Hobie Division 4

White Pass Ski Area, Washington
So much fun, we’re doing it twice!
February 3-4-5 AND March 10-11-12

We are happy to announce that Rich received approval from the Olympia Ski Club board for TWO Hobie ski invasions this season. Here is a link to White Pass to learn more about the resort, lift tickets alpine and cross country runs, rentals services etc. https://skiwhitepass.com/  Like all local areas these days, check in advance for ticket availability.

Joining the group at the Olympia Ski Club is fun and affordable, with ski in/out access. It is dormitory style bunks at $15/night per person. Excellent meals are planned for Saturday dinner and Sunday breakfast with a combined cost of only $10/person. Either current Covid vaccination or negative home test the day prior is required to stay in the Oly. For RV camping info check the White Pass website.

If you wish to attend the upcoming February dates, please contact us quickly. Rich needs at least 4-5 days notice to plan food and accommodations.

If you are interested and haven’t yet seen the details, please contact Rich via the HobieDiv4 Google Group, or send an email to info@hobiediv4.org requesting information.

Check out this excellent January 5th 2023 article By Kurt Hoehne at Sailish.com on the recent agreement for Hobie Cat boats and parts!

A New Hobie and ILCA Builder for the Future of Sailing

We’ve all seen the handwringing. We’ve all heard the pontificating. I’m one of those. We’ve all read the varying opinions as to why participation in sailing and racing is struggling.

“Big-boat” fleets are shrinking. Dinghy fleets are often on life support or only come together ­­­for Nationals, Worlds or Regionals. The US Sailing Championships do not have the prestige they used to. It’s great to see kids out there, but it seems they’re generally not carrying the love for racing into adulthood. Maybe they are, they just can’t afford the time or money.

What we haven’t heard or seen that much of are fully successful solutions. One might just have arrived with Starting Line Sailing (SLS) venturing into new ground as a builder of ILCA dinghies (yes, Lasers to many of us) and Hobie Cat. Two of the most successful boats at introducing sailing to the masses will now be produced by one of the most dynamic sailing groups around.

Read More

Well, we are almost halfway through August now, but it seems like the summer has just gotten started! There is one more points regatta on the schedule for the Division, from which we’ve had a hiatus for 3 years! Our last event at Harrison was the H16/ H20 North Americans in 2019, way too long. The town is ready to welcome us back and we are hoping that this fantastic weather continues.

As for our next event, it’s the Harrison Division 4 Championships, Sept 3/4th. The park is open to arrivals Friday Sept 2nd at noon (or there abouts) and we have permission to stay until Monday noon. So, no need to rush out Sunday evening. We will have our usual main dinner on Saturday night (with a few surprises I hear) and then a light BBQ on the Sunday night for those who stick around.

As always, we like to know who’s coming so we can plan food etc., and the best way you can do that is to register online sooner than later! Here is the link:
https://events.com/r/en_US/registration/2022-harrison-hot-springs-hobie-division-4-championships-harrison-hot-springs-september-845118

Also, we have several able-bodied sailors ready and willing to crew if you should not have access to your regular crewmate. As always, first-come first-serve, so let us know and we’ll pair you up the best we can! Don’t let that stop you from coming!

We are looking forward to hosting everyone again at beautiful Harrison Hot Springs!

On a final note, the Hobie 17/18 North Americans are coming up next week in Perry Lake, Kansas and there are a few of your fellow sailors going! Stu Dean, John and Della Hoag and myself (with JJ as crew!). You can see the results as they happen starting August 16th on Regatta Network: https://www.regattanetwork.com/event/24574

Enjoy the rest of your summer! Stay safe on the water!

Paul Evenden

It’s true that Skamokawa did not live up to its usual standards with only 2 races Saturday and the Long-Distance race being cancelled… after which the wind kicked in! (of course). The hot weather reduced the thermal winds we are used to, with it filling in later, and with lighter conditions. The two races on Saturday were in the late afternoon, but provided good, technical racing with strong current and less consistent wind conditions. Following the racing, all enjoyed meatball sandwiches, salad and other goodies for dinner. The new manager of Vista Park and the Port of Wahkiakum County joined us with his family. He is a sailor and very happy to have us at the park. He was very keen on asking for suggestions to help the park improve (besides the obvious Sand Mat thorns!) and excited to have us back next year. Sunday the wind just would not fill in as the hot temps in Portland and Skamokawa were about the same. We were unable to start a race before the 3pm time limit.

There was a sad incident to report. Around noon on Saturday, there was a call to 911 from other park visitors down the beach. 2 brothers aged 26 and 28 were swimming, were caught and swept out by the current (and possibly ship wake) and drowned as a result. Our mark set team of Bob, Al, Tim, and Andrew, along with Jeff and Sue were instrumental in assisting both the emergency services and the families during this tragedy. Using their radios, they were able to communicate with the local authorities, with passing vessels and a Coast Guard helicopter to assist in the search. Jennifer Hoag assisted by translating Spanish with the family and authorities on shore. Sunday, the search continued, and our chase/safety crew spent the day taking the family and friends out in search of the brothers. As sad as this situation was, it is good to know we are prepared as a group and could be of assistance at the time of need. We also have a new AED defibrillator to carry on a chase boat in case of need on the water. This was onboard with Tim all weekend.

Thank you to everyone who was involved. As Paul E. said, we are all part of the same family that play on the water, whether as a swimmer or boater, we help those in need.

Results can be found here:
http://sailwave.com/results/hobiediv4/skamokawa2022.htm

For those interested in the status and outcome of the search, the Wahkiakum Eagle newspaper has been posting the Sheriff’s reports here:
https://www.waheagle.com/story/2022/08/11/news/remains-of-both-missing-swimmers-recovered/21211.html

Paul C.