Canoexpo 2008 (KeithM)
For the first time since 2005 the OCSG has been exhibiting at a national canoe exhibition. Canoexpo was organised by Brookbank Canoes and Kayaks, the largest supplier/retailer of canoes, kayaks and associated equipment in the UK. It was hosted at the exhibition facilities of Stoneleigh Park Showground, near Coventry over the weekend of February 16th and 17th.
A large variety of workshops and presentations were programmed in order to make it not just a large retail opportunity but also more of an outing and an attractive proposition for the paying, paddling public. The OCSG were invited to provide one of these slide talks with the incentive of not only publicity and enhanced profile, but also a much reduced cost for our exhibition stand. Solway Dory kindly provided their latest sailing canoe to form the centrepiece of the stand as well as a great selection of photos, displayed in categories to represent the facets of the group's activities.
They also provided the photo display boards and a useful proportion of the staffing, which mainly comprised Steve, Jeff, Daves P and S, Paul and Keith. Thanks also to Paul for the loan of the digital projector, stand and screen. Many old friends came by and had a chat including JohnT, Sheila & SimonF, TonyB, Katherine & GavinM, Elizabeth & WarinK, NigelC, Penny & PeterO - some even took a turn at staffing the stand.
The organisers have yet to publish final, total attendance figures but early indications suggested around 5000 people had visited with around 2000 seeing presentations and workshops. The canoe sailing presentations were well attended with around 40 on Saturday and 35 on Sunday. It seems likely that the exhibition will be repeated next year and we will need to decide whether the Group should justify the outlay of time, effort and cost, especially for those involved all weekend, given only one new membership was gained.
Playing To The Rules (KeithM)
When the OCSG web-site was being checked for "dead links" (a process that is carried out from time to time to keep it up to date - please let us know if you find any problems), the ISAF (International Sailing Federation) link was not quite right and while looking at their site it was noticed that for 2008 they are trialling a simplified version of the racing rules, to make it easier for those starting out racing under sail. An email was sent enquiring about this and within an hour or so the draft, 2-page Introductory Racing Rules document was published on their web-site. The email reply showed that there had been huge response and the timing of our enquiry was a coincidence! Reading the simplified rules it appears that with a little adaptation they might suit our level of racing quite well. Have a look and let's see what you think.
Meanwhile there is an informative and entertaining web-site that looks at the full version of the sailing Racing Rules. It presents a series of "scenarios," many in the form of animated graphics, about which you then have to answer a question. It explains why you got it right or wrong and keeps score for you. Stick with the "easy" section to start with, unless you have done a considerable amount of racing - remember some racing rules are esoteric and hard work to understand. Thank goodness our style of racing generally manages to avoid most of the challenges of protesting and associated hassle!
Canoe Trimaran - USA Style (KeithM)
This rather enthusiastic version of a canoe being adapted into an exciting craft fit for family expeditions was found on the internet - the builder benefited from pretty good workshop facilities and possession of a fairly large existing rig from a Hobie catamaran.
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