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| Junior Bay Week |
On July 20th, nine Indianapolis sailors launched their sailing vessels into the Put-in-Bay harbor. Four days and some fourteen races later, these same nine sailors were reaping the rewards for their hard work and dedication. This year’s 2009 Junior Put-in-Bay Regatta saw sun, rain, wind, waves, and plenty of success for the Indianapolis-Eagle Creek Sailing Team. In the 15-boat Laser fleet, John Fisher sailed a consistent regatta to secure second place and a berth to the Smythe Semifinals. EJ Williams also advanced with a solid fourth place performance. The 18-boat Laser Radial fleet presented some tight competition for our sailors with the top four boats only separated by a slight margin of five points. Erika Williams finished a well-sailed regatta in third place after losing the “tie breaker” with the second place boat. Improving everyday, Becca Hallstedt moved up the ranks to finish eighth overall in what was a competitive Radial fleet.
There was also success on the 11-boat Thistle course with a second place finish from the Indianapolis team of Brian McDonald, Andrew Lenzo, and Michael Kelleher. Chased by the third place boat, these boys fought off the tight competition to hold their position on the last day of the regatta. They also advanced to the next round of Semifinal sailing in Sandusky, Ohio. With such strong performances across all four fleets, it’s no surprise that all Indianapolis-Eagle Creek sailors, who were in fleets that feed into the Area E Semifinals, did advance to the next round of sailing. In addition to this impressive statistic, our sailors were also awarded the team “Sportsmanship Award,” a title that is given based on votes received from all the Junior Bay sailors. And, so it seems that this year, with the support of the Indianapolis-Eagle Creek parents and coaches, our junior sailors have made this Junior Put-in-Bay Regatta the most successful yet.
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| Social |
The Commodore's Party had an unusual twist this year. We had lots of wind on the lake until Sunset. Then the Commodore Raft Up began. We had to take a few sailors back to shore and bring some more out to the gig. All had a great time.We will be starting our Labor Day Cookout at 3pm this year. Bring your favorite Indiana dish to share with all. We are going to have an Old Indiana Mini-Pig Roast and all the trimmings. So bring your fruits of Indiana Labor, Indiana Corn, Indiana Green Beans, Indiana Vegetables, Indiana Desserts and Pie, etc. Above: John on Deception We will be cooking a Pork Butt, Chicken thighs, Ribs, Tenderloins, Hamburgers, and Dogs. Remember an Old Indiana Mini-Pig Roast Monday September 7th at 3pm.
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| Racing |
Greetings Fellow Racers!
Right: Perry, Kenny, and Kelli
It is only a few days until the Governor’s Cup Regatta. ECSC wants you to gather your crew for two days of fast and furious racing...not to mention the food and fun that our regatta chair, Chris Cunningham, has planned! We are expecting quite a few out-of-towners including national champions to our waters--- for a reason! WE KNOW HOW TO HOST REGATTAS! Did I mention already that we know how to have fun? Besides that, your regatta chair has been working hard...just for you! All racers, non-racers, and their guests are encouraged to attend the festivities...all for only $12 per person! This will be a true-to-life “Mardis Gras” style weekend, complete with a Saturday nite dinner featuring etouffee, jambalaya, and crawfish-stuffed shrimp! Hurricanes included! All Racing Info is included in the Racing Website. Just as soon as you finish the Governor’s Cup, it will be time to be thinking about the Hornback Regatta, which is slated for October 10th and 11th. This is a fun regatta, in which boats take their handicap times before starting the race. It’s a “backwards” PHRF race!! If everyone sails to their PHRF, all the boats will finish at the same time! There is NO FEE to participate. The NOR, Registration, and SI will be posted online and on the Race bulletin board.
Other Business Right: Ethyl, Bruce, and Therese For us, as in any type of competitive activity, safety is Priority One! This is always a top level priority...and it will always receive immediate attention. Perhaps next on the list is Sportsmanship! “It is no coincidence that the subject of ‘sportsmanship’ is given a status above all the rules in our sport.” - (Dave Perry, Understanding the Racing Rules of Sailing) Naturally, when either of these elements is missing, sailboat racing ceases to be fun. The strength of ECSC lies in the commitment of its various members to devote countless hours of volunteerism to ensure the integrity of our various programs. Fortunately, there is no shortage of expertise! So, please help by offering suggestions or lend a hand.
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| Governor's Cup Regatta |
This years Governor's Cup Regatta will be held on 9/12 and 9/13. We expect 30+ boats to participate in the two-day event. Last year, we had a great turn out and a fun dinner party under the tent in the lower grounds...and this year will be even better!After racing on Saturday, the regatta committee is throwing a Mardi Gras themed party complete with all the Cajun favorites including boiled craw fish, grilled shrimp, and crab etouffee. Everyone will want to stay around for drink pong, a team flippy cup challenge, and an ECSC Idol karaoke contest. Dinner will be at 6:30pm, $12 per ticket. Bring the entire family out for a great time!
Above: Perry, Kenny, and Kelli
The dinner is being provided by the Cajuns Cafe in Avon with:
Appetizers:
Entree:
Dessert:
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| Safety & Education |
Our next junior regatta is September 26-27 at Bloomington on the pretty Lake Lemon. In the past, ECSC has won and this year should be the same. Our Juniors have come a long way in their sailing careers. I am very proud of them, and I know our members are also.What did your kids learn this year? Stay ahead of the game, be number one in school...at home and on the race course.
Our little part of the world has no waves to speak of and there is no current to chart. But, what we do have are wind shifts that can take you from last to first in short order. So keep your head out of the boat and watch out for that shift that will take you to the top of the fleet. Above: Asst. S&E Ki while winning Senior Bay Week
Check out: USA996Sailing and ECSAILING on youtube
Something to Think About
Right: Asst. Race Chair Rob on a Laser
Have an Opening For One More Junior Sailor Must work hard, have good grades in school! Be able to travel and have fun. Age 12 to 17, (have to be 13 by next year’s Junior Bay Week) Contact Wayne Myers or Ki Hickok at the Club.
Junior Sailing Calendar - 2009 If you or your junior would like to travel to one of these regattas, please call or talk to us. The Club will supply the boats and some funding is there.
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| Notes |
All ECSC Catalina 22 owners are invited to attend a Catalina 22 Rigging Seminar at Sailboats Inc on Saturday, September 26th from 10am to 11:30am. Presenter Rich Fox will demonstrate several methods to raise a mast, how to tune the rig for safety and speed, and answer technical questions about the Catalina 22. There is no charge to attend.
Right: Don & Judy on their Catalina 22
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| Bailer's Tips & More |
Island life, I have discovered, has its perks and it also has its not so perks. After months in these islands, I have learned a lot about the people who essentially live in the Gulf Stream...the majority of them find great pleasure in describing me as the island's favorite salt lick. I puzzled for awhile why good ole Bailer was the island’s laughing stock, the butt of the joke, the guy that made the other guys feel good about themselves...no matter how far they had let themselves go. One day I swam from my island to Alicetown for a haircut and some sushi. The guy whose family ran the “Tiki Hut/ Bar/ Satellite Sports TV/ Sushi Emporium International” told me I could get a great shave and comb-over at the local barber in Alicetown just down the street from their restaurant.
Right: Vice Commodore Rick on the cover of the ISO pamphlet I suppose I should have some sort of pride in the fact that in less than a year, I am known as the local salt lick for the island’s wildlife. Yes I sweat...yes I fall asleep without a care. I am, I admit, morally repelled by proper hygiene...but jeez! I love the sea! ...its creatures, the island life. But, something tells me that earning the title of the island’s “Rummy Rookie of the Year” is not the legacy I wish to leave my family. The dawn, she rose like thunder. A goat's course tongue was licking my throat. My head throbbed. The sun was beating down on me. Then lighting struck (after the thunder)! It was time for a change, and change I will. I ran to the Tiki/etc and emailed my Club. Not two seconds passed and I received a message! The message read “Bailer...stop. Big Trouble at the Club...Stop. Never mind, we Found the Keys....Stop. Talk to you Soon...Stop.” Sail on....Sail on!! The Bailer
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| Membership |
No additional members in the last month. Do remember when talking to possible prospective members, anyone joining after September 1st will pay only the initiation fee. They will not have to pay annual membership fees for the remaining months of 2009. This would give them the advantage of sailing in the fall and also place them higher on the wet slip waiting list.If you've had a change of address, be sure to let me know before December by emailing me at: ecsc_membership@yahoo.com. This will insure that you get your 2010 Dues and Fees Statement in January.
Right: Steve pulling Aaron from the sand while Bruce watches
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| C22 Great Lakes Cruise |
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2009 Catalina 22 Great Lakes Cruise on Holy Mackerel The Apostle Islands in Lake Superior have been called the BVI of the North. Twelve boats converged upon Bayfield, Wisconsin July 26th to see for themselves as they participated in the 2009 Catalina 22 Great Lakes Cruise. They came from the Midwest states of Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Minnesota and also from as far away as Tennessee, Arkansas, Kansas and New Mexico.
After launching at the Bayfield Marina on Sunday our group gathered for a get-acquainted cookout and Christmas in July gift exchange. Geoff Endris, Cruise Captain (Repose), gave participants a brief history of the Great Lakes cruise. It was noted that with this cruise Geoff, Mike Bracket (Gunsmoke) and Erv Zimmerman (Adventuring) have sailed all five Great Lakes. Captain’s meetings were scheduled for 9 a.m. each morning. Right: C22 Great Lakes Cruise Monday dawned clear and cool with highs forecast for the low 70’s. Like other Midwestern states, Wisconsin was experiencing record low temperatures for July. The group set off at 10 a.m. to sail around Basswood Island. Winds were from the south at 7-10. Adventuring, Gunsmoke, Jo and Jerry Hardin on Sandpiper and Joe McFarland on Irish Rover deployed their spinnakers. Others sailed wing and wing. We got a taste of the shifting winds around the island as we rounded its north point. On the east side of the island the winds picked up to 10 with gusts to 15. It was a good day’s sail and we enjoyed a delicious Whitefish dinner at Gruenke’s. Wow! What a difference a day makes! Tuesday was cold and blustery. The forecast was 15-25 with gusts to 30 and waves 2-4 feet building 3-5 feet. And the day certainly lived up to the forecast. Some of our group opted to stay docked and explore the town and surrounding area. Others doubled up to sail. Nancy Varvil (Cha Ching) sailed with Mike Duitch on his boat Red Stripe. Joe Lehr (Holy Mackerel) sailed with Geoff on Repose. Erv sailed with Mike B. on Gunsmoke. Loren Hammond (Gone with the Wind) went out with his family. Jim VanWinkle and Rick Yoder sailed Viking Dream II. Joe M. (Irish Rover) sailed for Stockton Island with plans to anchor out for most of the week and re-connect with the group Friday. By all accounts it was exhilarating sailing with GPS readings of 7.5 and 8 knots being common. Erv and Mike B. commented on how shifty the winds were by thirty and forty degrees. We shared stories over another delicious dinner, this time at Maggie’s. We were amazed at how calm the wind and water were after dinner, leaving not a clue to the tumultuous day except in our memories.
Wednesday the winds were 5-10. With Genoas deployed, we headed southeast to Long Island for another great day of sailing. We rafted and anchored for lunch. After lunch the group split in different directions. Joe and I sailed part way up the east side of Madeline Island. At the end of the day Geoff had an impromptu cookout for the group to use up Monday’s leftovers. We discussed possible locations for next year’s cruise. Joe and I volunteered to research Charlevoix , Michigan and Little Traverse Bay. The group also buzzed with marina scuttlebutt that a 22’ boat had been reported to the Coast Guard as adrift by Stockton Island. Our thoughts went to Joe M. and Irish Rover. We had a feeling he would have one or two interesting stories to share on Friday. Thursday we woke to rain and a forecast of winds 15-20 with more rain predicted. We all decided it would be a good down day. Some of us went to wineries, some to find a Laundromat and some to the library or coffee shop for Internet connectivity. Joe and I invited everyone over to HM in the afternoon for an “Open House.” The wine, beer, stories and laughter flowed. We ended up on a walking tour of all the boats in our fleet, noting additions and accessories. We all trooped over to The Pickled Herring for dinner. On Friday Adventuring, Gunsmoke, Cha Ching and Red Stripe left at 8:30 a.m. for Stockton Island. John and Linda Higgins on Sophie’s Sugar followed. Ron and Linda Frey on Friends headed south. Joe and I on HM set sail on the west side of Madeline Island heading toward Stockton. We were on a nice beam reach and making good time. When we got to the passage of Basswood and Hermit and could see the passage between Hermit and Oak Islands, with Stockton in the distance, the shifting winds kicked in again. The water and wind became muddled and we were very becalmed. We spotted the boats that had headed out early for Stockton just as we began motoring. A brief squall hit us as we made it back to the marina. Back at the docks we saw that Joe M on Irish Rover had made it back too. And yes, it was his boat that had been reported adrift and was adrift. But that is Joe’s story to tell… Our last night we all gathered together at one long table at Gruenke’s for their famous Friday night fish boil. We loaded up and said our goodbyes Saturday. The beautiful wooded islands, plentiful anchorages and brisk winds had many of us vowing to return. Photos of the cruise can be seen at www.fleet130.org. |
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2009 Social Calendar, Click Here.
2009 Racing Calendar, Click Here.
2009 Overall Club Calendar, Click Here.
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| Click to view Sailboats, Inc's website. | |
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| Eagle Creek Sail Club ECSC Home Page |
Dates To Remember
Life in 1966
Left: C22 Great Lakes Cruise