Category: Uncategorized

Thanks to everyone who showed up to the Hobie regatta this past weekend at Cultus Lake. A special thanks to our volunteers both on the water and on shore for making the racing happen in tough conditions. A special shout out to Chad for loaning us his San Juan 21 for the Race Committee Boat. Saturday was a ‘no racing’ day with some folks still going out and enjoying the light and shifty winds that were there. Meanwhile the folks who stayed on shore fixed and cleaned boat, reconnected with friends and just enjoyed the day. The evening had us enjoying a chicken corn chowder prepared by Debbie and then the competition really began with a game of Cornhole. Teams were made and the fierce competition went well into the evening. Sunday saw us staring at 0930 with racing finally underway about 1030. 7 races were completed under gusty and shifty winds which made for some tough decisions on the water, some paid off, some didn’t. There were a few moments of ‘that was close’ with the gusty winds almost putting boats over, but the only capsize came on the last race, just before the finish, Well done Tim!!

At the end of the day, everyone enjoyed themselves, there was a good mix of placings in each race and some tight finishes.

Results can be found here:

Sailwave results for Cultus Lake Hobie Regatta at Cultus Lake, BC 2023

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

***MAY 3RD, 2023***

Things are well underway in preparation for the NAC’s this August. As of today, 14 boats are now registered. Here’s the list so far.

***MARCH 21st, 2023***

9 Boats now registered. Want to see who’s signed up already? Check out the event page HERE for the latest information

***MARCH 4TH, 2023***

And their off! The registrations are coming in…. Congratulations to Phil Collins to being the first to register for the H17 fleet and Chris Thorne, the first to register for the H18 fleet. Right now we have 5 h17’s and 3 H18’s registered.

Remember also, when you register we take your request for accommodation if you want to stay at the regatta site, the Rain Forest Resort Village. Despite what the form says, it is not free. We’re just not taking your money. You will get an email back from us with accommodation based on your request and an approximate cost/ night. Once you confirm, we give that to the RFR and you will pay them directly upon arrival.

Remember though, spaces are limited so reserve early!! (and register early too!!)

***UPDATE MAR 1, 2023***

We are now ready to accept your registration. Everything has been sorted (we hope!) and everything is in place. Now all we need is YOU!

REGISTER HERE

Register now for the H17/ H18 North American Championships. During the registration process you will see an ‘Accommodation Request’ section. The Rain Forest Resort Village (the regatta site) has given us priority over all of the accommodations available until June 30th at which point they are released to the public. They would be happy if we booked out all the spaces! DO NOT CONTACT THE RFR to book, use the attached form. We will take that information and match you to an RV spot, motel room or cabin based upon your request. We will send you that information but you will pay the RFR directly when you arrive. Spaces are limited so it is prudent that you register and book early. Other accommodations are nearby and are listed on the NoR. Any questions regarding accommodation can be directed to Bob Combie or Paul Evenden.

We are looking forward to a great event!

***UPDATE FEB 15TH, 2023***

Sorry to say, but another short delay! Everything is getting sorted out with regards to the banking/ tax reporting issue, but as we were about to get everything finalized, our person at the bank went on HOLIDAYS!… so now we are stuck in limbo for a week or so…. Hopefully everything will be sorted out by March 1st!!. Again, we apologize for the delay, we know your are itching to get registered… The response we are having from people wanting to attend gives every indication of this being a phenomenal event. Especially with the H18 fleet… We will keep you posted and I’ll be making a BIG announcement as soon as registration opens!!

**ORIGIONAL POST**

Division 4 will be hosting the Hobie 17/ Hobie 18 North American Championships at Lake Quinault this August. This annual event was at Perry Lake, Kansas in 2022 where Stu Dean/ Jane Velghe, Paul Evenden/ JJ Hoag and John and Della Hoag attended and gave a great showing of the Division 4 sailors. So good in fact that John and Della are now the current Champions! They will have a chance to defend their title at Lake Quinault come August.

The week after our Division Area Championships Regatta (July 29/30) we will be welcoming sailors to the H17/H18 event August 1-4. With all of the current sailors in the H18 fleet that we have been seeing at our division regattas (Harrison- 14 boats, Cultus – 13 boats, Quinault – 11 boats) and with the interest generated in Kansas for others to join us, we could hope to see a 25 boat fleet in the H18 class. Many H17 sailors have also expressed an interest to join us as well, and with our Div sailors we hope to see a 15 boat fleet in the H17 class.

We are planning some great meals and a few other ‘treats’ as well, and as (almost) always, Quinault delivers a beautiful venue with fantastic sailing.

Check here in the New Year for the registration which opens Jan 1. The Rain Forest Resort has given us priority over all of the campsites, cabins and motel rooms so be sure to fill out the form when you register and we’ll reserve a spot for you! Reservations are being taken through us, NOT through the RFR for the Area Championships and the North American Championships.

We look forward to seeing you there!!

2023 H17/ H18 NoR

*** Editors note Dec 29th: ***

Due to unforeseen Government tax reporting issues, we are delaying the opening of registration to February 15th, 2023. Watch this space for details and we will post the links here when everything is ready to go!

Thanks for your patience. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us. That information is available in the NoR.

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