Peter Nelson from Seattle, was named the new Area H Rep, at the US SAILING AGM in Phoenix last week. Peter is a long time Hobie 16 sailor, and is a level A US SAILING Athlete.
Peter, along with Laura Sullivan, Hobie Class Association Div.4 Chair, and her husband Jerry Valeske, have presented Hobie 101 and 102 at Sail Sand Point in Seattle for the last five years. Peter is also active in PHRF events with his Beneteau. He has helped with the Fast and Fun free outreach programs that continue to be held in the Northwest.
The US SAILING Area Rep Responsibilities are listed at ussailing.org/multihull/areareps.htm and are more than just running the Area elimination races for the US SAILING Multihull Championship(Alter Cup). The Area Reps are also the liaison for all Multihull sailors in the area, and work with all local yacht clubs and sailing centers to promote training and youth activites.
Welcome Peter, and we look forward to your help with the new direction for US SAILING.
Caleb Tarleton, Multihull Council
Congratulations Peter, I believe that Hawaii is part of Area H and was wondering if you would like any input from the middle of the pacific? or would you prefer to do some recon work yourself.
Dan Williams, Kokokahi Sail Club
Dan --
I am VERY interested in hearing what is going on in Hawaii!
I tried to talk US Sailing into sending me on a 'reconnaisance junket' this winter. I was willing and prepared to sacrifice my time away from soggy Seattle to come out there for days upon days of hard work. But, alas, they weren't biting!!!! 
So for now, I guess you will have to provide your input via this forum or by email at nelson.peter@comcast.net. I am particularly interested in what kind of multihull sailing and what level of participation there is...as well as ideas on how to improve/increase that.
I have a trip planned to your little paradise in the middle of the pond around mid-July as part of the Vic-Maui. Unfortunately, I plan to fly out as soon as we make landfall to make another big boat regatta up here in the Northwest. But as time permits, I would love to meet up with you and get some dialogue happening this summer.
Are you on Oahu or Maui or ?
Peter,
If you're doing the Vic-Maui, you'll be hanging out at the Lahaina YC. The only multi-hull action in West Maui is the LYC's commodore on a Corsair 27 and me on a Hobie 20. There are a few Bravos and one H 16 rental boats.
Mike
Peter, I can handle that field trip for you. Margaret and I will be on Maui, Jan.31 to Mar. 15. We are staying at Maui Hill, south end of Kihei. Tom and Dan, in our picture, will be there with us Feb.18 to 27, during Spring break. Perhaps we can look up Mike and Dan while there. We always spend our time on the water, checking out the local action.
Caleb Tarleton
calebtar@comcast.net
This is great! I haven't heard any multihull action out of Hawaii for decades!! That's not to say there wasn't any....I just never heard of it.
Now, any ideas on how we can organize it more, get more participation, and/or get the word out about it more -- both on the local level as well as on the national/mainland level? It seems to me if we start 'advertising' this activity, people will once again get excited and start participating more. Shoot, I know for myself that for the past many years I just figured Hawaii was just a multihull desert. Knowing there really is activity over there has me all excited! Granted, I am an easily excited young man. But if I can get excited about it, maybe others can too!
Tell me more and let's get the word out!!
Is there any new blood in Hawaii coming out to play on multis? We do a Hobie 101 class here in Seattle to introduce beach multis to people. (It is called Hobie 101 for marketing purposes, but its open to any boat with 2 or more hulls!!) Would something like that have any merit?
Caleb -- an excellent idea. Perhaps you can do some 'recon' work while over there. Maybe a 101 class? I don't expect I will have a lot of time when I am over there in July, but I could always do some follow-up while there.
This is great!!!!
Peter,
Check out the forum on this website for the Hawaii Hobie Cat Association (HCCA), down below the Multihull Council forum in the main index. Posts by Dray and Chrismargaret.
They do seem to have regattas and are trying to generate activity, although this particular forum has not been very active for the past two years. I don't know whether there has not been much going on over there or whether they are just not using this forum much any more. At any rate, Chris and Dray are two good contacts.
Caleb,
Let me know if you'll be in the Lahaina area. I live up the hill from Prindle Beach.
Aloha Peter,
I don't get to check the BBS or email that often so Ill give you a quick blurb on whats going on on Oahu and specificly Kaneohe Bay.
I'm currently the fleet captain for the 20' cats at Kokokahi Sail Club which the Hawaii Hobie Cat Association Division 1 Fleet 6 is part of.
We have either races, cruises to the sandbar or sailing seminars (Hobie 101) on the first Saturday of every month. We have @75 beach cats (not all active) and get @10-15 out sailing on those days. our largest active fleet is the Hobie 20's (can't find any used 20's for sale). I myself have been to a Hobie 16 worlds in Mexico (3 teams from Hawaii that year), Hobie 18 NA in Jacksonville FL, Hobie Wave NA at Rick's place in Key Largo served on the race and protest committee at the Hobie 20 NA in Santa Barbara and have been an active beach cat sailor in Hawaii for the last 18 years. MAN am I getting old!
The Hobie fleet is still alive but doesn't hold regatta's because of the restrictions of the class orginization.
Aloha, Dan (dray) Williams