LIGHTNING WORLD YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIPS '96

The countdown begins! The members of the Metedeconk River Yacht Club, eagerly await the arrival of our contestants and guests for this prestigious sailing event.

We hope you will be pleased with the many activities and services our Club will have at your disposal.

All meals will be provided free of charge to all our contestants and a modest fee will be charged to those spectators and helpers who wish to join in any of the dinners or lunches.

Coffee and donuts will be available each morning, however, the host families will provide the contestants with a nourishing breakfast before transporting the contestants to the Club each morning. Lunch will be provided to all contestants and will be served on the water between races.

There will be a buffet dinner following the opening ceremonies on Monday evening, and a dinner on Thursday and Friday evenings.

Sign up, for those who wish to join us for dinner on all or any of those three evenings, will take place at the time of registration and each day before the race. If spectators need lunches, we ask that they sign up the day before, so that the correct number can be ordered.

There will be two open evenings, (Tuesday and Wednesday.) Tuesday we do plan a trip to the local mall where you can find several eating establishments. A list of the better local restaurants will be available at the Club. Directions to them will also be available.

The course information provided here is of a VERY general nature. Course conditions are from sailors who have sailed the Race Site for a number of years, but are not guaranteed.

September is a beautiful month on the New Jersey Coast. Days are generally sunny and warm with daytime temperatures reaching 75 - 85 F. (24 - 30 C.). Mornings may be cool, as low as 55 - 60 F. (13 - 15 C.). Morning winds are generally light and variable giving way to an afternoon sea breeze of 8 to 14 knots.

Races will be sailed on Barnegat Bay, a short tow down the Metedeconk River and south in the Bay to what we call the Green Island Course. The race area is half way between two inlets so that tidal current has little effect.

The normal weather pattern is created by the passage of fronts from west to east on an irregular schedule, dependent upon the strength of the high and low pressure areas. However, they are generally predictable from day-to-day and can be forecast from local newspaper and TV and cable weather reports.

Following the passage of a front, the wind will be west to northwest and unstable, shifting through perhaps 30 to 40 degrees. Velocity will be dependent upon the strength of the high behind the front, but is seldom strong or long-lasting at this time of year.

The second and more usual condition at this time of year finds a light morning westerly overpowered by the afternoon sea breeze. Under this condition, the wind will either clock to the southeast and south or back through the southwest to the south. Normally, with our first race scheduled to start at 11:10, the weather scenario should be clear by race time.

Although seldom seen in early September, coastal storms, known as "Nor'easters," are a remote possibility. This type of storm produces NE winds of 18 - 23 knots with higher gusts accompanied by torrential rain. These storms typically last 2 -3 days.

Be prepared to sail in shorts and a tee shirt, but bring a sweatshirt for cool mornings and foul weather gearfor inclement conditions.

This list of available accomodation represents a variety of the hotels, inns, and bed & breakfasts available in the area. Inclusion on the list does not imply an endorsement by the organizing committee.

Best Western

1600 State Hwy # 70
Lakewood NJ 08701
908-367-0900
(Full Service Restaurant and Lounge)

Crystal Point Inn

3900 River Rd
Pt Pleasant NJ
908-899-3444

Grenville Hotel & Restaurant

345 Main Ave
Bay Head NJ
908-892-3100
(Perfectly Victorian, Thoroughly Modern)
(1 Block from Atlantic Ocean)

Holiday Inn

290 Route # 37
Toms River NJ
908-244-4000
(Full Service Restaurant & Lounge)
(Indoor Pool, Jacuzzi & sauna)

Howard Johnson

Cedar Grove Rd & Route #37
Toms River NJ
908-244-1000
(Full Service Restaurant & Lounge)
(Indoor Pool)

Quality Inn

815 Rt #37 West
Toms River NJ
908--341-2400
(Full Service Restaurant & Lounge)

Ramada Inn

2373 Route #9
Toms River NJ
908-905-2626
(Full service Restaurant & Lounge)

Bay Head Gables

200 Main St.
Bay Head, NJ 08742
908-892-9044
("Ocean & Lake Views")

Conover's Bay Head Inn

646 Main Ave.
Bay head, NJ 08742
908-892-4664

Bay Head Sands

2 Twilight rd.,
Bay Head NJ, 08742
908-899-7016

Bently Inn

694 Main Ave.
Bay Head NJ, 08742
908-892-9589

Bay Head Harbor Inn

676 Main Ave
Bay Head NJ, 08742
908-899-0767

Gulf Point

310 Forman Ave
Point PLeasant NJ
908-899-2876

Steeple View Cottage

1107 Front Street
Point Pleasant NJ
908-899-8999

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