Newsletter
July 2004

From the Bridge…

…a word from the Commodore

You could hardly tell from some of our recent cool weather, but the summer sailing season is here, and lots of new sailors have been taking full advantage. Many young families have been discovering the joys of sailing, which has resulted in 15 new families joining the sailing club this year. That is the good news. The bad news is that this has only resulted in a net increase of one family from 2003 (39 families last year, 40 families so far this year).

What this tells me is that many of you have not renewed your memberships for 2004. That is why you will find that I have enclosed a listing of the paid members for 2004, as well as a membership registration form. If you are not on the list, and you want to renew for 2004, please complete the form and return it to me along with the $20 annual family membership fee. This is a small price to pay to support a club that is showing such great growth potential!

I should add that some of you that are receiving this newsletter have never been in the club before. I encourage you all to fill out the registration form as well. I can't think of any other club that provides a family membership for only $20 a year, and you'll definitely get your money's worth!

Using the Sunfish

After speaking with many club members, I have found that many of you may not know about the Sunfish sailboats available for club member use on the little lake. If you have driven by the little lake on most days, and especially on weekends, you may have seen the boats out sailing, and in each instance these boats are being sailed by club members.

There are six boats available to Sailing Club members. There are three Sunfish owned by the Sailing Club (these say "Sailing Club" on the side), and three Sunfish owned by the Community Association (these say "LSLCA" near the back of the boats. All of these boats are moored in the cove next to the CA swimming pool. At last count there were six other boats moored in that cove as well. These other boats are all privately owned and should be left alone. The process to use the CA/Club Sunfish is as follows:

• Use of the boats is limited to Sailing Club members and their guests, and is free.
• The daggerboards for each boat are kept in the CA's golf shack, as the boats can not be sailed without them. Just go to the golf shack and let them know you would like to sail one of the boats. They will ask for your name (and possibly your CA ID), which they will check against the Sailing Club membership list (this is an up to date list of paid members for 2004). It is the policy of the CA to limit the use of these boats to Sailing Club members only, so if you are not on the list, you will not be able to use one of the boats. Once you have been confirmed as a club member, you will be asked to sign a liability release form and you will be given a daggerboard.
• Take the daggerboard to the beach, and swim out and get the boat you would like to sail. Remember, only Sailing Club and CA boats may be used. Please be careful not to disturb the privately owned boats.
• Once back at the beach (please stay as close to the cove as possible, so the lifeguards do not have to worry that you will sail in the swim area in front of the beach), rig the sailboat and head out. Please start your sailing from outside of the swim area.
• A lifejacket is required for each person on the boat. Additionally, sailors under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. The adult need not be on the boat (as a parent or guardian, it is up to you to determine if your child can sail without you onboard), however you must be "supervising" the sailing.
• Please take care of these boats. Our ability to use them is wholly dependent upon our ability to keep them in good condition.
• Once you have completed your sail, return to shore (the area in the cove just outside the swim area). Lower, roll and secure the sail, and raise the rudder out of the water.
• It is imperative that the sail be tightly secured to protect from winds catching the sail while moored. It is also critical that the rudder be out of the water when the boat is moored, as it will rot very quickly if left in the water for any extended period of time. It is the responsibility of each sailor to ensure the boat is stored as well as or better than it was found.
• Swim the boat back into the cove and secure it to the same mooring from which it was taken.
• Return the daggerboard to the golf shack.
• NOTE - If you find the boats in need of repairs, please let Pearson Buell know as soon as possible, so we can determine if the repairs must be completed right away, or if they can wait.
• Please be aware that we hold sailing lessons on some Saturday mornings, as well as regattas on some weekend afternoons. We ask that you not borrow any of the boats during these periods.

If you have any questions about the use of the Sunfish, please contact Pearson Buell. Of course, if you have an old Sunfish or similar boat that you would like to donate to be added to our fleet, Pearson would love to hear from you. Lastly, please take advantage of this great opportunity for club members.

Sailing Lessons

We continue to offer group sailing lessons on the little lake. The lessons have been very successful (we try to have six students per group, and have averaged closer to eight). There are three sessions remaining (see the schedule at the end of the newsletter). If you or someone you know, would like a lesson, please contact Pearson. We can always schedule private lessons for folks that can't make it into our group lessons. There is no charge for Sailing Club members and only a $10 charge for non-club members.

Regattas

We have completed the first of our Sunfish regattas, and the kids (and adults) that raced did a great job. Our next regatta is scheduled for Sunday, July 25, at noon on the little lake.

Junior Sailing Club Commodore Josh Buell and Social Chairman Tara Williams report that the Junior Sailors are planning their first social event following the Sunfish regatta (at 3:00pm), so whether you want to race or not, all junior sailors are encouraged to attend. Just join us on the CA Clubhouse beach.

Our first cabin boat regatta is scheduled for Saturday, July 31, starting around 8:30pm. Remember that this is a night regatta, so be sure to charge your batteries and make sure the running lights are working! It will be a full moon, but you'll still need lights to be safe and legal; on the lake.

Social Activities

Prior to our "moonlight race" on July 31, will be have a social event at the Windjammer Marina, starting at 6:00 pm. Look for more information coming soon. Following the racing, anyone that wants to sleep out in the cabin boats is welcome to come raft up with us in "party cove".

As for racing, I have tentatively scheduled three Sunfish regattas, and one cabin boat regatta. I expect to have additional cabin boat regattas once the race committee meets. I also expect to continue the informal evening racing that was so successful last year.

Special Thanks

As usual, the On-the-Water Boat show was a great success this year. Thanks to Ray Grossmann, who always does such a great job organizing this important event, and thanks to the volunteers who helped make this event something we can all be proud of!

Thanks to Rick Thurwachter for building some great anchors for the Sunfish. These anchors simply can not be moved without some serious muscle, so or boats are sure to stay in place all summer long.

As I have said over and over again, the future success of the club is dependent on our teaching young people to sail. In this area I have had a lot of help, but special thanks need to go out to George Abbe and Judy Irwin, who filled in when I was unable to teach.

The Sailing Club is nothing without our great members, so thanks to everyone for helping to make 2004 another great year.

Pearson Buell
Commodore

Schedule

Lessons (at the CA Clubhouse beach):

• Saturday, July 31, 9-11am
• Saturday, August 14, 9-11am
• Saturday, August 21, 9-11am

Sunfish Regattas (held on the little lake):

• Sunday, July 25, Noon
• Saturday, August 21, 1:00pm

Cabin Regattas:

• Saturday, July 31 at approximately 8:30pm

Social Events:

• Moonlight Madness Party - 6:00 p.m. Saturday, July 31, Windjammer Point