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| OPTI CALENDAR* | TTQ = TEAM TRIALS QUALIFIER
OGT = Tom "OPTIGUYTOM" Coleman GreenFleet Clinic
McLaughlin charters are available for all USODA events and USONT. CLICK HERE
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US Sailing Youth Calendar
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IODA & International
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5/3-7 USODA Team Trials - International Qualifier San Francisco YC 6/17-19 USODA Great Lakes Champs TTQ Buffalo Canoe Club 7/2-3 JOSF OGT Hampton YC 7/9-15 Texas Youth race Week TTQ Texas Corinthian YC and Houston YC _______________________ 7/17-19 USODA National Team Racing Champs Houston YC 7/20 USODA Girls National Champs Houston YC 7/20-24 USODA Open National Champs OGT Houston YC ____________________ 7/29-31 USODA New England Champs TTQ Beverly YC 8/6-7 USODA West Coast Champs TTQ Santa Barbara YC 8/9-11 Ripple Clinic Columbia Gorge Racing Association 8/20-26 CANADIAN OPTIMIST NATIONALS Lunenburg YC, Nova Scotia 9/17,18 USODA Midwest Champs
TTQ
10/8-10 USODA Southeast Champs TTQ Naples CSC NO GREENFLEET 10/8,9,10 GREAT GREENFLEET FAMILY FUN WEEKEND AND REGATTA OGT at Camp Seagull, Arapahoe, NC |
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Need a RIB?
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We are very proud to introduce to you our PREMIUM RIB designed specifically for coaching and sailor support.
CLICK PICS FOR LARGER VIEWS
 CLEAN, UNCLUTTERED, WELL DESIGNED, LOW MAINTENANCE, EFFICIENT, RUGGED YET CLASSY, HIGH PERFORMANCE, McLAUGHLIN QUALITY!  
TOP QUALITY ORCA BRAND HYPALON
 McLAGHLIN/ KIWI 520 (also the 13'7" McL/Kiwi 420) LOA 17' (520CM) Beam 7'2" Transom 20" Below deck fuel tank Tubes diameter 20" Air chambers 5 USCG capacity 8 Rec'd HP 50-70 Max HP 90 Weight 770lbs Hypalon ORCA 820 NO WOOD! Foam core deck Internal console flange...and MORE! CALL US! THESE WILL GO QUICKLY, BUT MORE ON THE WAY. 800-784-6478 spencer@optistuff.com CLICK FOR FLIER
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"Opti" for serious fishermen???
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Probably NOT Class legal, but these "McLaughlins" are for adults!
See their web page Towee Boats
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News form Clever Pig.org
| |  Clever Pig talks with sailing giant/Opti dad Ed Baird Ed Baird is a sailing legend and most of you already know about his success story. What you might not know, is that Ed is also the father of three young sailors and spends quite a bit of time driving his younger ones to their Opti events around Florida and beyond! In this exclusive interview with Clever Pig, Ed shares with us his past, present and future in the world of sailing and offers some precious advice to both young sailors and their parents alike. CP: What advice would you give to parents of young sailors? ...Help them see the good in what they've accomplished. Measure the value of events in stories and laughs, not points... CP: What advice would you give to all the young sailors who are at the beginning of their careers? ...Help someone younger or less experienced to get over a fear or eliminate a frustration. Congratulate your opponents for their successes. Always remember that when you win someone else loses so be gracious. Work hard and pay attention and you'll keep getting better...
READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE
CHECK OUT CLEVER PIG HERE
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Sailor beware!
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What some retailers won't tell you about that
fancy-smancy ulta-cool looking lifejacket You've seen them. The trendy lifejackets some of the hot young sailors are wearing at regattas these days. Problem is, not only are they breaking a Federal Law, they can be disqualified by the race committee for violating the Sailing Instructions. In a way... it's also cheating. When competitors wear these "buoyancy aides" because they are more comfortable, lighter weight or because they don't snag the boom, they are gaining an advantage through the use of gear that is not legal, just like wearing weight or full length stiffeners for hiking. I don't think most of the sailors are aware of that, but ignorance of the rules doesn't make it right. I won't go into whether these EU approved devices are "better" or "should" be accepted...just what's legal and in harmony with the sailing rules. READ ON...
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FREE DVD for start-up programs
| |  McLaughlin has a limited number of Opti Class promotional DVDs available to those starting new Opti programs. This DVD helps demonstrate to board members or club membership what an Opti program can be at THEIR club. In just 15 minutes, it captures the excitement of upper-end competition as well as the FUN and skills of the eight year old beginners. The DVD features interviews w/ class leaders and sailors... all having a great time! If you are aware of new start-ups or prospects, please make them aware of this DVD. Call 800-784-6478 or e-mail tom@optistuff.com for inquiry. Professionally filmed and edited by ex-OptiDad Jon Fauer at 2004 Opti Nationals and Orange Bowl. |
| Dear Opti parents, | | |
Your child is NOT a sailor!
Being a successful Opti parent (and how do we measure that... by trophies won by our kids?)* is a daunting task, as is parenting in general. To the rescue is avowed sports performance expert, Australian Wayne Goldsmith. His passion for working with young athletes, their coaches and their families, combined with an uncanny grasp of the associated fundamental issues is evident throughout his work.
I hope you download, read and share his letter to swimming sport parents that I have adapted for sailing. Here are a few excerpts:
Your child is not a sailor. They are a person who sails. And as a person, who they are impacts on every aspect of their sailing. ...And once you have made the decision to entrust the development of your child to a particular coach, give that coach 100% total commitment, dedication and support. If you can't...find another coach.
You don't sail Optis. Your kids do. Don't do it all for them.
The most important thing you can do to help your child achieve their sailing goals is to help them develop as a person with real independence and self management skills. You prepare them for life......let the coach prepare them to sail fast. The three of you - parent, coach and child - working together is an unstoppable force!!!
Download article HERE.
Read Goldsmith's Blog HERE.
Subscribe to his Twitter HERE.
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Schweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet ! |
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