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Tips from Junior Olympic Event Organizers

• Keep it simple, well organized; don’t take on too much.
• Pick a date preferably after schools are out and junior programs have started for the greatest participation.
• Local mailings to clubs & kids are very effective (labels available from US SAILING and your regional sailing association).
• E-liminate meetings and keep your committees up to date via e-mail distribution lists: See how, under “Creating Web Pages…”.
• Offering housing will greatly expand the effort needed; supply a list of places to stay, instead. (You can accommodate any real needs one-on-one. All are regional events so it’s unlikely sailors will be coming cross-country.)
• Charter boats also will multiply your workload.
• Include a T-shirt in the entry fee, for preregistrants. Late registrants get shirts if available (shirt is bonus for preregistering; same fee even if no shirt).
• Preregistration is the name of the game; consider registration deadlines 1-2 weeks up front.
• Latecomers and walk-ins: Charge a late fee, if sailor hasn’t even faxed entry (it will cost you more, in caterer, paperwork, etc.); One event made several hundred dollars in $30-40 late fees; kids showing up really wanted to sail.
• Lots of races, clinics, fun... the basics of Junior Olympic events!
• Plan for impromptu mini-clinics, in case of a postponement (or no wind): Rules, RC role playing, mock protest hearings . . . . Involve visiting coaches.
• A social will make a big difference – a first-night casual supper, even an informal dance. Kids love an excuse just to hang out together.
  Post results on the web immediately (within an hour), and let everyone know ahead that results will be posted online. Web-savvy kids tell their friends!
• Post results on the web immediately (within an hour), and let everyone know ahead that results will be posted online.
• E-mail works for maintaining communication between you and US SAILING.