Feedback of the ORCV Survey and Thankyou

Dear Visitor, 

I am writing to thank you for participating last April's Sailing Program Development survey and to provide feedback on the results and ORCV's response.

The survey was sent to 181 Victorian skippers in two groups - 73 who regularly participate in offshore races and a further 108 "bay racing" skippers with potential interest in short offshore events. We had a good response rate from existing offshore skippers (41 boats) and from around 25% from the bay racing skippers.

Survey Findings

The feedback from respondents was quite decisive:

• 71% expressed interest in additional Cat 3 Races, with 37 skippers indicating interest in participating in a Flinders & return race in September.
• Strong (60%) interest in races which do not require a whole of weekend commitment with an associated increase in overall participation by those boats.
• 75% of the skippers indicated that Friday night starts (say 9 pm on) were not an issue.
• Moderate interest in a Melbourne - Adelaide event(with cruising emphasis) as a feeder event for the Port Lincoln Races.
• Continued low-level support in the Port Fairy Race which is associated with the School Holiday - Easter Holiday family conflict.

ORCV's Response & Program changes

The ORCV responded by expanding our sailing program to include three Coastal Sprint races designed to allow the crew to return to their home clubs by late Saturday night. The new races are Category 3 events, typically 50 NM in length finishing off Port Sea Back beach. A 90 NM race option exists when tide supports a late Friday Start. The Port Fairy Race is again on hold for possible reintroduction, possibly as part of Port Lincoln feeder event, subject to annual review.

With Sprint Races we now offer four Category 3 events which:

• Provide a crew tune-up and development opportunity for the major Christmas races;
• Improved pathways from our Beyond the Bay training programs to both Category 3 and Category 1&2 offshore racing;
• A viable stand-alone Cat 3 race program for those who do not wish to make the commitment required for Cat 2 events.

Ideally, the first 2 races in the Coastal Sprint Series would be held in late September before Club Opening Days and the second half of November after the Stanley Race and this will be the pattern from 2010-21.

This year we have a phased introduction of the new races within the constraints of our existing ORCV Calendar and volunteer resources. The first Coastal Sprint race will be on 23rd November 2019, starting at Queenscliff, around the Western Port fairway entrance buoy and returning to finish off Portsea Back Beech. There will be a Destination Function at Blairgowrie for those shippers and Crew who do not need to return to Melbourne that night.

The Coast Sprint Races and the Apollo Bay Race will be the basis of a new ORCV Coastal Championship and will also be eligible events in the ORCV Offshore championship.

A summary of the ORCV Racing program for 2019-20 and the first few 2020-21 offshore races as below.

Once again, thank you for your help with the Survey. As with all events, early entries in the Coastal Sprint Races assist the Club and are strongly encouraged, noting that race entry fees are not payable until the "Early Bird" race fee closure date.

I look forward to seeing you on the Water.

Justin Brenan
ORCV Sailing Captain

 

Ocean Racing Club of Victoria Inc.
State Sailing Centre
3 Aquatic Drive, Albert Park VIC 3206
www.orcv.org.au

 

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