by Capt. Flak » Mon Jan 13, 2014 9:37 am
Bud Cassidy and company did a great job running this regatta. I am sorry to say that this was Bud's last time running a regatta. He is one of the best organized and thoughtful RDs we have had in the class. He sets great courses and keeps the action going. Enjoy your retirement from race directing Bud, but please keep coming out to the lake to sail with us.
This was a brand new venue for Naples and the locals had no advantage in local knowledge yet. It is a small lake, but it has great facilities and the parking was at the waters edge. I mean right at the edge, we barely had enough room to walk the shore between the water the lifted tail gates. The weather could not have been any better. I jokingly complained about the lack of a single cloud in the sky. A lot of money had been spent on this lake by the City. It points out the need for us to really work at getting in contact with City Planners to get into their heads that the shape of the lake can really improve its use by sailors. The shape of this lake meant that we had longer walks around the out side, while our boats sailed the short length through the middle of the lake. Had a model sailor had a chance to talk with the planners, they might have made an L shaped lake that could have provided for great courses and easy walking to follow the boats. It would not have cost the City one penny more to build a lake of the same size with just a little different shape.
I encourage clubs to try to meet with City Planners if only to say, we are here, we are clean, and we attract people to the pond. If you make these small changes to your plans, it will make it even better for all.
That said, it was a very good regatta and a lot of fun to sail. Thanks Dick and all the Naples club for hosting. Great Job!
Joe Walter #24