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Welcome to edition 23/2013 of the Halyard

As the season draws to a close the “sailing fatigue” seems to be growing. Even Grumpy has lost his usual spark and seems to be looking forward to sitting watching the weather cuddled up to an OBS rather than out there braving the elements (see View From the Deck). Thumbs up though to the valiant skippers and crews who ventured out on Sunday for the double handed race to St. Croix. One wonders if they had problems with ice accretion and avoiding growlers! Let’s hope for a good turn out for the closing of the season sail past.

Reminders and Special Notices

• Club Fees: All members will be invoiced shortly for their club fees running from 1 June 2013 to 31 May 2014.
• Bar Stools: Please contact the office or add your pledge to the list in the bar. However the line on the list for the amount has been deleted. The amount can be communicated to the office. Vanessa will contact the people who have put their phone numbers down to ascertain how much is to be sponsored.

Upcoming Events

• Sunday 16th June: Jonathan is singing on the deck next Sunday. (Sean Wiseman, where are you?)

Sailing News

• Lipton Cup: It is unfortunate that ABYC will not have representation at this years Lipton Cup Challenge to be sailed in Durban during July.
• Closing of season: Saturday 22 June 2013 @ 1330

Sailing Results

St. Croix Double Handed

3 great boats with brainless skippers and equally stupid crew sailed the St. Croix Double Handed in a frosty SSW wind with sea swell of +-15 ft.

The RCOD Sewen had a terrible start but nevertheless rounded the rock 1st followed by Wattoo. Tikalox2 was lagging behind. The positions quickly changed on the homeward beat with the master stamping his authority and showing the upstarts the art of off-shore racing.

All in all a fantastic sail despite the disappointing fleet size.

RESULTS:

1. TIKALOX 2
2. SEWEN
3. WATTOO

Social News

None this week

View From the Deck

Your chance to voice your opinion and contribute to the Halyard.

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Dear ED

Hi there, here are a few reasons why we should encourage youngsters to go sailing

1. Self-Confidence.

There is simply nothing like being able to pilot your own craft at the age of 9 years old. Riding a bike is one thing. Skilfully steering and docking a sailboat is quite another. All of my athletic endeavours helped to shape my sense of self as a kid, but sailing was without a doubt the most instrumental. I have not only noticed this in myself; during my ten years as a sailing instructor, I have seen it again and again in my students.

2. Spatial awareness.

When kids learn how to navigate a boat through narrow spaces and tight turns – how to avoid collisions, coast to a dock with finesse, or squeeze into a packed starting line at a regatta – they develop a spatial awareness that will bring them prowess all activities that involve coordination, like driving, for instance.

3. Sense of direction.

When I was 10 years old, I would sail all week with my class, and then go out on weekends by myself. I would pack a lunch and take my Optimist out for a couple of hours to explore. I believe that it was on those trips that I began to develop a good sense of direction. Noticing which direction I had come from, picking out landmarks, and knowing how to get back became a regular part of my stream of consciousness. That awareness is crucial to having a sense of direction.

4. Weather knowledge.

Do you know from which direction thunder storms normally come? Do you know what the water temperature normally is on Long Island Sound in May? If your child is a sailor, he or she will know. Weather knowledge will come in handy both on-the-water and on land.

5. Shipshape habits.

Sailing students learn how to properly rig and unrig a boat. Kids learn to put things away in the right place, and keep them tidy while on the water. That’s a skill no mom or dad can argue with. Longshore Sailing School even has a shipshape award for every class to encourage the behaviour.

So if your kids haven’t tried sailing, have them give it a try

Regards

GRUMPY

(Grumpy seems to be taking his social consciousness pills as directed! Last week the dangers of drinking and boating, this week getting youngsters on to boats. What happened to the moaning bitching Grumpy we all know and love? – Ed)

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Have a great sailing week ahead.

More submissions for “View from the deck” are always welcome

Please email to Hilary at abychalyardnews@gmail.com