February 2023 Ditty Bag - Lake Canyon Yacht Club

February 2023

Commodore’s Report

by Anu Day, LCYC Commodore

Greetings fellow sailors! January has gone by quickly! First Things First was great fun: not much wind in the morning but enough to sail leisurely around. Rumor has it that wind conditions were better in the afternoon. There were several sailboats on the water and our Port Captains provided us with black eyed peas and cornbread in the clubhouse. A great start to 2023!

The new BOG orientation was held virtually on 1//3/23 and was well attended. Welcome to our new BOG members, officers and committee chairs. The USACE did an inspection of our facilities on 1/10/23 and I am delighted to report that we passed with flying colors.

New member orientation was on 1/15/23 and was well attended. We had 14 new members, 5 BOG members, 10 committee chairs/officers, and 6 past commodores. Some of us wore more than one hat, but an impressive crowd nonetheless. Thanks to all who participated.

As we resume our sailing and social activities, let us continue to be kind and considerate to ourselves, and to each other. Let us show our new members that we are indeed a family sailing club, within the confines of our immediate family and the LCYC family at large.

Welcome New Members

Marina Conrad, Canyon Lake, TX

Series and Event Racing

by Chuck Begley, Race Director

We had our first race committee training of 2023 on January 14 with eight people attending. After a classroom session the group met Rick Mella at the superdock to go over the racing equipment and then went out to set up and run two short practice races. The next RC training is scheduled for May 7 but anyone interested in getting involved with the RC team can volunteer for an upcoming race and get on-the-job training with an experienced RC volunteer. Our first racing clinic of the year is coming up February 12 and will be coordinated by Travis Grahmann and Jordan Merson. They will be distributing an agenda soon that will cover topics of interest to both beginner and advanced racers.

The second weekend of the Winter Series was sailed January 21, 22. We had a good turnout and highly variable conditions. Fifteen keelboats drifted around two short courses in very light wind on Saturday. The wind died and then came back 180 degrees in the opposite direction (see pic below). Racers handled it well and five boats finished the second race a seconds apart Ten board boats raced on Sunday in heavy wind requiring a lot of hiking out. The competition was tight in both the Flying Scot and Portsmouth fleets with crowded starts and roundings and close finishes. Thanks to Joe McDonough, Travis Grahmann, and their crews for running excellent races. Speaking of running races, we still need several people to help out on the last Winter series weekend in February, and to sign up for the Spring Series if you haven’t already. Next up is the first Long Distance Race of the year scheduled for February 4.

Adult Sailing Learn to Sail Class

by Mike Stellato

NOTE: All Classes are FULL for 2023!

I. Introduction to Sailing- Part 1, Feb 25 – 26

Goal – Provide basic understanding of sailing and specific water safety practices related to sailing.
Each day after classroom instruction there will be on-the-water sailing that will use keelboats skippered and crewed by experienced club members. To the extent possible we will provide one boat for each two students for the sailing sessions each day. After demonstrating each new course objective, students will be given the opportunity to do the helming and sail trimming to learn hands-on. Subjects will include;
Types of sailboats, sailing terminology, what makes a sailboat go, relationship to wind, sail trim, controlling a sailboat, knot tying, basic right-of-way rules.

II. Intro to Sailing- Part 2, March 4 – 5

Goal – to build on the previous week’s basic training by providing additional classroom topics and on-the-water sailing activities.
Subjects will include: Launching a boat from a trailer, Rigging and de-rigging the boat, Departing and returning to a dock or mooring, Planning a short trip, basic understanding weather considerations, making a sail plan, Safety Considerations & emergency procedures, knowledge of the Texas Water Safety Act, right of way rules, and using correct sail trim to sail the boat efficiently (as quickly and as safely) as possible.
Saturday afternoon will be a 3+ hour sail, depending on weather. The intent on Saturday is for a leisurely sail, to use the boat to take a trip, practice the lesson objectives and build self-confidence.
Sunday afternoon, we will lay out an hour-long triangle and have the students sail the track as quickly as possible, two times around. The intent Sunday is to sail the boats as well as possible, with primary emphasis on efficient upwind sailing, best boat speed, and compass headings to cover the course in minimum time.

Class Schedule for both weekends: Saturday and Sunday – 9am-noon – classroom; 12-1pm -lunch (bring your own); 1pm-4 pm – on the water sailing. PLEASE ARRIVE EARLY.

Everyone is encouraged to treat these two weekends as a single course, although we will accept entrants for either one (must have prior sailing experience to sign up only for the second one).

The fees are $30 for both weekends for course materials and books, or $15 for either weekend separately. Only one fee is required for two family members (must be 18 yrs of age or older) if they are willing to share the course books.

Please contact Mike Stellato at mjstellato@gmail.com with any questions.

Flying Scot Regatta

Registration for the LCYC Flying Scot Southwest District Regatta is now open. This event is hosted by Lake Canyon Yacht Club Flying Scot Fleet 67 with races planned for Saturday March 25 and Sunday March 26. This is a Flying Scot Southwest District event and should attract Flying Scot sailors from Texas and Oklahoma to race in either the Championship fleet or Challenger fleet. A BBQ is planned for Saturday night. The entry fee covers the cost of the meal for skippers and crew. Additional plates are available for $15. The RSVP process for non competitors will open up closer to the event. We are looking forward to a big crowd of sailors to enjoy our warm hospitality and great sailing conditions.

Visit lcyc.net/racing-regattas/flying-scot-southwest-district-regatta for complete details.

Port Captains Report

by Ann Cook and Mindy Rogers, Port Co-Captains

This year got off to a great start with excellent, almost-like-summer weather for our “First Things First” sail. OK–not a lot of wind, but very pleasant conditions nonetheless. Then, we had a number of sailors participate in our “Seconds Things First” good-luck meal of homemade black-eyed peas and cornbread. It was a simple, serve-yourself set up with the peas in a crock pot, but they were tasty and filling due to Mindy’s extra touches.

If you’re not from the south, you might not be familiar with this New Year’s tradition. It seems the practice of eating black-eyed peas for luck is generally believed to date back to the Civil War. Originally they were used as food for livestock and later as a food staple for enslaved people in the South. Because of their lowly reputation, the Union Army troops of General Sherman ignored the fields of black-eyed peas while razing or stealing other crops. During the harsh winter, the Confederate soldiers survived on the remaining black-eyed peas, promoting this humble and nourishing legume into a symbol of fortune and prosperity in the American South. The peas represent coins, collard greens (which we didn’t serve) represent money and the cornbread, gold.

The January 15th Commodore’s Breakfast was hosted by the incoming Board of Governors: Bill Cook, Laurie McGill, Jordan Merson, Carlos Rosende and Terry Tomko. They prepared a delicious egg casserole with sausage on the side, fruit salad, sweet rolls, mimosas and coffee. The food was excellent and the company outstanding–a total of 70 members and guests were fed! It was great to see the clubhouse buzzing with conversation and activity. We are approaching pre-pandemic attendance levels again and that’s a very encouraging sign.

We have the February breakfast covered with hosts Sally & Rip Phillips, Mary Sue and Robert Wilson, Peggy and Jim Joynt. They are planning a menu of baked eggs with ham and basil pesto, southern grits, croissants with strawberry butter, fresh fruit, and to top it off, raspberry mimosas! You don’t want to miss this spread so make your reservation now.

Speaking of reservations, with the increase in food prices that we all have noticed, it is very important that we plan as carefully as possible when preparing to feed a crowd. We do not want to run short nor do we want to spend more than necessary or deal with excess–thus the importance of your RSVP. Our business manager has improved the process by sending a confirmation of your response that you are able to edit in advance of the event. Please carefully review the event “no-show” policy which is currently in effect. You can find details in the weekly eBlasts or by clicking here.

We have several upcoming social events on our calendar for which we need hosts. Please consider volunteering. Working in the galley is a good way to meet other LCYC members, especially the new folks, plus it’s fun! Just let us know you are willing to help and we will find an event for you.

See you on the lake or at the clubhouse!