November 2024
Commodore's Comments
by Kristin Korinko, Commodore 2024!
Greetings all esteemed club members!
Aahh... November... first and foremost... an attitude of gratitude! Gratitude for all those who have served… Happy Veteran’s Day, and we thank you! Gratitude for all the bounties bestowed upon us in health, family, and friendship this Thanksgiving season.
To all from near and far who helped to make this year’s Endless Summer Sailboard Classic a true success, I am beyond grateful! When Wright asked me a few years back to reprise my tenure so that I can truly experience all the splendor that makes up serving in this position, I gladly accepted. Thank you ALL for making me enormously proud to both serve and represent you this year. We will be revealing the outcomes of the Endless Summer—both financially and pictorially—at our last club meeting for this calendar year, Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at District 850. Socially convening is both welcomed and appreciated at 6:30p, and we plan to begin meeting at 7p. Endless Summer Race Results.
Huzzah also to those who ventured north toward Atlanta for the Atlanta Fall Classic. Way to represent the Shell Point Sailboard Club at this wonderful event, folks!
On behalf of the Board and Officers, I would like to congratulate the following newly elected board members and officers. They will officially begin their tenure on January 1st, 2025! Please join me in sending good vibes—huzzah!
Commodore - Ted Avellone
Vice Commodore - Rick Upson
Scribe - Bob Graves
Purser - Wright Finney
Past Commodore - Kristin Korinko (Olson)
Board Members - Bob Andrews, Ryne Least, Marina Byrd, Vaughan Williams
Congratulations to all! Much appreciation and thank you to those who are rotating off the leadership tenures, Mark Powell, Rose Lane, and Will Harms! Each of you have contributed so many of your talents in support of this club’s development, education, mentorship, and sustainability. Grateful! Huzzah!
We have also started to look forward to upcoming events including the annual Christmas Party (Saturday, December 14th) and Festivus (date to be confirmed at our club meeting). We will be asking for a few of Santa’s elves to assist with decorating the venue, Shriners Club on Monroe and Tharpe, during our club meeting as well.
As always, shout out to all our November birthdays ! Enjoy the next trip around the sun, calm seas, and peak winds folks!
Just a reminder, our next club meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 12th at District 850. We hope that you will be there to help bring this year’s club meetings to a close and to look forward to next year!
Swami and the Festoons have kicked off rehearsals this past week and the Wind Ceremony lineup looks to be PhenomeNOLE 😊
We hope to see you there!
Warm regards and eternal gratitude,
Kristin Korinko (Olson)
Commodore, 2020 and 2024
2024 Endless Summer Sailboard Classic Novice Fleet By Teensie Mazanek
Our policy is that a registered Novice Fleet sailor can use club equipment for our regattas. It requires some effort to take the equipment out of the training trailer, keep track of it and then return it back to its resting place on the beach. This year it took much more effort to accommodate the Fleet due to hurricane Helene. We knew the training trailer had to be moved to Snug Harbor ahead of it as there was a high storm surge projected. We started by taking the equipment out of the training trailer. Lead by Bob Graves (BobbyG) we derigged then loaded all the stuff into Bob Andrews (Baabs) trailer for safe-keeping. After the storm we put the equipment back into the training trailer at Snug Harbor. Friday morning of the regatta, we brought the equipment back to the beach using Joe Sisson’s (Fractions) utility trailer. We rerigged everything so it was ready for the Fleet to use on Saturday. Eight of the 10 racers used club equipment.
This was the second largest Novice Fleet in our club’s history with 10 of the 11 registrants racing (we missed you Pia). There was a light northeast breeze on Saturday. Wright Finney (Quartermaster) and John Gilbert set our reaching mark to the west of the start line for the other fleets so there was little to no interference between them. Mack Pascal was our rabbit and we ran the first heat with 9 racers. (Patrick Porter, sailing at Shell Point for the first time, missed it ‘cause he had sailed waaaaaaaaaaay west.) We were able to get three heats done before lunch. After lunch we ran two more heats for a total of five for the day.
Keeping in mind that in our Novice Fleet, you can sail, swim or walk/run around the mark or finish line, some highlights included: Tom Moffett walking over the finish in the first heat; Kristen Kraus swimming around the mark in third heat; Meshac Sandoval (youngest racer age 10) and Kristen running across the finish line in the fifth heat; and Katie Devick taking first place in all five heats.
Due to lack of wind, there was no racing on Sunday. After the awards ceremony, most of the fleet helped with derigging all of the equipment so we could transport it back to the training trailer. Those efforts were MUCH appreciated.
We would not have had a Novice Fleet without the continued dedication of our lessons program coordinator, BobbyG, and this year’s instructors: Mack Pascal, Baabs, Suds, Fractions, Bill Olson, me, and Linda Downey. Special thanks to: Quartermaster for setting the course; Suds for blowing and sucking the marks; Rick Upson for helping me score the races; Mack Pascal for leading the racers as our rabbit and helping individuals on the water; Friday’s equipment riggers-BobbyG (who had thankfully marked fins and booms for us), Fractions, Laura and Ryne Least; the beer truck crew lead by Adam Bennet (who allowed me to pour and let me hide out in the back of his Element during the event-they even made a sign “Teensie’s Office”); and of course John Gilbert for always having whatever ya need during an event.
Results, class/overall:
Women:
Katie Devick first/first
Andrea LaBaud second/fourth
Kristen Kraus third/tenth
Light Weight:
Rudy Westerman first/fifth
Blake Stevenson second/sixth
Chris McNamara third/seventh
Tom Moffett fourth/eighth
Lighter Weight:
Shadrac Sandoval first/second
Meshac Sandoval second/third
Patrick Porter third/ninth
2024 Atlanta Fall Classic by Bob G
What can be said about the longest running windsurfing regatta in the country, but it was a great time once again. So many Shell Point members came down, comprising 11 of the 23 people registered to race. Once again, on the Friday registration night, the SPSC folks provided a great feast to be enjoyed by everyone there. Taco soup, two kinds of Chili’s, Vegan soup, rice, bread, chips, and for dessert, a delicacy I had never had before, not one but TWO peanut butter pies. Ask Laura for the recipes because they were sooooo good.
Saturday morning had us on the water as the wind was good, gusty, and all over the place, but mostly north. Though windward/leeward races are a bit on the tedious side, and the great race committee attempted to keep the windward mark truly upwind, races got underway. Thankfully, the water was not very cold and the temperatures were in the mid-seventies, so light neoprene was the dress of the day.
After three races, the wind started to disappear, and after lunch, racing was called for the rest of the day. Just like at the Endless Summer, Sunday did not bring anymore wind as it was light all morning and nonexistent in the afternoon, so the regatta was a wrap. Trophies and door prizes were handed out, and some folks got on their way home earlier than expected.
Overall, the weather was gorgeous, though the wind was light, we ate and drank well the whole weekend, and the people we see once a year are always great to see again. Kudos to Laura Least for being the only women racer and she did really well. Several of us got pulled off our board by the ghosts that haunt Lake Lanier.
Poem #1 by Laura Least
In October's chill, by full moon's light,
Lake Lanier whispered tales of fright.
Windsurfers gathered, brave and bold,
to race on waters dark and cold.
Beneath the surface, a ghostly town lay,
where spirits lingered, lost in the bay.
With every sail and daring glide,
The haunted depths pulled from inside.
Spectral hands reached from the lake's bed,
calling sailors to join the undead.
Laughter echoed, an eerie tweet,
Promising doom where worlds would meet.
In the end, the living escaped with haste,
from Lake Lanier's ghostly embrace.
Poem #2 by Laura Least
Laughter, fun, swimming and cheer.
The people gather to windsurf at the beautiful Lake Lanier.
“Nothing can ruin our weekend of joy!”
Screamed the saggy old men and the wee little boys.
Cornbread and pie were passed round the table,
As the Florida folks gathered to hear of the fable.
Be careful while swimming, take caution in the wind,
Make sure to take a gander as you race round the bend.
The curse of Lake Lanier shall bring peril to all,
No matter if you’re short, skinny, fat or tall.
A ghost town with secrets of murder, betrayal and the dark,
Whispers of hauntings and ghouls leaving their mark.
A hand reaches up through the surf right behind you,
It latches on and pulls with the strength of not one man but two.
You gasp as you’re brought down in the depths,
There’s no fighting now, close your eyes and accept.
You should’ve stayed home with your loved ones I fear,
Because now you’re a member of the ghost town of Lake Lanier.
SPSC Club Minutes, Tuesday, 10/8/2024
Place: District 850
The meeting was called to order at 7:10 pm with 19 members present with one more coming in later to have an overall attendance of 20.
Minutes approved at 7:12
Commodore: Thanks to all who continue to step up and help. Kudos to the ROADIES and others for all the trailer and beach work. COABI invited us to their concert. Asked how everyone is doing and hopes to maintain collaboration between the club and the Shell Point community.
Vice Commodore: IGN
Scribe: Girl scouts did not write an article as promised.
Purser:
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A total of 3 trailer moves costing $200 once and $165 the other two times.
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PO Box costs $182 a year.
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Smith Foundation re-imbursed us for their half of the insurance and for use of the band trailer.
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Upcoming expenses will be training trailer and the Endless Summer.
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Memberships stand at 36 not counting those who have re-upped via Endless Summer registration.
Past Commodore: Glad to be back and hopes not to see another shore break in some time.
Discussion items
Endless Summer:
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Low country boil for Friday night is not happening due to Tom having to work due to hurricane Milton. There will be a potluck for those who wish to participate starting at 7pm at the pavilion.
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Bob Andrews agreed to get the ice.
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Requested 11k budget which was approved though questions were asked about past budget requests.
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Mark asked if we could donate the money we make from the Endless Summer to the American Red Cross. Discussion ensued as to the club not having that much with major expenses on the horizon. It was suggested individuals donate and maybe tip buckets for donation be put out.
Free Style: Had two clinics that went well. The event will have fabulous prizes, and each routine will be 2 to 3 minutes long.
Beach and Trailer: Discussion ensues on how best to fix the trailer and Wright thanked everyone for cleaning up our end of the beach.
Program: Videos were shown on free style moves.
Adjourned when all was said and done at 8:15
Upcoming Events
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Endless Summer Sailboard Classic, October 12-14, Chair: Kristin Korinko
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Atlanta Fall Classic, October 18-20, Chair: Chris Voith*
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Presnell’s Bayside Marina, November 17-24, Chair: None*
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Christmas Party, December 14, Chair: Ted Avellone
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Festivus, December 15 or 22, Chair: Vaughan Williams