While sitting in the breakroom here in Waco, TX, where I'm performing some contract work, I saw in the classifieds the following:
"Free learn to sail seminar. Starting Mon 2/23. 7p-9p. Offered by Hobie Fleet ??(Sorry the fleet number was missing because the paper was torn!). Classes offered in Lewisville. For more info. Call Lil Baker (I left her number out from here)."
What a great idea! Way to go Hobies in TX! I wonder what kind of response you guys have received?
It's probably Hobie U, put on by Hobie Fleet 23 in Dallas. They have been doing this for years and have been very successful in building and maintaining their big fleet through this learn-to-sail program.
Bob Mimlitch put the Hobie U booklet and program together after taking copious notes at two of Rick's seminars, and he added a whole lot more to make it a great introductory program. Hobie U. is available through NAHCA -- well, now it's HCA.
If every fleet followed their example, we would have a lot more catamaran sailors. But it's a lot of work and time on the part of a lot of people to make it happen at the local level. Fleet 23 has the formula for fleet-building
I think Barry Moore was a leader in running the same program in Fleet 28, and he races an Inter 20. Rick Bliss was there for the one I went to. What a GREAT EXAMPLE of cat sailors working together to promote the sport!