Diane Kampf
Sailor of the Week: Oct. 15-21
Race organizers from yacht clubs around the country are constantly working on new, creative and fun ways to engage competitors and volunteers who participate in their regattas. Diane Kampf of Linwood, Mass. is a race organizer with a knack for bringing character and unique identities to the regattas hosted by the Massapoag Yacht Club (Lake Massapoag) in Sharon, Mass. Diane works extra hard to make the overall experience of participating in their regattas a memorable one. A regatta they would come back to.
The Massapoag Yacht Club’s 60th Annual Regatta took place on Sept. 12-13. This multi-class regatta included Flying Scots, Lasers, Sunfish, and a handicap fleet division. The regatta has a tradition of having good sailing and great hospitality thanks to Diane and the many volunteers who help out every year. They provide three meals a day for everyone involved. These meals are either catered or home cooked. The cocktail party includes hors d'oeuvres followed by a lobster / chicken and ribs dinner. The Race Committees have also been complimented for their outstanding on-the-water work.
Diane developed a fun way to recognize sailors and/or volunteers participating in their regattas by giving out clever and amusing awards. For example, she has had awards designed out of the following:
• Dry bags with key chains that had finishing places engraved.
• Thermos jugs with matching travel mugs in a wooden case with attached engraved plates.
• Fleece blankets rolled up with straps with embroidered burgee and class/places.
• Poker sets in aluminum cases with attached engraved plates.
• Barbecue tools in aluminum cases with attached engraved plates.
• Beer pitchers with screen printed award info.
• Embroidered tote bags, gym bags, bathrobes, beach towels, etc.
“So many people we sail against have so many traditional trophies and no place to keep them,” explained Diane. “In 2000, I decided that I would start buying things that were more useful and have those engraved and/or embroidered and use them as trophies.”
“We all have fun with them and people genuinely seem to enjoy receiving and using them. They tell me that every time they use them, they remember the event all over again,” she added.
Diane started sailing in 1986 when her future husband, Greg, took her sailing on his father’s Flying Scot. As she became more interested in racing, Diane crewed for her Greg. Now they have their own Flying Scot, Sunfish, and Catalina 30. She also started taking an active leadership role in the sailing community. As secretary of the Massapoag Yacht Club, she became involved in running local and national regattas. She later became Flying Scot District Governor and the first Vice President of the Flying Scot Sailing Association.
“Sailing is a great way to compete and get fresh air and exercise,” said Diane. “I want to be the first to arrive, the first to get to the dock, the first to get the sails up, but the last to leave.”
A few years ago, Diane had inner-ear surgery and was told she would probably never sail or race again. “Well, I showed them,” added Diane. “I figured out how to overcome the limitations and I was back on the boat six weeks after surgery.”