Increasing Interest in our Sport

In view of the recent ISAF developments concerning the validity of catamarans as a suitably representative boat within sailing, we could use some of these http://www.hobiecat.com.au/sailing/bravo.html to bring kids into cat sailing to make it more popular and less easily disregarded.
A campaign to put a couple in every club in the world as trainers would be a very worthwhile first endeavor to advance cat sailing generally.




How do we raise the funds??

Berny

Buying completed boats to get kids active is done fairly easily with Federal grants half money from govt half from club. What I'm currently persuing is getting recognition for labour on club built boats so that the boat doesn't cost the club much if anything. I'll let you know of any progress
regards Jeff

Gang;

Do like I do, every time I see someone. not just a child, looking at my boat, I give them a ride. Once you get most people on a cat they are kooked. Try it sometime.

Doug

A sailing club in SC worked out a very popular program that exploded their opti program. They offered parents a 50% payment...own the boat in 2 years program. Parents pay a certain amount for the boat (say 50%) now...their kid gets priority on the boat but it can be used for club use. After a year (or two...I think) the parents own the boat outright and the club begins to organize another mass purchase. In only one year,The opti is now the largest one design class that lake sees other than when the J24's come to town during easter.

The problem you are going to face is convincing clubs they need to purchase bravos instead of Optis because the Optis already have a huge racing circuit and wide acceptance as a great kid platform.

Spot on Doug, Ive been dragging people out regulary and kids laughing carrying on etc is its own advertising. Our season only opened 4 weeks ago only 2 days suitable for kids but I've had 3 extra kids out all ready. I don't mind if the parents don't want to sail if they'll work the tower, rescue boat or boats on the beach its still involvment. Thats a great tip Jake
regards

Yes a great idea Jake.



I think you might have meant 'we' not 'you'

And, not 'instead of' but "as well as"

Berny

The Fast and Fun program, started by US SAILING see http://www.ussailing.org/multihull/fast&fun.htm was a great way to introduce new people to sailing. Unfortunately, this program is no longer offered by US SAILING, but has been continued by several Community Sailing Programs in the US. At Sail Sand Point, in Seattle, we still offer this program. See www.sailsandpoint.org. All six of our Hobie Cat Waves we use in this free outreach program, were donated or purchased with donated funds. Next year, we plan on expanding this program, and will offer the free program at several locations on Lake Washington, in the Seattle Metro area. Our local Multihull sailors volunteer to make this progam a success. The rules are simple, have fun, and make sure every one has a turn on the tiller.

Caleb Tarleton
Sail Sand Point
US SAILING Multihull Council

Caleb Im already using some of the ideas you discussed on previous posts. I think it was you chucking lollies in boats as they go past, I do chocolate bars for laps you'd know how long and hard they'll work up wind for a mars bar.
regards

A few weeks ago, a Boy Scout troop spent the weekend camped out at our sailing club, trying to get everyone their sailing merit badges. It was cold and windy, so the leaders started them off on big (keel) boats, but the kids were bored and weren't "getting it". Later, I took them all out on my Wave, 2 or 3 at a time, and they loved it. They each got tiller time for tacks, jibes, and all points of sail. Everyone got wet (like a thrill ride) and had a blast. The smaller monohull sailors wouldn't go out in the strong breeze with kids on board. I posted the story on the Hobie Wave forum, and others followed with similar stories. So scout troops are another avenue to get kids on our boats. Get to them first and show them just how much fun sailing can be. Those kids definitely saw cats as exciting and monos as boring.

Bill

Just one weeks end.

NASCAT....I love it. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I'm making decals for "NASCAT" this weekend! ... what would it stand for though? NASCAR is National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing.

Jake, I don't know what it stands for, but I'd buy one for my car just for the questions! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Jake, Don't forget about "CRAP"
Catamaran Racing And Partying <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

National Association of Sick CATS <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

NASSCATS

National Association of Seriously Sick CATS <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

national association of sport cats?
national association of sailing cats?

The NASCAT thing started at the WRSC when the existing members made the comments about the sponsorship logos all over the N-20s. The NASCAR comments came out, and then Todd Berget (I think) came up with the NASCAT stickers to poke a little fun. Most of the N-20s at WRSC are sporting them...

It's definitely the National Association of Sport Catamarans.

Hello we have a program on Lake Coeur d’Alene Idaho that we have developed using Hobie Wave’s (Art Stevens with the Fast & Fun program came 3 times to our lake) and Open Bic’s. The nice thing about our beginning program is it combines monohulls and multihulls so kids get to try it all. We also have several Access Dinghies and H16’s with Trapseats so our kids with disabilities get to participate. I have 4 kids in this program and my 9 yo son and 15 yo daughter love the Wave, where as my twin 13 yo boys love the Open Bic. From this basic program our kids move into our sailing club to race and learn more on H16’s, C22’s, & other boats. We wanted to keep it real simple. We also have a radio controlled model sailboat club that the kids love (using model catamarans and monohulls), and many of the kids have built their own models that they race. I am amazed at how our program really gets the kids excited about sailing and really how much fun they have.

Actually, I think Jim Galloway was the first to coin the Nascat term. This was more due to how we fit in over at WRSC. I think some of the stodgy older members see us as the Nascar fleet. It kinda fits. Either way, we are a growing fleet and making a positive impact on WRSC.

T

White Rose Senior Center ???

Chris 9
Looking at the attached photo, showing them the 'Jaws' film during their lunch break obviously had an effect!! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Oops I did not mean we only have 4 kids in the program I meant my 4 kids are in the program.

To add to Todd's and Keith's description,

For me is started with us N20s being the BAHBs (Big butt Heavy Boats; coined by Special Ed) of WRSC. And in the first race of being new members of WRSC I received a little tap, their port side bow to my starboard side near the stearn, from another N20 on the starting line. I didn't protest. I looked at my crew and he said rubbin's racin' and on we went. The following Tuesday night while discussing the weekends racing and consuming beverages we apparently shouldn't have, Jim coined the phrase. It just fits us. Many of us are, well not skinny lets say, and we can be a bit loud, our boats are heavy and overpowered. Glad you enjoyed it, I'll pass it along to Jim, our Fleets idea guy.

Attached picture almost added to our NASCAT status.

Lets see your design, Jake.

not quite, but some of the older sailing establishments on the bay seem that way.

WRSC is West River Sailing club, located in the town of Galesville, MD on the Chesapeake Bay on the US East coast. find them here at: www.westriversc.org

cheers.