Just a note to bring you up to date.
We have received our "Special Event Permit" from Pinellas County. All of
the people associated with this Park have been really helpful and interested
in
our class. We'll want to be low impact and not cause any problems. I'm
very sure that everyone will want to come back next winter for another go.
Incidentally, we've done some wind study for St. Pete for this period of
time in the past and found that generally the winds are under 10 knots but more
than 5 knots. It appears that when they do get heavier wind it only lasts
for a couple of days (in mid March).
We're working on getting insurance for the event and on forming a nonprofit
organization (do we have any lawyers in our group?). We've officially joined
US Sailing as a class and will be working toward International status with
the ISAF over the next year or two.
We're also working on getting our suppliers to host (another term that means
"pay for") barbecues for several of the evenings and to supply sailing
apparel and stuff as prizes--we will be successful.
We'll have an agenda of times and events posted soon. Special events will
be held after the clinics and barbecues and will include discussions on
rigging and understanding your rig, new construction techniques for both hulls
and
parts, fleet building and our future, and a national meeting to nominate
officers and discuss some proposed changes to the rules.
We'll finalize the budget and post the entry fees very soon as well (as
promised, it'll be under $100 for both events).
It's extremely exciting to see the kind of turnout we're getting (judging
from the reservations). We've clearly formed a great foundation for the
class.
It took courage and determination on your part to be among the early
builders and members and what better characteristics on which to build a
class?
The number of people getting a chance to sail a Swift Solo will increase
exponentially this summer and with your continued help and support the class
will
grow similarly.
This year I'll get an opportunity to teach you guys how to sail a Swift.
Unfortunately, I'm afraid that you'll be teaching me next year.
Thanks again to all of you and I'm really looking forward to sailing with
you.
Best regards,
Bram
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