what’s in the wind… · wsa float wins “best music” in 2016 mdr holiday boat parade. see...
TRANSCRIPT
January 2017 Volume XXXII, Issue 1
Meeting Agenda for January 10, 20176:00 pm Social Hour7:00 pm Dinner Buffet Served7:20 pm Meeting Begins (speaker to follow). 8:30 pm Adjournment.
Location: Santa Monica Windjammers YC, 13589 Mindanao Way, Marina del Rey
WSA Float Wins “Best Music” in 2016 MdRHoliday Boat Parade.See article and photos on page 5.
What’s in thewind…
Commodore’s Column
Women’s SailingConvention Info
Boat Parade Wrap Up
Installation DinnerPhotos
2017 Cruise Schedule
RSVPREQUIRED$5 FOR BUFFET
IMPORTANTMEETINGREMINDER
RSVP by [email protected] PAGE 4 FOR
OTHER IMPORTANTDINNER INFO!RSVP deadline
is midnight, the Sundaybefore the meeting.
RSVP in French is “répondez, s'il vous plaît” or “please respond”.
2 Gal’ Warnings
Commodore’s Columnby Jana DavisMy dear WSA members and devoted
sailors, welcome to 2017. I hope your year-end activities included time on the water toreflect and re-energize. ARE YOU READY
TO HOP ON BOARD? MANY ADVENTURES AWAIT!My focus for 2017 as I shared during our wonderful
holiday party, is to encourage all members to join me instepping out of our comfort zones in the spirit of takingfull advantage of what WSA has to offer. Whether it’ssigning up for an activity you haven’t tried, introducingyourself to a new member (or introduce yourself to an oldmember as the case might be), or even finding a way toshare your skills with our group. Each one of you hassomething special to offer. The goal is to continue toencourage each other to grow, and provide a place ourmembers feel comfortable to participate and give back.I joined WSA in 2011 after my first experience in a race
(it was also my first experience on a boat larger than aSunfish). Upon joining WSA a whole world of sailingopened up to me that I didn’t know existed. I have sinceraced many times, gone on day sails, cruised, participatedin clinics and even found myself running that sameregatta that got me to the WSA doorstep. I’ve also servedas your race chair, fleet captain and vice commodore. Ofcourse, the first year I admit to lingering in the corners atmeetings. But a few members nudging me out of mycomfort zone, and being willing to raise my hand andparticipate has made all the difference. I’m excited to start my year as your commodore and
see what we can do to get each of you to join me outhere— out of that zone. Ideas we bring to 2017 include building on our
strengths while making them more accessible and attimes more focused. You’ll see right away with our 2017cruise schedule there are increased opportunities forthose who can only spare a few days. There is anovernight cruise to Redondo, an anchoring in ParadiseCove and more. I encourage you to check your calendarsearly. We already have two clinics on the calendar, anIntroduction to Sailing Clinic March 4th and we’ll joinDRYC for a racing clinic on August 12. We hope to aideour dedicated skippers so as to provide even more daysails, choosing some of those day sails to focus on certainsailing skills. And we’ll continue to seek out speakers forour series to present diversified topics and local intereststories. We’ll also search for local events to share with our
members. There is the Women’s Sailing Convention on
January Meetingby Mike McGuire, Education DirectorSailor Beware—It’s Just a Three-Hour Tour!Our January speaker will kick off the year
with a presentation focused on safety whileon sailing trips. Whether it is a day sail (theinfamous “three-hour tour”) or a weeklong cruise, WSAmember Stacy Waite will provide tips on how to stay safe.Besides the opportunities for sailing excursions withWSA, our members take advantage of opportunities to sailwith Meetup groups, friends and others who they may notknow so well. She will relate her recent personalexperience with a day sail that was supposed to last aboutthree hours out of Channel Islands Harbor that turnedinto a 15+ hour nightmare that ended up involving boththe Coast Guard and Vessel Assist. Stacy will go over the many components to a safe
sailing trip including personal safety gear that you shouldalways bring with you.Stacy Waite has bicoastal sailing experience that
includes both racing and cruising. She is currently thecrew chief on a 40' Tartan and a 55' Beneteau sailing outof MdR. Stacy is also a Master Scuba Diver with morethan 800 dives around the world.
Looking ahead to FebruaryAt the February meeting, Jeannea Jordan will reprise
her celebrated annual presentation of the highlights ofthe previous year’s cruising program. Cruising in 2016ranged from dozens of miles to Avalon to the 750-mileadventure, the Baja Ha-Ha.
Continued on page 4
PFD InspectionBring yourinflatable PFD tothe January 10meeting. StacyWaite will conducta safety inspectionand let you knowwhat the commonproblems are withthis criticalpersonal safetydevice.
3 Gal’ Warnings
It’s Women’s Sailing Convention Timeby Melody KanschatWhen I talk to WSA sailors who ride on my boat, I
always ask them about their sailing experience and howthey found the WSA. My informal survey results revealthat more than 30% found outabout our club while attendingthe Women’s Sailing Conventionin Newport Beach.The convention takes place
every February at the BahiaCorinthian Yacht Club. Thisyear’s event coincides withSuper Bowl Weekend – Feb 4.The convention has beenmaking its mark on womensailors for 28 years. Former WSA member Gail Hine,founded the gathering, and has continued to skipper itevery year since. (Here is a fun fact about Gail too…shenamed and designed the first WSA newsletter—GalWarnings!)The convention brings together 250 women from all
over the world to focus on their sailing skills in classroomand on-the-water sessions. The modules are all interactiveand allow participants to learn from instructors as well asfrom fellow women sailors. The instructors are a who’swho of southern California sailors, many of whom maketheir living on boats and/or are licensed captains. Amongthis year’s instructors are four WSA members. WSA member Karen Sarpolus says, “In my quest to find
a sailing club, I met two women who encouraged me toattend the Women’s Sailing Convention as a way tonetwork and meet other women sailors. They were veryenthusiastic about the opportunities they had attendingthe convention. They also told me about WSA andsuggested I attend a meeting. Three years ago I did bothand am thrilled that I am now an active member and havebeen attending the convention each year since. Both WSAand the convention have given me amazing opportunitiesto learn so much about the sailing community and tohone my skills as a sailor”. In my own quest to meet new sailors in the southern
California area, I attended the convention for the firsttime in 2011. I was blown away to meet so many sailingenthusiasts who were just like me. I remember talking tosomeone about their Baja Ha-Ha experience and I wasdetermined, after their encouragement, to give it a try.They also encouraged me to join the WSA to find mycrew. Thank you Women’s Sailing Convention! There is still plenty of time for you to catch the
convention fever. Check out the ad in this newsletter andsign up today. I’ll see you there.
WSA Racing Reportby WSA Racing Co-Chair Nicole HarnettThis year WSA Racing will continue our
focus on education and training. I’d love toinvite everyone to take a class or seminarat our local yacht clubs in January. Come
hear Dave Perry review the Rules of Sailing at 7PM onThursday, January 19th at California Yacht Club. Davewill highlight important changes in the updated 2017Rules as well as reviewing all rules. Dave enjoysquestions from the audience, so come prepared. It is sureto be an enjoyable and informative evening! This seminaris free and open to all interested racers. Go tohttps://www.regattanetwork.com/clubmgmt/ to sign up.Santa Monica Windjammers has a Race Management 101class on Sunday, January 22nd. Wednesday January 25thDel Rey Yacht Club will be hosting a seminar - Racing theCoast at Night (NOSA). It’ll be an interesting evening ofexpert advice on how to successfully compete in offshoreracing. Come learn from some of the sailing industry’smost experienced racers. Bruce Cooper, Keith Magnuson,Chuck Skewes, Art Vasenius and moderator, PeterBretschger. This event is meant for both beginning,advanced racers and cruisers. There’s no entry fee, but getthere early for a good seat as the room fills fast. OnJanuary 28th there will be a US Sailing One Day RaceManagement Seminar at California Yacht Club (advanceregistration and fee required). Sign up and check outother upcoming seminars on the US Sailing site:http://www.ussailing.org/race-officials/find-a-seminar/race-officer-seminar-calendar/ Of course don’tforget the 4th of February SCYA Women’s SailingConvention!It’s also time to dip your toes back into racing. Del Rey
Yacht Club’s Berger Stein Race Series starts SaturdayJanuary 7th with Race #1 Malibu & Return (the largestkeel boat race of MdR with over 100 entries) seehttp://www.dryc.org/RACING.aspx to register. January28th is Santa Monica Wind Jammers Super Bowl Regatta.Saturday, February 4th is PHRF Spinnaker Series hostedby KHYC and February 11 & 12 will be 2017 SCYAMidwinters Regatta. See you on the water!
ATTENTION RACERSWant to know about ALL the
upcoming local races? Check outthe 2017 ASMBYC calendar at
www.asmbyc.org
4 Gal’ Warnings
February 4th at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club. Drivedown for the day or hop on our WSA cruise to get there.CYC will host Dave Perry to discuss new racing rules onJanuary 19. And for those not wanting to race but get intocommittee work, SMWYC has its Race Management 101on January 19. Aside from the Women’s SailingConvention, these are free events.I want to take this time to thank my dedicated crew of
officers, directors and chairs who are already hard at workto keep WSA on course in 2017. It takes a village and I amso thankful you got on board. And we want to hear from you. So please pull any of us
aside and share your thoughts and volunteer ideas. Thereis room for you in our mix and as a completely volunteerorganization we are only as good as our collective effort.Allow me to repeat, each one of you has somethingspecial to offer the group. A reminder with the new year comes some new
changes. Starting with our first general meeting onJanuary 10th our meeting time will start earlier at 7pm.And for those of you who would like to have dinner, youwill be asked to pay $5 at the door. We will also continueto ask for RSVP’s so don’t forget to RSVP.A recap of the crazy month of December you will find
detailed in the following new stories and pictures… On December 10 we participated in the annual MDR
Holiday boat parade thanks to the generosity of MarshaVifquain and our many volunteers. And on December 13we carried that holiday spirit right into our annualHoliday Dinner and Installation Party. I am grateful to all who helped make both year-end
events special. And here’s to 2017, welcome aboard!
“…hark now hear the sailors cry, smell the sea, andfeel the sky let your soul and spirit fly, into themystic…”
—Van Morrison
Commodore’s Column - continued from page 2WSA Member Sightings...Though not a WSA cruise, a few members
gathered in La Paz, Mexico, over the holidays andenjoyed accomodations aboard Harmony.
Karen Sarpolus and Wendy Northup hiked along aportion of rocky coast near Todos Santos.
— photo by Barbara C. Morris
Mary Jo O’Neill swam with whale sharks near La Paz.— photo by Karen Sarplous
Barbara Morris, Karen Sarpolus and Mary Jo O’Neillwent snorkeling from Harmony during a day sail to
Puerto Balandra. — photo by Karen Sarplous
IMPORTANT MEETING REMINDERBeginning at the January 10, 2017 meeting, pleasebe advised of the following time change:Cocktails and Socializing — 6:00-7:00 p.m.Dinner Buffet Served — 7:00 p.m.($5 per person cash collected at the buffet table)
Meeting begins — 7:20 p.m.Speaker begins — 7:45 p.m.Meeting ends — 8:30 p.m.RSVP for meetings by emailing [email protected]
Please let us know if you plan to have dinner!
5 Gal’ Warnings
I’m happy to report the WSA string of successescontinues with our 2016 entry into MdR’s Annual HolidayBoat Parade. Bringing home a 26th award in our 26thattempt is quite a feat and just goes to show what adedicated volunteer staff we have, who come out eachDecember and catch the holiday spirit WSA-style. Thisyear we won first prize for BEST MUSIC. (Which I’mconvinced we clinched with my microphone skills and therousing, recorded rendition of Go Tell It on TheMountain, NOT for our singing). This year’s theme was “An Animated Holiday” for which
our design team chose to search for a popular animatedcharacter and make her our own. We chose Dory fromDisney’s Finding Nemo franchise. Dory’s famous phrase is“Just keep swimming…swimming…swimming”. Wealtered the message to fit our group with “Just KeepSailing”. On December 3rd, almost a dozen dedicated WSA elves
took over the SMWYC parking lot where we cut, glued,painted and more. The result, two huge images of Nemoand Dory, a large glittering sign saying “Just KeepSailing” and many, many little painted sailboats to helpour boat riders keep animated. As the organizer of thisyear’s entry I am thankful not only for the volunteers thatday but Mother Nature who decided to give the wind abreak after almost blowing me into the water the daybefore.On December 10 in the early morning we descended
upon Marsha Vifquain’s beautiful Mistral to bring ourdesign to life. Again, our hardworking elves showed up inforce and worked into the afternoon. All skills are neededfor this venture, there was the lighting crew, snow flakecrew, rigging crew and most impressive…the crew thatfigured how to get our beast of a generator on boardusing Mistral’s boom. We were then treated to a shortbreak and wonderful meal thanks to Karen Kuchel whoinvited us into her home and warmed us with soup andmore! After our break, it was back on board Mistral to take a
couple of laps around the channel. Our riders added to
WSA Takes Home First Place Trophy for Best Music in Annual Holiday Boat Paradeby Jana Davis
the animated theme by using our painted sailboats ashand puppets. We just kept sailing…sailing…sailing. Iam convinced had there been a dance category for awardswe would have been in contention. At one point, I sawone of our volunteers doing the Running Man (not easy todo on land let alone on a boat). And once again I wasthankful to Mother Nature. Though there was worry of asmall craft warning early in the day, which would havealtered our design, again we lucked out and hadwonderful weather for the parade. Of course, I am mostgrateful for all the hardworking volunteers who gave uptheir time, offered their skills, added some muscle andeven showed off their culinary expertise. Though it hadbeen a long day for all of us, we reveled in a job well doneand shared stories and egg nog on Mistral after the workwas done. For those looking to try something new thisyear, this is an event to mark down. Plus, I will admit, I’vehelped on this parade for a few years now and it seems theelves look similar each year. So…to you who haven’tjumped in, GIVE IT A TRY. It takes a lot of people of allskills to accomplish this, as well as resources such aslarger vehicles to transfer the designs, and is a great wayto spread our WSA message with some holiday cheer.Thank you again to each of you that came to lend a hand.
These colorful characters and sailboats were brought “AnAnimated Holiday” to life. —Photo by Mike Gitchell
Have you renewed your WSA membershipfor 2017? Don’t miss out on any WSA news
or activities, RENEW TODAY!It’s easy, just visit www.wsasmb.org and
click the Membership menu.
6 Gal’ Warnings
2016 Holiday Party and Board Installation Dinnerphotos by Mike Gitchell
2016 Board of Directors received fleece jackets embroideredwith the WSA logo as a thank you for their leadership.
Committee Chairs received certificates of appreciation andfleece neck gaiters in recognition of their contributions.
Mistral skipper Marsha Vifquain and outgoing CommodoreMelody Kanschat.
The annual WSA Holiday Party and Board Installationdinner was held on December 13 at SMWYC. Theevening’s program included recogntion of the outgoingboard and committee members and the installation of the2017 Board and announcement of the committee chairs.Special awards were given out to Sam Wagner & RutheSmall (not present) as Top Day Sail Skippers and MelodyKanschat for Top Cruise Skipper. Marsha Vifquain wasgiven free membership for a year for the use of her boatMistral in the MdR boat parade. The presentation of theMarilyn Butefish award will take place at the January 10meeting as winners Sam Wagner & Ruthe Small were notin attendance.
The 2017 Board of Directors:Monique Delmar (SocialDirector); Mike McGuire(Education Director); Karen Sarpolus (Treasurer);Mary Jo O’Neill (ViceCommodore); AvghiConstantinides (Secretary);Barbara Morris(Communications Director);Wendy Northup (FleetCaptain); Jana Davis(Commodore). Not pictured:Melody Kanschat (Jr. StaffCommodore).
See page 10 for a list of the2017 Committee Chairs.
7 Gal’ Warnings
Sea of CortezCruises
Attention WSA Members
Sail from the bustling port city of La Paz, Mexico to adjacentislands and coastal anchorages. The Sea of Cortez is famous for itswhite sand beaches and abundant sea life. Jack Cousteau called itthe “aquarium of the world”. Our fleet will anchor in clear,peaceful coves for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking and hiking onshore. Enjoy brilliant sunsets and happy hours of fellowship withWSA friends.You will be responsible for your air travel to Cabo San Lucas.
Round trip fare from Cabo to La Paz by van approx. $100.00. Yourshare of provisioning the boat plus fuel approx. $150.00.As always, cruises are “weather permitting”.
Please contact cruise chair Jeannea Jordan ASAP if you areinterested in participating. Every effort will be made to secure aberth for all interested members.
FEBRUARY 9-15, 2017or APRIL 7-15, 2017
CONTACT:Jeannea JordanCruise Chairman(818) [email protected] SPACE IS LIMITED!
8 Gal’ Warnings
DATE DESTINATION HIGHLIGHT/ ACTIVITYJan 14-16 San Pedro Newbie New Years CruiseSat.-Mon. (holiday weekend) Explore, shop, dine.
Feb 2-5 Newport Beach Women’s Sailing Convention Thurs.-Sun.
Feb 9-14 Sea of Cortez #1 La Paz and Surrounding IslandsThurs.-Tues. (6 days) Contact cruise chair for additional info.
Feb 25-26 Redondo Beach #1 King Harbor Yacht ClubSat.-Sun. Weekend overnight cruise.
March 16-19 LA/Dana Point St. Patrick’s Day CruiseThurs.-Sun. Kayak, explore, dine.
April 13-16 Isthmus, Catalina Island Easter CruiseThurs.-Sun. Hike, kayak, BBQ with Corsair YC.
April 7-15 Sea of Cortez #2 La Paz and Surrounding IslandsFri.-Sat. Contact cruise chair for additional info.
May 6-7 Redondo Beach #2 King Harbor Yacht ClubSat.-Sun. Weekend overnight cruise.
May 17-21 Avalon, Catalina Island Avalon CruiseWed.-Sun. (5 days) Miniature golf, kayak, swim, hike, dine.
June 2-4 Newport Beach Newport CruiseFri.-Sun. (tentative) Explore Newport Harbor.
June 30-July 5 San Diego, Mission Bay, Catalina Fourth of July CruiseFri.-Wed. (6 days) July 4th festivities in San Diego area.
June 28-July 15 La Paz to Marina del Rey Baja BASH (Tentative)Wed.-Sat. (18 days) La Paz to Cabo, Cabo to San Diego, SD to MdR Bring Harmony back to MdR.
August 17-20 Emerald Bay, Catalina Island Emerald Bay CruiseThurs.-Sun. Swim, snorkel, kayak, hike.
September 5-12 Ventura – Channel Islands Channel Islands CruiseTues.-Tues. (8 days) Explore Santa Cruz Island anchorages
September 30- Oct.1 Paradise Cove (Malibu) Paradise Cove OvernightSat.-Sun. Anchor overnight
October 26-30 Isthmus, Catalina Island Isthmus CruiseThurs.-Mon. (5 days) Games, hiking, BBQ.
WSA 2017 Cruise ScheduleJoin us for a 2017 WSA Cruise. To reserve a spot email Jeannea at [email protected] or [email protected].
If you have questions, feel free to phone Jeannea at (818) 522-6930. This cruise schedule is subject to change.
Sat. Jan. 7 Malibu & Return PHRF/ORCA/CR Berger Stein – DRYC
Tues. Jan. 10 WSA General Meeting (RSVP Required)
Sat.-Mon. Jan. 14-16 San Pedro Cruise
Thurs. Jan. 19 Dave Perry New Racing Rules Seminar – ASMBYC/CYC
Sat. Jan. 21 Champagne Regatta – SBYRC
Sun. Jan. 22 Race Management 101 – SMWYC
Tues. Jan. 24 WSA Board Meeting
Wed. Jan. 25 NOSA Seminar – DRYC
Sat. Jan. 28 Super Bowl Regatta – SMWYC
Sat. Jan. 28 Race Management Seminar – USSA/MBYC
Sat. Feb.4 SCYA Women’s Sailing Convention – SCYA/BCYC
Thurs.-Tues. Feb. 9-14 Sea of Cortez Cruise
9 Gal’ Warnings
2017 Calendar of Upcoming Events
Membership Chairs: Monique [email protected]
Race Co-Chairs: Nicole Harnett & Lara [email protected]
Day Sail Co-Chairs: Kathleen Milnes & Wendy [email protected]
Cruise Chairs: Jeannea [email protected]
Hospitality Chair: Diane [email protected]
Publicity Chair: Carolyn [email protected]
Newsletter Editor: Barbara Morris [email protected]
Webmaster: Stacey [email protected]
Historian: Mike Gitchell
Commodore: Jana [email protected]
Vice Commodore: Mary Jo O’[email protected]
Jr Staff Commodore: Melody [email protected]
Secretary: Avghi [email protected]
Treasurer: Karen [email protected]
Fleet Captain: Wendy [email protected]
Communications Director: Barbara [email protected]
Education Director: Mike [email protected]
Social Director: Monique [email protected]
10 Gal’ Warnings
P.O. Box 10034, Marina del Rey, CA 90295
2017 WSA Board 2017 WSA Committee Chairs
MISSION STATEMENTTo promote and support women’s sailing based on
the following principles:• To provide educational opportunities• To provide information on gaining access to races, cruisesand other Santa Monica Bay activities
• To support “Youth in Sailing” community service programs• To support established sailing programs for women• To enhance networking opportunities
WSA – on the water since 1985!
WSA DAY SAILSDay sails are usually on the weekends.
Upcoming day sails are announced by email afew days prior to the sailing date. Be sure toadd [email protected] to your contacts
so you don’t miss a sailing opportunity.