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California, Pacific Coast Championships Local Hobie Fleet Hosts Event to Fight Cancer By Ron Bishow 
Sailors from as far away as Texas and Arizona and many other areas of California came to Hobie Beach,
Santa Barbara to compete in the California, Pacific Coast Championships on Beach Catamarans. Two
teams from Lompoc and five teams from Santa Barbara, two teams from Carpinteria.
Santa Barbara CA- A hundred and three competitors sailing on Hobie Cat, Nacra, and Prindle Beach Cats sailed to aid the fight against cancer on Aug 2nd and 3rd. There were 8 separate classes. Three Hobie 16 and Hobie 18 fleets, one Hobie 17 and Hobie 14 fleets, two Nacra 5.8 and Prindle 19 fleets, and the newest of them all the Hobie Miracle 20 fleet of 18 boats. Most classes boasted an average 12 to 25 boats per fleet. Businesses from all areas contributed aid for the event in the way of cash, and merchandise to raise over $2,000. A check was presented to the American Cancer Society in Santa Barbara. This all could not be possible if it wasn’t for the Santa Barbara Harbor Commission, City Parks and Recreation Dept. and the help from the Water Front Parking Staff in Santa Barbara. The competitors raised funds by having co-workers, friends, family, and business sponsor them from their local areas. Contributors received souvenir shirts of the event per every $20 donated and two for $35. Some of these souvenir shirts are available at several locations. In Lompoc the locations are Coffee Beans and Things and GSM Mortgage, or you can call the organizer of the event at 736-1529. The wind was just the right combination with light winds in the early afternoon to a good building wind of 10 to 18 knots in the mid to late afternoon. The local Hobie fleet from Santa Barbara/San Luis Obispo counties along with the Nacra Fleet One and Prindle Fleets One and Three hosted the event with the assistance on the Santa Barbara Yacht Club and the Santa Barbara Sailing Club. The thing that makes this event so special is that in 1996 the Hobie Fleet made this area championship a Benefit to help fight Cancer. Last year was the pilot year with a moderate amount raised for the Cancer Society. This year we saw it to be popular as the competitors had raised at least two thousand dollars. This is almost four times the amount then raised last year. The competitors range in ability and skill and are matched with the same boat as “class one design racing” and broken into fleets according to their ability. This allows anyone to compete in a level playing field that increase the excitement for the novice. A novice sailor would be classified as a beginner. These beach sail boats are relatively easy to learn on and a complete thrill to be on. The race structure is inexpensive and can be a challenge for any level of sailor. The Hobie Fleet in the San Luis and Santa Barbara Counties are always willing to give introductory rides and lessons to share the thrill. For information on the fleet activities you can call Ron Bishow of the Hobie Fleet at 805-736-1529 or e-mail hobieron@utech.net. Ron Bishow hobieron@utech.net Back to Features |