• Commodore

    Commodore – March 2017

    March 3, 2017 - By 

    Sailing season is getting closer every day. Spring will be here in less than a month. The first race of the season is just a month and a half away. We are all getting anxious to go sailing.

    Speaking of warmer weather, our past Commodore Perry Cameron wrote last year about sailing in March to take advantage of the strong winds. Rumor has it that he beat March by a month this year. Club spies have given me reports that his J24 was seen out sailing on some of the warm February days we had last month. Now that is real dedication to sailing.

    Sailing soothes my soul. There is something special about gliding through the waves using only the wind for power. Tweak a sheet, traveler or other line and feel the speed change. Tune everything so the tiller feels good and the windex points just right. Feel the boat get in that groove and just go. Worries fade away when I focus on sailing. 

    Our Eagle Creek Sailing Club makes sailing even better. Social events, regattas, education programs and racing all enhance our experience. Drop the hook and raft up with friends for a relaxing day on the water. Watch our youth learn to sail and represent our club at regional events. Learn new skills from fellow club members. ECSC members are always ready to welcome and help each other.

    Are you ready for the season to begin? I know I am.

     

    Larry Conrad

  • Social - Uncategorized

    Social – March 2017

    March 3, 2017 - By 

    The recent warm weather has gotten me very excited about the upcoming sailing season!  I love seeing the club come alive with activity of everyone g preparing their boats for launch, hanging at the race shed sharing stories and relishing in each others company.  There is no better way to build camaraderie then through social activities.

    I am currently seeking volunteers to host Memorial Day, Labor Day, Chili Cook Off, and the Final Bash.  If you are interested taking the Host position on any of these events, please give me a call or email.  Vgreenough21@gmail.com or 317-847-7400.

    When you host an ECSC Social event you win many times over: You earn work credits towards next years dues, you get to volunteer and help make ECSC the best Sailing-Social Club on the planet, you meet new club members, and did I mention that you earn WORK CREDITS.

    Vickie Greenough

  • Racing

    Racing – March 2017

    March 3, 2017 - By 

    Next Race Ready Meeting on March 22, 2017

    We had great turnout for the first two Race Ready meetings. We had some great discussions around racing rules and race management. So far, we covered the rules at the start and at the windward mark. Our next and last Race Ready meeting will be on Wednesday March 22 from 6:30 to 8:30 at the Stonemill Consulting office building at 9247 N. Meridian. In our next meeting we will cover:

    • Rules when sailing downwind
    • Rules at the Leeward mark
    • Rules at the finish
    • How to file a protest

    This should be a lively discussion as a lot goes on at the leeward mark.

    US Sailing One Day Race Management Seminar on March 11, 2017

    Eagle Creek Sailing Club is hosting a US Sailing One-Day Race Management Seminar (at Indianapolis Sailing Club) on Saturday, March 11, 2017 from 8:30 to 5:30.  This seminar is intended for people who have some race committee experience, but newcomers are also welcome. Topics include RC objectives and responsibilities, regatta safety, writing sailing instructions, RC jobs, RC equipment, setting the course, starting system, starting penalties, before the start, during the race, finishing, and scoring.  Following completion of the seminar, participants may take the test for US Sailing Club Race Officer certification.

    If you are new to racing, this is a great way to get a deeper understanding of how a race is run. Everyone who races in the ECSC Series events must take a turn at Race Committee duty. Here is a great way to learn how to run a race from the pros.

    The cost is only $45. ECSC will reimburse the first 10 who sign up. If you want to be reimbursed, you must first sign up and pay online at the link below. Then send me an email so I can keep count.

    To register, visit this link:

    http://www1.ussailing.org/enrollment/selectregistrant.aspx?courseid=13222965

    Racing Calendar is Set

    We have moved the ECSC Championship Regatta event from September 30 to October 7 to allow our J24 sailors to compete in the ISC J24 regatta on September 30.

    The racing calendar is now set. All events have been posted to the ECSC web site calendar. You can also see the calendar by going to the Racing page. We are now starting to get all of the Racing NORs, and Sis posted to the site. Check the racing site periodically.

    Our first Sunday afternoon race will be on April 9th.  Warning signal will be at 2:30 pm.  Racing should be finished by 4:30 or 5:00 followed by hot dogs and hamburgers at the RC shed.  Our first Wednesday evening race will be on April 12th.  Warning signal at 6:50 pm.

    Calling all Volunteers

    We still need people to volunteer to help out at our main regattas. If you are interested in getting some valuable work credits, please consider volunteering on Race Committee. It’s a great way to see the racing up close, spend a nice day on the water and get a great meal. We need about 6 people per regatta. Contact Geoff Endris for more information.

  • Membership

    Membership – March 2017

    March 3, 2017 - By 

    We continue to welcome new members to our ECSC family.   Matt and Carly Traub (former members and legacies on both sides of the family) are now living in Indy and sailing a J 24.  Tony and Lori Portell of Indianapolis sailing a Catalina 25.  Christian and Tony Sultzer of Pendleton sailing a Sirius 21’ (Footloose).

    There is a  New member orientation session scheduled for Sunday May 21st 1:00 pm in the upper shelter house.   This is open to all new members and anyone else interested in learning more about the club.  Encourage any possible prospective members to attend. 

    Annual dues and slip fees should all have been postmarked by 2/28/17.  As of the evening of 2/28/17, I have deposited 190 checks.  So still about 60 outstanding.  Hope those are all in the mail with a post mark of 2/28 or earlier. 

    Jane Schmidt

  • Safety & Education

    Safety and Education – March – 2017

    March 3, 2017 - By 

    Safety & Education

    [one_second]With spring just around the corner, activity is starting to pick-up in Safety & Education.  We’ve gotten a few emails asking about lessons for inexperienced sailors looking to get into sailing.  Yes the club does offer lessons on Saturday mornings during the sailing season.  Lessons will be in the club’s small single handed boats (Lasers). This gives the student the best overall experience and time with all of the controls of a sail boat.  The lessons are taught by one of our US Sailing certified instructors.  When the lessons start up in the spring I will update you here as far as contact information, etc. to make arrangements to attend.[/one_second][one_second]Learning to rig one of the club's FJs

    Learning to rig one of the club’s FJs

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    [one_second]Laser Sailing at Sail camp 2016

    Laser Sailing at Sail camp 2016[/one_second][one_second]

    The Junior sailing camp is also starting to fill up.  It is only March and we are already over half full for both weeks of the camp.  If you are considering sending a young one to camp, I’d suggest that you get your registration in soon before all of the available spots fill-up.  Ages are 8-18, see the website for more information.  This year we have added the ability to register on-line. This should  make things more convenient.  It appears to be working smoothly, as most registrations have come in via the web.  You can find the registration information and links here. If you prefer to mail your registration in, the form is available to download at the bottom of that same page.  

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    [/one_second]

    Make sure you click on the header at the top of this article to go to my full article so you can see some pictures of last year’s camp.  Parents and campers alike tell us what a great time they have and can’t wait to come back for the next year!

     

    Chuck Lessick

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    On SHore activities at Sail Camp 2016
    On Shore activities at Sail Camp 2016
    Chalk Talk at Sailcamp 2016
    Chalk Talk at Sailcamp 2016
    Going round the Buoys on Eagle Creek at Sail Camp 2016
    Going round the Buoys on Eagle Creek at Sail Camp 2016
  • Store

    Ships store – March – 2017

    March 3, 2017 - By 

    We have just completed our end of the year inventory.  Ship’s Store is brimming with goods from sweat shirts to hats to trailer hitch covers to t-shirts. Please look through the catalog on Ship’s Store link on the ECSC webpage, find the ECSC item of your dreams and make a purchase.  Remember every dollar that you spend on these goods goes to benefit the club. So you get to look good while doing good. 

    Les Miller,

    Ship’s store