Preparing to win – St. Petersburg NOOD Regatta
February 6, 2009
The power of the internet never fails to impress me. With all the tools and information available on the web, and the ease of using and accessing that information there is really very little excuse for not being better prepared when we go racing at new or far away venues.
Next week I will be racing in St. Petersburg, Florida in the first National Offshore One Design (NOOD) regatta of the season. This series of events, held across the country, brings together some very talented sailors for superb racing that is supported by world class social events.
But events like the NOODs, where boats often travel from 100′s of miles present a unique logistical challenge. If something breaks (or worse SOMEONE breaks), you need band-aids, beer, or a basketball it can be a huge distraction searching for these things. With the power of Google maps most of these unknowns can be well known ahead of time and you can enter totally foreign venues like a veteran.
For instance, before racing at any new venue I like to know where the local hospital, urgent care, West Marine, grocery store (and package store in some states), Home Depot, North Sail’s loft, and host yacht club are in relationship to my hotel. With a few clicks it is pretty easy to connect all these places using Google Map’s free tools. The information (address, phone numbers, and driving directions) is then public and available to me via any public computer and even my blackberry. In addition to the “staples” of needs I have listed above I have learned that it doesn’t hurt to have the number of a car repair shop, welding and fabrication shop as well as a few resturaunts and deli’s added into the mix.
It is part of my coaching philosophy that mistakes of commission are excusable, whereas mistakes of omission are not. Thanks to the power of the internet, not screwing up has gotten a lot easier. Zoom in on the map below to see some of the locations I have loaded for next week’s regatta.
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About me
I am the owner of Gale Force Sailing and write about all things related to coaching, instruction and team building. contact me>>
Hi Kristen,
we just got back from St Petersburg, Opti Valentines regatta. Good clinic before but no wind for the regatta….oh well thats sailing.
Wanted to give you the heads up on a good restaurant, discovered it on our last night..
BellaBrava, on Central…it was delicious, within walking distance of Yacht Club..great italian food and good wine list
cheers
Lynda
the Chester Kiwi