I was joined by 8 girls and 4 adults for a day at the lake. The girls completed many basic skills and learned a great deal. I know they are looking forward to next summer already!
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Call for Race Officials for Next Wet Wed Series - Aug 5,12,19
All,
Please consider volunteering to serve as a Race Official for the next
Wed Wed Series. The Summer is quickly passing and being out on the
lake watching sail boats in the evening is great. Ask anyone who
was there last night!
Drop me a line if you can commit to any of the Wed night races or any
of the upcoming Regattas.
Thanks!
Tom Harrison
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Girl Scouts 7/29/09
The Girl Scouts Troop #620 enjoyed an incredible day of sailing at the Club. We arrived in rain, which turned into excellent wind and then ended with beautiful sunshine! The girls actively participated and I think we have some future sailors in the bunch! Thanks to Dave for making the connections to help this happen. :)
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Pirate's Race 2009
Many thanks to Pirate King, Jim and his mighty wench, Dawn for a fun-filled day of piracy at the lake! The "racing", water fights and potluck meal were enjoyed by all who attended. Congratulations to the new King, Jay and his fearless wench, Melissa as they take over the responsibilities for next summer's fun!
Friday, July 17, 2009
Buccaneer Wet Wed Series
Nice evening, fairly steady wind- 6-9 knots - a few shifts. Damn fine races by the squad. Most of the races were decided by a boat length--with a few stragglers.
I would start the next race 5 min after the last finisher-- got four races in by 8:45. Did upwind and down and a Triangle.
Bruce
Results to date here.
I would start the next race 5 min after the last finisher-- got four races in by 8:45. Did upwind and down and a Triangle.
Bruce
Results to date here.
Sunday, July 05, 2009
Saturday, July 04, 2009
More 2009 Bucc nationals
Dave and Elayne at Mission Bay, sailing in the 2009 Bucc National Championships.
Start of the Bucc A fleet. The starting line is full, with the committee boat in the lower left and the pin in the lower right and nothing but very good Bucc sailors in between.Thursday, July 02, 2009
2009 Sailing Class Pool Session Photos
Better late than never! Photos limited (mostly) to our trim and fit kids.
Scuba Mooring Mission
TL and George spent over 4 hours in the water last weekend (plus more on land) for mooring checks, boat bottom inspections, fire poker retrival and hoist repairs.
Well done gents!
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Big Lake Joy
I've been sailing with you all for 5 years now. There have been so many moments of great joy mixed in with moments of angst as I continue to learn about the art of sailing. One of my most favorite recent experiences has been learning how to perform a "heave to" to use during storms or for rescues. With many thanks to new member, Terry, I've been learning about the art of sailing. I've always felt the water and wind and had good boat sense. However, sailing with someone who constantly wants to learn and perfect is helping me along my path to becoming a more secure sailor. This is a reminder to all of us of the importance of learning, pushing boundaries and trying new things. In the meantime, find the joy in the quiet moments, and the peace of the sunsets and rises of our beloved spot. See you on the water.
One ship sails east and another sails west
With the self-same winds that blow.
Tis the set of the sail and not the gale
Which determines the way they go.
As the winds of the sea are the ways of fate
As we voyage along through life,
Tis the act of the soul that determines the goal,
And not the calm or the strife.
-Ella Wheeler Wilcox
One ship sails east and another sails west
With the self-same winds that blow.
Tis the set of the sail and not the gale
Which determines the way they go.
As the winds of the sea are the ways of fate
As we voyage along through life,
Tis the act of the soul that determines the goal,
And not the calm or the strife.
-Ella Wheeler Wilcox
2009 Firecracker Regatta (and more) - July 3rd and 4th
Racing, food and fun coming this holiday weekend!
For more ideas on kid races and fun sailing/racing games, see these excerpts from Mary Well's Revival chapter of Catamaran Racing for the 90's in the archived issues of The Sheet online. You can use these links to quickly jump to the Revival articles:
Revival Part 1
Revival Part 2
Revival Part 3
Revival Part 4
Revival Part 5
We've just past our 3rd anniversary of using this blog as our club newsletter! Here's a reprint from the last 2006 issue of The Sheet to help keep those creative posting juices flowing.
The Importance of a Newsletter - Collectively, using this new format we'll have a more vibrant, interesting and timely publication. That's the power of a group blog.
But what do I write about you say? Whatever strikes your fancy -
For more ideas on kid races and fun sailing/racing games, see these excerpts from Mary Well's Revival chapter of Catamaran Racing for the 90's in the archived issues of The Sheet online. You can use these links to quickly jump to the Revival articles:
Revival Part 1
Revival Part 2
Revival Part 3
Revival Part 4
Revival Part 5
We've just past our 3rd anniversary of using this blog as our club newsletter! Here's a reprint from the last 2006 issue of The Sheet to help keep those creative posting juices flowing.
The Importance of a Newsletter - Collectively, using this new format we'll have a more vibrant, interesting and timely publication. That's the power of a group blog.
But what do I write about you say? Whatever strikes your fancy -
- What do you feel when you sail?
- What are some of your favorite lake experiences?
- What did you learn last weekend about boat handling, sail trimming, start tactics or mark roundings?
- What is your favorite type of sailboat?
- What is your most memorable sailing experience?
- Favorite sailing vacation.
- New ideas for fun events and races at the club, e.g. last year's Pirate Race.
- Potluck themes (I think we definitely have this one covered! ed.)
- Cool sailing links you've found on the web.
- America's Cup and Olympic Sailing events. (Nice work on the Buc Nationals coverage ed.)
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
2009 BNAC, San Diego
Sailing in San Diego with a bunch of year round sailors was an eye opening experience. For starters, we partook in 20 races in 5 days, in steady 10+ knot winds every day joining a fleet of 27 Buccs.
We began the day arriving at Mission Bay Yacht Club at 10 AM, with time enough to check out our boat (the pintals somehow loosed up every day), launch via a winch (just like at our club), sail to the wind ward mark, launch the chute, jib, retrace it then arrive at the starting line 10 minutes prior to the noon start.
The 27 Bucc fleet was divided into an A & B class. We originally signed up to race in the A class, but after the first practice race (there were 4 practice races on Monday) the realization that we were way out of our class hit home and switched to the B class. The B class had 12 boats in it and everyone knew how to sail well.
The Starts were awesome! Swiper, #5060, (an 1985 boat) could not point as high as most of the other boats and we got “heading up” at the start and with a boat directly on our starboard had no place to go but into irons. Needless to say we learned from this start and thereafter stayed away from the middle of the pack and focused on a different starting technique. We timed the starts just right so that we arrived last to the starting line and cut in just port of the committee boat on a starboard tack, and it worked time and time again. Starting this way allowed me stay on starboard tack or if I was headed up, I tacked to port and continued on my way. Our Big Lake starts prepared us well for this level of competition, though the A class starts were much more technical.
Elayne and I sailed well to weather, often in the middle of the pack, once leading the pack and yes, a couple of times trailing the pack. We were always on the verge of having too much energy and had to apply the Cunningham on some runs to spill some wind. The technique on this leg was to sail flat and keep up the boat speed, which required some slight easing of the main sail and slight heading up, into luff, then powering up again, it was awesome.
Unknown to me, there were some major rule changes on 2009, like its now a 3 boat length from the mark to establish an overlap and also, its much harder to come to the mark on a port tack with the goal of tacking over to starboard at the last moment (windward mark to port) and squeeze in (that is now a bad idea).
The course was beat to wind, then run back to the starting line, then do it again, then maybe again a third time. There was not a reaching leg, though everyone reached, then jibed the chute, then reached back to the start, no one ran directly downwind.
So far so good, Elayne and I were competitive up to this point, but now it was time to fly the chute and that was our downfall. We always lost ground on the lee leg. We could launch the chute fine, but everyone else ran the chute much better than us and also most others could jib it better than us, but we were learning. Once we overshot the lee mark because of problems retrieving the chute, but we finally got it in and continued the race.
Each day we had 4 races and they ended about 3:30 each day. After that all the boats headed to the hoist and were pulled out of the water, sails let down, covers put on and the boats put to bed. Now time for dinner, suds and some great takillya, then to off to bed.
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday were the same with sunny days and temps in the 80’s coupled with steady 10-12 knot winds, what a wonderful place to sail. After 3 days of racing (not counting Monday’s practice race day) Elayne and I were tied for 11 th place with the 9th place boat 7 points ahead of us. Now the 9th place boat was crewed by an elderly guy and gal and I thought: “I’m not gonna let a team in their late 60’s beat us”, and we did sail well on the last day but ended up 2 points behind the 9th place boat.
Overall, it was a great time, so much so that Elayne and I are already planning on attending next year, same time but located on the East Coast, in Maryland in some river that dumps into the Chesapeake bay (Geoff and Cathy, that may be near your old sailing ground). Everyone down there was friendly and helpful and as Alaskans, we were treated like Rock Stars.
We began the day arriving at Mission Bay Yacht Club at 10 AM, with time enough to check out our boat (the pintals somehow loosed up every day), launch via a winch (just like at our club), sail to the wind ward mark, launch the chute, jib, retrace it then arrive at the starting line 10 minutes prior to the noon start.
The 27 Bucc fleet was divided into an A & B class. We originally signed up to race in the A class, but after the first practice race (there were 4 practice races on Monday) the realization that we were way out of our class hit home and switched to the B class. The B class had 12 boats in it and everyone knew how to sail well.
The Starts were awesome! Swiper, #5060, (an 1985 boat) could not point as high as most of the other boats and we got “heading up” at the start and with a boat directly on our starboard had no place to go but into irons. Needless to say we learned from this start and thereafter stayed away from the middle of the pack and focused on a different starting technique. We timed the starts just right so that we arrived last to the starting line and cut in just port of the committee boat on a starboard tack, and it worked time and time again. Starting this way allowed me stay on starboard tack or if I was headed up, I tacked to port and continued on my way. Our Big Lake starts prepared us well for this level of competition, though the A class starts were much more technical.
Elayne and I sailed well to weather, often in the middle of the pack, once leading the pack and yes, a couple of times trailing the pack. We were always on the verge of having too much energy and had to apply the Cunningham on some runs to spill some wind. The technique on this leg was to sail flat and keep up the boat speed, which required some slight easing of the main sail and slight heading up, into luff, then powering up again, it was awesome.
Unknown to me, there were some major rule changes on 2009, like its now a 3 boat length from the mark to establish an overlap and also, its much harder to come to the mark on a port tack with the goal of tacking over to starboard at the last moment (windward mark to port) and squeeze in (that is now a bad idea).
The course was beat to wind, then run back to the starting line, then do it again, then maybe again a third time. There was not a reaching leg, though everyone reached, then jibed the chute, then reached back to the start, no one ran directly downwind.
So far so good, Elayne and I were competitive up to this point, but now it was time to fly the chute and that was our downfall. We always lost ground on the lee leg. We could launch the chute fine, but everyone else ran the chute much better than us and also most others could jib it better than us, but we were learning. Once we overshot the lee mark because of problems retrieving the chute, but we finally got it in and continued the race.
Each day we had 4 races and they ended about 3:30 each day. After that all the boats headed to the hoist and were pulled out of the water, sails let down, covers put on and the boats put to bed. Now time for dinner, suds and some great takillya, then to off to bed.
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday were the same with sunny days and temps in the 80’s coupled with steady 10-12 knot winds, what a wonderful place to sail. After 3 days of racing (not counting Monday’s practice race day) Elayne and I were tied for 11 th place with the 9th place boat 7 points ahead of us. Now the 9th place boat was crewed by an elderly guy and gal and I thought: “I’m not gonna let a team in their late 60’s beat us”, and we did sail well on the last day but ended up 2 points behind the 9th place boat.
Overall, it was a great time, so much so that Elayne and I are already planning on attending next year, same time but located on the East Coast, in Maryland in some river that dumps into the Chesapeake bay (Geoff and Cathy, that may be near your old sailing ground). Everyone down there was friendly and helpful and as Alaskans, we were treated like Rock Stars.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
ASC SHIRTS and MUGS for sale
Yes, ASC has logo wear! We have t-shirts available now in white for adults, size S - XXXL, and can take orders for red or light blue if that is your preference. We just received some children's shirts, size S - L in white, red, and light blue. We also had a small number of kid's hooded sweatshirts made up , they are gray with the ASC logo on the back, sizes S - XL (The XL would fit a small adult). All t-shirts are priced at $15 and the sweatshirts are $25.
We are having some special "Firecracker Regatta 2009" t-shirts made up and you may pre-order these by emailing Tina at aklalonde@aol.com The design may also be placed on a tank top if you prefer. The cost for these is $15 and they will be available for pick up on July 3 at the Firecracker Regatta. Respond soon if you want one so we have an idea of how many to have made up in each size.
ASC logo mugs are also available for purchase - $15.00 each.
We are having some special "Firecracker Regatta 2009" t-shirts made up and you may pre-order these by emailing Tina at aklalonde@aol.com The design may also be placed on a tank top if you prefer. The cost for these is $15 and they will be available for pick up on July 3 at the Firecracker Regatta. Respond soon if you want one so we have an idea of how many to have made up in each size.
ASC logo mugs are also available for purchase - $15.00 each.
Buccaneer 18 North American Championships
Dave Johnson and Elayne Hunter sailing Swiper, Sail No. 5060
By Elayne Hunter, reporting from the Buccaneer 18 North American Championships
These Buc sailors are fun and eager to talk sailing, rigging, trimming and racing. We know you'd all be loving it. The bay is perfect with steady winds (12 knots today) and shelter from the chop. Upwind, downwind and back and forth in varying amounts for racing.
Our borrowed boat weighed in at 705 #s only 200 # excess weight (Jay we understand this can be a characteristic of the Glousters) and the line on the vang has broken in 2 races. Lots of adjustments and repairs and recoveries on the fly.
We'll be back with tales to tell of successes and challenges. Today people were talking about sailing 4 races and neither of us can remember more than 3. What's up with that?
The weather is just around 70°F.
Posted for Dave and Elayne by Paul Willing
Editor notes –
By Elayne Hunter, reporting from the Buccaneer 18 North American Championships
These Buc sailors are fun and eager to talk sailing, rigging, trimming and racing. We know you'd all be loving it. The bay is perfect with steady winds (12 knots today) and shelter from the chop. Upwind, downwind and back and forth in varying amounts for racing.
Our borrowed boat weighed in at 705 #s only 200 # excess weight (Jay we understand this can be a characteristic of the Glousters) and the line on the vang has broken in 2 races. Lots of adjustments and repairs and recoveries on the fly.
We'll be back with tales to tell of successes and challenges. Today people were talking about sailing 4 races and neither of us can remember more than 3. What's up with that?
The weather is just around 70°F.
Posted for Dave and Elayne by Paul Willing
Editor notes –
- Steady 12 knot breeze and 70°F sounds very, very nice.
- Looks like BNAC is using Sailwave for scoring, just like the ASC!
Monday, June 22, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
2009 Wet Wednesday – Series 1
Tom Harrison reports Wednesday's race was another light air event.
Get the Sailwave results sheet here.
Get the Sailwave results sheet here.
Friday, June 12, 2009
2009 Wet Wednesday – Series 1
Wednesday was hot, hot, hot, but not very wet or wild. I noted 80°F on my car thermometer all the way to Big Lake. Upon arriving around 5:00 pm I set to working on my rudder upgrade kit (some filing required!). Contrary to web weather reports (10 mph???) there was absolutely no wind. That remained unchanged as the racers arrived and began launching boats for 2009’s first Wet Wednesday series.
The zero wind conditions remained unchanged as Race 1 started. I remained onshore working on my rudder fittings. Occasionally I would look up to see how things were going. Later I would look up and things looked exactly the same! I started to feel better about missing the race and continued working away in the shade – it looked pretty darn hot out on the water in the direct sun..
This all brought the mind the famous quote from The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge:
"We stuck, nor breath nor motion; As idle as a painted ship. Upon a painted ocean. Water, water, everywhere…"
Wind finally arrived around 9:00 pm and the boats literally flew around the course – compared to being parked for an hour and a half.
This brought to mind another quote, from Papa Wallenda the great tight rope walker:
"Life is on the wire, the rest is just waiting."
That could be paraphrased for sailors to:
"Life is on the water-sailing, the rest is just waiting."
Unfortunately, they had to throw out the speedy 2nd race due to the windward mark being a navigation hazard.
Get the Sailwave results sheet here.
The zero wind conditions remained unchanged as Race 1 started. I remained onshore working on my rudder fittings. Occasionally I would look up to see how things were going. Later I would look up and things looked exactly the same! I started to feel better about missing the race and continued working away in the shade – it looked pretty darn hot out on the water in the direct sun..
This all brought the mind the famous quote from The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge:
"We stuck, nor breath nor motion; As idle as a painted ship. Upon a painted ocean. Water, water, everywhere…"
Wind finally arrived around 9:00 pm and the boats literally flew around the course – compared to being parked for an hour and a half.
This brought to mind another quote, from Papa Wallenda the great tight rope walker:
"Life is on the wire, the rest is just waiting."
That could be paraphrased for sailors to:
"Life is on the water-sailing, the rest is just waiting."
Unfortunately, they had to throw out the speedy 2nd race due to the windward mark being a navigation hazard.
Get the Sailwave results sheet here.
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
ASC Open House - June 13th
Get a full page pdf version of the Open House Flyer here. Or just click the image above for an enlarged view.Sunday, June 07, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
More 2009 Icebreaker Photos
More photos here. No on the water racing action this time, but plenty of harbor shots, plus a special "first solo sail". Click on the slideshow box to go to Picasa and download any you want copies of.
Photo credits - Paul Willing
Photo credits - Paul Willing
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Saturday, May 23, 2009
2009 Icebreaker Regatta
Live from Big Lake, it's the Icebreaker Regatta. Standby for "live" racing updates and results here.
The ice is gone, the sun is out and the racers are preparing their boats. We're hoping the forecast holds for afternoon wind.
But... as it turned out, Race 1 was a drifter until the last mark when the wind filled in. Race 2 had steady wind ~8 mph throughout.
Sunday brought sunny skies in the morning... and a dead calm lake. Race 3 went on as scheduled at 2:00 pm, but it was so calm many boats were towed to the start area. It was another drifter, but excellent for working on your tan.
With a nice 10 - 12 mph wind filling in around 4:30 pm we mobilized for a 5:00 pm start. Now this is some real racing! This reporter had to return to the dock for a quick batten repair - hence a very late start - but it was worth it just to scoot around the course, fly a hull and let out a hearty yeeee haaa! Big Lake sailing doesn't get much better.
Fellow racers don't be shy - post comments to this or post your own story.
Day 1 Results
Final Results
The ice is gone, the sun is out and the racers are preparing their boats. We're hoping the forecast holds for afternoon wind.
But... as it turned out, Race 1 was a drifter until the last mark when the wind filled in. Race 2 had steady wind ~8 mph throughout.
Sunday brought sunny skies in the morning... and a dead calm lake. Race 3 went on as scheduled at 2:00 pm, but it was so calm many boats were towed to the start area. It was another drifter, but excellent for working on your tan.
With a nice 10 - 12 mph wind filling in around 4:30 pm we mobilized for a 5:00 pm start. Now this is some real racing! This reporter had to return to the dock for a quick batten repair - hence a very late start - but it was worth it just to scoot around the course, fly a hull and let out a hearty yeeee haaa! Big Lake sailing doesn't get much better.
Fellow racers don't be shy - post comments to this or post your own story.
Day 1 Results
Final Results
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
ASC Web Site Updated with New Logo
Check it out at - Alaska Sailing Club.
With racing just around the corner this weekend, check out some real RL racing in the photo below. Note reef in mainsail. Photo from our Aussie brethren from the RL website
With racing just around the corner this weekend, check out some real RL racing in the photo below. Note reef in mainsail. Photo from our Aussie brethren from the RL website
While down under on the RL website, if you visit this page you may spy some familiar photos.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
2009 Ice Breaker Regatta
The Alaska Sailing Club's
2009 Ice Breaker Regatta
Big Lake, Alaska
May 23rd & 24th
Races are scheduled for 4:00 and 6:00 pm on Saturday and 2:00 and 4:00 pm on Sunday. Come early and enjoy a pre-race potluck at 1:00 pm on Saturday. The theme of the Potluck is “your favorite comfort food”. Not a cook? We can always use chips and drinks to share. Hope to see everyone there!
Questions?
Contact Jay or Chris at 696-3450. Thank you.
Big Lake, AlaskaMay 23rd & 24th
Races are scheduled for 4:00 and 6:00 pm on Saturday and 2:00 and 4:00 pm on Sunday. Come early and enjoy a pre-race potluck at 1:00 pm on Saturday. The theme of the Potluck is “your favorite comfort food”. Not a cook? We can always use chips and drinks to share. Hope to see everyone there!
Questions?
Contact Jay or Chris at 696-3450. Thank you.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Ice Breaker Regatta - Notice to Competitors
The following start times are scheduled for the 2009 Ice Breaker Regatta:
another race may quickly follow on the heals to take advantage of
circumstances.
Sat 23 May - 4 pm & 6 pm; Sun 24 May - 2 pm & 4 pm.
another race may quickly follow on the heals to take advantage of
circumstances.
Race Committee Team Training
To better facilitate Hands-On Race Committee Team Training - Training
has been rescheduled to take place on the first day of the Iceberg
Regatta at 2 pm at the Club facilities on Big Lake. This is a great
opportunity to de-mystify what it takes to put on and record a race.
It's a lot of fun (especially now with the pontoon boat) and really
helps support the Club's race program. Novice and experience sailors
are strongly encouraged to play a part!
has been rescheduled to take place on the first day of the Iceberg
Regatta at 2 pm at the Club facilities on Big Lake. This is a great
opportunity to de-mystify what it takes to put on and record a race.
It's a lot of fun (especially now with the pontoon boat) and really
helps support the Club's race program. Novice and experience sailors
are strongly encouraged to play a part!
Sunday, May 10, 2009
First 2009 Work Party
Check out all these great folks working hard to get the club ready for the 2009 season!
Our resident chimney sweep
Paul found thousands of great items in the tool shed
Ray was everywhere!!
We are going to post this pile on Craigslist and Ebay First offer over $1000 can have this bit of history.
Bruce and Tim work out the plan for camper parking
The sailing clubs first ever fire and rescue squad. Captain Jay at the helm
Jay with his able bodied fire and rescue crew
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