.. There seems to
be fewer regional’s than years past. Perhaps more will be scheduled
later in the year. Any recommendations would be appreciated.


Barry, I would make a few recommendations for your first contest. My
specialty is indoctrinating newbies into soaring competition. I would
look for a contest (and there are many that do this) that have a
ground school/strategy class for all pilots. I would look for a
contest where you can fly with a more experienced "buddy". I would
also look for a contest that teams you up with a "mentor". The last
three things I mentioned are happening with MUCH more regularity than
ever before. I have so much fun putting experience together with new
and raw enthusiasm. It creates an excitement. I would also say, that
dont' worry about winning the first few contests, just worry about
learning the ropes and soaking up all the knowledge you can. You will
have sooo much fun.

NUMBER ONE RECOMMENDATION: Bring CREW....I generally pass around a
list for the "crewless and clueless". But as a newbie, you NEED the
help, and the retrieves!

Also, I wanted to warn you that there are several types of regional
competition pilots.
1. There are those that are just trying to get points to keep up
their ranking, and want to eventually fly in Nationals. These are the
serious, I don't have time to mentor pilots. They are great, but
really they would never tell you they don't have time, but they really
don't. They have a serious agenda, nothing wrong with it, just be
aware!
2. There are those that LOVE competing against themselves and
nature. They compete as much against themselves as others in the
contest. These are the experienced pilots that I LOVE to assign as
mentors. These pilots will give you the shirt off their backs, their
equipment, anything to add you to their passion filled experience.
3. There are those pilots that are still not comfortable with
competition, those are the pilots that have flown a few times in
competition, but not really my recommendation to ask for help or
mentoring. They have just graduated from the needing a mentor state,
but still trying to find their own way. These are the ones, that I
like to sit back, let them explore, and ask if they want any guidance,
but let them decide for themselves.
4. The last type of pilot is like yourself, excited, want to try, and
need some hand-holding. You are the type of pilot that I am most
thrilled about in competition soaring!

I think that you will find that there are many organizers out there
who do these exact things that I do at my contests. The reason that I
manage contests is to "grow" the sport and reach out to the
"newbies". However, each contest has to be worked so that all types
of pilots can accomplish what they need. It's a tough job. Which
answers the other question, why are there no regular regionals in
Region 7? Because the organizers are strictly volunteer
organizations, there is no requirement from the SSA to force every
region to have a yearly contest. I live in Region 9, however, I
manage contests all over the country (now).

Some sites like Mifflin PA, Cordele GA, Ephrata WA, New Castle VA are
GREAT places, and always crowded, so the organizers can run a contest
and not lose money. Their organizers are excellent, and any of those
contests would be good for a newbie for training and learning. Except
that Mifflin has some pretty tough terrain for a beginner, but the
knowledge and experience you get from someone like Karl Streideick is
impossible to get anywhere else.

I would also recommend that you make sure that you attend a contest
that is a stickler for the rules, I would also recommend that you look
for a CD (competition Director) that is himself a rated glider pilot.
LOTS of those around..an example, is my husband who usually CD's for
my contests. Because he himself is a glider pilot, he can see what
the new pilots are doing or not doing, and offer to have someone with
expertise in the newbie's trouble spots to help him.

Most of the contest sites mentioned do really great jobs at these
things to help newbies. So, view locations on the SSA contest
schedule, look for the dates, the experience of the organizers, and
find out which ones your local club friends are going to, and go
together!
Micki Minner