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NIMBY XI, the 11th Annual "Not In My Back Yard Road Trip Regatta"By Wright Finney NIMBY XI, the 11th Annual "Not In My Back Yard Road Trip Regatta", is scheduled for June 15 - 17, 2007. It is now eleven years since we conceived the concept of taking our show on the road to different venues. This year, we are striking out into virgin territory again, holding the event in the coastal town of Port St. Joe, FL, on the shores of St. Joseph's Bay. As usual, NIMBY XI will be an event not to be missed. This regatta has always been designed to be enjoyable for racers and non-racers alike, with a "No Class" offered along with the traditional racing classes. The registration fee will remain at $20, and will include happy hour, trophies, the pre-supper party, and a wearable item of some sort with the now famous NIMBY logo. A registration form is attached to this e-mail -- please print and fill it out, and bring it to the event. The host hotel is the Port Inn right on US 98 (Monument Avenue). This is a restored motel with 20 unique rooms, a small pool, and a great little bar (the Thirsty Goat). It is managed by Jason Bogan, son of long-time SPSC regatta supporter Steve Bogan from Pensacola. There is a county park with a boat ramp right across the street from the motel, with a sandy bay beach for launching windsurfers. We'll run the windsurfing event from the park and sail just offshore. Two blocks away is a very nice marina for folks who want to bring their boats. For non-sailors, shops and restaurants are within easy walking distance of the motel. For the event, I have reserved 12 rooms that will be held until May 4. Each room is unique with different pricing, varying in price from $99 for a double room to $139 for a suite that will sleep 4. They are giving us a 10% discount off the room rates, which is quite generous since we're booking right in the middle of their "high season". I strongly suggest that you call now and mention the "NIMBY Windsurfing Regatta" on June 15 - 17 for best rates and availability. Go to the Port Inn web site for full details on the motel and rooms: The Port St. Joe Marina web site is: For a map of the area, click on: The schedule and format will be similar to past NIMBYs. A yachting trip to the St. Joseph's Peninsula across St. Joe Bay, led by Fleet Commander "Papa" Don Franklin, will kick off the weekend on Friday at noon (meet at the Port St. Joe Marina store). Registration and a welcome happy hour will be held at the motel poolside early Friday evening, followed by Friday evening supper and entertainment on your own. Racing will commence on Saturday, followed by the traditional party around the pool including complimentary snacks and refreshments on Saturday evening, then we'll all gather for a dutch-treat supper in a good, moderately priced restaurant Saturday night. Sunday will see more racing, followed by the trophy presentation. As far as the racing is concerned, we'll be racing off the beach in the park across the street from the motel. We plan to run races for longboards and hybrids if there is at least 5 knots of wind, and Formula boards if we reach 8 knots. The courses will be designed to suit the racers participating, but will probably include some non-standard configurations which will be challenging but fun. Above 15 knots, we may try some figure eight or downwind slalom courses. In the tradition of the NIMBY, we will be continuing a long-standing tradition of including a long distance race in the format. We'll start at the park beach and sail a long distance course to a point on the St. Joseph's Peninsula on the other side of the eponymous bay. Space permitting, non-sailors will be ferried over to the peninsula in boats, where we will provide refreshments before the racers head back on a second race. So, racers might want to bring a variety of equipment to be able to adapt to the conditions. Classes will be determined based upon registrants at the event, but we usually have Formula, Longboard, Hybrid (including Prodigy), and Sport fleets, along with the non-racing "No-Class". For more details or questions, see the web site or contact me at finney@eng.fsu.edu. Don't delay -- reserve your room at the Port Inn now, and thanks for supporting our annual out-of-town road trip-race/party weekend, NIMBY XI.
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