I'd like to hear your thoughts.
Was it because last year was such a blast, and word spread??
Joe
Why the huge spike in boat numbers for 2014 EC?
(30 posts) (24 voices)-
Moose
MemberMy feeling is there are, by this point, probably thousands of watchers who are thinking "someday I'm going to give that a try" (just wait until ESPN gets ahold of it). No doubt every newcomer, including Moose & Squirrel, have unique personal reasons for actually jumping off the fence. But as an underlying common culprit, my guess would be "image stabilization".
Posted 7 years ago # -
And there's also probably a co-relational aspect to this via word-of-mouth to our own friends and paddling communities. If you put "EC" in the center of a large whiteboard, and then marked lines from those who first paddled the EC and branched out from there, I'm sure there'd be a link to pretty well everyone entered this year.
KB
Posted 7 years ago # -
MisterMoon
MemberThese numbers are for the EC only. I've combined all the Hobie variants under Class 5 where applicable. The big growth started in 2011. The event has grown about 200% overall, with most of the growth coming in the sailing classes. for the first 10 years of the EC there were 201 paddling boats (classes 1-3) and 115 sailing boats (classes 4-5) for a roughly 64:36 split.
In he most recent 4 years where most of the growth has occurred there have been a total of 185 Class 1-3s and 173 Class 4-5, a 52:48 split. Most of the growth has been coming from the sailing classes. I think there are a couple of reasons for this:
1) more coverage in the sailing press, both traditional print and online.
2) The EC meets an unmet demand for a new type of sailing competiton that doesnt require joining a yacht club, keeping and expensive boat in a slip, spending zillions on sails every year, rounding up a crew every week, learning an arcane set of rules, and racing around the same old buoys.
* there may some errors in the data, but it's pretty close.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Badger
MemberLots of real time coverage/publicity on Sailing Anarchy last year. Also, every time I read Small Craft Advisor, there is a mention of Watertribe and the Everglades Challenge.
Is it bad to encourage this?
I think I will curtail my own Watertribe-related posting on SA. I feel there is enough interest at this point to maintain continued enthusiasm, and yet not so much that the spirit of volunteerism is outweighed by the number of entrants. I think it is great that the OFUM is available, as well as talk of a northern challenge. That's probably the best way to handle more entrants, is to provide more local and convenient races. If folks can get down to Fla in March, fine, but more events around the nation and around the calendar is good for sailing and paddling.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Dreamchaser
MemberWell I'm trying to get a EC type challenge started here in North Arkansas, I'll be calling it the Dam Challenge.
Looking for help if anyone has any ideas.
This year it may just be Bullshoals Lake 80 miles, if i can get enough help it could start At Beaver Lake, portage around dam. thur Table Rock Lake portage around dam down to taneycomo lake, portage around dam, and then down to Bullshoals Dam. about 240 miles total. If it goes, we may make it Beaver Lake to the Mississippi River all on the White River.
Would that help take the load off the EC?
Posted 7 years ago # -
MicroTom
Key MasterI think Sharkchow's full length feature and Doglife's prominent role are a significant part of the bump.
See the 2013 EC video page to view it.
Posted 7 years ago # -
ZeroTheHero
MemberI think MisterMoon's post is spot on, at least it fits me perfectly. I grew up in a sailing family where all the older sons went off with my dad to great sailing adventures. Big time ocean races with lots of fame and glory. By the time I came along Dad had retired, the brothers had their own things going and I raced dinghys. After college there wasn't the $ to get a "real" boat so I kept with the small boats and was pretty good. But sailing around in circles only gets you so far. When I heard of the EC in SailingAnarchy I was imediately hooked. It scratched a lot of itches. I think I am one of many people looking for a way to get out there and do something great, on a dime. I see it all over. Spartan Race, Tough Mudder, MR340, Texas Water Safari, etc. Some of these events are old but some are brand new. People work in cubicles, are attached to their phones 24/7, and are not satisfied with that existance, there is a need. SailingAnarchy will be watching this year, there is already buzz. I don't think growth is bad but there may be a limit. Obviously 500 boats on the beach is not palatable for most of the tribe. That is up to Chief to decide, where the limit is if there is one. There is nothing wrong with a succesful event growing as long as there is watchful eye on it.
Posted 7 years ago # -
CleanSlate
MemberI think MisterMoon and ZeroTheHero hit on some important points. The watertribe endurance races involve attributes well over and beyond sailing (or paddling) a shorter set course. There is the endurance aspect, the navigation choices, camping, eating, and just finishing is an honor in itself. Since the boats are small and relatively much less expensive than larger boats, people can own the best in their class without breaking the bank. Since the entries are singles or doubles, more people can be "the captain".
I used to crew on other people's boats for around the buoy races and in those races just a specialized skill was invoked (like working the winches during tacks). All that mattered was being very good at doing that one thing. The cost of ownership kept me from ever owning one of those boats and being my own captain with my own crew. I never felt that I was employing my full person in the sport. In the watertribe, you do employ your full person. You have to reach deep. It is a better fit for me and a lot of others as well.
I can't make the EC this year but will be watching the EC vicariously online and wish everyone a great time. I plan on doing the 300 mile NCPC later in the fall. Just not enough vacation time for both...
Posted 7 years ago # -
BeastOarman
MemberFor me, the initial attractions were:
a) Like the warm Everglades at this time of year vs. New England snow
b) Like anything to do with water, boats, camping or fishing
c) Love being independent & testing myself - love the adventure & Challenge
d) DNF rate was a big plus, no one ever successfully rowing the EC was a bigger plus
Posted 7 years ago # -
CleanSlate
MemberYeah, and there are lots of ways to be "first" with the watertribe.
First overall, first in class, and first one to complete the course in a particular type of boat or taking a particular route (like inside route) in a certain boat type. Even though I had one of the slower times in 2013, I was the first to complete the EC in a Triak. There are lots of opportunites to be a first with trying a type of boat that had not been used before. Completing the course in your own custom home-built boat would be the most special of all.
Posted 7 years ago # -
lugnut
MemberGreybeard, we'll miss you! Any chance you'll be at the start?
Thanks for MisterMoon for the chart. Interesting to see the growth. I suspect there might have been a more steady growth line but the recession may have put a dent in participation for a few years.
Lugnut
Posted 7 years ago # -
PopTarp
MemberThe reason for the increased popularity of this event is a great question! I've been a catamaran sailboat distance racer for 10 years or so (Tybee 500's, Key Largo Steeplechase, and some other events in Florida). Our distance racing options have died or are in the process of it...which, makes me sad and we've had a lot of conversations about why that is. A lot of our distance racing has been very structured with classes of boats being restricted to one or two different designs, checkpoints are manned and always have a very structured start for the next leg. The logistical complexity of many of our races means that most teams bring a dedicated ground crew. Some of the event management either doesn't have enough control or takes too much of it. Our races seem so complicated and intimidating to new sailors that most of them wouldn't ever consider trying it. That's my take anyway - not everyone agrees with me....but, I digress...
I've been watching the Watertribe events for several years now and am finally competiting this year. For me, this year was shaping up to be similar to the years past where I looked up in February as I'm working out our sailing calendar and discovered that the EC was happening too fast for me to get ready for it. However, it was different this year because that's about the time when I got the call from SOS that he had a need for crew on his boat - so I not only jumped at the chance to compete in the EC, but to sail with SOS on one of his incredibly crafted vessels.
That said, there is a certain appeal to the watertribe events and if our catamaran specific races are to rebuild into the future, I'm urging our folks to take a look at the successes that are happening here. I don't think they could ever mold themselves like the watertribe because the terrain and boats are different. However, there several reasons that I think the watertribe events are increasing in participation. It's probably hard to quantify most of them...but I'll list a couple that stand out to me.
-
The event is incredibly open. You can compete at a level that fits your physical, financial, and mental ability (or lack there-of
). - You make the experience yours. You can choose to have an adventure or have a race...or both. You can choose to purchase a worthy craft or go insane buildling one.
- Much like most of the sailors I race with, the participants are exceptional human beings.
- Small carefull tweaks have been made to the format and the format / classes / management seem to hold "fairness" in high regard.
- At least in our catamaran circles, you've had a couple of good ambassadors with Jamie Livingston and Randy Smyth that talk very favorably about the event.
- The event is not immediately intimidating to newcomers (reference item #'s 1, 2, 3, and 4).
There are undoubtedly a lot of other reasons. Easy access to media and people now having cameras freaking everywhere helps too (I'm looking forward to the day where our cameras can connect to our phones and people can get live images from our boats). In summary, I believe this race touches a nerve of adventure that everyone has and it makes that adventure accessible. For me, even though I have always raced on crewed boats, I enjoy the time to be alone with my thoughts and to focus on one serious thing for an extended period of time. That's practically impossible for most of us to do otherwise. However, I also see shade human irony that we seek out a group of people so we can all be alone together ;-).
Posted 7 years ago # -
The event is incredibly open. You can compete at a level that fits your physical, financial, and mental ability (or lack there-of
-
ZeroTheHero
MemberPopTarp wrote:
The reason for the increased popularity of this event is a great question! I've been a catamaran sailboat distance racer for 10 years or so (Tybee 500's, Key Largo Steeplechase, and some other events in Florida). Our distance racing options have died or are in the process of it...which, makes me sad and we've had a lot of conversations about why that is. A lot of our distance racing has been very structured with classes of boats being restricted to one or two different designs, checkpoints are manned and always have a very structured start for the next leg. The logistical complexity of many of our races means that most teams bring a dedicated ground crew. Some of the event management either doesn't have enough control or takes too much of it. Our races seem so complicated and intimidating to new sailors that most of them wouldn't ever consider trying it. That's my take anyway - not everyone agrees with me....but, I digress...
I've been watching the Watertribe events for several years now and am finally competiting this year. For me, this year was shaping up to be similar to the years past where I looked up in February as I'm working out our sailing calendar and discovered that the EC was happening too fast for me to get ready for it. However, it was different this year because that's about the time when I got the call from SOS that he had a need for crew on his boat - so I not only jumped at the chance to compete in the EC, but to sail with SOS on one of his incredibly crafted vessels.
That said, there is a certain appeal to the watertribe events and if our catamaran specific races are to rebuild into the future, I'm urging our folks to take a look at the successes that are happening here. I don't think they could ever mold themselves like the watertribe because the terrain and boats are different. However, there several reasons that I think the watertribe events are increasing in participation. It's probably hard to quantify most of them...but I'll list a couple that stand out to me.
-
The event is incredibly open. You can compete at a level that fits your physical, financial, and mental ability (or lack there-of ).
- You make the experience yours. You can choose to have an adventure or have a race...or both. You can choose to purchase a worthy craft or go insane buildling one.
- Much like most of the sailors I race with, the participants are exceptional human beings.
- Small carefull tweaks have been made to the format and the format / classes / management seem to hold "fairness" in high regard.
- At least in our catamaran circles, you've had a couple of good ambassadors with Jamie Livingston and Randy Smyth that talk very favorably about the event.
- The event is not immediately intimidating to newcomers (reference item #'s 1, 2, 3, and 4).
There are undoubtedly a lot of other reasons. Easy access to media and people now having cameras freaking everywhere helps too (I'm looking forward to the day where our cameras can connect to our phones and people can get live images from our boats). In summary, I believe this race touches a nerve of adventure that everyone has and it makes that adventure accessible. For me, even though I have always raced on crewed boats, I enjoy the time to be alone with my thoughts and to focus on one serious thing for an extended period of time. That's practically impossible for most of us to do otherwise. However, I also see shade human irony that we seek out a group of people so we can all be alone together ;-).
That day is nearly here. All the sports shops here in town are selling a new camera that sends the video to your phone. I am not sure if it can go out instantly but within minutes of recording it you can send it to youtube or where ever on the web you want.
Posted 7 years ago # -
The event is incredibly open. You can compete at a level that fits your physical, financial, and mental ability (or lack there-of
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