USA USOKDRA is persevering. We’ve had a new build Dan Leech Plywood OK near completion, carefully constructed, it should be world class. Builder Paul Stor is to be congratulated. 1960’s Clark OKs 777 and 800 once destined for refurbishment have been given over to be recreationally restored and pleasure sailed in North Carolina. Lee Cash has located a couple of completed OK Dinghy plywood hulls and is in the process of finishing the 50 year old boats that were never registered. Lee, age 72, sailed OKs in the 1970s and is keen to rejoin the fun. Clark OK 747, owned by Janusz Fraczek, is being raced with great success, having won a tough Texas Championship in mostly drifting conditions. Janusz also represented the USA at the Polish Nationals under USA 14. He learned a great deal and came back from his trip tuned up and tough. His late model OK is being stored in Poland, and might be brought to the USA. We are planning a trial national event on the Gulf of Mexico, testing a club that has run numerous International events with access to transportation and weather conditions. 24 With four active OK dinghies in Texas, we’re discussing holding an informal event next Summer, keeping things casual and probably piggy backing on another event. The USOKDRA is laser focused on keeping things affordable and fun. Sailing is having a tough competition for people’s time and has a big potential energy hill to climb with learning to sail, learning to race, finding a club association and finally deciding on a boat to sail. Too often well meaning hazing, club politics, closed opinion leadership deflates eager novices and they never come back. USOKDRA intends to centralize our higher level events in Texas with world class facilities on the Gulf of Mexico and supported by the top US Sailing RC leadership. We’re encouraging people to build their boats and help them import the components they need. We are discouraging technical arms races with exotic technics and materials with multiple foil variations and sails. The guiding principle is to assemble a team of sailors who are interested in helping each other and the selfless goal of building friendly social competition. We explain that helping each other, sharing knowledge, a squad or teamwork ethic is in the better interest of all. The OK Dinghy facilitates this thinking by being very level to sail despite the hull and equipment variations. Course length and type will be adapted to the sailors capabilities. We are planning no more than two races a day in predictable conditions, not leaving the beach until true racing conditions exist, teaching patience and sportsmanship, creating a level playing field and leaving plenty of time for socializing and learning. Perhaps from here, the USOKDRA can reclaim a leadership role. Rob Coutts, USOKDRA President is under rehabilitation with torn knee ligaments. Careful therapy and some new biological treatments are being considered and Rob is on the mend. We are constantly promoting OK sailing and keep the membership informed through email newsletters / updates and through social media. Annual magazines and hull stickers are mailed out as needed.