Crafting events to work for a venue

The 2021 Snipe US National Championship was held June 17-20 in one of the class hubs of Annapolis, MD. With a solid turnout and nearly 40% women, many on helm, and reportedly 30% of the fleet under 30 years, the Snipe Class deserves a pat on the back.

However, it is always the people that make a difference, and for this event it was regatta chairs Lisa and Alex Pline. The Snipe Class takes its motto – Serious Sailing, Serious Fun – so seriously that they registered it, and following the regatta, and the release of a highlight video, Alex reflects on the fun that took place:

I’m flattered by the outpouring of thanks by competitors about the regatta. Lisa Foulke Pline did a fabulous job keeping us all on task and for planning a regatta that fit the strengths of the host club Severn Sailing Association.

That is one big take home from this latest Nationals: while the Snipe Class has many rules governing the conduct of the racing in the US National Championships, you definitely have to craft the event in a way that works for the venue.

SSA is ostensibly a dinghy sailing club as opposed to a full service yacht club and as such we cannot as easily do the same off the water activities as one might at a full service yacht club with a pool and other non-sailing amenities.

However, the four days of sailing and after sailing social followed by ad hoc out on the town dinners was perfect.