Different Times and Different Places for Different Regattas

by Kathleen Tocke 04/21/2020

by Kathleen Tocke

These days, sailors around the world find themselves reading sailing blogs, looking at old regatta photos and videos, longing for the time they will be out on the water again. For many of us, we are happier on the water. We miss our Snipe family.

The situation is different for people in different places and the future is difficult see. Some regattas have been cancelled and regatta organizers are being asked if they will hold their future events or not. Not all decisions need to be made now, especially for regional and local regattas later in the year.

Regatta organizers please consider the following when making your decision:

People want to sail, especially those in the northern latitudes who are coming out of winter, and our friends who have been in areas of strict quarantine.
Simplify your event to cut costs – we don’t need regatta t-shirts, organized regatta dinners, big award ceremonies. People understand that this is an exceptional year.
Consider shortening the length of your event. Many people have lost vacation time or will not be able to take vacations. Shortening your regatta will decrease the amount of vacation time needed and also decrease the cost for the organizers.
Make the Race Committee job easier, use few RC volunteers – If you are short Race Committee volunteers, consider using dinghy starts – a 3 minute sequence with a horn each minute and no flags. Use a starting box for the sounds/horns. Fleets will be smaller this year, so it will already be easier for the Race Committee.
Ask people if they are still planning to come to your event, especially people who will travel a long distance. Know the number you need to run a simple regatta with minimum, cut costs.

In many countries, the Class has seen a decrease in regatta and fleet participation during the past 20 years. We need to keep people interested in Snipe sailing and on the water, but we can be smart about this.This year, our yacht clubs will need money. They will be happy to have sailors buying drinks and food at their bars. Our Class boat builders and sailmakers have also been hit badly this year. These are not big corporations, but individuals/small businesses that support our Class. Everyone’s situation is different, so regatta decisions will be different and made at different times. One thing is sure, we are all looking for ward to getting out on the water and seeing our Snipe friends as soon as possible.