It's certainly worthwhile, I'll look into it.

Two years ago I attempted to establish a Hospice regatta at GYC, primarily for catamarans, and it is still on the back burner. In 2010, we will be hosting a regatta to celebrate Gulfport's centennial and the thinking is to make that a "Hospice Regatta".

I cannot think of a better way to bring catamaran sailing to the public's attention, than by supporting something as important as Hospice services.

Are you certain there will be beach access? I tried to participate in the Hospice Regatta down in Naples last year, but couldn't get beach access.

The Hospice regatta has been sailed for the last five or six years by members of Cat 44 of Fort Lauderdale. We do this race as a way to support the wonderful work that the Hospice program performs. It is not an inexpensive race to do with entry fee at $100 which is tax deductible. The skippers meeting/party is at Lauderdale Yacht club and the race is a 12 mile pursuit triangle course. The awards and dinner is at Espanlade park in downtown Fort Lauderdale. We have had a class of Hobie 16;s and a mixed beach cat class before. This was primarly a monohull race but we asked and were allowed to race, and actually won the event for best average of a club. They then kicked us out of the running for the club championship. We still do the race and raise money for the cause. The format is set with the slowest boats starting first and then your rating will determine your start time. It is a great challenge to spot some pretty quick PHRF boats almost an hour plus in a 12 mile race. Great cause and great venue of Fort Lauderdale beach with set up at the small boat launching area across from the Oasis Cafe. If anyone wants to feel good about racing past high dollar monohull racers for a good cause than sign up and join the fun. Check the results from the past years and you will see that we have had events with 100+ boats.

Will Woody Cope be there?