The planning is done. The food is at the marina. The equipment is all checked out. The weather gods are promising very good weather for a sailboat race. Hopefully, the ACE will let the rain this week will raise the lake some.
Take advantage of the early registration savings, and have your fleet Captain tell us whether you want to do buoys or distance races.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Sunday 3/27/11 - Let's do some starts!
It's not pretty, but... We have enjoyed some exceptional weather recently! This is more like March, as we know it.
But there is going to be some wind and I'll set up a short course like we did last weekend where we got 6 starts under out belts in a little over an hour. Yeehaw!
This week, let me put everyone on notice that I will try to set the little course where one side will send you through a geographic wind shift (whirly-gig, I call them). Last week, one sailor realized what I'd done and never did sail through it. A couple more figured it out after going up the right side the first start. ;)
But there is going to be some wind and I'll set up a short course like we did last weekend where we got 6 starts under out belts in a little over an hour. Yeehaw!
This week, let me put everyone on notice that I will try to set the little course where one side will send you through a geographic wind shift (whirly-gig, I call them). Last week, one sailor realized what I'd done and never did sail through it. A couple more figured it out after going up the right side the first start. ;)
Friday, March 25, 2011
Saturday, March 26th..
Cold and rainy weather will bring a cancellation of the racing program on Saturday. It's not looking too promising for Sunday, but we'll make that decision on Saturday.
Now, the Force 5 regatta is the next weekend, and as my friend Jenny says, "The thing I like most about racing is that it forces me to sail in weather I would normally not sail in." Yeehaw!
Now, the Force 5 regatta is the next weekend, and as my friend Jenny says, "The thing I like most about racing is that it forces me to sail in weather I would normally not sail in." Yeehaw!
Friday, March 18, 2011
Sunday March 20th - Starting Practices with Coach Gaylen!
We'll be setting up a short course Sunday to practice race starts to get in the swing of things. We will have two starts and a very short windward leg. We will let the experienced racers get off in the first start, then have a 2nd start for people who have less, or no experience. If you've never raced before, this is a great opportunity to get out and learn that it doesn't have to be anymore stressful than you make it!
Gaylen Freeman has offered to be our on-the-water coach this weekend. I have never sailed with Gaylen, or asked him a question that he didn't give me some great coaching!
At 10:00 Sunday morning we will have a race committee instruction session for people who have never been on a race committee before. This is a great way to learn about racing and watch some folks who have a lot of experience. People attending the instruction session will get first crack at working the races Sunday afternoon!
Gaylen Freeman has offered to be our on-the-water coach this weekend. I have never sailed with Gaylen, or asked him a question that he didn't give me some great coaching!
At 10:00 Sunday morning we will have a race committee instruction session for people who have never been on a race committee before. This is a great way to learn about racing and watch some folks who have a lot of experience. People attending the instruction session will get first crack at working the races Sunday afternoon!
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Sunday March 13th - updated
Well, I wish we'd have raced yesterday. ;) We had a nice turnout today. Perfect temperature for being outside and active. Just a few rain drops that didn't bother anyone. But... barely any wind. Gaylen made it much further that anyone else and I towed him back. Everyone else opted to sail back and relax.
Next weekend we start two weeks of practice starts.
Next weekend we start two weeks of practice starts.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Race Committee Seminars
The best place to watch sailboat races is on the committee boat! Come join us and find out what racing is all about and why we do it. The last two weekends in March we will hold an introduction to working on the committee boat for those who want to participate in this great activity. Following the introduction, we will go out on the committee boat, set up and run some races for the club. There will then be opportunities throughout the year at our Sunday races and regattas.
Sunday March 20th at 10:30 (race starting practice to follow)
Saturday, March 26th at 10:30 (race starting practice on Sunday)
Come on out and join the fun by either posting a response to this blog, or sending me an email.
Sunday March 20th at 10:30 (race starting practice to follow)
Saturday, March 26th at 10:30 (race starting practice on Sunday)
Come on out and join the fun by either posting a response to this blog, or sending me an email.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Race starting line clinics in March
We will have some clinics on starts the last two Sundays in March (the 20th and 27th) at 1:00.
We'll have a 15 minute round table discussion at 1:00 followed by starts on the lake shortly after 2:00 to a very short windward mark. We will have at least two starts. One for experienced people and one for less aggressive folks. We want everyone who comes out to get comfortable with the starting sequences, their obligations and rights around other boats, in addition to getting back into the groove of racing.
With two starts and a short windward leg, we won't keep score. It will be a race to the windward mark, set your downwind configuration (how ever you want), and sort out your own braqging rights. After rounding the mark, avoid the boats just about to start, or who have just started and return to the starting line. In order to get as many starts in as we can, we will start the next sequence as soon as all the boats in that start are back to the line.
In an hour and a half or two hours we should be able to get in a bunch of starts.
If someone wanted to video tape the starting sequences, we could have a debriefing with the videos. Someone who would like to help improve people's skills is encouraged to get on the boat with us to take notes and talk to the skippers in this debriefing. Don't hesitate to either leave your name in a comment, or contact me via email if you want to participate.
We'll have a 15 minute round table discussion at 1:00 followed by starts on the lake shortly after 2:00 to a very short windward mark. We will have at least two starts. One for experienced people and one for less aggressive folks. We want everyone who comes out to get comfortable with the starting sequences, their obligations and rights around other boats, in addition to getting back into the groove of racing.
With two starts and a short windward leg, we won't keep score. It will be a race to the windward mark, set your downwind configuration (how ever you want), and sort out your own braqging rights. After rounding the mark, avoid the boats just about to start, or who have just started and return to the starting line. In order to get as many starts in as we can, we will start the next sequence as soon as all the boats in that start are back to the line.
In an hour and a half or two hours we should be able to get in a bunch of starts.
If someone wanted to video tape the starting sequences, we could have a debriefing with the videos. Someone who would like to help improve people's skills is encouraged to get on the boat with us to take notes and talk to the skippers in this debriefing. Don't hesitate to either leave your name in a comment, or contact me via email if you want to participate.
Call for help on the race committee!
We are filling up the slots on the race committee boats for the Force 5. We need one more experienced power boat/chase boat driver and some other folks to help out.
We offer great company, a lot of fun and the best viewing spot for the races. If you want to get involved, don't hesitate to contact the PRO or Regatta Chair of any regatta.
We will have a race committee training session or two toward the end of March in conjunction with setting a mini-course on 3/20 and 3/27 to do practice starts. Anybody who wishes to be on the race committee for a regatta is urged to attend a training session and help out with the Sunday races the last two weekends in March.
Send an email to me, or leave your name as a comment, if I can look you up in the club directory.
After the Force 5, we will start regular Sunday racing. We will need race committee people every weekend through October. It is a lot of fun to get out on the lake with somebody else buying the fuel, watch some races, and share the responsibilities of putting on good races.
We offer great company, a lot of fun and the best viewing spot for the races. If you want to get involved, don't hesitate to contact the PRO or Regatta Chair of any regatta.
We will have a race committee training session or two toward the end of March in conjunction with setting a mini-course on 3/20 and 3/27 to do practice starts. Anybody who wishes to be on the race committee for a regatta is urged to attend a training session and help out with the Sunday races the last two weekends in March.
Send an email to me, or leave your name as a comment, if I can look you up in the club directory.
After the Force 5, we will start regular Sunday racing. We will need race committee people every weekend through October. It is a lot of fun to get out on the lake with somebody else buying the fuel, watch some races, and share the responsibilities of putting on good races.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Sunday - March 6th
It looks like the storms in here Saturday will blow through by Sunday afternoon. Keep your fingers crossed.
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