TELL TALES (Jan. 6, 2010)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Stephan VerHulst of our RWB Fleet, turns 13 tomorrow and thus becomes an official Red Fleet skipper. In celebration of his birthday, Stephan’s parents, Skip and Diana, plan to provide lunch and beverages for all our sailors and coaches this coming Saturday. The menu will include pizza, a pasta entrée, salad and cupcakes. We are looking forward to it. Thank you.

SCHEDULE:

Jan. 9 – Winter Series, race 4 (hs, SP4, St. Petersburg)

Jan. 16 – Winter Series, race 5 (hs, SP5, Coral Gables); 16-18 – Opti Team Midwinters, St. Pete

Jan. 23 – Winter Series, race 6

Jan. 30 – Winter Series, race 7

Feb. 6 – Winter Series, race 8

SCHEDULE COMMENTS

1. We had very good turnouts for optional sailing on both Dec. 26 and Jan. 2. There were 18 on the day after Christmas and 19 the day following New Year’s. Looking ahead, both Dec. 25 and Jan. 1 fall on Saturdays, and we don’t plan to have sailing those days, even optional sailing. But we can have optional sailing during both holiday weeks if there is enough interest. In fact, we could have a couple of extra days if sailors are willing to participate.

2. We had two Portsmouth sailors who signed up for optional sailing on Jan. 2, showed up, but did not sail with the rest of the group. VYBA policy is that you must stay with the rest of the gang. Certainly if you own your boat, you can sail whenever you want, but coaches cannot be held responsible for those who stay in or wander off on their own, regardless of age.

3. Coach John Thomas worked with the Optimists over the holidays on team racing and will do so again this Saturday after the regular series races. Current plans are to have series races on Jan. 16 and give regatta points to those who go to the Optimist Teams Midwinters.

MISCELLANEOUS

1. Andrew Sosa, our webmaster, has redesigned our website and made many favorable changes, including a new home page and a posting of the Fall Series results. Take a look.

2. All of the Emergency Medical Information forms are in. We thank you for your cooperation.

3. Meant to mention this earlier, but didn’t. Christmas Boat Parade participants included Blake Erquiaga, Evan Langer, Garrett Lawlor, Andrew Sosa, Bogan and Garver Whitehead plus Samantha Wood. Lucille Kreider provided the sound system and Glenn Sosa had the CD’s that brought forth all the Christmas music. Paul Thorpe, Celeste Patete and Jim Liston did most of the decorating. Jim Liston and John Thomas had the boats and some of those who went with Coach Thomas were able to steer the boat during the annual parade.

MORE JIM PIQUE MEMORIAL REGATTA COMMENTS AND CONCERNS

1. Many Opti sailors are going out without checking their sail ties property. Make them tight.

2. Stay off the starting line if it is not your start. Too many Optis were on the line when the Lasers were trying to start. Also stay away from the finish line after you have crossed it.

3. It is good to be aggressive on the starting line, but not too much. Don’t push your luck.

4. Watch for wind shifts. Too many of you are not paying attention and those who do watch are the ones who score better. And too many skippers are overstanding the windward mark.