Sailing Hoopla and Sailing the Summer Sailstice

Lonely Mutineer on Hamburg Lake (SailMichigan.org)

In our humble option, sailing gets very little recognition in the Michigan press and at governmental levels (i.e. DNR). Except for a flurry of a few Free Press articles at the time of the Mackinac races, the occasional boating mishap, or a few local articles from the state's "sailing centers" (ie. Traverse City, Port Huron, Macatawa, etc.), relatively little hoopla is made. Maybe that's because most sailors are  looking for a quiet outing going solo, or with family, and don't want to generate "hoopla". Or, maybe its because sailing and sailors are not perceived as enough of a cash-flow source for state or local coffers? Recent Michigan expenditures to provide needed dredging of area harbors would seem to indicate otherwise, however such dredging would also be beneficial for larger power boaters as well.

Why do we want to generate hoopla? Hoopla provides for public awareness of the benefits and opportunities of sailing (as a form of recreation, education, environmental awareness, and outright "sport"). Those that appreciate the benefits will begin to look for opportunities (boats, lessons, etc) and will support those businesses that we rely on for our own sailing needs. The presence of the "newly converted", at increasing numbers on area lakes and in area harbors, will alert the DNR and federal management areas that improvements for sailboat access are needed and that sailing-specific programing is desired. Hoopla supports club membership growth, one-design class expansion, and quieter lakes.

How to generate the hoopla? Each yacht/sailing club has their own outreach plan. Some are more aggressive than others, but few plans, if any, are coordinated statewide. One annual event, designed to generate such hoopla is known as "Summer Sailstice". The idea and execution of the first Summer Sailstice resided with a 20 yr marine industry professional and sailor John Arndt. Along with Michelle Slade, the two organized the first Sailstice in June 2001 as a means of generating interest (new and renewed) in sailing. The 13th annual Summer Sailstice is slated for June 22, 2013 and the Sailstice promoters have launched a new website to promote and coordinate events (www.summersailstice.com). A search of the site reveals only the registered plans of two individual Michigan sailors (that's okay, its early). However, for 2010 (the last year for which data is presented), there were only 86 individuals who registered participation and two organizations (Michigan State Sailing Center and Torresen Marine). This is still a far cry for a state with over 30,000 registers sailboats. Currently on the SailMichigan.org site, only 3 independent (non-Sailstice related) events have been entered for that day (if you have an event which is not listed, please share it with us).

So what's the plan?

• First, make an individual pledge or plan to sail that day and let people know (both on the Sailstice site and in the comments below). Sailmichigan will create a separate page to describe Michigan activities once a critical mass is received.
• Encourage your yacht/sail club/school to conduct outreach activities on that day (open/free sailing, sailboat "rides", fun regattas, short lessons). Prepared tools for this are available on the Sailstice website (www.summersailstice.com). Make those plans known on the Sailstice site and in the comments below.
• Participate in local sailing events as part of your plan.
• If you are trailering to a DNR launch or harbor, make eye contact with a DNR representative. You might be their first sailboat of the year! Tell them if there are any impediments to sailboat launching at their site. Leave them with a positive impression of sailing.
• Consider contacting your local newspaper, radio station, TV station with your plans and the national/international implications of the Sailstice event.
• In general, generate some Hoopla and have fun doing it.

Whadda ya think......