If you were to design the ultimate Class legal Opti bailer what would it look like? 

- lightweight, but strong w/ reinforced wear areas to last longer

- maybe 20% larger would be about right

- give it a wide base to increase efficiency, narrower on top

it's BIG, it's BAD, and it's really ORANGE!

- how about a curved bottom to follow the stroke, yeah!

- a triangular top to prevent catching under deck would be nice

- ergonomic handle so it won't slip out of your hand

- forget about port and starboard colors, let's go with international orange so we can signal with it if somebody needs help, but also so we can see it floating if it comes unattached

- make the front lip rounded so it doesn't chip the midship frame

Of course, OPTIPARTS, the leader of cutting edge "stuff" for the Optimist has already been manufacturing these. Get two of these bad boys... one for each hand so they don't fight over it! 

The Green Fleet event of the year! 

CLICK TO ENLARGE

Picture the perfect Optimist regatta/clinic venue... beautiful surroundings, safe and secure, fun activities for siblings and the entire family, golf and tennis for Mom and Dad, lodging and all meals included, a relaxed atmosphere for all to enjoy and, and, and you don't have to leave the venue for all that! If it sounds like summer camp for the family...IT IS! Couple it with the best group of Green Fleet coaches ever assembled and how could you miss it?

WHEN? Columbus Day weekend, October 8 & 9, 2011 (same as USODA SE Champs that doesn't have a Green Fleet.

WHY? Because Green Fleeters deserve a clinic/regatta of their own with top notch instruction...and the family deserves a break!

WHERE? YMCA Camp Sea Gull (America's premiere sleep-away summer sailing camp) in Arapahoe, NC

WHO?

 Tom Coleman and other top notch coaches to be announced. Ratio of at least 1 coach to 8 sailors.

This event was first put on by Tom and Joni Palmer in cooperation with USODA at YMCA Camp Letts in the mid nineties. It ran for three years straight and was highly successful at turning out some highly successful sailors. Past coaches included Jay and Amy (Gross) Kehoe, Tucker Thompson, Senet Bischoff, Holly O'Hare, Mike Zani and others.

GET ALL THE INFORMATION HERE!

DOWNLOAD FLIER HERE!

An international regatta for everybody...

Bermuda Nationals Open Championship, Nov. 11-13

http://www.boda.bm/

Grab your Bermuda shorts and hop a short flight to the sunshine and strong breeze of Bermuda for their National Championship regatta!  In 2011 the regatta will be November 11-13 and promises to be a great time for all sailors and their support crew!  Over the past several years, more and more US sailors have added Bermuda Nationals to their campaign for excellent international competition and the beauty of sailing in the deep waters of Bermuda.  This is an excellent opportunity for Americans to gain international experience with minimal investment. McLaughlin will be providing charters and Tom Coleman, will again, run their GreenFleet. This is a TOP PICK regatta! Bermuda Optimist Dinghy Association

 Thanks Dave for reporting the above opticalendar.com 

Get your Bermuda Nationals flier here!

NOR here!