Effective from September 1, 2012, the Hobie Cat Company, based out of Oceanside, California acquired Hobie Cat's business in Europe. The agreement will give the sailboat and kayak company worldwide trademark rights and make the operation Hobie Cat's business in Europe directly under the control of Hobie Cat Company. Together with Hobie Cat Australasia, a subsidiary for the past twelve years, the joining of international forces will unify the brand image, accelerate market expansion, focus the product offerings and enhance Hobie's strong position in the global sailing, kayaking and fishing markets. The announcement was made by Hobie Cat Company president, Doug Skidmore.
Besides the economic advantages of reuniting the Hobie family, the acquisition will leverage the momentum that Hobie currently enjoys in the marketplace. The research and development team can now think globally when designing new products and entering new market segments. The sales and marketing departments of each division will be able to share ideas on how best to service their dealer networks and bring a consistent message to Hobie consumers worldwide. This coordination will help further expand the sales of the popular pedal driven kayaks throughout Europe. Existing organizations like the International Hobie Class Association (IHCA) will now have a unified base of support to help organize future events. The IHCA Council would like to give sailors a preliminary notice for a Hobie 14, Dragoon, Tiger and Wild Cat World Championships at Travemuender, Germany. The tentative dates scheduled would be 19-28 July 2013. These World Championships would be a bring-your-own-boat world championships. The IHCA thought it was important to give as much advance notice as possible so sailors could plan their holidays and begin to organize transport of their boat. The IHCA has not yet finalized the necessary contracts for the events but is only waiting for ISAF approval for the World Championships. Though all contracts between the IHCA and the hosts have been signed. Stay tuned for more information.
The IHCA Council would like to give sailors a preliminary notice for a Hobie 14, Dragoon, Tiger and Wild Cat World Championships at Travemuender, Germany. The tentative dates scheduled would be 19-28 July 2013. These World Championships would be a bring-your-own-boat world championships. The IHCA thought it was important to give as much advance notice as possible so sailors could plan their holidays and begin to organize transport of their boat. The IHCA has not yet finalized the necessary contracts for the events but is only waiting for ISAF approval for the World Championships. Though all contracts between the IHCA and the hosts have been signed. Stay tuned for more information.
The Hobie Europeans, Arzon, France concluded with a big party. Results and lots of photos are on the web site. Well done to winners who made the effort to attend the Hobie Europeans. Thank you to those that sent updates as the internet from the area was intermittent delaying stories and results.
Oceania Championship & Fiji Challenge has concluded. The Fiji Challenge consisted of five days of racing around some of the islands in Fiji. After fives days the margin between 1st and 2nd was only 48 seconds and a further 58 seconds between 2nd and 3rd. On the last leg of the Challenge the Hobie 16 averaged 22 knots.
Hobie 14, Hobie 16 Women’s and Wave North American Championships
Rehoboth Bay Sailing Association, Dewey Beach, DE
October 5 --- 7, 2012 Hobie 17 and Hobie 18 North American Championships
Cottonwood Cove Resort, Lake Mohave, NV
October 20-26, 2012
Website NOR
Brazilian Hobie 14 & 16 National Championships (BRASCAT)
10-17 November in Fortaleza, state of Ceará
Australian Hobie Nationals are at Port Melbourne, racing 29-30-31 December, New Years Eve Party, 1st Jan rest day, Racing 2-3 Jan.
The Hobie 16 has been selected for the 2013 Pacific Mini-Games and Oceanic Championships hosted in Wallis and Futuna. The Hobie 16 has also been selected for the 2015 Pan Am Games in Toronto, Canada.
The Hobie Facebook page has had more updates added.
The IHCA web site, www.hobieclass.com, has all the latest Hobie news around the world.
