Crew wanted for next summer

You can be a beginner to advanced. Just have the willing to learn, work hard and have FUN! You will be going to some big regattas and sailing with some of the best sailors in the worlds. We will be sailing from the end of May to September where you will race in the Western Hemisphere & Orient Championship

THE BOAT: Snipe http://www.snipe.org
The snipe is an amazing 2 person boat before the Laser is was the largest class in the world! It is a 15.5 ft, two person racing dinghy. To quote one of the Snipe guys, it's a boat that is "easy to sail, but difficult to sail well". There is no spinnaker, no trapeze, and you won't get the same adrenalin rush that you get from an International 14 (one of my other boats). However if you do well it's because of your tactics and understanding of how to make the boat go, rather than being a trapeze artist (in both the circus and the sailing sense of the word!). The Snipe class also has some of the most helpful and friendly people on the water. They're always willing to share their love for the boat, give tips and tricks, and of course trying to get more "butts in boats"


The skipper: Colin May
originally from Hudson Quebec and now BACK, I started sailing through the Learn to Sail program at the Hudson Yacht Club. In 1996 I joined the racing team sailing a Laser, and the following years I sailed in regattas across eastern Canada and the US, including the Florida Midwinter's and the Canadian Championships in Nova Scotia.I have been a race coach in Hudson, England, Buffalo USA. I have raced in Cowes Week England and last year I represented Canada in the Western Hemisphere & Orient Championship in Uruguay.


For more info email me at guelphoutdoor@gmail.com or call 514 924 9931.
Colin

Follow a Sailing Adventure

You may know Jamie Meredith as an HYC member, former sailing instructor, and son of Doug and Michelle.

Jamie is blogging his way south on a sailing adventure that left Boston last November.

Follow their trip as he and friend/s sail "O Canada" from Boston to points south. As of writing, they currently are en route to Puerto Rico.

There are over a dozen blog entries so far...and check out the photos...

(http://jamiem.travellerspoint.com/)

Brain Freeze

Sometimes tactics and strategy are best explained by telling you what NOT to do.  Here's an amusing piece about things that I never do (right)...

Popular blogger Tillerman can sum up a situation in an informative and entertaining manner that crosses all class of boats. Here’s a recent report following a cold day of Laser sailing in Newport, RI:
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Even though I am really enjoying the frostbiting this year I am beginning to think that the cold is affecting my brain. I keep making the same stupid mistakes. Here are just four of them...

1) Try and start in the most crowded part of the start line. Yes, I know that the boat end is favored right now but so do 25 other guys and they are all trying to start in the same spot as I am. The one race that I had the sense to find a quieter place a bit further down the line I had one of my best finishes.

2) Sail in another boat's bad air. Sure the course is crowded but why don't I check before I tack that I'm not going to be putting myself three boatlengths astern of some other boat on the same tack, forcing me to gasp for air for a minute or two while I slip slowly backwards relative to the other boat all the time wondering if two tacks to clear my air would lose me even more distance? I lost count of the number of times I did this on Sunday.

3) Approach the windward mark on the port tack layline in a large fleet on a small course. I did this even though I should have known that I would find it impossible to find somewhere to tack and round the mark cleanly. I only did it in one race on Sunday but why do I find it so hard to remember this?

4) If there are a bunch of other boats behind me on the short final beat, make sure I go the other side of the course from them. Duh. What was I thinking? I rounded the leeward mark in 4th place (woo hoo!) and forgot to look which way the pack behind me went, so I didn't cover them. I ended up with one of those persistent lifts out on the right side of the course, sailing a great circle course and never quite laying the finish line while six boats who went left sailed the inside of the lift and passed me before the finish. Ugh.

I only have one excuse. Brain freeze.

Complete post: http://propercourse.blogspot.com/2010/02/brain-freeze.html

Great Opportunity for Race Management Training

The CYA is offering a chance to become serious about your Race Management future. A three day course starting March 5th. Anyone who is interested but wants to learn more, see this link. Also, let us know if you are interested.

Royal BVI Spring Regatta Invite

We have received an invitation (shown below) from the Royal British Virgin Islands Yacht Club to send a team to their inaugural race of the International Yacht Club Challenge. The regatta is March 29th.

IMPORTANT: If you intend to propose a team to represent HYC, you need to immediately (by Tuesday, January 26th) send a letter of intent to the HYC office (email margaret@hudsonyachtclub.com and ask for a confirmation of receipt). This event will be up to you to organize and fund. You will be contacted by the Club Captain by Thursday January 28th.

See more details at bvispringregatta.org

posted by Don Gillis

QUEBEC SAILING MÉRITES 2009 AWARDS

The Quebec Sailing Federation nominating committee has just announced this year’s selected nominees, and amongst them are several HYC members:

André-Dionne Trophy (Volunteer of the Year) - Roy Folland
To recognize a member who has contributed to the betterment of sailing in Quebec.

Club/Sailing School of the Year - Hudson Yacht Club
To recognize excellence in all programs organized by a club or a sailing school (training, racing, cruising or special event).

"Optimist" Athlete - Justin Vitteqoc
To recognize a Quebec "Optimist" sailor who has demonstrated exceptional results and/or improvements within the last sailing season.

EVERT BASTET Trophy - Lauren Laventure
Must have a record of outstanding achievement in national and/or international competition in the previous twelve months.

Congratulations and good luck to all nominees!

The FVQ's Annual Awards presentation will be held following the Annual General Meeting at the Gala which will take place on October 24th, 2009 at:
École primaire Marguerite Bourgeoys
3, rue Ste-Anne,
Pointe-Claire, Québec, H9S 4P6

For the full listing of the awards and all nominees please consult the FVQ Web site at www.voile.qc.ca

Canadian J/24 Championship

Hudson Yacht Club and its dedicated volunteers hosted the Canadian J/24 Championship, September 17 – 20th, and it was a deemed a huge success by the participants!

Thanks to our many kind sponsors, HYC welcomed sailors from all over Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes, with generous hospitality and terrific give-aways! Registration included breakfasts, lunches and a tote bag loaded with tuques, USB keys (to be loaded with regatta photos), duct tape, tools, rope, sunscreen, beer tickets and more!

On Thursday, after a busy day of registration, measurement and launching, the crews were welcomed with a delicious chicken and ribs dinner from Village Churrasco, and lively entertainment by popular local band, The Moonlights. An impromptu performance of French ditties by the BayGull crew capped this very fun evening!

Friday’s racing proved quite challenging for the fleet, as winds increased throughout the day, gusting up to 27 knots by mid-afternoon. Our highly-qualified Race Committee executed four races, while keeping a watchful eye on the hard-working crews. Several boats suffered considerable damage, including Nepean’s Blue J, whose mast broke during an upwind leg. Gorillas in the Mist, from Halifax, suffered a twisted keel after going aground in a valiant effort to assist a Laser sailor in distress, far off the course. Luckily, no one was hurt under these trying conditions, though our very own Hypnautic did lose one man overboard. After several rescue attempts in the choppy waves the young sailor was rescued and was more upset with losing his new regatta tuque than finding himself in the frigid waters! The winner of the first day’s racing was Navtech, from Quebec City, and was presented with the Western District Trophy and a pair of Sperry Topsiders for each crew member! An impromptu Friday evening of go-carting continued to hone the competitive spirit, for those who still had any energy left…

Whereas Friday challenged the body, Saturday racing challenged the brain. Three races were held in light, oscillating, frustrating winds, but lots of sunshine. Drivers Wanted, from Toronto, was the day’s winner, and also won Sperry Topsiders! This was followed by a Saturday evening dinner at the historic Willow Place Inn, where sailors experienced local charm and delicious cuisine.

Sunday’s conditions were perfect with steady winds averaging 10 knots under sunny skies. Two races were held, and so with admirable proficiency the Race Committee’s goal of 9 challenging races was handily met!

Sailors appreciated the tough competition, as 16 boats vied for top finishes. After an exciting weekend of great racing, the first place boat was Drivers Wanted, Port Credit Yacht Club. This top team was also presented with the Gerald Long Memorial Trophy for Top Canadian boat and the Bacardi Cup for the Canadian Championship Winner. Right behind, in second place, was Navtech, Quebec City. In third position was Sticky Fingers from Halifax. Full results can be viewed at: http://www.sail123.com/j242009.htm

Following the prize-giving, a raffle was held for another 20 pair of Sperry Topsiders, or winners could choose from a table laden with gifts from Quantum, Fogh Marine and the Boathouse. Crews were also presented with a package of terrific glossy photos from May’s Studio.

The Committee had made the difficult decision to postpone this June regatta to September, but this turned out to be an excellent move! We had four days of challenging sailing and great weather, with over 75 sailors in attendance (and all quite well-behaved!J)

The Regatta Committee would like to extend heartfelt thanks to all the terrific HYC volunteers and generous sponsors who helped make the Canadian J/24 Championship a great success!!

Marian Kuiper

Fall Sailors Meeting - Wednesday October 21

With the season drawing to a close, it's the perfect time to reflect on our sailing activities this year. To help ensure we continue to provide an exciting program for all our members, the Sailing Directors would very much like to have your feedback.

To that end we invite you to join us in the bar at HYC next Wednesday evening at 7:30pm.

Hope to see you all there.

John, Bernard, Marian and Jean-Luc

Book Your Haul Out Appoitments Now!

Although the last day for haul out is Friday, October 30th, it is imperative that you call the Club office to make your appointment BEFORE WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14TH.

We can only haul out 8 boats per day and with the number of days left before October 30th, it will be difficult for us to accommodate all boat owners.

Please call the Club office at 450-458-5326.

Many thanks,

Margaret

Pumpkin Race and Captain's Broom - Saturday October 17

Pumpkin Race

This coming Saturday there will be fun for kids of all ages at HYC.
We will start with the Pumpkin Race in the morning, always a family favorite. This will be a simple race except for catchin' the pumpkins of course.

And no you don't have to build your own boat like our friend above, plus I think this might be a rule 42 infraction, but there are a few twists. Here is the gist of the extra rules...

After starting and before finishing a boat must pick up at least 1 pumpkin by any method provided all crewmembers remain onboard. After the finish bring your catch into the club and enjoy some lunch while the results are calculated. Each boat's corrected time will be adjusted according to their haul of pumpkins and there will be some mystery prizes too.

To help rebuild our strength for the afternoon, there will be a bowl of chilli for lunch prepared for us all by Femke and Jenny. Thanks Girls!

So after a chance to warm up beside the fire and perhaps a crew change you will be ready for the Captain's Broom. What are we doing this year?

Well something fun and a little different of course, and given that we are coming into the Halloween season, a little mysterious too because you'll have to come down and join in to find out what.

For the kids who want to stay ashore during the afternoon we will have some fun and games and a movie for you to watch too.

I hope you can join us for the day with your family, friends and crews. Please let us know of your intention to race by reply or by registering with the Club office.

Pumpkin Race Skippers Meeting - 09:30 Warning Signal - 10:30
Captain's Broom Skippers Meeting - 13:00 Warning Signal - 14:00

Frostbite Series

Even though the season is drawing to a close, quite a number of you have enthusiastically expressed interest in taking advantage of the sailing time left to us.

So following on from the fun many of had this time last year, we will run a Frostbite Series on the next 3 Sundays.

This will be for the pure joy of sailing hopefully in bracing air and strong winds. The race will be run on an honour system, with no race committee. The race will start at 10:30am. There will be a single start on a line between a buoy and the T-pier. Bernard will coordinate the start on the water, so stay close, but not too close, to Sprinbok to hear the sound signals. The course will make use of the SLVYRA marks laid at Quarry Point, Pig Island and Robidoux Island. Each boat will record it’s own finish time.

So, break out those toques, gloves and thermos flask and we'll see you on the water.

Senior Sailing Awards - Friday October 30, 2009

Awards Dinner - Friday October 30th

We are also please to advise you that the date of the Awards Dinnerhas changed to Friday October 30th. This will help those of us with young sailors to share Halloween together as well as celebrate the past season.

I look forward to seeing you all at the Sailors Awards Dinner to congratulate the recipients and remind you to contact the office to reserve your tickets.

Senior Sailors Awards Nominations

There is no better recognition that that of your peers. With this spirit in mind, I invite you to provide nominations for the awards listed below.You should include with your suggestions some insight and justification as to why you feel the individual or group is worthy of the honour.
To assist you in framing your nominations I have included the terms of the deed of gift for each award for your reference. Nominations should be returned to me via e-mail to sailing@hudsonyachtclub.com by October 12th for consideration by the Sailing Directors.

Roberton Bell
To be awarded to the individual or group who best exemplify the true spirit of HYC sailing through competitiveness, integrity, fair play and sportsmanship, or by making an outstanding contribution to the sailing community of Hudson Yacht Club

FVQ Trophy
This trophy shall be presented annually to a member of the Club in recognition of his/her extraordinary contribution to sailing over the past year. Therefore, it may be remitted to a racer, a volunteer, an official, a cruiser, a benefactor, and organizer or any other individual that the Club wishes to honour.

Crew Trophy
This trophy shall be presented annually to an individual or group that through their regular participation within a yacht’s crew have demonstrated their teamwork, dedication, commitment and sportsmanship over the course of the past season.