In my opinion, one of the most compelling reasons to host a North American Championship Event is to showcase a favorite local venue to sailors from all over the North American Continent.
For many of us here in Division 5 and Fleet 61, Lake McConaughy, Nebraska is that venue.
White sugar sand, warm water, and almost sea breeze like winds, we sometimes call it our poor man’s Mexico.
Make no mistake, this is Hobie sailing the way it used to be. Camping on the beach, sand between your toes, and after a day of fun and sun on the water, the camaraderie of stories about the day’s adventures shared over a warm campfire.
While there are accommodations available nearby, there will be no “Host Hotel.” There are cabins and trailers close to “regatta central”, and there are hotels available “in town” if you prefer.
Schedule:
Friday September 3rd registration and check in
Saturday September 4th thru Tuesday September 7th racing
Trophies for 16's and 20's & Tigers on Sunday Afternoon
Awards Banquet Tuesday Evening for the 17's and 18's
We will be running this even as an overlay event to the NCAC event for the 16’s and 20’s
All classes will be racing on Saturday the 4th and Sunday the 5th while the 17 and 18 fleets will continue racing on Monday and Tuesday.
Location:
http://www.lakemcconaughy.com/Lake McConaughy, Nebraska 20 miles north of Ogallala Nebraska which is on I-80 about 20 miles east of the Colorado/Nebraska border.
Lodging:
http://www.lakemcconaughy.com/services_ ... mping.html
The link above shows many of the available options. With the closest being the North Shore Lodge and the Lone Eagle Campground.
Fees :
Park Entry permits are $21 for an annual, $11 for a Duplicate, OR $4 per day for a daily permit.
Most of the entrances to Lake McConaughy are unmanned. It is the visitor's responsibility to obtain the required permits before entering the park. Permits available at the park headquarters and the convenience stores that you will pass on the way into the park.
Camping Permits in addition to the entry permits are as follows.
$7.00 primitive camping fee (camping on the beach without hookups)
Camping in the Lone Eagle Campground
$12.00 per night on camping pad
$17.00 per night with 30 amp electricity
$17.00 per night with 50 amp electricity
$21.00 per night with 50 amp/water/sewer
North Shore Lodge is a privately owned business and attendees will need to make arrangements directly with those folks.
Weather: Labor Day weekend weather is commonly pleasant with high’s in the 80’s and nighttime lows in the 50’s The water is relatively clear and warm, low to mid 70’s, and daytime winds average 10 to 15 mph
Meals:
Due to the nature of the venue, we plan to offer a meal each evening starting with a Friday evening welcome dinner, and ending with a Tuesday evening awards banquet at the Haythorn Ranch Event Center.
At this time we will be providing lunches only for the “On The Water Staff”.
If budget allows there may be some continental breakfast type items available in the mornings.
Questions, E-Mail me @ MUST429@aol.com or call me @ 303-619-0572
Please come and play in our sandbox !
Stephen
Additional Information:
Planning for the 2010 Hobie 17/18 North American Championship Regatta/North Central Area Championship Regatta is moving forward and it is shaping up to be an outstanding event.
PLEASE LET US KNOW YOU ARE COMING AND HOW MANY PEOPLE YOU ARE BRINGING WITH YOU.
Pre registration is vital, pre payment is not.
http://www.eventbee.com/event?eid=768545312Adjusting T-Shirt, Trophy and Food orders at the last minute is exceedingly difficult.
IF we have good firm numbers on how many people will be attending, we will have enough of all of those items and no one need go home upset.
If you come without pre registering, we may not have enough “stuff” and someone will get shortchanged. In order for this event to come off well, we must have good timely input from YOU.
We will be providing dinner meals each and every evening of the event.
Friday will be pulled pork sandwiches with all the fixins.
Saturday will be Sloppy Joes and sides.
Sunday will be a choice of Hamburger and Brats along with traditional sides.
Monday will be Dinner provided by the Division 7 folks. (Menu TBD)
Tuesday Evening will be the Awards banquet at the Haythorn Ranch Event Center
http://www.haythorn.com/giftshop.htmlLake McConaughy is full to levels not seen in over 10 years and while the wide expanses of white sand beaches are not quite as impressive as in years past, in my opinion, that will only enhance the quality of the event.
We will be camping in the shelter of the trees without the long walk down to the water’s edge.
Our July Tropical Dreams Regatta just ended on Sunday. Wind on the water was great, and the beach ambiance was outstanding. Dinner and evening campfires were enjoyable on a whole new level.
For those wanting to stay at the regatta site, there is unlimited primitive camping available @ $7 per night. For those wanting something more than tent camping, limited rental campers are available. They are clean, but somewhat “dated” in appearance. Please contact Billie @ the Kite Ranch to explore options, pricing and availability.
http://thekiteranch.com/ If you are bringing a camper or a motor home and you want a site with hookups, there is the Lone Eagle campground. This site will tell you a little more and there is a link to make a reservation
http://outdoornebraska.ne.gov/parks/guides/parksearch/addons/lakemac/campground.aspI personally went and checked the Hotels in Ogallala, and would list them in the order of my preference based on the ambiance and presentation of the lobby areas.
On the north side of Interstate 80, and to the east of Nebraska Exit 126
The Holiday Inn Express was very nice. @ $119 per night. 308-284-2266
They have a limited hot breakfast in addition to the customary continental breakfast
The Best Western was the next place that seemed to me to be a place I might like to stay.
308-284-3656 Rates from $76 per night. Include continental breakfast as well as hot pancakes.
Days Inn,308-284-6365, just a continental breakfast and a room rate of $79 per night.
On the northwest side of the interchange is the Platte River Inn. 308-284-3623 the Highway sign still reads Gray Goose Lodge. They are currently remodeling but should have rooms available.
The last place I visited was the Comfort Inn 308-284-4028 located on the southwest side of the interchange. Very typical of all Comfort Inn’s with a continental breakfast, room rates of $85 per night
All of these places have AAA, AARP and other discounts available but you have to ask for them.
There are some small locally owned motels further in town along US Hiway 30, but I did not have time to visit those places to get a “feel” as to how nice or how rustic they may be.
It is a very short drive thru town and then easy drive out to the regatta site. Only about 20 to 25 minutes from the Interstate to the regatta site. Keep in mind that it is a holiday weekend, and law enforcement types will be out in force. DO NOT SPEED. Leave a few minutes early the first day until you get a feel for how long it actually takes to get from town to the lake.
Rangers will be checking for parks passes and camping permits. Parks Passes are available at the Park HQTRS bldg on the way out to the lake as well as Kingsley Lodge just before you start across the Dam, and at the Stetsons Corner Store at the intersection of Hiway 61 and 92W where you turn west to head to the regatta site. Envelopes for camping permits will be available 24/7@ the entry kiosk on Public Road # 2
The sailors of Division 5 and Fleet 61 are very excited to share the Lake McConaughy experience with our friends and sailors from all across the North American Continent.
We are looking forward to seeing many of you in September.
Warm Regards,
Stephen Cooley
Event Chairman.
Additional Information
Call 303-619-0572