The HCANA Guest Expert Program (GEP)
The Guest Expert Program began in 1999 as a venue for experienced Hobie sailors to share their knowledge and expertise. The program enables champion-level racers to give back to the world of sailing and advance the sport for other up and coming sailors. The HCANA is fortunate to have many wonderful Guest Experts who volunteer their time several times during the year, sharing their experiences and skills with others, realizing that all of us can continue to learn.
Wally Myers in GEP Mode
Wally Myers doing a chalk talk at the 2010 Rock Hall Junior Olympic Festival
Guest Expert Program Information and Requirements for Host Fleets/Divisions
The typical GEP weekend includes some type of class session on Friday before your regatta, either on land or water, or both. Tactics, equipment, and rigging might be featured while on land – these topics evolve from you, the participants, as well as from our Guest Experts. After the chalk talk, on-the-water drills begin. They’re a valuable exercise to practice starts and mark roundings with the experts there to coach you! On Saturday, the usual regatta begins with our Guest Expert joining in the racing, and the expert discussion continues through the weekend with everyone having many questions and stories to share.
The sailing season will be here before we know it, and we’d love to see another big year of GEP activity. Get with your Fleet and start discussing the opportunity you have to enhance your next regatta by getting involved in the GEP Program!!!
HCANA will provide:
- The Guest Expert
- Transportation to the event
- GEP ‘One Hobie Day’ outline
- Hobie University booklets
- Guest Expert’s thank you gift
- Help/guidance you may need to make the event successful
Hosting Division/Fleet needs to provide:
- Date (with a 2nd choice, if possible)
- Location (please include all the particulars)
- POC for the event
- Lodging, transportation, and meals for the Guest Expert
- A boat for the Guest Expert to sail in the regatta
- HCANA active fleet status for the hosting Fleet is mandatory
