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| Commodore |
I hope everyone has the Social and Racing Schedule on their calendars, so that you can plan to attend or help. There are always plenty of things to do and many friends to meet and greet each year at our wonderful “Slice of Heaven” we call Eagle Creek Sailing Club.
Congrats to Tom Moore, his fine crew and “Boat Babe III” (pictured below), on winning the Mayor’s Cup. We had plenty of wind and exciting racing on both days. Our new Committee and Safety Boats were “officially broken-in.” There was cool Island music on Saturday night, as well as an assortment of BBQ dishes enough to feed our visitors and our own ... Jeff Dorsa did a great job chairing and organizing our first racing event. Jeff has also taken it upon himself, for many years now, to seeing that our wells/water are in compliance with set standards. Many thanks!
We also had some great weather, food, and camaraderie for the Mother’s Day and Memorial Day Socials. Thank you Bill Harrington and Larry January respectively, and your fine crews for making those events, year after year, very special for all. I was privileged to meet our member #1, Jim Rees, and his Lady Patricia at the Memorial Day Cookout. Thanks Jim for coming and sharing some early Sailing Club memories with us.
Sailor (def): One who follows the business of navigating ships or other vessels; one who understands the practical management of ships; one of the crew of a vessel; a mariner; a common seaman.
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| Social |
 Wow….This spring season has certainly started off with a bang! The weather as I write this article has been great for sailing. Winds have been brisk and temps are in the high 80’s. We’ve got a new grill this year and we are working to keep it hot!!!
Mother’s Day Brunch and Memorial Day Cookout have already come and gone. Thanks again to Bill Harrington, Tom & Rita Sizemore, Jim & Linda Heavin and Rich White (some pictured right) for the great Mother’s Day brunch!!
Pauline and Larry January hosted the Memorial Day cook out with crew Tom & Carole Moore, Mary & Ted Azbill with a special thanks from Larry to Jack Hale and Bob Glenn (all pictured below) who contributed 150% to putting this event on.
Hats off to all of our volunteers. We really appreciate your efforts!!
I can’t stress enough how important the volunteers who work these event are. These gatherings wouldn’t happen without all of our great crews who come in and work these events. Please consider joining any of our work crews. Call me at 566-0353 if interested in earning work credits toward your Club dues and having a good time.
Father’s Day will be celebrated at the Club with a brunch on June 17th at 11:30am. As with the other pitch in’s, everyone is requested to bring a side dish to share with all members. The Club will provide the main dish and drinks.
Good sailing and see you on the water!!!!!
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| Harbormaster |
 Thanks to Bob and all of the Club members who have made the grounds look as good as they do...great work!
Parking A revised parking list is posted on the side of the sail loft and on the main shelter bulletin board. If your boat isn’t where you left it the last time you were here, we probably moved it trying to get a head start on the last minute boat shuffle. Please make every effort possible to abide by this Club rule. The board did agree to the possibility of accessing a fine for your boat not being in its assigned space by June 1st and we don’t want to start any enforcement. This new parking spot list supersedes any previous list including what is printed in the annual directory. Above: Eric fixed the lighting If you haven't launched yet, don't be surprised if you find that we've put someone into your slip. Don't get mad at them or call them. Get over it, and then call me (or Rick) to get them moved.
If your boat is for sale, make sure there is a sign visible and park it at the bottom of the entrance drive on the left with all the other for-sale boats already there. Your boat is considered abandoned if you're not a current Family or Regular member and it is on our grounds. It may be towed away by a law enforcement agency.
48 Hour Dock
Membership Stickers Above: Tom, Bill, and Rick preparing the RIB |
| Racing |
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The first big regatta of the year, The Mayor’s Cup, was held on May 19th and 20th. Jeff Dorsa and crew (Below on our new RC boat) did a great job and with good wind we had three races on Saturday and three on Sunday. Tom Moore, won the PHRF Fleet and became the 2007 Mayors Cup winner! For detailed results see Race.ECSail.org.
A special thanks to all the ECSC sailors and out-of-towners who showed up for the first regatta of the year. Thanks for making it a success! The next regatta is the ECSC Regatta on July 7th and 8th. The Dolders and crew are putting the Regatta and logistics together. I know we will all have a great time. The NOR and Registration forms are available on our website, so get those registrations forms in early! Mark your calendar now and plan to participate...or at least come dance on the beach! June race assignments are: Sunday’s: June 3rd – Hickok and crew, 10th -OPEN; 17th – OPEN; 24th – OPEN; Wednesday’s: June 6th Dolder and crew, June 13th Sprowl and Kaschak June 20th Drake and crew June 27 Graef and Crew.. Please arrive at the Club by 5:30pm and on the water by 6pm for the first flag at 6:50pm. Sunday RC should be at the Club by 12:15pm and on the water by 12:45 for the 1:30 warning signal. If you cannot make your assigned date, please trade with someone and let Chris or Mike know. Smooth Sailing......
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| Bailer's Tips & More |
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I sat reading The Log from the Sea of Cortez by John Steinbeck and Ed Ricketts in my Hammock on the back deck, a pleasant way to spend an afternoon. Along came a warm breeze and I noticed some lint was released from my navel and blown into the water. I reached into the water to retrieve the lint because I am not a litterbug...this stuff could be recycled. Enough of it, and I could have a nice turtle neck sweater knitted. What a comfort it would be on those cold January evenings. As my fingers dipped into the water, I noticed a dark shadow coming from the water and then the giant mouth of a catfish enveloping my arm biting down and dropping back into the water. In a few seconds, I lost my arm to a catfish.
Being an able seaman, a man prepared for action who does not take guff from man nor beast, I grabbed my dive knife (I keep them strapped onto every available appendage which I advise all readers to adopt this habit...life is full of surprises). I dove overboard in pursuit of the Leviathan that purloined my favorite arm. It took sometime, but I caught up to the beast. I could see in its eyes that it was afraid when I bit into his starboard spine, cut a hole in his belly, reached in, and grabbed my arm back. I turned quickly with the beast still in my jaw and swam back to the Queen Anne’s Revenge. It took almost all of my energy to swing myself over the gunnel and drag the big cat down to the fish tank below decks.
Chris & Mike (and crew Brad) on their J-Boat
I went to my work room and used my sewing machine (usually used for sails), but it worked just fine. Within a few frantic minutes, my arm was back on...good as new! I noticed something was wrong and chuckled to my self - you big dope! So, I cut the stitches and reattached my arm right side up! What was I thinking? I took a pull of some grog to help temper the adrenaline and turned my attention to the beast in the tank. The poor fish was looking a little punk so I poured some grog into the water and then used my leather mending kit to sew him back up where I had left the hole I had to cut to retrieve my arm. The big cat rolled on its side and gave me a sad look. I wiped my hands dry with a towel...turning away shaking my head a little shaken by the entire incident, when I heard a loud splash from the tank and a booming voice, “Avast you bilge rat. Why in Black Sam's name dare ye attack me and then save me life?” I swung around and standing in the tank was a pirate, soaking wet, with blood on his poofy white shirt. He wore a peg on one leg.
I said to the pirate, "What?"
The Pirate he sez, "You heard me!"
I said, "Yes, I heard you. But, it did not make a lick of sense. A catfish bit my arm off and where is the cat? Did you eat little whiskers?
Pirate: "I am the fish that you call Cat and I am the living ghost of Samuel Bellamy! Not long ago, I was Captain of the Whydah which struck a sandbar in foul weather around 290 years ago. All 143 hands were lost including me. Black Sam some called me. I prefer "Prince of the Pirates."
I replied thinking one of the Club members was playing a practical joke on me, "Yes, with that shirt I reckon you would prefer Prince...a fine and fancy name. I notice your pirate accent comes and goes. So, who are you really?"
Tim & crew on his Highlander
Sam Bellamy: "I told you...Sam Bellamy! Or, shall I say the ghost who had ambitions to walk amongst the common people again until you came along and saved my life. Now, I owe you mine and cannot.... Oh, nothing!"
Bailer: "Take off the mask and where is the catfish?"
SB: "I am the fish called Cat. I stand before you as Sam Bellamy. But, I need a vessel to live in...a person, not a fish! Do you have any idea how bad the food is on the bottom of a lake? So, if you must know and after having watched you for several months, I know you will keep asking the same questions...blah blah blah you go! Arrr....
Bailer: "OK, so what gives?"
SB: "See? I told ya questions...questions...questions! You're one of those obsessive types aren't you?"
Bailer: "What?"
SB: "OK! I give up! I'll tell you my story. You sure you're not with the Inquisition? As I said, I am Sam Bellamy; Prince of the Pirates! And, I beg your pardon if you don't get all sarcastic with my nick name. It's a fine name and I beg you not to make fun of me. It hurts my feelings. Where was I? Oh, I am a ghost ya know. Does that scare ya? Eh?"
Bailer: "Yes! The Prince of the Pirates is a ghost! I'm petrified. So, get on with it Peggi!"
SB: "There you go again. Be so kind as to consider my feelings. Now, as I said, I died young...aged 29 years if my counting' is right. I have been a ghost ever since...invisible for 245 years when I found this place. You see, I have learned from my studies of latitude and longitude (or is it longitude and latitude? ) that if you take the numbers and divide and multiply with the proper numbers, it will equal the exact location of "Pirates Penance" (a place of refuge and a place to begin again as a mortal). After running the numbers this way and that, I discovered that this lake is the "Pirates Penance!" Only place like it on earth! So, I came for the gathering and it is beginning. Why, these parts are rife with pirates...or should I say pirate ghosts seeking a new beginning.
SB sighs and then bellows: "I saw you roll your eyes! Don't scoff at my words! Think about this. You will never hear it on the news? Why? Because Indiana does not want to be known as the living dead-pirate capitol of the world. why, Eagle Ocean makes the Caribbean look like Kansas, Ha! Speaking of Kansas, let's mention the Great Lakes and Pirates...nope, none to mention. They may have rough waters and ship wrecks, but pirates? I think not! Not the proper longitude nor latitude. The Bermuda Triangle? Balderdash! They're just trying to keep up with the pirate triangle of Eagle Ocean...poor jealous souls."
Bob & crew on his J
Bailer: "So, say this is “Pirates Penance.” Why are you the only pirate I see? I guess you’re the one that has been leaving all the notes with tips and I suspect you know something of the Tailer-gone-missing mystery?"
SB: "Oh, it's no mystery. Tailer? I know where Tailer is...don’t you worry 'bout that. After what you done to me, I realize now how much I liked Tailer. Compared to you, he was my best friend. At least he had tips for the Club. You bring nothing but your tall tales of short ships. Here...." Sam handed me a scrap of flotsam with writing on it. It was in Latin, my first language. I quickly translated and here is what I found. First of all, I do not think Tailer made up all his tips. I think they were given to him by the ghost of a pirate long a unofficial member of the Club. This is what I was able to translate from his Latin - filled with slang. Not that much of a scholar I would guess this Sam Bellamy.
1. Park your trailer up on the hill...tall trailers towards the back...shorties towards the front. We do not want our Club to be an eye sore. Think of it as a pirate hiding behind a barrier island...waiting.
2. Gray water in the gray tank.
3. Do not be afraid to ask questions...this is how you learn. Yes, there are stupid questions and we all ask them. Just learn to think first and eventually your stupid question percentage will diminish.
4. Keep the restrooms clean...wipe down the shower and floor after a shower. We have guests and we do not want them to think we are a bunch of bathroom messer-uppers.
5. If you see someone launching their boat, offer to help. When they politely refuse your offer, take care of business and then come back and help.
6. Stop by a regatta party even if you do not race. The guests will be impressed by our/your ability to demonstrate that even if you are in the heart of Indiana, that does not mean we do not know how to sail, throw a party, or just how to make friends.
7. We are all ambassadors for our Club, so be proud! We have a great harbor to offer.
8. Take time to spend more time with family and friends. Bring them by the Club.
Kind Regards and tack well.....
The Bailer
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| Safety & Education |
28 Boats on the Line
Right: Erika at LeatherLips
This year's champion was Barret Rhodes sailing for ECSC with 1, (5), 2, 3, 4, 1, 3. Tyler Andrews finished 6th with 8, (9), 3, 1, 6, 9, 8. RJ Graef finished 4th in the radial class with a 4, 4, 3, 5, 2, (8), 5. Team ECSC wishes to say “thank you” to Leatherlips YC and to Janet Rupert for putting on a fine regatta and dinning Saturday night. Sandy Graef and Wayne Myers were team support crew for this 4-hour trip to the warm waters across from the Columbus Zoo. We also had two on-the-water judges (George Griswold and Mike Clowes) with no flags on our team. A good time was had by all!
ECSC Junior Racing
Something To Think About
A Job Well Done
Left: Austin at LeatherLips
Junior Sailing Camp
Erika & Cody have just finished their 40-hour class for the US Sailing Small Boat Instructor Certification. They still have hours more in CPR and the American Red Cross classes. EJ & RJ are due next year when they turn 16 for that class.
Saturday Sailing School
June 2
Calendar
# Last chance for open-water qualifier for Bay Week.
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| Membership |
 Please welcome our new members to the Club. Paul & Kate Thompson of Indianapolis, sailing the Catalina 22 "Reverie". David & Nan Schulze of Indianapolis. Andy Saykin & Gwen Sprehn of Indianapolis, as Lake Associates. Scott & Christy Hutchison of Carmel sailing a Hunter 240.
Mayor's Cup Highlanders
Membership Count: 234
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| 24 Hours of Laser Racing |
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It was a virtual who's-who of the Indianapolis area youth sailors...who left Indy during the 500 weekend to go sail! Over Memorial Weekend, the LeatherLips Yacht Club in Columbus, Ohio sponsored a 24-hour sailing endurance race with proceeds going to the fight against Leukemia. 16 boats started this race. ECSC sailors (juniors and parents, below left) teamed up to keep two Lasers each going the full 24 hours while four other juniors (below right) got the endurance award for doing the full 24 hours on Dr. Bob's Highlander without stopping! How many sailors can say they raced all day & night?
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| Catalina 22 |
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Attention ECSC Catalina 22 Sailors. There are several organized sailing activities available to Catalina 22 members who are members of the Eagle Creek Sailing Club. If you enjoy cruising, the Catalina 22 Great Lakes Cruise will be on Grand Traverse Bay, Michigan, the week of August 5-11. Detailed information is posted at www.fleet130.org. This is a great cruise that you won't want to miss. If you enjoy racing, you can help represent ECSC at other sailing clubs and enjoy the camaraderie:
June 23-24
July 7-8
July 22-216
Right: Rich on his C22 in the Mayor's Cup
August 11-12
September 8-9
September 15-16
October 6-7
October 13-14
If you are unable to travel, the Catalina 22 class will be attending the ECSC Regatta in July. Last year, we had 13 Catalina 22s on the start line, including three from ECSC. Come out and join in the fun.
For more information, contact ECSC member Rich Fox at 317-815-8599 or commodore@catalina22.org.
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| Testimonial on ECSC |
 I want to chime in regarding the Mayor's Cup @ Eagle Creek....my team travels over 10,000 miles to race in well over 100 races per year. Of all the places we go, the regattas at Eagle Creek are among the best. Great people that go out of their way to make you feel at home. Nice launch ramps, dock space available, great sailing area (especially if the wind is coming from close to North or South), competent race committees, nice restaurant on the lake, decent shore facilities, good reasonably priced food available at the club, plenty of space for tent camping, and their parties are as good as any regattas we've ever attended.
Right: Jamey in the Mayor's Cup
They normally have rock and roll bands that are mostly comprised of local sailors. Your racing program can be as aggressive or as laid back as you want it to be and there's guaranteed to be people there with the same approach as you. There are one design classes there, but the bulk of the racers will be in PHRF classes. Not only is the Mayor's Cup a blast, but they also host the Governor's Cup in the fall (Sept 8 & 9 this year). There actually is a beautiful loving cup called the "Governor's Cup" It goes to the largest one design fleet in the even years and to the winner of the handicap fleet in the odd years. We won it again in 2006 due to the Highlanders just edging out the J-24's for the largest O.D. fleet. But, if you attend this fall, you'll actually be racing for the Cup if you race in the handicap fleet!
All of this fun can easily be driven to in approx 2.25 hours from Caesar's Creek...even when pulling a boat. I'm not a member of Eagle Creek, and I don't get a commission for recommending their regattas, but my team will definitely be at both the Mayor's & Governor's Cups this year and I'd 100% recommend them as more fun per $ would be hard to find.
If you make it to either regatta, please stop by and say Hi to Team MOJO (Highlander #906).
Hope to see you there!
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2007 Social Calendar, Click Here.
2007 Racing Calendar, Click Here.
2007 Overall Club Calendar, Click Here.
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| Eagle Creek Sail Club ECSC Home Page |
