Revival of Offshore Racing? The Story of ISORA Irish Sea Offshore Racing Association Presentation to ICRA Conference 13 th November 2010
Start of the Lyver Race 2009:
Introduction - Peter Ryan Chairman of ISORA. Commodore of the National Yacht Club. Member of Dublin Bay Sailing Club. Sailing for over 40 years in Glens, Flying 15 s. Club Shamrock and First 40.7 Sailing in ISORA for over 30 years. Took part in five Round Ireland races and four Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Races. Regular Thursday evening and Saturday afternoon sailing in Dublin Bay. Regular participant in DBSC events, Dun Laoghaire Regattas, Sovereign s Cup and Cork Week.
History of ISORA: ISORA in some form involved with Offshore Racing in the Irish Sea for over 70 years. Origin after WWII. First formed as the "Merseyside and North Wales Joint Offshore Coordinating Committee. 1962 name changed to the North West Offshore Association 1971 name again changed to "Irish Sea Offshore Racing Association I.S.O.R.A. ISORA the only game in town. ISORA Week - major keelboat racing In 2007 plans to dissolve ISORA. National Yacht Club undertook to run ISORA for a 3 year trial period.
Description of the Bases and the Races. The UK Clubs Holyhead Sailing Club South Caernarfonshire Yacht Club Pwllheli Sailing Club The Royal Dee Yacht Club Liverpool Yacht Club
On the Irish side: The Irish Clubs involved are: National Yacht Club, Royal Alfred Yacht Club Royal St. George Yacht Club Royal Irish Yacht Club, Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club, Poolbeg Yacht & Boat Club, Howth Yacht Club Wicklow Sailing Club.
ISORA Offshore Race Program 2011 5 Offshore Races + 6 Inshore Day / Night Races 30th April -Offshore - (57 miles) Dun Laoghaire to Holyhead 7th May -Day Race - (50 miles) Dun Laoghaire to Nt. Arklow 14th May -Day Race. in Pwllheli 28th May -Offshore (75 miles) Pwllheli to Wicklow 11th June -Offshore Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Race - (270 miles) 1st July - Offshore Lyver Race (100 miles) Holyhead to Howth
ISORA Offshore Race Program 2011 17th July - Day Race in Pwllheli 22nd July - Night Race - (35 miles) Dun Laoghaire to Nt. India 14th August - Day Race - (35 miles) Sunday Race in Dun Laoghaire 3rd September - Day Race - (54 miles) Dun Laoghaire to M2 10th September - Offshore - (80 Miles) Pwllheli to Howth. Overall Series Best 5 results having done 4 qualifying races.
The decline of ISORA. 1980 2007
Why was ISORA worth saving? Goodwill and support from all Clubs. Huge trophy cabinet. Big boats disenchanted with inshore racing. The success of the White Sail Classes. Increased number of capable nonracing boats sitting on marinas. The Spirit of ISORA
Problems of getting boats offshore: Offshore - given a bad name. Reluctance of boats to miss inshore races as part of a Series. Lack of interest by Series organisers to star races. Lack of confidence of Skippers in their seamanship, navigation or experience. No Source to distribute information nationally on offshore races. Perception that it is costly to gear boats for Offshore Racing Appropriate safety category. Crew. Time, experience & fear
Crewing problem: Offshore Racing not fashionable amongst young sailors Little experience of big boats or offshore. No register or point of contact for interested crew. Too many other social or other sailing commitments.
How did ISORA tackle the decline? Combine ISORA fleet with the RAYC /Lee Overlay fleet Critical Fleet Size. Canvass support from NYC and associated clubs to enter boats. Link up with Royal Dee and Liverpool YC for the Lyver Race and with WSC for the Round Ireland Race. Nurture boat owners and crew who showed any signs of interest regular emails and texts. Careful selection of attractive Day Race courses & traditional Offshore races.
How did ISORA tackle the decline? Facilitate crew transfers etc trying to eliminate possible reasons why not to race!! Use of IRC, IRC non spinnaker and 2-handed rating instead of White Sail Rating. Strong social side of the racing informal parties before and or after races. Generous trophies and prizes little or no overheads. Great Black Tie Annual Dinner Dance.
Possible Solutions for ICRA / ISA: Staging of offshore / coastal events in ICRA, DL Regatta, Sovereign s and Cork Week. Promotion and reporting of Offshore Racing events in the media. Encouraging Top boats to take part in regular offshore races. Leading by example!!! Offshore racing part of the syllabus for ISA training and particularly for Instructor. Running information / recruitment briefings for boat owners and crew. These should have a direct path to positions as crew on offshore races / deliveries.
Possible Solutions for ICRA / ISA: Providing registers to direct boat owners & crew maybe by links to websites. Better understanding between Inshore and Offshore racing series organisers Feeder races to major events could count for overall points force all boats to consider offshore racing. Combining of racing series in offshore racing associations ISORA, SCORA & WIORA. Possible Overall Irish Offshore Champion
In Conclusion: Considering: The very successful ISORA Series last season. The growing Media exposure for Offshore racing ISORA Champion Raging Bull leading the Afloat poll for ICRA Boat of the Year. That ICRA have taken up the challenge of promoting Offshore Racing. I feel that the time is right for the revival of Offshore Racing in Ireland. Thank You,