April 2009.indd - The Santa Cruz Yacht Club
Transcription
April 2009.indd - The Santa Cruz Yacht Club
April 2009 Proposed Expansion Many of you have shared with me your concerns about the proposed plan to expand the Clubhouse. Some are worried about the financial impact on the club and the membership during these tough economic times. Others have criticized the Board for a perceived lack of transparency concerning the project. And still others have questioned the need for any changes to the Clubhouse at all. As your Commodore, I want to assure all SCYC members that no project of this magnitude will be undertaken without the approval of the membership. The proposed project is still in the feasibility stage and there remains much work to be done before we have a completed plan. For over 30 years, SCYC board members have been struggling to find ways to expand the Club’s facilities. The current clubhouse dates from a remodel performed in 1976. The only additional spaces added since that time has been the little-used downstairs bathrooms and the Regatta Shed. Various efforts to relocate or expand the clubhouse since the 1976 remodel have not been successful due to objections from club members and various state and local agencies. Today, in 2009, SCYC faces a number of challenges. Our clubhouse needs a new roof. There are serious structural and drainage issues with the foundation and the decks. The floor has rotted through in places and has had to undergo spot repairs. The siding needs to be replaced. And, finally, the Club’s Use Permit needs to be updated. For at least the last four years, the SCYC Board of Directors, the Planning and Development Committee and the House Committee have been studying these problems and working to develop solutions. Under the leadership of Commodore Bret Gripenstraw (a contractor), John Buchanan, Jr. (a structural engineer), and others, a proposed plan was drafted and presented to the City of Santa Cruz Planning Commission. While this may seem to some as putting the cart before the April 2009 horse, in reality it has presented SCYC with an opportunity. The Planning Commission approved modifications to the Club’s Special Use Permit and gave zoning variance approval to the Club’s plans—contingent upon completion of the project within three years. Staff Commodore Gripenstraw is to be applauded for crafting a plan that addresses the parking and noise concerns of our neighbors, moves the primary entrance to the harbor side of the building and brings the Clubhouse into compliance with applicable laws. Which brings us to where we are now: How do we finance it? In these economic times it is imperative that we keep the club affordable. Fortunately, SCYC has always been very conservatively managed (a tradition I intend to continue) and prior boards have made provisions for this day. Money spent to develop the current plans has come from funds budgeted for that purpose. I have directed the Finance Committee to study the project plan and come back to the Board at the May meeting with financing options for the project’s estimated $500,000 cost. In addition, I have also directed the House Committee to present the Board with revised project cost estimates—with and without the proposed additional room downstairs. The Planning and Development Committee will be submitting a report with their findings and recommendations as well. It is my intent to place all of the facts related to this proposal in the hands of the full SCYC membership, to ensure that all components will be subject to competitive bidding and to maintain complete transparency in all of the Board’s activities. The Board approved a motion at the March meeting to make all Board meeting minutes available on the Club’s website in the “Members only” area. And, as always, SCYC board meetings are open to the membership. I encourage all interested parties to attend and participate. Santa Cruz Yacht Club Spinnaker Sheet It is my belief that some version of the proposed plan, along with solid and sensible financing, will ensure the viability of SCYC and our Clubhouse for at least another 30 years. I am fortunate to have the advice of many who have served on past boards and studied these problems in great detail, and I am grateful to all of you who have commented on the proposal. I am confident that these challenges can be met and that SCYC can remain the fun, affordable club that it has always been. Lena Parker Commodore Santa Cruz Yacht Club Vice Commodore Report (House and Club) Workday, what a great success! I don’t want to duplicate articles but I do want to acknowledge Jim Skinner, the head of the House Committee. He and Greg Haws put in hours organizing and preparing so that you volunteers could accomplish the tasks that were required. Thanks Jim, Greg, and all the volunteers. 2 April 2009 Santa Cruz Yacht Club Spinnaker Sheet As most of you know the board is evaluating an addition to the club. As head of the House, I have been directed by Commodore Lena Parker to research and put together cost estimates for the addition, plus some needed maintenance and updating to the existing structure. This information, together with the other committees’ input will allow us to evaluate the financial impact to the Club. Stay tuned, more news to follow. Looking forward to a great Spring and Summer sailing season. Steve Niemann Vice Commodore Greetings from the Rear (Social) The warm weather is coming and your social committee continues to plan activities for you and your families to enjoy. Alli and Beth Gripenstraw have designed some incredible decorations and arrangements for all to enjoy and they aren’t slowing down. The midwinter racing series finished up with 39 boats, they were greeted at the club with great trophies and food prepared by Jennifer Corgiat with the help of Barbara Booth. We had the Sand Crab Classic Perch Tournament put on by Barbara Karleen and Hank Cureton, Great Job! The beaches were full of fishing poles and excited folks having a blast, the winning catch was 15 inches, that’s a pretty good fish in my book. I’ve asked Barbara and Hank to think of another fishing tournament later in the year, so keep your eyes on the calendar for more information. St Patrick’s Day was a huge success! Thank you Alli and Beth for the awesome decorations, we even had a Blarney Stone for the party goers to kiss. Everyone had a terrific time and it was mentioned by one of our Staff Commodores that the decorations were the best he had seen at the club. I have to agree, the place looked terrific and KISS Catering made some fantastic Corned Beef and Cabbage. We also hosted the Champion of Champions regatta which had all the weather elements. I want to extend a big SCYC thank you to Leo Espinoza, owner of Palomar Café, who provided wonderful food prepared in his Galley and delivered by Jennifer Corgiat right on time. The racers were hungry and there was plenty of great Mexican food which hit the spot. So please, next time you are down on the East side of the harbor, give Leo a big Thank You and go enjoy some of his tasty food and reasonable prices. Our next big event is Sunday, April 12th, the Easter brunch and kids Easter Egg Hunt. Don’t miss out on this traditionally festive event. I know Alli and Beth are already planning the decorations and you don’t want to miss out, so please call in and reserve your table early to ensure you don’t miss another fun event put on by your Social Committee. Elkhorn Yacht Club has thrown down the gauntlet and has challenged SCYC and MPYC to a (Allison & Beth Gripenstraw preparing the St. Patirck’s Day Dinner decorations) 3 April 2009 Santa Cruz Yacht Club Spinnaker Sheet Cliff McNamara Champion of Champions (What a fabulous Blarney Stone !) Bar-B-Que Challenge. Do we have any Bar-B-Que champs out there who can represent our Club and take home the victory? It sounds like a great time, May 9th – 2:00pm to 5:00 – Please check with either Greg or me and we’ll give you all the details. We also have a flyer posted, so come on out and show your outdoor cooking skills. I am also looking for a Public Relations person to help our Club promote club activities and provide correct information to our membership. If you or anyone you know could help, please contact me or Greg and we’ll fill you in on what we’re looking to achieve. Thank you all very much for your continued support and I look forward to seeing you around the club or on the water. Michael Wood Rear Commodore Easter Brunch April 12 Seatings @ 10:00am & Noon $22.00 pp (includes tax & tip) Children 12 and under $14.00 Reservations to 425-0690 Children’s Easter Egg Hunt Bring a basket for your little one Strarts 2:00pm 4 Fourteen boats contested the 2008 Cliff McNamara Champion of Champions Race on March 21st. Each of the boats invited to this prestigious annual event was the winner of one or more SCYC regattas in 2008. The morning wind was out of the west at about 10-12 knots, but a southerly front was expected to arrive in the afternoon. For once the weather forecasters were correct and the wind backed to an oscillating southerly at about 10-12 knots with overcast conditions about 20 minutes before the warning signal. The course was a windward-leeward twice around with each leg set at two nautical miles. Mike Gross and his guest John Super of the Bay View Boat Club, both US Sailing certified Club Race Officers and Judges, did a perfect job of setting the marks and fortunately did not see that I was a bit late with the course flag! There were no boats over early at the gun, but an apparent foul by Absolute 5 saw Keith MacBeth and crew take a penalty turn and restart. (We didn’t see it, Keith, but we appreciate an honest man!) Most of the fleet went to the right, apparently expecting the wind to veer. The breeze went left, though, and scratch boat Octavia (Shepard Kett) got caught on the outside. Lou Pambianco’s Heartbeat, closer to the middle of the course, made out big and never looked back. They applied a loose cover to Octavia and steamed into the leeward finish like April 2009 Upcoming SCYC Events Calendar Sea Shanties/Potluck April 4 @ 6:00pm 505/Laser NorCal Open April 4-5 Easter Brunch/Egg Hunt April 12 Spring One Design #1 April 18 Surf or Turf Feed (TBD) April 18 Hobie Cat Regatta Santa Cruz Yacht Club Spinnaker Sheet a well-oiled locomotive, breaking into cheers as they got the gun. With Octavia safely behind them, the question then became whether or not one of the small boats would correct out on Heartbeat. A few cumulous rain clouds crossed the race course during the second lap, and the accompanying lulls put an end to the small boats’ chances, but Rob Schuyler and crew aboard Hanalei and Karina Shelton (along with husband Dave and kids) aboard Skal nearly pulled it off. It is a credit to the crew of Hanalei that Skal did not correct out on them, because the Sheltons were smoking fast all day! Rear Commodore Michael Wood and the Social Committee put on an excellent après-race Mexican buffet. Bottles of wine were awarded to Rob Schuyler and Shepard Kett. Lou Pambianco received the Cliff McNamara perpetual trophy, a bottle of champagne, a first-to-finish glass and the spent shotgun shell as Heartbeat was crowned the SCYC 2008 Champion of Champions. Next time I will chill the champagne beforehand, because the Heartbeat crew was so excited they drank it warm! Congratulations, guys, well done! 1. Heartbeat (Lou Pambianco) 2. Octavia (Shepard Kett) 3. Hanalei (Rob Schuyler) Get Wet! Get Excited! – The Season Begins! After the season opening Commodore’s Regatta on 3/28, we have a very full month of racing in April! We will begin with the Laser NorCal/5o5 event on 4/4-5, then Spring One Design #1 on 4/18, our inaugural Hobie Cat regatta on 4/25-26 and Spring SCORE #1 on 4/26. April is a great month to go sailing in Santa Cruz, so get your boat to the line and join the fun! Dave Emberson Regatta Chairman April 25-26 Power Boat Instruction Course April 25-26 Spring SCORE #1/BBQ April 26 5 April 2009 Santa Cruz Yacht Club Spinnaker Sheet Cruise Committee Spring is here and it’s time to shake off those winter blues, and go cruising! Well, at least around Monterey Bay. The cruise committee met last month and put together a fun-filled calendar for the SCYC cruising season. We’ve got 5 cruises and 3 raft-ups planned for this year, and you can still join in even if you don’t have a boat, because we also have 2 dock parties on the schedule. The 2009 SCYC cruising schedule is in this month’s issue of the Spinnaker Sheet. We hope you will take a look at it and plan on joining us this year. It’s a great way for new and seasoned members alike to make new friends, or become reacquainted with old ones. To keep up on the latest cruise news, be sure to check out the club bulletin board or the cruising section of the SCYC website. You can also get on the cruise e-mail list by contacting the Cruise Chairs Dave and Nancy Dias at nancdar (at) sbcglobal (dot) net. May 2nd Spring Raft-up Are you looking for a fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon on the water? Whether you go out on your own boat, or hitch a ride on a friend’s, make sure you don’t miss SCYC’s Spring Raft-up at Cowell’s Cove on the west side of the wharf on May 2nd. Dave and Nancy Dias will start the raft on their sailboat Eowyn at 3:30 PM. We will be flying our yacht club burgee, and monitoring channel 69. The club will provide some refreshments. You are also welcome to bring something to share. If you happen to be out sailing (or on your powerboat) that day, please feel free to stop by. You could also plan to spend the night on the hook; the sea lion chorus is not to be missed! A sign-up sheet will be posted at the club, so we have a general idea of whom to look for. If you need more info, e-mail Dave and Nancy at their contact information listed above. Dave and Nancy Dias Cruise Chairs Sea Shanties Potluck April 4th Come one, come all to a Sea Shanties Potluck at the Club on Saturday, April 4th. Dinner will be at 6 PM with music starting at 7 PM. If you haven’t come to a Club potluck before....now’s a good time to come and enjoy. Bring food to share and your singing voice (or just your ears, if you prefer.) There will be good food, good company, and this time....music with Trond. Trond, who has played for us before, will be here with his guitar to share his repertoire of sailing songs old and new. Those of you who have heard him know what to expect; for you who have not yet had the pleasure here’s your chance. If you have any “favorite” sea songs, don’t hesitate to ask....Trond probably knows the song and would be happy to sing it again....singalong is also part of the fun, so don’t hesitate to join in. For more information contact: Vern and Meredith Wallace 462-0352 vwallace (at) aol (dot) com 6 April 2009 Santa Cruz Yacht Club Spinnaker Sheet House Scuttlebutt Our Club Work day was outstanding with about 30 volunteers equipped to handle a top to bottom overhaul. We had over 68 items on our work list that included the usual painting and yard work to electrical repair and a major wipe-down of the kitchen. Thank you Barbara Booth for the donuts and bagels. The detail of work was so extensive this year I’d like to list the Volunteers and offer a 21 gun salute from the Club at large. It was a clean sweep and we’re ready for sailing! Thank you…. Marc Barshay Doug Kirk Elisabeth Bertrand Bet Lemke Barbara Booth Rick Linkemyer John Buchanan Jr. Ron Merrall Tony Butterfield Carl Mills Matthew Coale Fred Molnar Marilyn Comstock Steve Niemann Larry Comstock Mel Phelps Mike Chamberlain Ernie Rideout Ken Dahl Mary Jane Slade Ron Dillehay Meredith Wallace Chris Doutre Vern Wallace Bret Gripenstraw Bill White Martha Hawkins Tim Hawkins Pete Wilson & Father-In-Law Steve Niemann, Vice Commodore, & Jim Skinner, House Chairman, hard at work on the dining room table) Photo Credits, Steve Niemann (see photo insert) & Greg Haws. Special thanks to Greg, “Master of the Grog.” Respectfully yours, House Chairman Jim Skinner (Bert Lemke cleaning all those little vents in the Galley) Partnership Wanted Alan Andrews 30 racing /cruising sloop in excellent condition. Very fast displacement boat when sailed properly. New paint and non-skid. Good sail inventory. PHRF rating of 120. Looking for partner in 50% ownership with racing and sailing experience. “O” dock Santa Cruz Harbor. $ 15,000. Contact John at 831.334.4963 or e-mail at [email protected] 7 April 2009 Electronic Communications Report There are several new items on the website this month. First, you’ll find that the online version of the Spinnaker Sheet is in full color. That’s great, but the downside is that the file is much larger. So, you’ll also find that the large file has been broken into several smaller, but still quite large, files. Enjoy the color. Also, after years of discussion, we have finally implemented a Crew List feature. So please use it to find crew for your boat, or to offer your own crew services. Recently, we received a request to make the board minutes available on the website. We have done that; you’ll find those minutes posted in the “Members Only” section of the website. Call the club if you need help accessing those files. As always, please feel free to make comments and suggestions. It’s your club, and your website; make it work for you. Chris Doutre Director Santa Cruz Sailing Foundation The Board of Directors of the Santa Cruz Sailing Foundation would like to thank the following for their recent contributions to help the youth of Santa Cruz County and their sailing endeavors: In Memory of Bud Hill Robert Warfield Philip Tedesco Joan McVay Bob Simpkins Secretary/Treasurer Santa Cruz Yacht Club Spinnaker Sheet Recreational Boaters of California Congratulations Charlie & Mary Jane Roskosz. They are the 5th annual winner in the drawing to thank members who supported RBOC when paying their 2009 club dues. Charlie and Mary Jane will receive a dinner for two and a bottle of wine at a SCYC Sunday night dinner. I want to thank the SCYC Board of Directors for making available this incentive for members contributing to RBOC. And a very special thanks to all those members making a contribution. I will be going to Sacramento on April 16th to speak to Bill Monning. He was elected to replace John Laird when John termed out as the 27th District Assembly Member. John, and before him, Fred Keeley, were attentive to concerns of recreational boating. One of the most significant common concerns was invasive species clogging the navigable waterways. Next month I’ll report on the meeting with Assemblyman Monning concerning this and other issues that affect recreational boating. I also plan to meet with state Senator Joe Simitian. My point of contact in his office has been Priscilla Ouchida. Joe replaced Bruce McPherson when Bruce termed out. The recreational boaters on the Central Coast have been fortunate to have representatives in state government that listened and responded to our concerns. Proposed legislation that will be introduced to the state legislature impacting recreational boating is being evaluated by the RBOC State Government Committee and RBOC Legislative Advocates, Desmond & Desmond. I will provide an update of those issues next month. In the meantime, RBOC is continually representing your interests in the preservation of the independent Department of Boating & Waterways; protecting boatergenerated fees and taxes for the exclusive use for boating safety and infrastructure; protection of our waterways from invasive species; and protection of our navigable waterways from abandoned and derelict vessels. RBOC also continues to review and monitor statewide proposals that might limit boating access. Current areas of concerns are the Channel Islands, Dana Point, Lake Tahoe, and the California Delta. Your financial support is always appreciated. Doug Hipsley RBOC Director/Past President 8 April 2009 Santa Cruz Yacht Club Spinnaker Sheet 2009 PICYA Scholarships June 30 Deadline Great news for students looking for financial help in these tough economic times! The Pacific Inter-Club Yacht Association (PICYA) members have joined together to offer a total of four $2,500 scholarships. These scholarships are for students whose parents, grandparents or guardian are members of a yacht club that belongs to PICYA. Details on how to apply and the application forms are available online at the PICYA website homepage at www.picya.org. All applications must be postmarked, no later than June 30, 2009. The scholarships will be awarded on November 2, 2009, at the PICYA Awards Dinner Meeting at Encinal Yacht Club. PICYA April 26th Opening Day on the SF Here is one last chance to reserve a spot to view the April 26th Opening Day on the Bay Parade along the SF waterfront from the Hornblower ‘Empress.” The theme this year is “Legends of the Sea”. PICYA yacht clubs decorate boats and parade them down the SF waterfront. The cruise which leaves from the Encinal YC at 9am includes a light breakfast, gourmet lunch and no host bar. Right now seats are only $65, but will go up to $75 after April 6th. Reservation deadline is April 14th and space is limited. Go to picya.org for more info and reservation form. Lorenzo Rota PICYA Roam Racing Again Heineken Regatta 2009 St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles – Malcolm Brown and Scott Hipsley raised the Santa Cruz YC burgee and the Roam Racing battle flag for the 5th time in St Maarten at the 29th Heineken Regatta held March 6, 7, and 8. Our intentions were to ascend the podium for the 5th straight time to show the world though billed as a “Serious Fun’ regatta, there is some serious racing going on as well. And what better way to cure the winter blues than to go sailing in the warm blue Caribbean Sea, with the warm Caribbean wind. Leaving SFO between rainstorms and transiting through JFK between snowstorms it is always a pleasure to get off the plane in St. Maarten and be greeted with that warm soft breeze. Ditch the fleece, on with the shorts, time for a beer or three. Our taxi took us the Moorings charter base in Oyster Pond where we boarded our Moorings 51.5. As always it was abuzz with activity on other boats getting ready, sailors arriving from different countries, and jostling for room at the Dingy Dock bar to meet and greet crew that was already on island. This year Mt. Gay Rum became our principle sponsor. Brad and Mt. Gay most generously provided us with hats, shirts, flags, banners, and of course rum. We were also met with our local crew John, and Ron who have sailed with us in the past, as well as Rhone a 12 year old local Optimus sailor who became our new bow guy. We spent Wednesday and Thursday doing some practicing and tuning of the boat as best we could. Bareboat class rule limits what you can and cannot do to the boat. All gear must remain aboard, though most of it, like the BBQ and stern anchor can be moved below. The parties for which the Heineken Regatta is famous, start Thursday evening with some crew staying out till the wee hours of the morning. Race 1, on Friday is around the island with a coarse length of 28 miles. Start time 9:35AM. Yes there is always some groaning from those who stayed up to 9 April 2009 (Roam Racing at the front of the fleet) party till the wee hours. The forecast is for 25 to 30 kts from the North with a building Northerly swell. At 8AM it was still blowing light Easterly and we were thinking this could be a long day. Things can change fast in the Caribbean and by 8:15 the forecast was right on. We got off to an excellent start, at the boat end, at full speed, at Unfortunately half of the fleet was over early and the gun. so after a general recall and not quite as good a start, it was off and running. A short beat to weather and then reach to the West end of the island. We were running midfleet trying to keep our air and options open for the turn upwind. The turning mark proved very exciting, as it is in shallow water, that made the seas very high and steep. With the Northerly wind direction the beat up to North end of the island was more a fetch than anything. With 24 identical boats in our class and no real tactical opportunities it was all a drag race. Scott kept us in touch with the top half of the fleet so when it came time to run down the East side of the island we finally had some passing lanes. We managed to pass 5 boats in the last 3 miles of the race to take a 5th for the day. The finish is off of the town of Phillipsburg where the fleet has anchored in the past and the site of the Friday night party, but due to budget constraints, the party was moved to Simpson Bay where we started the day. SAntA Cruz YACht Club SpinnAker Sheet Race 2, on Saturday was scheduled to start in Simpson Bay on the Dutch side of the island, and finish in Marigot, on the French side. Due to the wind and wave direction that would make the anchorage in Marigot a rough lee shore, the race committee changed to course to start and finish in Simpson Bay, with a weather mark set in the middle of the Anguilla channel. Another change mandated by the charter companies was that all bareboat classes would sail with a reef in the main for the race. This was a result of the considerable amount of damage to sails the day before. During the prestart we got tangled up with a boat that was not in our fleet but was in the start area. This made us 30 seconds late for the start. It was then we noticed that the top 2 track cars had torn way from the main. Again a reach, fetch, run with not much in the way in tactical opportunities, put us finishing a disappointing 11th on the day. Bareboat racing is a bit of a crapshoot when it comes to equipment. The boat you get may have great (relatively speaking) sail or in our case, very tired ones. Some come to the regatta with little sailing and/or no racing experience. Ya pays your money, and ya takes your chances. Race 3, Sunday. Repeat race 2, but with a little less wind and no reefing requirement. After the finish of Saturday’s race we called the Moorings to report our damaged sail. The Moorings does a great job working with all the demands for repairs from the fleet and by the next morning we had a replacement main. We pulled up anchor to see what our new sail looked like. Fortunately it was much better that the old one. Got a great start in the middle of the line and rounded the first mark in third place. As with the previous races, i.e. reach, fetch, run, there were limited passing lanes. At least with a good start and a decent main we were able to make a real race out of it with the 2 boats ahead of us, but in the end we were not able to pass and finished 3rd. A great day but not enough to get us onto the podium, we ended up with a 6th place overall for the regatta. Although we did not achieve our goal of a 5th straight year with a 3rd or better, we did have some ‘Serious Fun’, did enjoy the island, and were grateful for the hospitality of Mt. Gay, Heineken, The St. Maarten YC, who put on a wonderful regatta. There is always next year. Cheers Malcolm Brown 10 April 2009 7th Annual Adam Webster Memorial Fund Event On the evening of May 9th, 2009 Club Members and Treasurer, Tom and Judy Webster will host the Seventh Annual Adam Webster Memorial Fund Dinner and Silent Auction, which supports an educational sailing program for youth with special needs, at the Santa Cruz Yacht Club. Giving kids with special needs the chance to experience the ocean environment is the goal of the Adam Webster Memorial Fund. Tom and Judy had taken their son Adam on many trips on their sailboat. Through these trips, they developed a clear understanding of the sensory and experiential value that an experience with the ocean environment has to individuals who have physical, neurological, and other challenges. Tom and Judy want to invite all of the Club Members and their guests to an evening of music, dancing, a silent auction, and a fabulous meal. You get all this for a mere $55.00 per person. This year we are going to break from our traditional Asian influenced cuisine. We are extremely pleased to announce that Executive Chef, James Wilfong from Johnny’s Harborside has graciously donated his services to put together a menu that will treat all of your senses. The program will start at 6 p.m. and include a five-course meal with wine. The program also will include music, dancing, and a silent auction. Founded in 1996 by wetsuit inventor and surfer Jack O’Neill, the O’Neill Sea Odyssey provides a floating classroom on board a 65-foot catamaran sailing the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Students receive hands-on lessons about the marine habitat and the importance of the relationship between the living sea and the environment. Santa Cruz Yacht Club Spinnaker Sheet The vision of the Adam Webster Fund of the 0’Neill Sea Odyssey is to provide a successful but not purely intellectual or academic learning experience for individuals with special needs in the context of the ocean environment. The first class went out in the spring of 2000. The Adam Webster Memorial Fund hosts at least two classes a year, and takes about a dozen kids with special needs out on the O’Neill Sea Odyssey catamaran. The fund is named after Adam Webster, who was severely physically challenged. Adam Webster died in 1999. Tom and his wife, Judy, started the fund after their son’s death with the idea of sharing the ocean experience with children who face similar physical or emotional challenges. To date, this fund has raised over $60,000.00, over 90% coming from this event. To purchase tickets, please call: Dan Haifley at The O’Neill Sea Odyssey Program, phone 831-4659390 or Tom Webster at 831-425-0221. Remember seating is limited and they sell fast. There will not be any tickets sold the night of the event. Tom & Judy Webster Pinto Lake May 22 saw a blustery northwesterly on Pinto Lake, with gusts of 28 mph recorded at the Watsonville Airport. When asked if they wanted to sail, the Beginner class wisely unanimously declined. (One of the most fundamental lessons of seamanship is when NOT to go out.) However, it was noted that several PARENTS raised their hands. For starters, Paul Tara gave a demonstration of heavy air technique. Then, Chuck Hawley, Mark Schipper, Dan Nitake, Kristen Lenz, and Ken Eckert, took to the water. We all were amazed to see Chuck briefly surge onto a plane in one of the bigger puffs of the day. He undoubtedly set a speed/ displacement record for Pinto Lake (probably around 4.3 knots, by his estimation) and clearly violated the no wake rule. All this was hugely enjoyed by the kids who got a quite a kick out of watching their parents’ efforts, and the parents got a new appreciation of the challenges their kids have been facing. Chuck Hawley: “I have a tremendous amount more empathy for our Junior Sailors after having been thoroughly thrashed this weekend. As I hobble around work, it makes me understand why our 11 April 2009 sons and daughters don’t want to kneel for two hours straight on the sole of a Toro.” Mark Shipper: “Fun day. Good to see the old folks sailing out there, although I think I have clearly demonstrated that 6’ 7” and 215# is far too large for an El Toro. Although surprisingly, Chuck Hawley is close to my size and weight and he schooled me on the racecourse. If nothing else, today taught me tremendous patience and understanding for anyone at irons in a Toro. Clearly not the easiest boat to get moving again when at a standstill....or drifting backwards. I’ve also acquired tremendous respect for those who practice yoga. It would do me well to learn “the pretzel” while in the cockpit of a Toro.” Dan Nitake: “OH MY #$#&!?!$#% KNEES! That was a great deal of fun. You know, the kids get lectured a lot and probably get sick of it sometimes. An adult Thrash-a-thon when it gets too windy for them to sail should be an annual event. For them to laugh and realize that this sailing thing is not easy for anyone....” Ken Eckert: “I agree about FUN today. Felt like a 10yr old. Convinced I need to buy one of these squirrely machines so I can get more tiller time.” Meanwhile Doug Wood submitted the following report from the harbor: “The advanced gang had a grand time. Plenty of wind from all angles. One synchronized double capsize and turtle, executed with astonishing grace, and a double nearly simultaneous righting duet. One team raced up the harbor to J dock; We watched Emma on the down-wind leg, with wind predominately from the North, nearly drive the bow under in a gust a hundred feet closer to us, a little backstay flag on a docked boat was flapping west, while 200 feet aft of Emma another flag was blowing east, and at the same moment a williwaw blasted by us heading south. I had visions of Emma whirling skyward, yelling this is nowhere near Kansas! but she hung on and got straightened out. Hard work, tons of learning, and welldeserved cocoa and brownies afterwards at the shed.” The Pinto Lake program ended on March 29. Final season results next month. Friday night El Toro sailing coming up. First El Toro Junior Season Championship Regatta April 4 at RYC. Stockton Sailcamp in July. Paul Tara Pinto Lake Director 12 SAntA Cruz YACht Club SpinnAker Sheet (Kristen Lenz “figuring it out” while Paul Tara planes by to weather.) Neighborhood Relations The Club’s members and guests have been doing a wonderful job in regards to our neighborhood parking issues, but we can do better. As a reminder, if you are physically able we encourage everyone to park down in the Harbor parking lots. Many of you already possess parking permits, limited parking permits are available for sale and the meters are always running ($.25 per 20 minutes). Please, under no circumstances, park in red zones, double-park, or use the neighbor’s driveways as loading zones. Members, please convey this message to all of our non-member friends. In addition, out of respect for our neighbors, when leaving the Clubhouse, please finish your conversation inside. It seems that our voices travel further the later the evening goes on. We appreciate your cooperation and are looking forward to seeing you around the Clubhouse this year. April 2009 Santa Cruz Yacht Club Spinnaker Sheet Back in the old days… Back in the old days, February of 1967 to be exact, a 33 year old young man arrived in Santa Cruz and began working for Jack O’Neill. Forty three years later, Rich Gerling still works for O’Neill cleaning and maintaining the O’Neill building on the beach near the Crow’s Nest. Most of us never see Rich as he maintains odd hours and performs his work duties mostly at night when the tourists have gone home. There are hundreds of us who owe at least part of our sailing skills to Rich Gerling. O’Neill Yacht Center used to be an active chandlery and boat dealership offering sailboat rentals and lessons. Rich worked the sales counter, assembled Hobie Cats, commissioned keel boats, performed maintenance on the store and the building, and gave sailing lessons. He taught sailing for O’Neill’s alongside Ernie and Ransom Rideout in the 1970s and 1980s and I’ll bet even Ernie and Ransom will credit Rich with teaching them a thing or three. Not too many people know Rich really well. He is quiet, unassuming, has very few vices—ice cream, movies and Mexican food—and he does not talk about himself unless he is prompted to in the right setting. I recently tried to speak with Rich about this article and he said, “That’s all the past. It no longer exists.” He grew up in Marin County and spent a lot of his early days on and near Stinson Beach. Rich was a life guard back when surfing was done on a board, “dope” was airplane glue and “joint” meant jail. He has never been interested in drugs and alcohol and considers both to be a shameful waste of time. I have heard a few stories about his youth spent surfing and racing hot rods up and down Mount Tamal- (This is Stiletto surfing fast around Pt. Conception on her way to Florida through the Panama Canal. This was ground-breaking travel on a multi-hull back in the early 1960s) pias. In Rich’s day a hot rod was usually a frame off some old car with seats and a motor cobbled together from another car. There were fewer vehicles on the road back then so it was not as risky, careless or dangerous to race up and down the mountain roads with reckless abandon as it would be today. In 1959, Rich met a guy on the Sausalito waterfront who was building trimaran sailboats. The guy asked Rich if he wanted to go for a day sail. That day sail ended up being out the Golden Gate and around the Farallon Islands and back! Rich loved the way the trimaran sailed—it was very fast, surfing waves with little effort and there was no “tipping.” He and Art Piver hit it off right away and Rich decided that afternoon that he was going to build one of these “funny, little boats.” Art built boats to his own designs and he made them using resin and fiberglass over plywood which was fairly modern in the early 1960s. Art shared a set of plans with Rich for a 24-footer, called a Piver Nugget. Just out of the US Coast Guard and still attending the Academy of Art in San Francisco, Rich was very open to the adventure. Rich spent the next 14 months attending classes, working for the State Parks Service and building his little 24-foot Nugget. He christened it, Triumph. It was 1961 and Piver had a plan to follow the Transpac fleet to Hawaii in his 35-foot, Lodestar, to promote his boat designs. Rich’s parents supported his decision to sail his own 24-footer to Hawaii following Piver. Just a few days before his departure to 13 April 2009 San Pedro a guy named Ned Dwyer showed up at the waterfront with a guitar, a few cans of tuna and a jar of peanut butter. Rich enjoyed music, thought tuna was OK and he loved peanut butter. An instant friendship formed and Ned signed on to sail to Hawaii with Rich. Both of them were novice sailors and they basically learned how to sail and how to navigate along the way. Just a few hours after the start of the Transpac, Triumph lost her leeward float hatch off the West End of Catalina Island. Rich and Ned turned back to Los Angeles to make a new one. Consequently, they lost two days and in addition, their passage to Hawaii was slow. The Oakland and San Francisco newspapers erroneously reported Rich and Ned missing and the US Coast Guard launched a search mission for both Piver and for Rich. Piver had sailed too far into the Pacific High. Art has also over-hyped his trip before the start declaring that he could make the passage in just seven days. He showed up in Hawaii after 14 days reporting his only “emergency” was running out of chocolate cookies. Rich and Ned showed up five days later. While they were “missing” they were, in fact, having the time of their lives. They had sailed out of the high and were experiencing beautiful sunsets and line squalls that left them surfing down giant, green swells during the day and silvery, moonlit swells at night. Triumph arrived in Honolulu with her crew wondering what all the fuss was about. Rich recently told me that when they arrived, officials and reporters were waiting to question and interview them. This did not upset Rich as much as his missing the hula girls and parties that greeted all of the official racing boats in typical Transpac fashion. At the end of the summer Rich sold his boat in Hawaii and returned to the bay area. He went to work building boats with Piver. The two of them built a 38-foot tri named Bird which they shipped to Florida. Next they built Piver’s 33-foot, Stiletto, and sailed her from San Francisco to Florida though the Panama Canal. This was in the early 1960s before trimarans were well-proven and generally accepted. These guys were among the earliest pioneers of multi-hull sailing. Next, Rich was hired to build a modified Lodestar trimaran in Ft. Lauderdale for a man who owned a local airplane ferrying company. Art Piver’s boats were light, strong and fast. One of the few times I’ve heard Rich brag is when he 14 Santa Cruz Yacht Club Spinnaker Sheet (Arthur Piver pictured here aboard one of his designs in Sausalito. Piver sailed many miles on trimarans before disappearing in 1968 on a leg down the coast of California aboard one of his 24-foot designs) tells how he and Art Piver—just the two of them—lifted the main hull of the 33 foot Stiletto off a frame jig. After a few years of boatbuilding Rich developed resin poisoning, got very sick, and had to stop working with Art Piver. This is when he decided to come to Santa Cruz in 1967. Rich knew Jack O’Neill from San Francisco. He surfed with O’Neill when Jack had two eyes and a small surf shop in San Francisco. The wetsuit wasn’t yet invented and Jack was experimenting with ways to keep warm in the cold Pacific Ocean waters. One method that failed was wearing a wool sweater under a rubber t-shirt. Jack’s experimentations eventually led him to use a surplus material leftover from the US Navy called neoprene, but that’s a whole other story… In the early days, O’Neill Yacht Center took up the entire bottom floor of the O’Neill building. They sold boating supplies, Pearson Yachts, Hobie Cats and other new and used boats. Jack bought three Pearson Ensigns to use as rental boats and for sailing lessons. The Ensign is a full keel 22-footer, all cockpit with a small cuddy cabin forward. The boat is built strong and heavy so it can take the daily use and occasional April 2009 beating resulting from charter boat and sailing lesson programs. O’Neill sailing students never got to use auxiliary power—they were taught to sail in and out of the slip regardless of wind and weather conditions. I’m sure Rich had something to do with that—he always had little use for motors on sailboats. The Ensign is well-balanced and many times in the 1970s you’d see Rich sailing on a Wednesday Night sitting on one of the mast spreaders, steering by leaning his weight to windward or to leeward. At 6’2” with a deep salt water tan, barrel chest, bushy eyebrows, and a child’s twinkle in his eye, Rich could flirt (and still does) with any young lady. He’d often take the young women from Nelda’s Deli or Zuniga’s out sailing after work. My close friend, Peter Sterrett, was visiting one summer back in 1980. He recalls sailing around the harbor with Rich in an Ensign. Rich knew Pete knew how to sail, but Pete did not yet know that he could sail. So Rich instructed him to tack as close to an end tie as he could to show the ability to steer in close quarters. While Peter was busy sheeting the jib on the new tack, he realized he’d been had—Rich stepped off the boat during the tack! Peter would now have to sail back alone and pick Rich up. Since that day Peter Sterrett has known how to sail. In 1967 Rich bought a brand new Volkswagen van. That model year brought with it a 1600cc, dual port engine and disc brakes—some VW enthusiasts will tell you it was the best year ever. Rich towed Hobie Cats back from LA in that van, slept in it at times, used it to launch and retrieve Ensigns at the launch ramp— he drove the heck out of it. That same van served him until about 1997. Ten engines later, with over 1 million miles on the frame, and countless rolls of duct tape holding it together, that old van was fully used up by the time Rich gave it away. It rode away on the back of a flatbed truck and I’m sure that by the time it got to the wrecking yard there were no useable parts left. Karma rewarded me with the last glimpse of that van as I was lucky enough to follow it down the freeway the day it went away. I met Rich in 1975 on my first day at work for Jack O’Neill when I was 16 years old. To this day I still tell people that he helped raise me. Quirky, caring, funny, and non-judgmental, Rich was a perfect big brother. Carefree, kind, unassuming, tuned into nature and good to his word are a few other things that come to mind when I think of Rich. He used to take a flute up the coast at low tide, climb into a sea cave and play. Santa Cruz Yacht Club Spinnaker Sheet He always said it was better if there were sea lions in there to listen to him. Rich loves art and music. He was raised with both in the home and his brother spent an entire 44-year career playing violin for the San Francisco Symphony (try to Google—Michael Gerling, San Francisco Symphony). Rich will tell you with pride that he has only consumed one beer in his life—he didn’t like it and never drank another. In the 1980’s he used to attend every back yard bar-b-que and special occasion put on by me and my friends. His pure and simple attitude combined with a gentle “loopiness” put people at ease and he became the center of any party. Most people, young and old, are drawn to him when he speaks and articulates his stories so well that you are naturally drawn in. I know that many of our friends assumed Rich was a drinker and partier in those days due to his carefree attitude and unusual behavior. He would close the Crow’s Nest with us, but I know he always felt better (This is Rich Gerling sailing the Pearson Ensign in the turning basin around 1980. Rich never had use for motors on sailboats and he always said that they sailed better with no one at the helm) 15 April 2009 the next morning. His friendships and passion for life are all that Rich needs to “get high.” Each summer for as long as I can remember, Rich has attended flute symposiums in Carmel. He even built a special mobile shop with a lathe that could measure and accurately cut, turn and grind in microns—and it all fit in the back of his 1967 van. Rich taught himself how to tune and how to tweak on flutes to make them play better. He’s become so competent that several very well- known and accomplished flautists are impressed enough to “let” Rich tweak on their own personal instruments. He’ll never brag about it, but I’m sure Rich takes great personal satisfaction from this—and he never charges for it. In 1979 Rich threw his TV set in the dumpster at the Crow’s Nest. He’ll proudly tell you how he turned on the compactor and listened to the tube explode. He tells this story in the whimsical voice of a small child complete with giggling and hand gestures. This was the year his landlord sold the little studio Rich had called home for a decade. Rich figured he’d seen enough TV and he reduced his “holdings” at the time to what could fit in a small storage unit and a 1967 VW Bus. Rich hasn’t paid rent since 1979. To this day he lives a vagabond life—never homeless, but yet he has no street address. Rich gets by with a roof over his head by taking care of homes when the owners are away, sleeping on a boat every once in a while and occasionally bunking in his new van. He showers at the harbor or at the spa where he works out regularly. On a rainy day off, you’ll find Rich browsing a book store or attending the movies at a multi-screen theater where he watches all of the movies on the same day! He has a kids meal deal at a local all-you-can-eat place where he eats his one (big) meal a day. Rich Gerling is not homeless. He just does not have a home like you and I. Back in the 1990s Jack O’Neill converted his yacht center to a beach accessory store called O’Neill Beach. There were very few Hobie Cats being sold, sailing lessons were slow at best, and Rich’s position was changed to part-time maintenance person. Rich was old enough to qualify for Social Security and by living the simple life that he does, he is able to get by. Rich now had too much time and not enough job to keep him busy. He’d known Gary Fredericks for many years. Gary taught music at Del Mar Middle School and 16 SAntA Cruz YACht Club SpinnAker Sheet with Rich’s passion for music, the two of them formed a “working” friendship with Rich volunteering his time in the classroom. When school is in session Rich shows up as an unpaid volunteer every day from 8-2:00 p.m. He supports the middle school music program by moving equipment, tutoring students, fixing instruments, setting up concerts or building stage equipment—always for free. Rich collects bottles and cans for recycling, turning them into money that he uses to fix the instruments that the school system won’t. It’s not unusual for Rich to have dozens of bags of recycling piled up in his storage unit waiting to be turned into guitar strings, sheet music stands or reeds for the wind instruments. Rich’s compassion for his fellow human runs deep. When the janitor at the school got sick and needed chemo therapy, Rich covered his shift so he could continue to be paid. On a janitor’s salary this poor guy could not afford to have cancer and Rich did his job for him so he could be a little less poor and still have a job if he recovered. All the while Rich worked his own job and volunteered for the music program, as usual, six hours a day. The new, Shoreline Middle School, opened in the late 1990’s. Rich followed Gary across the street and when Gary Fredericks recently retired, the new music teacher, Caleb Murray, gladly accepted Rich’s offer to continue helping the kids and the music program. Most grade school music programs are under enormous financial pressure and programs are funded through public donation or home and school club fundraising. Shoreline Middle School is lucky to have Rich and Rich is lucky to have them. Back in the old days this guy named Rich Gerling showed up in Santa Cruz. He calls Santa Cruz County, Planet Earth his home. Rich has unknowingly mentored me and helped me see things differently. When I look at other people digging around trash cans April 2009 looking for cans and bottles, I think of all the good that Rich does with his recycling. He may be in his mid70s, but the twinkle in his eye is still there. The years have toned down his exuberance, but they will never take away his good deeds done. If you ever see Rich swimming at the spa you’ll see the powerful young man that he was in the 1960s. And, next time you’re up the coast and hear flute music coming from a sea cave, climb in, introduce yourself and you’ll meet one of the most interesting people I know. You might tell him how much you enjoyed this piece and how you might have known him, Back in the Old Days… Niels Kisling SCYC Historian ADVANCED/COMBINED POWERBOAT HANDLING COURSE Saturday, April 25 and Sunday, April 26, 2009 While SCYC is known for high quality junior sailing and race management instruction, many members might be surprised to learn that the Club also offers powerboat instruction. At the end of April, Junior Commodore Max Fraser and Staff Commodore Chuck Hawley, both U.S. Sailing Certified Powerboat Instructors, will teach an 18 hour class on advanced powerboat handling, with an emphasis on safe and effective support of small sailboat racing. Logistical support will be provided by John Fraser, Junior Program Advanced Sailing Director and Asset Manager, and by Alan Allwardt, Junior Program Scholastic Sailing Director. Upon completion of the combined course, you’ll earn three stickers for your U.S. Sailing logbook: Santa Cruz Yacht Club Spinnaker Sheet AM and ends at 5:30 PM. Please park in the harbor lot below the Club (not on 4th Avenue). The $120 fee includes lunch on both days, extensive instructional materials from U.S. Sailing, and the use of up to 8 boats for the weekend. Club members may charge the fee to their SCYC accounts. Due to strong initial interest in this class, enrollment is limited to 24 students, so if you’re interested in participating, please reserve your spot early. U.S. Sailing recommends that most classes covering these topics take place over three days, so the class is intended for those with at least intermediate knowledge of powerboat handling, and knowledge of sailboat racing (either as a Race Committee member, participant, or helper). It’s strongly recommended that all participants take an online course in boating safety before taking the weekend class so they can brush up on Rules of the Road, equipment requirements, and other core skills. The following online courses are approved in California: For questions or an application, please contact John Fraser (831-212-9244, [email protected]). Applications are also available from the SCYC office (831-425-0690, [email protected]). Alan Allwardt Scholastic Sailing Director http://www.boatus.org/onlinecourse/ (free, approved by NASBLA) http://www.boaterexam.com/usa/california/ ($29.95, approved by NASBLA) • Safe Powerboat Handling • Safety & Rescue Boat Handling • Race Support Boat Endorsement These courses were created by U.S. Sailing to provide consistent on-the-water instruction for club members who want to support sailboat regattas. The weekend class is a combination of classroom instruction (on Saturday at the Club, 244 4th Ave., and on Sunday at the Harbor Community Room, 345 Lake Ave.), as well as extensive time on the water in 13-21’ support boats. Each day starts promptly at 8:00 17 April 2009 Summer FJ Racing Clinic Saturday, June 13 to Wednesday June 17 The SCYC Junior Sailing Program is pleased to announce the 2009 Summer FJ Racing Clinic, June 13-17, 2009, 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM, at the SCYC Junior Yard. This is a unique opportunity for intermediate and advanced junior sailors who will be entering grades 8-12 in the fall to learn Flying Junior racing from the best -- the clinic will be taught by SCYC Corinthian Member Joey Pasquali and Junior Commodore Max Fraser, both U.S. Sailing Certified Level 2 Instructors, and themselves champion racers at the highest levels of competition. Logistical support will be provided by John Fraser, Junior Program Advanced Sailing Director and Asset Manager, and by Alan Allwardt, Junior Program Scholastic Sailing Director. The cost of the five-day clinic is $140.00. Enrollment is limited to 20 sailors, so do not delay! For questions or an application, please contact John Fraser (831-212-9244, [email protected]) or Alan Allwardt (831-251-4021, allwardt@cruzio. com). Applications are also available from the SCYC office (831-425-0690, [email protected]). For information on scholarships from the Santa Cruz Sailing Foundation, go to: http://santacruzsailingfoundation. org/ and click “Grant Application.” Alan Allwardt Scholastic Sailing Director (Jennifer Whall and Colin DeMowbray posing during Colin’s latest visit) 18 SAntA Cruz YACht Club SpinnAker Sheet Host Family for Interns Needed Once again the Santa Cruz Yacht Club will have three interns from the French Polytechnique School of Engineering, Paris France. We are looking for three host families who live within biking distance of the Club. Each intern will stay four weeks and requires room and board (minimal board). Past host families have really enjoyed the experiences, the different culture and have found it extremely rewarding. One family actually traveled back to France to stay with them and went on to sail in the Med. The following are their names and the time periods they will be here: Name Steve Guillou Mathew Gomez Benoit Crespin Arrives July 15 July 29 August 12 Leaves August 11 August 25 September 8 If this sounds interesting to you or you would like more info please contact Greg at 831-425-0690 or e-mail greg (at) scyc (dot) org. Manager’s Report I would like to congratulate Michael Wood for an outstanding job running the Social program along with his cast of extraordinary volunteers. Speaking of Social events there will be a “Surf or Turf” style BBQ following the Spring One Design Regatta on April 18 starting at 4:00pm. In addition, Michael has set-up a “Wednesday Night BBQ” style dinner, in place of Sunday Night dinner, following the Spring SCORE Regatta on April 26 starting at 4:00pm. These BBQ’s are open to everyone so please join us. I could not in good conscience, not mention the hard work put in by Jim Skinner and the house committee. Not only did Jim run a successful work day, but he is working on the clubhouse continuously and if something needs fixing Jim is a phone call away. Thanks Jim! In closing I would like to welcome the new SCYC Regular members who were voted in during the last Board meeting. Welcome aboard Rick & Dorie Green, Barry & Lisa Keeler, Queenie Linderman, Curt & Susann Sechrist, Ryan & Janel Schuyler and Brent & April Ruhne. Greg Haws Club Manager