Catapalooza will start this year. The brain child of John Schwartz,
Chris Scherba, Buzz Waterstreet, and Gary Friesen, it is a traveling
event to appear at various catamaran sailing spots in Southern California.
The idea behind Catapalooza is to declare a date, well in advance, for a
day of old fashioned beachcat sailing fun at a popular location and to
have as many people show up as possible. This is an attempt to nurture
the sport of beach catamaran sailing, allowing it to grow back to the
popularity it once had.
We have a group of sailors who sail round trip, camping weekends to
Catalina Island. Although there are many curious sailors who dream of
attending, the reality is that many of them never get enough chances to
sail and practice with some of the veteran So. CA catsailors. The less
experienced ocean sailors need more and better chances to rig and sail
together with the more tenured catsailors. By announcing a date and a
place, well ahead of time, we should be able to encourage more people to
take that catamaran out and actually sail it. Come one, come all! Bring the family! Have them stop by, at least.
Share your beach toys; bring an extra catamaran! Encourage anyone who
you know that has an interest or curiosity about catamarans. Give rides
to strangers!
Our first event will be held at what we consider to be the best
catsailing beach in So. CA. On Saturday, May 22, 2004 let us all
descend upon Claremont (st.) beach, Belmont Shore area, Long Beach, CA.
Let us rig, help others rig, go for a few outings on the water, talk
with sailors at the shore, offer rides, have lunch, and help everyone
get the cats back up off of the beach. Let’s have some BBQ’s burgers
and hot dogs in the parking lot or on the sand. Let’s bring back the
fun and fellowship of yesteryear!
To help us get organized we have these resources:
- Catapalooza Website at catapalooza.thebeachcats.com
- Catapalooza Forum here at TheBeachcats.com
- Catapalooza Photo Gallery, show everyone how much fun we have!
The final date decided for all events will be established by popular
consensus.
Here is a suggested and preliminary schedule for Catapalooza:
CATAPALOOZA 2004 –
coming to a beach near you
- CATAPALOOZA 2004 “Kick Off”
- Claremont Ramp
- Long Beach, CA
- May 22, 2004
- CATAPALOOZA – SAN DIEGO
- San Diego Mission Bay Fiesta Island
- June 19, 2004
- CATAPALOOZA Claremont Ramp
- Long Beach, CA
- July 17, 2004
- CATAPALOOZA Ventura County (site to be determined – June Gloom)
- Ventura/Hobie Beach Oxnard
- August 21, 2004
- CATAPALOOZA -Season Closer/Barb-Ba-Que
- Claremont Ramp
- Long Beach, CA
- September 18, 2004