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The United States Optimist
Dinghy Association ("USODA") announces the creation of The Katrina
Sailors' Exchange ("KSE"), http://www.usoda.org/index.cfm?id=124438&fuseaction=browse&pageid=113 a web based exchange board
intended to help meet the needs of Gulf junior sailors and clubs who are
in search of equipment, boat charters, a summer program to attend or summer
sailing instructor employment. This
initiative, developed by USODA, hopes to minimize the down time Gulf sailors
are experiencing due to the losses suffered at the hand of Hurricane Katrina.
Please note KSE is not solely limited to Gulf Optimist sailors, but includes
Club 420 and junior Laser sailors, too. KSE easily can be expanded if
interest is warranted. It is USODA's wish that KSE acts
as a centralized market where donors can post offers of relief, and Gulf
junior sailors and clubs can post statements of needs. Matches of these
offers and needs can quickly result in relief, thus minimizing the cost
and time to get Gulf junior sailors back up and running on the water. So far matches have been made
between Gulf sailors who were in need of boats, and Opti charterers
who graciously offered relief at a recent USODA Championship. Other offers of
help currently on KSE include damage repair help, additional charter relief,
and summer sailing slots at two prominent Mid Atlantic Yacht Clubs.
"This is just one example of the closeness of the USODA family that is
searching for ways to help fellow members, older siblings, other junior
sailors and host clubs that have suffered losses in the Gulf
region." -- |