Any 2009 regionals near the Ocean?
 

Random question, but how many regionals (if any) are fairly close (0 - 5 miles) to the ocean in 2009?

Just wondering. :)

Re: Any 2009 regionals near the Ocean?
 

Hawaii, New Zealand (maybe?), Seattle (sort of... I guess it's a bay, not the ocean).

Re: Any 2009 regionals near the Ocean?
 

If the LA regional returns to the forum, it is only 5-10 (depending on which) miles from some of the best beaches in southern california.

Re: Any 2009 regionals near the Ocean?
 

Elgin, generally beaches aren't fun in the winter.

Re: Any 2009 regionals near the Ocean?
 

I'd say go for Hawaii. You'd be surprised how cheap it can be if you plan in advance. The venue is nice, and the people are even nicer. :) And there's plenty to see on the island.

Re: Any 2009 regionals near the Ocean?
 

thanks for the vote of confidence in the Hawaii regional. There is a great bunch of people that will ensure its success again for years to come, especially team 368's volunteering a lot this year.
I wonder who plans on attending in 2009.
The only interest I have heard of so far from the mainland is the Krunch team 79 so far.:)

Re: Any 2009 regionals near the Ocean?
 

If we're counting Bays then Annapolis is a winner (we're talking a few dozen feet from the water). DC isn't exactly too far either.

For the real Ocean try the ones already mentioned, as well as Long Island is close.

Re: Any 2009 regionals near the Ocean?
 

I wasn't thinking it was that close (I used to drive that route), though it is a straight shot down the Meadowbrook Parkway, 14 minutes (according to one of the on-line maps) and you're at the first parking lot, but 11+ miles drive, much more than the 5 mile maximum allowed. Then -- ouch! ouch! -- across the hot parking lot and sand to the water. Jones Beach is nice, but hot! There is bus service, I believe, from nearby Roosevelt Field.

Boston has about 5 miles to Carson Beach, probably one of the better in-town beaches, though technically it's at Boston Harbor. And Elgin, if you go on New Year's Day, you can go swimming with the L Street Brownies!

According to http://mentorsearch.us/ (via this thread), New Zealand's is held in a National Forest. Depending on it's exact location, it might be ~5 miles as the crow flies, but you might have to hike it, as roads are a minimum, or down one of the many rivers. I suspect the map might be incorrect. :)

Hmm, if you take mentorsearch.us with a grain of salt, it might help you find some ocean, Elgin. New Orleans? San Diego? If you accept bays, isn't NYC close enough?

Re: Any 2009 regionals near the Ocean?
 

Whoa, that's a lot different than the Texas beaches that become a spring break mecca in March.

Re: Any 2009 regionals near the Ocean?
 

Tel Aviv is very nice in March......it was 90+ degrees during our regional this year.

Re: Any 2009 regionals near the Ocean?
 

Thanks for the info everyone. And Art, just to clarify, I wasn't looking to actually go swimming, or do any water activities (unless it's possible - Hawaii & other places) but I haven't been to the ocean in a couple of years, & some good fresh sea air can do some good for the senses. w00t!

Then again, with summer fast approaching (or already here with the 100 degree temps we've seen lately), a trip to some local beaches isn't out of the question before next year even starts. lol :cool:

Re: Any 2009 regionals near the Ocean?
 

The San Diego Regional is less then a mile from Mission Bay, and less then 5 miles from the ocean. It's also less then a mile away from Sea World.

Re: Any 2009 regionals near the Ocean?
 

We went to Chesapeake, and not even 20 feet out the back door there was a bay.

Re: Any 2009 regionals near the Ocean?
 

In Seattle it is a SOUND and not a Bay...
This year the regional will be at Key Arena!!!
Right next to the Needle and the Science Fiction Hall of Fame...
and a bunch of other stuff...
Don't plan on any swimming activities in Puget Sound...

We do have a nice beach... but March??
Gosh its still less than 60 here during the day and its June ....
The passes got snow yesterday...

Pretty to look at though..even in March

Re: Any 2009 regionals near the Ocean?
 

Even on the hottest days, the water of Puget Sound and Elliot Bay is pretty cold. Throughout the year, the water temperature doesn't vary more than a few degrees and it's always hovering right around the upper-50's.