Welcome to the
Hobie Wave Class
Sponsored by
International Wave Class Association (IWCA)

Building on the tremendous success story of last eighteen Year's Wave Nationals, we are trying to make this year's even bigger and better. We have planned a long weekend of fun and racing.

Overview of Race Week


Thursday -- Sail Measurements and Tune-Up Races.

Thursday evening -- Sail Measuring, Registration, Welcome beer party and National Class Meeting

For an Entry Form for the Annual Hobie Wave Nationals, Click Here!

Friday through Sunday -- The Annual Hobie Wave Nationals. Three days of racing.

Information about the Wave Nationals
I have tried to answer most potential questions in the following information, so please read everything, and then if you still have questions, please e-mail rick@catsailor.com.

THE REGATTA HEADQUARTERS:
The new host facility is the The Islander Resort in Islamorada, Florida on the ocean side of the island. We will be sailing on the ocean side of the islands -- a really great sailing area, recently enjoyed by the A-Class Worlds, that is miles across in every direction, with nothing but pleasant seas and good wind. Quite often you will see dolphins playing and lots of birds.

HOW TO FIND US:
When you come into Islamorada, look for a big sign on the left side that says Islander

CHARTER BOATS:
If you don't have a boat of your own, we have boats for charter/sale. Call Barb Short 305-852-9298, or barb@tikiwatersports.net

ACCOMMODATIONS:
The Islander is offering discounted rates for sailors. be sure to check with them. Here is their website: http://www.islamoradaislander.com/

You may be able to find lodging for less money, however. Check with the Chamber of Commerce. Here is their website:

http://www.islamoradachamber.com/islamoradalodging.cfm

IF DRIVING FROM UP NORTH: If you are coming down I-95, do not take that route to Miami. Get over to the Florida Turnpike, then take the Florida Turnpike Extension. (I-95 ends in downtown Miami, and you will have a hundred traffic lights for about 10 miles).

From I-75 again use the Florida Turnpike Extension. It will end in Florida City, then take US Rte 1.

ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO GET HERE IF YOU ARE FLYING AND DON'T WANT TO RENT A CAR:
If you are flying into Miami International Airport (which is about an hour or so from us) and are not renting a car, there are three possible transports:
Airporter: They pick up three times a day at the airport. Phone number is 305-852-3413 for reservations and pick-up information.
Upper Keys Transportation: They pick up any time, by reservation, and will also pick up at Fort Lauderdale Airport. Phone is 305-453-0100.
Greyhound -- they leave the Miami Airport to the Keys four times a day. For schedule and reservations, call 1-800-231-2222.

WEATHER CONDITIONS:
Air temperature usually is in the 80's in the daytime and around 70 at night. Water temperature shouldn't be below the mid 70's. Wind is normally 10-15 out of the eastern quadrant. If we get a cold front, the air temperature could be as much as 10-15 degrees colder, and the wind would blow out of the west as much as 10 mph stronger than the norm.

WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING (AND DO) FOR YOUR BODY:
(What you can and can't bring for your boat is covered in the boat rules section.)

• You don't need to bring a trapeze harness, because there are no trapezes allowed for the Nationals, even though there is an optional trapeze kit for the boat..
• However, Fred Johnston made a great suggestion. You sail these boats more like a dinghy (Laser, Sunfish, etc.) than a catamaran, because you have to hike out and use the hiking straps. So he suggested that it would be a good idea for people to have hiking shorts to give them some extra padding for their butts and the backs of their thighs. If you don't want to go to the expense of padded hiking shorts, your wetsuit is probably the next best thing to give you a little bit of a cushion. Hiking shorts are available at www.OnLineMarineStore.com
• If you don't normally use high-top booties, you might want to think about it to protect your ankles from chafing from the hiking straps.
• Sailing gloves and life jacket.
• Wetsuit and/or drysuit and/or spray suit. We don't really expect any serious cold fronts that early in the season, but you never know. The weather has been weird ever since the invention of the bow and arrow. And even in warm weather you are going to get cold when you are wet -- and this boat can be very wet if it is windy and choppy.
• Bring a water bottle and a piece of shock cord or something to attach it to the tramp. You are going to be out there for a lot of races, so personally I would take a gallon jug of water like I get at the local supermarket.
• A little toolkit is always nice to have on the boat -- small vice grip (or pliers), a Swiss Army knife that has both types of screwdrivers on it, extra ring pins and shackles, small pieces of line for jury-rigging.
• And you also might want to start doing some stomach exercises, because hiking out can take its toll.

WHAT YOU WILL GET FOR YOUR ENTRY FEE:
* Ball Cap for all competitors
* Welcoming party Thursday night
* Banquet Dinner
* National Class Meeting
* Sharing session Thursday night about what people have learned about sailing the Wave.
* Lunches Friday, Saturday and Sunday
* Beer and beverages Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
* LOTS of racing. A couple of years ago we had 18 races, and the other years we had 14 and 12 races in the three days of the Nationals.

Trophies:
Nationals -- Trophies for Open, Women, Masters and Silver Fleet (for new and inexperienced sailors). All classes sail in the Open Class and all sail at the same time.

Complete schedule of events
for Wave Race Week

THURSDAY
2-4 p.m. Tune Up Races
3-? p.m. Sail measuring
5 - ? p.m. Wave Nationals Registration and Welcoming Party, and Class Meeting (beer/sodas).

FRIDAY
9 am. Final registration
8-9 am. Sail measuring
11 am. Skippers meeting and lunch
1 pm. Start back-to-back races
5 pm. Beer after races
7 pm. Dinner -- you are on your own

SATURDAY
10 a.m. Start and back-to-back racing
Noon-1pm. Lunch
2 pm or ASAP, Start and multiple back-to-back races
5 pm. Beer after races
7 pm. Banquet Dinner behind the Admin Room, included in your registration fee.(dinner tickets available for non-racers @ $20)

SUNDAY
10 am. Start and multiple back-to-back races, no races to start after 1 pm
1 pm. Lunch following the conclusion of the races
ASAP Trophy presentations

For an Entry Form, click here!

To Pre-Register On Line, Click Here!

Boat Rules for Wave Nationals:
Please click here for the complete, most up-to-date Rules

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