Jack stands needed no more!
One by one, they return.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
EBYRA Race Season Begins May 11, 2011
Is it me, or did this winter seem excruciatingly long? Every December I say I just couldn't spend another winter in NY, and every May I say how lucky I am to live on City Island; usually around May 11th when the first EBYRA (Eastchester Bay Yacht Racing Association) race begins!
Close hauls and close calls at the sound of the horn. Multiple boats at the start line maneuver for the best spot, inevitably followed by the right-of-way captain yelling “Starboard!!” in the direction of the offenders. The crew hanging their legs off the side rail swiftly slide them in (after all, we like our limbs).
Tense moments.
Cusses under the breath.
Near crashes...
Oh, how I’ve missed it!
Tense moments.
Cusses under the breath.
Near crashes...
Oh, how I’ve missed it!
 |
| Photo: boatinglocal.com |
Edd Schillay, Commodore of EBYRA, states the Wednesday night PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Formula) races “offer a level of competition not often found in a weeknight race series.” The EBYRA mission statement is:
“to provide for, promote and administer a yacht racing program on the waters of Eastchester Bay and the immediately adjacent areas; to cooperate with, and provide support for, national, regional, and other local organizations in promoting and administering yacht racing programs; to cooperate with regional and national organizations in the application and further development of handicapping rules and systems for yacht racing; and to foster in general the science of seamanship and navigation."
 |
| Racing on Eastchester Bay Photo provided by E. Schillay |
Here are EBYRA upcoming dates to mark on your calendar!
May 4, 7pm., EBYRA Skipper’s Meeting (Morris Yacht & Beach Club)
May 11, Official start racing – Race #1 (every Wednesdays for 19 weeks)
June 4 & 5, EBYRA City Island Cup Race
August 20, EBYRA Day Race
For more info: http://www.ebyra.org/
(Also offered on Wednesday nights (beginning May 18) is Fleet 61 J-24 racing. See earlier post for more info http://www.cityislandsailing.com/2011/02/fleet-61-awards-dinner.html)
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Easter, Spring & Sailing
Easter has always inspired me to reflect on
New Beginnings.
Hope.
Gratefulness.
Faith is important, as well as the belief that there is goodness in life yet to experience. Surprises to receive. Certain days, like today, remind me of these things.
With Spring nestling in our psyche and the warmth of its sun on our skin, sailing season is just two weeks away. The wind and water await to carry us around buoys, marks and into spectacular sunsets.
A new season to anticipate. Sailing buddies to see.
Dock times. Start lines. Heels, keels and sheets. After race gatherings. It all lay ahead of us and more.
Sails to hoist.
Friends to race with,
and a sport to enjoy.
Again.
Ahhh, gratefulness indeed.
Happy Resurrection Sunday
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Just One Thing
Birds and,
Bikes and,
Bunnies and,
Back-ups and,
Buds and,
Burck's Marine Supplies!
526 City Island Avenue
"One must look for one thing only, to find many."
Cesare Pavese
Get your boat ready, the season is almost here!
Get your boat ready, the season is almost here!
Friday, April 15, 2011
Elisabeth Hefti - Sailing & Sunsets Aficionado
SAILOR OF THE WEEK -
World traveller, Biotech Ph.d, and sailing enthusiast, Elisabeth Hefti is always on the move! While obtaining her post-doctorate on the west coast, she first learned to sail on the San Francisco Bay. “UCLA has a sailing program that I joined and learned to sail a Coronado 15 and Hobie cats, all in the channel in Marina Del Rey.”
Following a move from Chicago to New Jersey, she joined the Harlem Yacht club here on City Island. Of course, her J-24, Rabbit, came with her and she’s been an avid racer ever since. “Racing is exciting, but also has scary moments. It's always a new experience. Hitting mast tops with a competing J-24 in a Lady Skipper race is unforgettable, yet we both kept on racing!”
Now a Manhattan-ite, her Rabbit is no longer, however sailing on City Island has never left her ‘to-do’ list. “It's amazing that City Island is only a short distance from NY city and feels like a totally different place! The sunsets are spectacular, making evening racing special.”
If you know Elisabeth, (and I do), you know that she is an experienced and clever sailor. I always appreciate learning from avid sailors, and I’ve been given a number of tips from Elisabeth while racing J-24’s Monday nights off City Island. Thanks Elisabeth!
In recent years, Elisabeth has added cruising to her repertoire, both locally and in countries around the globe. ”Sailing is a very fulfilling experience, working with the natural elements and enjoying time outdoors with friends. Any issues troubling on land are forgotten.”
How sweet it is!
World traveller, Biotech Ph.d, and sailing enthusiast, Elisabeth Hefti is always on the move! While obtaining her post-doctorate on the west coast, she first learned to sail on the San Francisco Bay. “UCLA has a sailing program that I joined and learned to sail a Coronado 15 and Hobie cats, all in the channel in Marina Del Rey.”
Following a move from Chicago to New Jersey, she joined the Harlem Yacht club here on City Island. Of course, her J-24, Rabbit, came with her and she’s been an avid racer ever since. “Racing is exciting, but also has scary moments. It's always a new experience. Hitting mast tops with a competing J-24 in a Lady Skipper race is unforgettable, yet we both kept on racing!”
 |
| June, Elisabeth, Francine & Peggy Ladies Skipper race 2010 |
Now a Manhattan-ite, her Rabbit is no longer, however sailing on City Island has never left her ‘to-do’ list. “It's amazing that City Island is only a short distance from NY city and feels like a totally different place! The sunsets are spectacular, making evening racing special.”
If you know Elisabeth, (and I do), you know that she is an experienced and clever sailor. I always appreciate learning from avid sailors, and I’ve been given a number of tips from Elisabeth while racing J-24’s Monday nights off City Island. Thanks Elisabeth!
 |
| Cruising along |
In recent years, Elisabeth has added cruising to her repertoire, both locally and in countries around the globe. ”Sailing is a very fulfilling experience, working with the natural elements and enjoying time outdoors with friends. Any issues troubling on land are forgotten.”
How sweet it is!
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Finally...Uncovering The Boat!
Canvas and zippers, metal and wood,
this is the day, and a time that is good!
Rags and tape, nuts and bolts,
Spring has come, it's time she molts!
Shed that coat,
Let's see that boat
And sail on the Sound again!
Hallelujah!
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Reid Stowe - Renowned Sailor at Harlem Yacht Club April 8!
The Harlem Yacht Club
is delighted to present
is delighted to present
An Evening with Sailor and Artist Reid Stow
and First Mate Soanya Ahmad
and First Mate Soanya Ahmad
Sponsored by Paul Beaudin and Doyle Sails
Friday, April 8th at 6:30 PM
You won’t want to miss hearing Reid Stowe
describe his 1152 continuous days at sea
(3 years, 57 days) aboard a 70 foot gaff-rigged
schooner built in 1978, without re-supplying or touching land.
In the process he set or broke 5 world records!
describe his 1152 continuous days at sea
(3 years, 57 days) aboard a 70 foot gaff-rigged
schooner built in 1978, without re-supplying or touching land.
In the process he set or broke 5 world records!
There is no charge for this special event.
More on Reid Stowe
(text: hyc.org,
photo: nj.com)
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Abounding Blue
Quiet except for the sounds of the sea
Surrounding me.
Halyards compose a melody
By the lee.
I rise and fall,
And rise again.
Rhythmic,
Inspired,
Surrendered
to you.
Abounding blue.
Senses true.
I rise and fall,
And rise again.
-jm
(Photo: lifeinquotations.blogspot.com)
Friday, April 1, 2011
Historical Sailor of the Week - Popeye
Growing up as a kid I would watch reruns of Popeye. I liked the show mainly because he always came to the defense of his sweetie, Olive Oyl. I never really saw that he actually sailed after watching a cartoon.
I can't imagine why(?)
Ah, well, even though he didn't sail much, Popeye is still the Sailor of the Week for promoting sailing through song, (at least)! And also, this Sailor laid the foundation for all the superheroes since Superman. According to history, (and Wiki), Popeye may have run for President someday!
"Culturally,[33] many consider Popeye a precursor to the superheroes who would eventually come to dominate the world of comic books.[34] Some observers of popular culture point out that the fundamental character of Popeye, paralleling that of another 1930s icon, Superman, is very close to the traditional view of how the U.S. sees itself as a nation: possessing uncompromising moral standards and resorting to force when threatened, or when he "can't stands no more" bad behavior from an antagonist.[citation needed] This theory is directly reinforced in certain cartoons, when Popeye defeats his foe while a US patriotic song, usually either "Stars and Stripes Forever," "Yankee Doodle," or "Columbia, Gem of the Ocean," plays on the soundtrack."
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