I like and admire Rich too. My only beef with him, and
it is a big one, is he refused to document 151 days of
sea time I had with him in 1995 which delayed getting
my USCG license considerably. The reason being he
was afraid of the USCG. I was not the only one hurt by
that policy. Is it favoritism to document sea time only
for employees with USCG licenses? I think so. Equal
credit for equal work. That is fair. If he was worried
about the consequences he should have taken action
himself to clarify the matter with the USCG.

Other than that. I'll give credit where it is due. His school
is probably the best in the world. And his techniques are
the best for instruction--thoroughly refined and perfected.
I'd send my own family members to learn there.

US Sailing is, I'm told, working with the USCG to make
some changes to give exemptions to the licensing requirement
for sailing instructors. Frankly, I feel bogUS Sailing has
screwed up horribly by not having this done ten years ago,
given the problem was well known at that time. Frankly
I don't expect any progress in that area, because I've seen
nothing in print on the subject. Without documentation
there is never accountability.

If they can pay to lobby to be the "Governing Body of
the Sport, why can't they lobby to make important changes
that would benefit sailing instructors? It's because it won't
make them any money. An effort like this take a concerted
effort, constant pressure, public editorials, phone calls from
lots of people to make it happen--not one guy's part-time
effort. If I had the responsibility to make this happen I
could make it happen in one year. If I didn't I'd be working
to get someone fired in the USCG.

Lets watch. I'll bet nothing happens. Then will you agree that
bogUS Sailing is inept? Will you speak out about it to put
pressure on the subject? Ten years from now they will
still be talking about this and saying they are making progress.

Tell me Steve. Do you know who is paid at US Sailing? Do
you know how much they make? Have you seen an accurate
spreadsheet showing how all the money is spent? Why do they
hide this information? Why is it not displayed as a file on there
web site? Why are meeting minutes so terse?

Things I've been told about never show up in meeting minutes.
That is either proof they do not document things, or proof they
are not doing the things they claim to be doing.

I think their insurance is worth investigation. Why is there not
a more competitive process for insurance. They only have one
insurance provider. That smells like kickback to me.

One final point. I think bogUS Sailing should lose it's non-profit
status--because they do not represent their constituents.

I think I'll look up the tax laws on the subject. I'll bet I can
find an issue to support my assertion. Stirring the pot can only
improve bogUS Sailing and maybe it will make them into an
organization worth joining.


"NotPony" wrote
I also have a great deal of respect for Rich
Jepsen. He has done well in leading the training
committee in rewriting the level II training and
they are almost done the rewrite of the level I
and Start Sailing Right.
No, US SAILING isn't perfect, but I think it does
well with it's small staff and volunteers.
S.