Thanks for carrying the torch Todd. I know I pussed out but my original post on the subject wasn't to take a jab at Hobie but to give a little pat on the back to Red Gear Racing. In re-reading it, I can see that I did without realizing it. I guess it's a conditioned action.
My offer to volunteer even at Hobie only events still stems from the feelings that "it's good to see cats on the beach", regardless if they're predjudice towards other makes. If I still offer my services and boat, I hope I can keep my mouth shut after a few pulls off the rum bottle.
What I do find funny is that HCA, in thier infinite wisdom, shut the door on themselves to one of the best beach cat sailing areas in North America by saying "no more open class boats at Hobie events". That place being Galveston, Tx. Division 6 came back with "We'll keep going with busniess as usual since attendance numbers are on the rise and we can do this on our own. That's where TCDYC stepped in and started running all the races at the Dike and Div 6 does mostly Canyon Lake.
A small group of sailors who frequent the Surfside Beach area started organizing a few social events (like Hobie Cat used to) and called themselves "Surfside Sailing". They started a little message board and have a nice website like TCDYC does. Most of the groups pretty much intermingle. Hobie contacted the Surfside group with an offer to invite them to be Hobie Fleet 33 but only a "Social, non racing Fleet", so that all boats were welcome. They did this, which is great. Now HCA wants Fleet 33 to put on a National Event in Galveston. Kind of like getting kicked out of a bar then sneeking in through the back door cause you still want to party.
Maybe this is HCA's olive branch and they want to be more involved with Beach Cat sailing altogether and not be as exclusive, I hope so.