2009 Survey Results
1. Which Division 16 regattas did you attend this past summer?
47 Respondents
Madcatter Regatta - NEAC - (May 15 – 17) 12 (25.5%)
Regata de Gatos (June 13 – 14) 2 (4.3%)
Flying High Regatta (June 27 – 28) 3 (6.4%)
Hobie Kenobie Regatta (July 10 – 22) 7 (14.9%)
Rohrbach Ontario Hobie Regatta - (Aug. 8 – 9) 12 (25.5%)
Beachin’ Cats at Sacandaga (No Points, Aug. 15) 1 (2.1%)
Canandaigua (No Points, Sept. 12 – 13) 7 (14.9%)
None of the above 3 (6.4%)
2. Did you attend fewer regattas in 2009 than 2008?
20 Respondents
Yes 12 (60.0%)
No 8 (40.0%)
3. What was your main reason for decreased attendance?
26 Respondents
Too expensive 2 (7.7%)
Too far away 3 (11.5%)
Weather conditions 1 (3.8%)
Conflicts with other life events 11 (42.3%)
Conflicts with other regattas 4 (15.4%)
Other (click link in message to leave details) 5 (19.2%)
Comments:
· I will not attend any Hobie regatta's until HCA allows Hobie Fleets that choose to do so, to have a separate open class start, separate from the one design classes. I sail an orphaned (by Hobie) Hobiecat & I prefer to sail open.
· Just getting back into racing after raising kids. Another factor is my 1984 boat with a solid mast.
· Nationals being in the middle of the season time wise (work and childcare) as well as financially prohibited me from attending many regattas held close to it.
4. Which Division 11 Regattas did you attend during 2009?
27 Respondents
Rehoboth (May 09-10) 2 (7.4%)
Sandy Hook (Wave Divisional, June 6-7) 1 (3.7%)
Spray Beach (June 13-14) 3 (11.1%)
Wildwood (H18 Divisional, Aug 15-16) 3 (11.1%)
Barnegat Breezer (H16 Divisional, Aug 29-30) 1 (3.7%)
Shore Acres (Sept 12-13) 1 (3.7%)
Rockhall YC (H17 Divisional, Sept 26-27) 0 (0.0%)
None of the above 16 (59.3%)
5. What would get you to attend more Div. 16 regattas?
21 Respondents
Improved scheduling (explain) 3 (14.3%)
Lower fees (explain) 1 (4.8%)
Non-sailing activities (explain) 3 (14.3%)
Is there anything else we might do? (explain) 2 (9.5%)
None of the above 12 (57.1%)
Comments:
· Let fleet members decide issues such as an open start. End the dictatorial style of IHCA & NCANA & let their own class members have a democratic say in major decisions, not just the elite ruling class.
· Try not to conflict with regattas in Division 11. Not only will some of the people from div 16 come but you might get some people from div 11 come up also. Secondly, show the sailors a good time off the water. People go to the Madcatter for the parties not necessarily the sailing. If the regatta has a good social scene then people will not mind sitting on the beach as much if the weather does not cooperate. But if the regatta gets a reputation for not having wind and the parties and social activities are not there, then I think people start thinking twice about going. Lastly, if the regatta historically does not provide good sailing then you might need to change the date to a time when the weather might be better. You asked for it there is my 2cents.
· Nationals time frame and location are key in addition to not making them on back to back weekends.