Show us your Cat Episode 138 China, USA and Australia

Welcome to another edition of Show Us Your Cat, where we explore the world of catamarans and the passionate sailors who enjoy them. This week, we dive into an inspiring event in Australia, highlighting young Sailors’ skills at the Australian High School Sailing Championships.

Hobie 18 Catamaran Racing in Australia

The 2022 Australian Combined High School Sailing Championship, or CHS, took place at the Belmont 16′ Skiff Club on Lake Macquarie in New South Wales, Australia. This exciting event brought together 108 high school students from 47 schools across the country to compete on a fleet of 68 boats.

Updated Hobie 18 Rules

The participation of nine updated Hobie 18 catamarans played a crucial role in this event. Changes to the International Hobie Class Association’s rules made these modified boats more accessible to youth and female Sailors. Notably, a newly-approved 10:1 main sheet system allows smaller teens to adjust the mainsail precisely and smoothly without any issues.

Racing Highlights

Competitors demonstrated exceptional skills, particularly Sam and Emily, who took the top win. Close competition ensued between Oliver and Ross in second place and Noah and Haley on ‘Team Young & Dangerous,’ securing third place. Throughout the event, teams such as Jamie and Henry (These Lads) continually improved their racing abilities.

Lighthearted Moments

Beyond the intense racing, participants found time for lighthearted enjoyment. Noah and Haley put the Hobie 18’s buoyancy to the test by piling four of their dinghy sailing mates onto the boat. The six-person load caused quite a spectacle before capsizing – six on the leeward hull worked quite nicely, while six at the back didn’t.

Sandboarding Adventure

Racing was cancelled on day three due to unfavorable conditions; instead, Sailors and their families embarked on a fun adventure. They sailed to Sandune Island, where they enjoyed sandboarding using the daggerboards from the 18s as well as bodyboards.

Success and Future

The Hobie 18 class at CHS was an immense success, highlighting the importance of the rule changes. Special gratitude goes to John Forbes for providing coaching and nine Hobie catamarans. We eagerly await more inspiring stories from this reimagine Hobie 18 class.

Get Involved

If you’d like to see your Hobie catamaran featured in an upcoming episode of Show Us Your Cat, simply submit pictures or video with a brief story about your boat. We’re eager to showcase the exciting world of catamarans and learn about your sailing adventures.

Global SpeedSail Competition

Dedicated to fast and exhilarating catamaran sailing? Participate in the annual Global SpeedSail competition! Use any GPS device or smartphone app like Strava, send evidence of your sailing prowess for a chance to win.

Connect with Show Us Your Cat

If you’re a Hobie catamaran owner or enthusiast, connect with us on your sailing adventures. Share your stories, challenges, and achievements, as we strive to celebrate this incredible community together.