Summary of Sand Point Model Sailing Club (SPMSC) Winter Series, 2009

by Bob Boisvert

The Spring Series began at Sand Pond Park, where the newly elected Commodore, Vice Commodore and Secretary /Treasurer along with the previous Commodore engaged in discussions relating to the club’s non-existent sailing schedule.

The idea of rebirthing a four or five week series conducted on Sunday afternoon received favorable agreement.  In addition, as the local County Parks Department had made an effort to eliminate the weeds along the edges of the three lakes at the new Titusville Chain Of Lakes Park, the new park was chosen as the venue for the Winter Series.

The Vice Commodore, a newbie to the world of Model Sailing, took it upon himself to visit the new park, formulated an idea for various courses, constructed the marks and starting line, then invited the remaining club members to visit his new creation and participate in a day of sailing.  Fortunately the winds were perfect on that particular day, and the decision was made to begin our new year with the four-week Winter Series at the new County Park. 

However, our esteemed Commodore, having participated in prior year’s Series racing was somewhat reluctant to get involved in another boat-bumping event and suggested that this series be conducted under the auspices of a Race Director.

A WHAT????  We never had one before!  What’s a race director?  Why start now?

But the commodore was adamant, yet there were no takers for this position.

Recognizing this dilemma, our new Commodore volunteered himself to forgo his favorite pastime (model boat sailing) and act as the race director for the entire four-week series.

Eight participants along with the race director showed up on the first day.  The RD defined the course, identified the direction of sail and the marks and proceeded to explain a few basic rules of sailing.  “Round the marks in the proper direction.”  “Do not bump into your fellow sailor.”  “Starboard boat has the right of way.”  “No barging at a mark” and a relatively new approach to our club’s sailing, “Do not cross the start line until after the GONG sounds!” 

START THE CLOCK! 

And eight boats waited for the GONG before crossing the start line heading for the first mark.  Low-and-behold, eight boats rounded the first mark WITHOUT BARGING or HITTING ANOTHER BOAT. 

Seizing the zeal and recognizing the grins on the skippers’ faces, the RD then pointed out potential fouls as the fleet neared the second mark.  GIVE ROOM AT THE MARK, and so it went, for the first heat, and throughout the race.

“WHAT A GREAT DAY” two skippers exclaimed at the end of the day. 

“THIS WAS FUN” stated another.

“I LEARNED SOMETHING TODAY” and so the comments continued.

For the next three weeks, our Winter Series continued.

At the end of the fourth week, we all met at the water’s edge to participate in an award ceremony for the top three skippers, and congratulations to everyone.  (The results of each week’s sailing are posted on the WINTER SERIES 90 on the home page.) The Vice-commodore provided HOT DOGS with all the trimmings,

Proof positive of the membership’s feeling came as a promise to keep sailing with a RACE DIRECTOR at every event, from now on.  Five participants immediately volunteered to be RD for the next FIVE-WEEK series.

The feeling of the fleet was best expressed by one of the founding members of the Sand Point Model Sailing Club:  “In my eight years with this club, never have we had a regatta in which all participants showed up for all events in the series.  This one was really great.”

It was great because our Commodore demonstrated leadership by example, by being an excellent sailor, knowledgeable of the rules and enthusiastic enough about our club to give up his favorite pastime, sailing his model boats.

Be warned, the Commodore will be sailing in the next series,

From the Commodore, Vice Commodore, Secretary/Treasurer and prior Commodore of this club, our sincere thanks to all participating members,

We hope to see you on the pond next week.

Regards

Commodore Butch Bragg, Vice Commodore David Griesse,
Secretary/Treasurer Bob Boisvert and past Commodore James Carter.