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As I look at the calendar today, we have about 30 days until Spring is here officially! Well, it’s 7 degrees outside and as I’m looking forward to the warm weather and sailing days ahead, I am thinking about all the great activities the Club will offer all of us.
The Club will be hosting the first work parties before we know it. We will be launching boats, sprucing up the grounds, and getting reacquainted after the long winter.
On Saturday, February 11th, Cheryl Roberts and gang met at Perfect North slopes for a great day of (Olympic???) style skiing, pizza, and a fun Saturday for ECSC members who are adventurous enough to go FAST…… at places other than racing on EC waters!!!! See the Webtales for pictures.
This is just an example of activities we can participate in at our Club.
Commodore E has posted the social calendar for the Club’s upcoming year with dates and times. Look for the link at the bottom of this Webtales. As always, we need help with all of these events. I can hook any member up with an event of their choice. Just E-Mail LindaJohnson@indy.rr.com or call me at 566-0353 to sign up for a great time to earn work credits, meet new folks, and have fun as well. I do have a need for a person to host the Hornback Chili Cook Off this year in October. As you know, this event is the last social held at our shelterhouse for the season...it’s part of the Hornback Regatta weekend festivities and one of the more fun events of our social season. Openings to host these events do not occur often. If you would be interested, please contact me at the above E-Mail or phone number.
Stay warm and think about sailing!!!!
| Harbormaster |
Bill Harrington | Chauncey Olin |
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I hope you all have been enjoying the mild winter as I have.
Work Party
The first Harbormaster work party is scheduled for April 1st at 9am. We've got the Club clean-up/set-up to do and other fun stuff on the agenda. So, come out and get to know your fellow sailors while working together. “Work Parties = Work Credits”
If you are interested in taking charge of one of the several small jobs at the Club that always need to be done over the season, then either talk to me or look on the bulletin board at the main shelter house for announcements. Painting, cleaning, and building are three that come to mind immediately.
Slips
It’s that time of year to take some slip lease and sublease assignments off the wait list. If you think you're close, be expecting a call from me before the 15th of March (±). Other than last year, the Club averages about 5 to 10 permanent slip changes each season. Subleases vary each year. If you subleased a slip last year, there is no guarantee you will get a permanent slip this year. I'll send you the details and then you send the payment and documents to the Membership Chair Rich Fox.
The first crack at a new slip is by people with a dated slip change request filed with the Harbormaster (on a piece of paper...bar napkins are ok...or E-Mail). Then, the people on the list that usually always pass get asked. When they pass, the next person on the wait list are then offered a permanent slip in the order they appear on that list. At that time, they will be required to come up with the slip fees or pass. After that, the sub-leases will be offered.
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| Safety & Education |
Wayne Myers | Rick Graef |
Here are some rules to sail & race by:
Please don't hit the committee or safety boats.
Collisions are slow and arguments are slower.
Keep out of way of the boats in front of you.
Keep your head out of the boat...look around.
The inside boat gets to go around the mark first.
A windward boat stays away from a leeward boat.
If you are on port tack stay out of the way.
After crossing the finish line, sail away from line.
Something To Think About
Sailing is like playing chess on the water. You are always going to get better with time. You are always going to learn things. That's what I like about it. It is mentally and physically challenging and you are doing a water sport.
90 Lasers on the Line
The ECSC Team was in Miami at the US Sailing Center with so many sailors from around the world sailing in the OCR 2006. Teams were from England, USSR, Germany, Japan, and representing 36 other countries. This is the second largest turn out in the OCR history...the first being having home court field in the 1996 games in Savannah.
Jason Hubbard, our 2005 Highlander National Champion sailing in his second OCR in the Laser Class, finished in back of the pack. But, he had two good races in the five days of bow to bow racing. This regatta is one of the stepping stones in preparing athletes both from this country and aboard for the sailing classes chosen for the Olympics.
CALENDAR
Spring Laser Regatta at ISC
April 8—9, 2006
Full & Radial Laser
Week End Warrior, ECSC
April 29, 2006
Full & Radial Laser
Junior's Open Water Time ~ May & June 2006
Setting up for bay week, Laser & FJ
Indy Finn Championship
Mayor’s Cup at ECSC
May 20th & 21st
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ECSC Junior Sailing Week
Ages 10 - 18
June 5 - 9, 2006
Equipment/Boats provided
9am - 5pm
3 Days: $80
5 Days: $125
Two US Sailing Instructors this year
Bring your own lunch. Drinks/Water provided
Water Games
Some classroom learning
Must Know How To Swim
Must have own life jacket
Non-Members welcome
We're in the 4th year of this junior sailing program
The kids really have fun with this and the slots
Fill Up fast!!!
Contact:
Wayne Myers
AlarmCo@NetDirect.net
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"See you on the water or the ice”
Have a teenager that will be just staying home and playing the video games this summer? Let us help .... Junior program open to ages 13 - 18, m/f…
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| Racing |
Chris Cunningham | Mike Irwin |
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Ahoy maties, Captain Mike here...or should I say Assistant Captain Mike filling in for Captain Cunningham.
I can hardly believe it, but spring is just around the corner again. What is it they say about March? In like a Lion, Out like a Lamb? Or, is it the other way around? I can never remember. Anyway, it’s about that time of year again...time to start thinking about getting your boat ready for the season.
Nobody wants to miss that first opportunity to skip out of work on that warm spring day when the wind is blowing so hard you start to twitch sitting in your office staring out the window. So don’t procrastinate, start getting your sails out of the closet and get your boat tuned up. Spring is just around the corner.
We have finalized the 2006 racing schedule. It’s posted on line...look for the link at the bottom of the Webtales. Mark your calendars now for the first regatta of the year. The 2006 Mayor's Cup will be held the weekend of May 20th & 21st. Captain Cunningham and his swabies are running the regatta this year. From what I hear, you’re not going to want to miss it. We are anticipating a high turn out this year and maybe even some distinguished guests will join us for dinner this year. There’s reason why it’s called the “Mayor’s” Cup Regatta. More details to follow including the entertainment for that weekend!
There is only one winter race meetings left. We are excited to see some new faces showing up. Turn out so far has been good, but you know what they say, the more the merrier. Anyone and everyone are always welcome to attend. The last meeting is March 15th. Hope to see you all there (check the website for the location or I’m sure an E-Mailing will be sent).
Remember, we need volunteers to run the series races and regattas. If you’ve participated in regattas in the past and haven’t yet run one, give us a call. We can’t do it without you. Don’t forget, work credits will be given to all those who help!
Remember, all we wanna do is have some fun!!
SAILBOAT RACING IS FUN…when you know the rules
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No new members to tell you about.
Membership Kits that include dock, boat, and trailer labels, and membership cards will be distributed no later than March 31. If you find items missing from your Membership Kit, please contact me at ecsc_membership@yahoo.com or at 317-815-8599.
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| Tag Article |
Jim & Sherry Weir |
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When we built our home near Eagle Creek Reservoir in 1976, one of our dreams was to learn to sail. It would be seven years later before we gave it a try. I purchased a Red Cross “learn to sail” book and read it cover to cover. I must admit it made no sense to me whatsoever...all of those terms to learn and remember. I was totally lost. Dave and Betsy Bikoff invited us to join them for a leisurely Sunday afternoon sail. I have to admit that as soon as I took the tiller, I was hooked. The next week we bought a blue & white Siren and the adventure began. I listened to the weather forecasts to determine if the wind would be just right and when it was favorable, we launched from the public dock and added installments to the learning curve.
On one particular Sunday afternoon, Sherry had invited her brother, sister-in-law, and their two small children to join us on this new adventure. The forecaster predicted winds 5 to 10 mph from the southeast so I felt this would be an ideal day.
Right: Jim & Sherry at the Club wine tasting event at the Chateau Thomas Winery.
Lesson number one – never trust a weather forecaster. They share the rare distinction with economists of being consistently wrong and still keeping their jobs.
Lesson number two – when you step the mast and the halyards are banging against the mast like a snare drum doing a drum roll, that is NOT 5 to 10 mph. However, being young and stupid, I calmly launched the boat and we attempted with great difficulty to motor away from the shore. The wind was now so stiff that just pointing the bow away from the shore under motor was a challenge. Unfortunately, the public docks had been pulled so we were attempting to execute this maneuver from the shoreline.
Sherry, who was in the water helping to push the bow away from shore, needed a hand from her brother in hopping aboard. As he grabbed both of her wrists and pulled her aboard, her bikini top decided to slip down to her waist. This was not exactly the kind of family outing we had envisioned. However, we were soon out in Eagle Ocean and it was time to raise the sails. Once that challenge was met we were sailing.
Wow, were we sailing! We were heeled over and I was advising (OK, I was screaming) the crew to shift all the weight including the cooler and the picnic basket to the windward side. My sister-in-law quickly moved her two small children into the cabin and announced that she was joining them because, “someone needs to be in there with the children.” Sherry’s brother was dutifully obeying orders from his captain while Sherry took up a kneeling position in front of the cabin hatch and exercised her right to free speech (with a few Hail Mary’s thrown in).
About halfway up the reservoir, her speech suddenly sounded vaguely like Linda Blair in the Exorcist when she said, “I want to go in and I want to go in NOW!” As a wise captain fully grasping the situation, I lowered the sails and motored back to shore. The contents of the cooler and picnic basket were appreciated at a picnic table there. We later learned the winds were blowing 25 mph, gusting to 30.
Sailing has been a wonderful experience for us. As the learning curve has continued, we’ve met some wonderful friends and enjoyed sunsets at Eagle Ocean, the Great Lakes, Mission Bay, the Caribbean, and the Atlantic Ocean. Both of us have held offices and positions on the Board. I never cease to be amazed at the combined expertise we have in our membership. Sailing has been very good to us and the Eagle Creek Sailing Club has been a wonderful part of our life. It will always be our sailing home.
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| Catalina 22 Seminar |
Rich Fox |
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Catalina 22 Seminar "Rigging a Catalina 22 for Club and Class Racing" is on Saturday, April 1st, 10:30am to 11:30am at Sailboats, Inc.
Please RSVP to Rich Fox at 317-815-8599 or rich_fox@yahoo.com. The seminar will also include a unique insight into the development and launch of the new Catalina 22 Sport. Non Catalina 22 owners who have an interest in racing in the White Fleet at the Club are also welcome to attend. ..No charge!
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| Hoosier Sail & Power Squadron |
Jim Dolder |
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An Opportunity!!
The HSPS is a local group, which is part of a national organization, United States Power Squadron, which exists for the purpose of boating education and mariners’ social fellowship. The educational courses offered include both beginning and advanced courses. A new member, or simply interested mariner (which includes us sailors), must take the initial course before moving on to any advanced courses. The courses are FREE. There is an only a nominal fee for the textbook, to cover the printing costs ($22 or $32). The initial courses are offered beginning in March.
The Squadron Boating Course is scheduled for seven Wednesday evenings beginning at 7pm on March 15th and continuing through April 26th. This course is being taught at the Indiana School for the Blind at 7725 North College Avenue.
The Boat Smart Course is scheduled for three evenings at two different locations and days of the week:
Wayne Township Library, 198 South Girls School Road., Tuesdays, March 21, 28, and April 4.
Lawrence Library, 7898 North Hague Road., three Thursdays, March 23, 30, and April 6th.
To sign up for these courses, please call the Hoosier Hotline at 259-6119 and leave your name and phone number. It is certainly money and time well spent, especially if you want to travel with your boat to other waters.
You are also encouraged to visit the website at: www.usps.org/localusps/hoosier
You will be interested to know that the “Hoosier Power Squadron” recently officially changed their name to “Hoosier Sail and Power Squadron.” This was to ensure that everyone understood that sailors were welcome, even though they/we were already welcomed. Perception is, after all, important. The Red Carpet is out for us.
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Board Meetings |
January 10* |
February 7 |
| April 11 |
May 9 |
| July 11 |
September 12 |
| October 10 * |
November 4 |
| November 14 |
* Exe Com Only |
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| 2006 Racing/Social Calendar |
2006 Social Calendar, Click Here.
2006 Racing Calendar, Click Here.
2006 Overall Club Calendar, Click Here.
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