With sails pointing every which way but up, a sailing race is hardly a spectator sport to the uninitiated civilian. However, 'Match Racing' (two boats racing a figure eight course between two buoys) is far easier for a viewer to digest.
How about...
Buoy 1 150-200yds off the low water mark opposite 'Pirates Cove' crazy golf course. Buoy 2 150-200yds off the low water mark opposite Shanklin Pier. Start/Finish line in front of tannoy base. Short but sweet 2 or 3 lap races. A knowledgeable SSC member WITH A SPARKLING PERSONALITY commentating on the action through the carnival committee tannoy. At least three pairs of kats (no apologies for the deliberate K, it's just cooler) would be ideal to enable inter-pair racing to determine an overall 1/2/3 out of six boats, yet of coarse, the sky's the limit. A brief prize giving ceremony at the tannoy base, perhaps with prizes donated by local business'.The commentator would not only have to introduce the competitors regarding experiences/mishaps/odysseys to the channel Islands etc. and explain to the crowd what was happening, but also be able to gee them on to make it exciting. Even if it's akin to the 'Wide Sargasso Sea' out there. Is Alex Dyke available?
I'd be interested to know the legalities regarding insurance etc. of the potential to take a member of the public on each kat as crew/passenger. And, if there is a legal hurdle to the commentator plucking a couple of punters from the audience, getting them to choose a boat each, and issuing a family ice cream voucher to the one that picks the first kat past the post.
I've been considering whether or not to make this potential event an entry in the official regatta program, just in case the doldrums descend upon us. Or it 'Blows a Hooley'.
If I had my way, I'd have all competing boats moored on a trot line with their personal buoys parallel to the shore line, 150yds. off the low water mark opposite Lee Pardy's Café. They'd look great as dusk fell, with their flood lit sails aloft, to the gathering firework crowd as they made their way down Hope Hill. I have nine RGB LED re-chargeable (4-5 hrs. battery life) flood-lights that can scroll, latch/switch, or blend through all the colours of the rainbow, or be latched on any one fixed colour. Illuminating Bob Baker's garden and house is on my bucket list.
Your thoughts please.
Eddie
