Steve made the comments: "For me it is all about the sailors and the Hobie 16 Worlds experience. For some it is their first Hobie Cat Worlds and for others one of many. We hand pick the team that can handling working away from home, working in rain and tropical conditions and work as part of a team. For the last few Hobie Cat 16 Worlds we have had the same beach crew. This comes at a cost to the company but the net result is better a better Hobie Cat 16 Worlds for the sailors. This is also helpful for the race committee who have the job of getting races in no matter what the conditions throw at them or us. In the Hobie Cat 16 Worlds, boat turn-around is critical. I think our best time is 12 minutes to turn-around 56 boats. That’s not bad in my book.”
“The Beach Team”
Jacques Bernier – Hobie Cat USA
Jacques will be on the Beach Inspection Team. Jacques Has owned and raced many Hobie Cats over the years. He sails with Greg Thomas on the WildCat /Tiger. He is also a veteran of the Nouméa 16 Worlds, The Mexico Worlds and Fiji Worlds beach team. He works (shows up) in the customer service and warranty department at HCC.
Dan Mangus – Hobie Cat USA
Dan will be the Beach Announcer / Race Caller during the Worlds. Dan is a former owner of Hobie 16’s. Currently Dan is the Marketing Manager for Hobie Cat USA. Dan will provide up to date race information, event information, and competitor’s information as well as mark rounding reports to spectators on the beach.
Matt Miller – Hobie Cat USA
Matt will be on the Boat Check-IN/OUT Team. He has raced and repaired just about every model of Hobie Cat made to date. He is also a veteran of the Nouméa 16 Worlds, The Mexico Worlds and Fiji Worlds beach team. Matt is the Director of Parts and Accessories Sales at Hobie Cat USA.
Greg Thomas – Hobie Cat USA
Greg will be on the Beach Inspection Team. He sailed Hobie 16’s for many years with his family. He works in the Hobie Cat sales department at HCC. He is also a veteran of the Nouméa 16 Worlds, The Mexico Worlds and Fiji Worlds beach team.
Kevin Winchester – Australia
Kevin will be on the Boat Check-IN/OUT Team. He is currently the South Pacific Rep for the International Hobie Class Association. He is also a veteran of the Nouméa 16 Worlds, The Mexico Worlds and Fiji Worlds beach team. He is short.
David Richardson – Australia
Peter Skewes - Australia
Pete will be on the Beach Inspection Team / Boat Repair Team. Peter works for Hobie Cat Australia and built the Worlds Boats along with Dave, Mick and the rest of the Hobie Australia factory. Pete is the Fiberglass Shop foreman.
Pete “Bundy” Dubbelaar - Australia
John “hoops” Hooper - Beach Captain
Hoops will be the beach captain and is role is to maintain and coordinate the 60 boats used during the event. He has a direct link with the PRO, principle race officer running the on the water events. He also consults with Hobie Cat as owner of the boats. John has many years of experience with event management.
Steve Fields – Hobie Cat Australasia
Steve will be on the Worlds Management Team /Repair Team. Steve has run Hobie Worlds events many times before and knows all of the ins and outs of what is required to run a smooth Hobie Worlds. Steve "Go with the Flow" Fields.
