Commodore's Corner - October 2011
Commodores Corner by his Excellency Commodore Bill
Olson…
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The 24th Annual Endless Summer Sailboard
Classic (click
here to see all photos) has come and gone, and through
no fault of yours truly, it was a smashing success.
I have to give a big thank you to our sponsors - Ezzy
Sails, Leah Chapin, HobbyTown USA, Native Tikis, DJBobbyG
and DaKine. Not to mention HomesteadTshirts.com, WorldWinds
Windsurfing, Chums/Chisco, VAPA, Corner Pocket, US Tennis
Association, the Grey Fox, and Tri-Eagle/Budweiser.
An event like this doesn’t happen without an army
of support to make it look like I knew what I was doing.
Special thanks to Bob Graves and Sandy Layne who handled
pre-registration, event accounting, sound and music,
swag distribution and everything else. Enjoy that cruise,
I don’t think we will be audited this year.
Every year there are people that step up and make things
happen, many that I never thought about, Wright Finney
– Site and facilities, spiritual guidance; Perry
Morris and John Gilbert – Course management and
rescue; Mark Voigt and Lee Chapin – Race captains;
Tina Mazaneck – C Fleet Captain; Cathy Voigt,
Sandy Layne and, in spirit, Ann Getman – on site
Registration; Leah, Lizzy, Donna, Janice, Judy, Kathy
– dinner service; Adam Bennet – beer truck
operations; Café Donaldo – New York, Paris,
Kuala Lumpur, and Shell Point; Scott Williams –
Dogs by Scotty; Rick and Judy Knerr– wings n’
whiskey; Bob Andrews – Ice, ice baby; Dave and
Lizzy Denmark – firewood; and Stan Derzypowlski.
We had eight entries for the Gumbo Contest and it was
a hard fought battle. Congratulations to Judy Knerr
for the stand out contest winner. My strategy for something
different sort of worked, got an honorable mention and
yes, Gumbo z’herbes is Gumbo!
We had an outstanding C fleet, captained by Tina Mazaneck,
which included new students and some from last year.
Way to go Alex, Frank, Laney, Colbi, Eberhardt, and
Adam for great racing under challenging conditions.
We had close to 100 students this year and the real
competitors showed up for this regatta.
The course conditions were challenging this year to
say the least. A northerly wind and NO water made it
tough for all the competitors, except Dave Stanger,
of course. Perry and John set a great course to take
advantage of what we had to work with. Special kudos
to Bob Andrews for stepping up to A fleet. Scoring was
again provided by Bob Graves, who again did not win
the whole thing, despite scoring and racing.
Sharman Franklin was the worthy recipient of the Perry
Williams Award, many thanks for all you have done for
the SPSC.
Special thanks to our out-of-towners- Dan and Dave from
Charleston, Dan, Sherry, and Chris from Atlanta, and
Niels for Jacksonville.
Now we segue into the Atlanta Fall Classic, put on by
the Atlanta Boardsailing Club and the Lake Lanier Sailing
Club. It looks like we will have a nice contingent from
SPSC headed north to enjoy this event.
Respectfully
submitted, W.D. Olson, Commodore
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Click
on Photo for Larger View
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Endless Sunrises
by Linda Downey |
Click on Photo for Larger View |
It has been close to 15 years now that
I have somehow been involved in breakfast on the beach
for Endless Summer. Smith Regatta came along later but
it all started with Endless Summer. Some of you will
remember the famous Mill Muffins. I got talked into
taking over muffin duty from Laura Chambers one year.
Muffins were easy – just bring out the boxes and
let them feast. When the restaurant closed, things changed.
There MUST be coffee! ..and so began the ritual of early
mornings on the beach. Each time provided an opportunity
to watch a unique sunrise develop as the coffee brewed.
Not only does the sky slowly come to life, so does the
Regatta site. Although there are not so many campers
as there used to be there are still two primary groups:
Zombies crawling to the nearest bathroom trying to not
really wake up just yet, and Early Risers ready to lend
a hand in exchange for java. The zombies usually disappear
again to their tents, emerging sometimes hours later,
still crawling and now desperate for caffeine.
John Gilbert has long been one of the early risers.
Some years it could be a CSI Shell Point as evidence
of last night’s escapades comes together in the
new day. John has it all squared away before most others
are up and about. The Lost Boys also get an early start
on the day. When they are camping, they are usually
some of the first to show for a cup of joe, and help
with beach clean up and setting up the breakfast spread.
Condo camping has not changed things, thankfully.
It must have been an omen but we had joked at a Board
meeting about the early riser coffee addicts coming
to find me if I ever overslept. Well this year it happened.
Thanks to Chris Voith being up early Saturday morning,
and being able to see my place from the studio, breakfast
was on time. It must have been quite comical. I was
in such a deep sleep when he knocked on my door I questioned
why he was even here, let alone in my kitchen before
dawn. Dave Stanger showed up a few minutes later and
miracles began to happen. They helped me make the starter
coffee, find and pack all the food stuffs and serving
set ups, load up my car, and still be at the beach by
the published 7:30 start time. Thanks again guys –
from everyone!!
Saturday and Sunday mornings have very different character
but always interesting. Saturdays are a mix of folks;
all busy with greeting old friends, late comers registration,
initial rigging, and tales of Friday’s nights
revelry. Sunday mornings, it’s usually just a
few racers to start, reviewing Saturday’s results
and considering rigging changes. Not sure I can remember
a race committee meeting ever really happening at the
published 8:30a. As other participants emerge, recollections
of Saturday night become the banter. It is probably
a good thing my hearing and memory are so bad.
The kids are always fun as they come up to the table
and just stand there looking; must be tough to be table
tall and hungry. It usually takes some encouragement
to help themselves to a muffin or some grapes. Mostly
they wait for mom or dad to join them and approve accepting
food from that strange lady in sunglasses that talks
to herself.
Every year I say its time to find a replacement so I
can sleep in for a change but then each morning as I
walk out on the beach and watch the day come to life,
I am happy to be there. The sunrises and your smiling
faces make it worthwhile. |
Random thoughts on the 24th Endless
Summer Sailboard Regatta
by our Vice, Bob Andrews |
Click on Photo
for Larger View
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The weather was perfect with cool nights
and comfortable days. The wind was good but not perfect
with gusty northerly winds from 10-20 knots on Saturday.
Sunday brought northerly winds 5-10 then dying out by
11am. The winds challenged this windsurfer so much that
he gave up challenging the other windsurfers. The race
course was an excellent setup, given the low, low tide.
I chose the very time-consuming strategy of pinballing
(i.e running aground first on the east side of the channel
then running aground on the west side of the channel
and so on as I beat upwind back toward the finish line.
The race committee vessel (3 chairs in da mud) was a
curious but welcome site as I finally finished. The
race committee was very patient with me and my long
overdue finish since they had no shortage of runners
to go fetch more beers from Adam’s ‘lil
beer wagon. It was no beer truck but due to the contents,
it was still one of the most popular gathering spots
during the weekend.
Kudos goes to Café Donaldo, Scotties Dogs and
all the gumbo chefs for fortifying the masses during
both days of racing. Accolades go to Rick and Judy Knerr
for Friday night’s wings, fries and veggies. I
personally would not have had the energy to rig and
pinball if it were not for the always excellent breakfast
fare offered up by Linda Downey.
Though I did not participate in the licca “tasting”
Saturday evening, I understand that more than a few
registrants got a wee bit hammered, gravity-challenged,
lit up or just downright over indulged. There is a proposal
for future regattas to set up a railing (not unlike
the drying racks though much shorter) with a deep ditch
on the leeward side of the rail. It shall be known as
the retching rail, a place of “comfort”
for those who get too carried away at the tasting table.
I could go on and on thanking all who contributed to
making the Endless Summer an unforgettable event but
I need a nap. See you at the 25th ES. Bob |
SPSC Club Meeting September 13, 2011
Meeting called to order at 7:34 with a ketchup gavel since
Bob A. had to sub for his Excellency, Commodore Bill, who
did not leave his mighty gavel behind.
We went over the calendar of events. New Keys trip date is
February 2-13, 2012. Some discussion followed but everyone
seemed happy. No objections. Everyone wanted to know if Mark
Voigt’s brother could come back.
Bob A. asked who is planning on attending the Atlanta Fall
Classic at Lake Lanier. Several folks responded, many didn’t,
some looked puzzled, and others wistful.
Sandy woke up the Scribe who, typically, had nothing to say
for the scribe’s report.
Training reported they have one new sailboard in service.
110 people (this number includes people who were trained more
than once) were trained. Had to buy a new mast and we still
need more 400cm masts, so if you have one you aren’t
using, please donate it to your local SPSC.
We have a decent balance in our budget. Dues were due today
and people were handing money to Wright, left and right. Hopefully
Wright got the right amount of the dues due.
A silence befalls the congregated masses as voting goes on.
Security is posted at the door to ensure this sacred and solemn
moment is not interrupted. Everyone is hoping that it is NOT
them elected. Meeting continues after the voting while some
members of the esteemed (steaming?) body count the votes.
Trailer is ready to roll in its role of being a portable housing
unit in case of a storm. Read article in last month’s
newsletter ("Changing A Tire ...") in order to find out how it became ready when
it had not been before. Inspiring. Dave suggested pontoons
for the trailer. You have to remember, Dave plays the guitar,
so we all smiled and said “great idea”. He suggested
using Jack’s guitars as pontoons would put them to better
use.
Lee spoke about a Windy substitute and said he could
get it up shortly. We older guys in the crowd were impressed.
Election counting was done and the results are: Commodore:
Bob Andrews, Vice Commodore: Mike Levine, Scribe: Bob Graves,
Purser: Wright Finney, Board member: Ann Getman, Board member:
Mark Powell, Board member: Mark Voigt, and Board member:
Perry Morris.
Ezzy donated a 9.5 sail for the Endless Summer grand prize
drawing. Ezzy shows up as a misspelling in my word document.
Took care of that and added Ezzy to my dictionary.
It was suggested that people order shirts one size smaller
than normal since the shirts for this Endless Summer are
long sleeve athletic shirts that fit more tightly. Someone
suggested the women should get shirt two sizes smaller.
Don had brought some shirts for folks to try on.
Sandspur roundup will be at 2pm on the Sunday before our
event. We also need to treat for ants.
Linda mentioned she had about 7lbs of hamburger and 110
hot dogs for Café Donaldo of New York, Tokyo and
Shell Point.
Site preparation will begin around 2pm on Friday of the
Endless Summer weekend.
Meeting adjourned at 8:45.
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