We can take action now, while the long term plans are developed. I'm now located in Perth, but still support my home cat sailors in Arizona, California and Nevada. Here are some items that worked for our fleets. These items were funded by sailors and crew.
* Advertise for crew in the local university classifieds (2 - 1 wk ads in AZ and CA yielded 6 new regular crew last year!)
* Create a season schedule and information for potential new crew and sailors. Distribute the brochure to local sailing retailers, sailing schools and at events
* Coordinate a shared campsite for crew (for travelling events). Make the site free to new crew. Help set up carpools and caravans
* Donate some time at a local sailing school with their open house or social sailing. Many of the crew that came from the schools would go back and promote our events.
Not only do we need to get people involved in cat sailing, but we need to get people that are potentially good future athletes. University age sailors like the weekend events and tend to be talented, easy-to-train athletes.
While I focussed on crew for Hobie 16s, I am now looking into getting skippers and the guys too big to be crew on a Hobie 16 more opportunities to start cat sailing.
BTW, I support the Western Aus Tornado Assoc and the local Nedlands YC Tornados. I've donated my time to organizing sponsors and photographers for their Nationals and States. Feel free to contact me if you have ideas or questions.
