Regatta Shaming

I would be interested to hear why someone would post such negative opinions of an event.

Was this after being ignored when seeking a private conversation with the parties?

Good point. Unfortunatley, not every event lends itself to that; often times, PROs get hung up in scoring, or in protest/redress hearings (whether as a party or fill-in judge). Sometimes by the time we're free, awards are done, food is gone, the kegs are dry and the sailors have gone home to start twittering themselves.

Mike

Kick the assholes from the group, better for everyone else.

About a year ago I volunteered at a regatta for a mono hull group. I tried really hard to pay as much attention as possible and do my job as well as I could. I also went out of my way to take many photos, because its something we all enjoy to see atterwards but often do not get the opportunity. After a long day made longer due to some weather issues, several boats announced displeasure to me personally. Even going so far to say we had ruined the entire day/weekend for them. The complaints far outweighed any appreciation expressed by individuals. I got over it pretty fast, but coming on a year later I have been asked to help again. Screw that, I have a lot better things to do on a nice spring weekend. I am sure most people would say the same thing.

what on earth did you do to illicit that accusation?

Send them along the wrong course? Barge their boat? Move the mark right as that particular boat was approaching (and move it back)? Cause it to rain? Snuck onboard and opened their seacocks overnight? Failed to pick them up after their boat sank?

Jeeze... even those (well, maybe the last two) wouldn't

ruin the entire day/weekend

but that's just me.

Offset mark 90* off the A mark it was

way too high

.

I have always tried to personally thank all volunteers at regattas when I have the opportunity, whether I am a happy camper or not. On a few occasions I have sent a private e-mail to the OA/PRO. Sometimes its thanking them for an exceptional regatta or its offering my feedback with some suggestions as nicely as I can.

I will admit that when I have to pay $150+ for a regatta I do tend to feel more like a customer than a guest.

wow... whining about an offset mark. Is there a rule it has to be 90 degrees from A?

And admit it... you're cheap. Where else will you get an enjoyable weekend on a boat for $150?

I mentally write it off as a fundraiser (for the host club)...to go for alcohol rehab counseling on the poor volunteers

Our paper club did the

regatta network

thing where you signed up for the whole season at a discount. I think it gave me 7 regattas. It only hurts to write the check once per year! And the club(s) have some idea of revenue/attendance.

I can't really say that by not attending a regatta it's 100% profit for the club, since their costs are the same whether they are one boat short or not... But maybe they save on a few extra bottles of rum

We pay top dollar for that little teensy string we use (to look cool), but feel an all-inclusive weekend of racing should be less than $75...

I wasted someone's weekend once. At least, that's what I was told by a parent after:

Consistently not hailing OCS numbers all weekend long.

His child was leading the regatta until being OCS in the last race (one of several identified in that start).

At the finish, I called the sail of the boats, followed by

OCS.

One of the other sailors said,

You were OCS!

to which this sailor said

I know.

The sailor knew the only way to win the regatta was to get the race chucked (several prior attempts by others resulted in redress denied for OCS calls). So, the sailor filed for redress under a

class rule

which didn't exist. During that hearing, the sailor again admitted (to the jury) knowing they were OCS. Redress for abandoning was denied.

After the (delayed) awards presentation, the parent laid into me about how unfair I was not to hail sail numbers of OCS boats at the start. I tried to explain that the opposite was true (only boats near me would hear them), and he basically had an argument for everything I said, culminating in

We just wasted an entire weekend!

Fortunately, I didn't know who he was while I was talking to him (I had assumed he was a parent of one of the OCS kids whose OCS redress hearings were denied). I may have gone after him for sportsmanship after that.

Mike

Under the old rules, there was no way you could have done that.

Even under the new rules, RC cannot protest a support person. Only a PC can bring them into a hearing - and it's more likely to be a 69 hearing than a rule 2 protest hearing. The most you could do is file a report with the PC - it's up to them to decide what to do (60.3(d)).

Agreed, I was referring to the conversation.

Mike

My club does $35 regattas. They do a heck of a job at it as well, so I am spoiled but I will also admit that I am pretty cheap.

Don't feel bad, I am totally cheap (I don't buy the teensy line). But at least you recognize what a bargain you're getting.

Perhaps we have all developed some sense of entitlement by thinking all these great deals for sailing entertainment are the norm rather than the exception.

I am lucky I don't own a big mono where in addition to regatta fees, I have to house/feed a large crew.

I always sail past the finish boat and thank them at the end, try to chat with volunteers, buy my meals and beer at the club. I volunteered a week to my club to help with hosting a 16 ft cat nationals, drove a rescue boat took stacks of photos etc but I would never volunteer for anything involving that mob of whineing sailors again The trick is to make the most of the event