Charleston Race Week -2012. Let's make it the largest Viper attendance ever.

[Brad Boston]

I would love to take part. Plus every time we do this I get to watch Shuck and Vigrass drink them selves stupid in the back...

[Dan Tucker]

This is something new??

Sent from my Tab or phone => brevity & Swypos

[Justin Scott]

The Vipers will be having our debrief and coaching session after racing on Friday. Currently the plan is to hold this in the Atlantic Ballroom at the resort. I will confirm this in the next week or so. This will be a dedicated Viper session led by Greg Fisher from College of Charleston, Brad Boston from Doyle-Boston and Ched Proctor from North.

On Thursday, if you are out practising, North Sails will be out with video cameras and filming all the fleets for a show after the skippers meeting in the pavillion. They will include comments on Viper sail trim and tuning if they get clips. So if you see them filming, sail close.

[Justin Scott]

Everyone should have got an einvite to the Viper dinner on saturday night from Dawn.

The first 50 +/- 3 to respond will get reserved table and a prix fixe 3 course dinner.
After the first 50, please call the restaurant asap to try and get a la carte reservations.

Meet in the Cabana bar before and after. Then on to Fiery Ron's.

If you book thru Dawn, please make sure you show, unless you find a replacement, because we have paid a $250 advance deposit.

Here is menu and dawns' contact info if you havent rec'd a einvite.

Three Course Menu
- Salad- House salad with Balsamic Dressing
Waters Edge Fish Stew

Entree - Choice of
Roasted Prime Rib,  Potatoes and Sauteed Vegetables
Grilled Chicken Breast Saffron Rice and Sauteed Vegetables
Grilled Mahi Mahi Red Rice and Sauteed Vegetables.
Shrimp and Grits

Dessert
Cheese Cake
White Chocolate Bread Pudding

Cost is $33.95 per person and does not include service fee or sales tax. Space is limited to 50 people, so please make your reservations early!

Please email me directly at [email protected] or call me at 201-951-8749 if you have any issues RSVP'ing for this event.

[Justin Scott]

Driving from Waters Edge to Fiery Ron's @ Sullivan's Island.

Please be very careful and keep within speed limit. "They" are on the look out. More on that from our local knowledge later.

[Drew Harper]

I would love to take part. Plus every time we do this I get to watch Shuck and Vigrass drink them selves stupid in the back...

They Drink? ;-)

[Justin Scott]

Only 10 seats left in the private dining area.

After that we ask you to book at the restaurant.

Paging El Paso Bob.........

[Justin Scott]

Friday's debrief will be held in the pavillion. 5.45 -6.15 pm Bring cocktails.

Luminaries such as Greg Fisher (Director of sailing at College of Charleston), Ched Proctor , Brad Boston, and David"ask an aussie" Chapman  will explain where they went wrong and how come they got beat by a couple of good ole boys from Texas.

Seriously, this will be a real opportunity for everyone to share tuning and speed tips and meet your fellow Viper owners.

[Peter Beardsley]

Now up to 42 teams thanks to the Celeritas guys -- better late than never. 

[Matt Sole]

There has to be a booby prize for being the last to register. I have been prodding them for weeks to sign up...

[Justin Scott]

Friday's debrief will be held in the pavillion. 5.45 -6.15 pm Bring cocktails.

Luminaries such as Greg Fisher (Director of sailing at College of Charleston), Ched Proctor , Brad Boston, and David"ask an aussie" Chapman  will explain where they went wrong and how come they got beat by a couple of good ole boys from Texas.

Seriously, this will be a real opportunity for everyone to share tuning and speed tips and meet your fellow Viper owners.

Moving this back to 6.10 pm, so y'all can pick up a free coktail from the tent which starts serving at 6.00pm

[Justin Scott]

Look at the entry list. Lot of champions. The top 10 is going to be murder. The peleton is going to be genocide. This is probably one of the most competitive Viper regattas to date.

Whoop whoop.

[Peter Bauer]

If anyone in the north east wants to make some gas money for the ride down, Butch Ulmer is looking to get some Little Harbor sails delivered around the 17th or 18th.  I don't have room in my Highlander and don't want to put them in the boat.  If you're interested reach out to Butch at: [email protected].  Can't wait for CRW!!

[Justin Scott]

Update # 1


Hello Viperers,

This is going out to all the Viper teams registered for Charleston Race Week.  First of all,  congratulations, the Viper Class is the hot fleet and the largest class at the regatta with 41 Vipers signed up and 41 Vipers paid up for our inshore course. This is going to be a great event and we want to make sure that y'all have a good time.

Docking Arrangements
Thanks to the efforts of Jonathan Nye, the Viper fleet has arranged for 5 slips allocated to Vipers near the resort. Each slip can hold 7 Vipers without rafting.  Rondar Raceboats is providing beer on the dock for the Vipers and an award for the best (or worst) decorated bay. Please make sure that you confirmed with Jonathan - see the Charleston Slip thread on the forum. Each slip has a "Bay Coordinator" who is responsible for collecting your docking fee. Free docking for those who registered early is at the far end of the Marina near the Yorktown. It's a 10 minute walk in the opposite direction from the party and the boats may have to be rafted .

Coaching and Debrief Sessions
This year, the Viper fleet is putting a special emphasis on sharing tuning and tactics tips throughout the fleet.
•         Each Viper will receive a "Tips from the Gurus" sheet which will include speed tips from the more experienced Viper sailors and some local knowledge insights from those who have raced at Charleston before. Contributors include; Greg Fisher, Brad Boston, Paul Young, Dave Nickerson, Chuck Allen and Garth Reynolds.
•         On Thursday when you go out to practice, North sails will be out with the video camera and then provide feedback and tuning tips in the pavilion after the skippers briefing. If you see the film crew, sail close!
•         On Friday, after racing, the Viper fleet will be hosting the Viper coaching and debrief session. This will be hosted by
Greg Fisher - Sailing Director of College of Charleston. In addition to his intimate local knowledge of tactics on Charleston Harbor, Greg has won over twenty one North American Championships across seven different classes.
Brad Boston - Sail maker, Olympian and three time North American Viper Champion
Ched Proctor - Sail maker, multiple North American Champion in multiple classes, including three NA championship in 2012 alone. 
Please grab your cocktails, head over to the Pavilion and get to meet other Viper sailors and pick up a few speed tips along the way. The debrief will happen shortly after racing is over, around 6.00 pm. 


Viper Dinner- Saturday Evening

On Saturday evening, after cocktails at the resort, all Viper teams are invited to get together for dinner at the Water Edge restaurant. www.waters-edge-restaurant.com at Shem's Creek. We have reserved a room for 50 people with a 3 course prix fixe dinner for $33.95. Entrees include; Mahi Mahi, Shrimp and Grits, Grilled Chicken and Prime Rib. Dawn Kozak will be sending out an e-invite shortly and the dining room will be filled on a first-to-respond basis.  Obviously this will be filled quickly . Once the 50 seats are taken, please go ahead and call the restaurant directly to see if you can reserve tables in the main restaurant; 1-843- 884-4074, for the a la carte menu. If you call now, there are still plenty of tables available, but the restaurant will be taking bookings for other parties. 
The private room reservation is for 8.00pm. If reserving a table in the main restaurant, try and book a table between 7.30 and 8.30 pm . We will all meet in the Cabana Bar before and after dinner.

Whisky Diablo – Saturday Night

After dinner, come on down to Fiery Ron's Home Team BBQ on Sullivan's Island where our good friend Tony McKie has laid on the Band "Whisky Diablo" for the Viper fleet. Fiery Ron's will be open until 2.00 am with no cover charge for anyone from the Viper fleet.  Fiery Ron's Home Team BBQ, 2209 Middle Street, Sullivans Island is about 10 minutes from Shem's Creek.
Tony writes "Whiskey Diablo is Charleston South Carolina's "dark n dirty" band serving up healthy portions of rock 'n' roll, country, and blues. However, the music isn't limited to these genres. Whiskey Diablo is constantly pushing the envelope by adding in other genres such as jazz, fun and flamenco. This is Charleston's best late night band and the Viper fleet are going to love them"

For anyone who doesn't get a table at Water's Edge, local Viper sailor Jamie Ewing tells us that the Home Team BBQ is one of the best local BBQ spots in the area but seating space is limited and they don't take reservations. It has room for us all in the bar and the terrace where the band is playing. 

Crew with the Rondar Team:  There is a great opportunity to sail with the either of the two Rondar works teams. They should contact Paul Zimmerman at [email protected].

Schedule of Events

In summary, here is a reminder of the long weekend's schedule:-

Thursday April 19, 2012
1200-1700 Registration
North Sails will be videoing practice sessions.
1700-1800 Skippers' Meeting (Pavilion
1800-1830 Chalk Talk on tides and current + replay of North Sails Video(Pavilion)
1800-2100 Opening Beach Party
- Light Snacks, Open Gosling's Rum and Beer Bar

April 20, 2012
0630 Bagels and Coffee on Dock, Provided by Gill
1100 Inshore first warning signal
Harvey Barnes will be videoing Viper fleet
1810-18.45 Viper Coaching session & Debrief (The Pavilion) 
1800-2100 Beach Party + Lowcountry Feast, Open Gosling's Rum and Beer Bar

April 21, 2012
0630 Bagels and Coffee on Dock
1100 Inshore first warning signal
1800 Beach Party- Open Gosling's Rum and Beer Bar
1900 America's Cup Talk – team Oracle
2000 Viper Dinner @ Waters Edge Restaurant Shem's Creek
2100 – 0200 Whisky Diablo @ Fiery Ron's Home Team BBQ, Sullivan's Island
0230 -0630 ?

April 22, 2012
0630 Bagels, Coffee, Hair of the Dog and Aspirin on Dock
1100 Inshore warning
1400-1800 Beach Party
1600-1800 Awards Ceremony- Chili and Open Beer Bar

REMEMBER........huge thanks to all the organizers at CRW including Randy Draftz, Regatta Chair and Hal Smith, our line captain.

[Justin Scott]

Update #2

Hello All,

This is going to be a great regatta with largest fleet on the start line in the history of the regatta. Here are some more last minute logistics.

Brad's "Being Prepared is Everything"
Brad Boston, the Viper North American champion has put together his "To Do" list as he prepares for Charleston and shares it with all of us. See the attached PDF.

Guru "Tip Sheet"
Each Viper team will receive a 2 page laminated sheet of go-fast and tactical tips from the top sailors in the Viper class when you arrive at Charleston. How to keep you boat going fast in light air from Garth Reynolds. How to pimp your ride ready for the big regattas from Keith Magnussen. How to play the shifts by Brad.  How to set up you boat by Ched and Chuck ... and many more.

Debrief and Cocktails Friday Evening
On Friday evening the Viper class will be holding a debrief in the Pavilion at 6.10pm . The Pavilion is to the left of the resort as you look from the water/docks. Bring your cocktails. The coaching session will be chaired by Chuck Allen and hosted by Greg Fisher, Brad Boston, Ched Proctor, Tyler Moore with active participation from all of you.

Dinner on Saturday Evening
Head straight over to the Waters Edge Restaurant on Shem Creek after the presentation by BMW Oracle. We should get there between 7.30 and 7.45pm and meet at the cabana bar. Dawn Kozak has been taking reservations for the  50+ Viper room. Please email her if you have not already reserved a table [email protected] .  If the room is full (probably), then ASAP, call the restaurant directly and reserve a table in the  adjacent space in the main restaurant. 843.884.4074. Do it soon , because restaurants get fully booked over CRW.

Confirm Your Dock Space
Everyone who is expecting a dock space in the five reserved Viper slips (7 boats in each) should send  a blank email with "CRW Berthing" in the subject line to [email protected] . Most already have, but if you haven't, please do.

Any Questions or Problems ???
Please ask them on the Viper – Charleston forum on the class website. That saves us having to answer the same question in a dozen separate emails.  http://forum.viper640.org/index.php?topic=1166.90  If you have any last minute questions or hurdles, don't hesitate to ask. There are lots of Viper sailors ready to help you arrive in Charleston , ready to rumble!

See you there,

Justin  Viper #54 "We are the Mambo Kings"