Hobie Division 9 is an example of the attrition that occurs when Fleets die/burn out.
Some Fleets are down to a couple of active members, some are down to only a few willing to do the work.
Some also lost their regatta location.
Fleets 97(Raleigh, NC), 101(Carolina Beach, NC), 191(Greensboro, NC), and 170(Lake Waccamaw, NC) have recently ceased holding regattas.
The "paper" fleets(91, 101, 191) don't have other resources (staff, crash boats, facilities) to draw from.
Just a few years ago, we had so many regattas a year that we had to decide which ones we would attend.
All is not bad news though.
Hobie Fleet 100 in Oriental, NC has been revived by Kyle Harrison and holds a regatta on Hatteras Island in Rodanthe, NC.
Hobie Fleet 32 in Virginia Beach, VA, has added several distance races.
We have had some new regattas begun by independent groups.
Spring Fever, By Nigel Pitt and Mr. Ernie on Lake Hartwell Georgia.
The North-South Cat Dash, by Taylor & Darla Damonte and the North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce, a two-day distance race off the beach with cash prizes.
The Seacats, based at Columbia Sailing Club in Columbia, SC, has worked hard to get a large catamaran fleet at the Outback Cup(Outback steaks!!!).
