Whisper Pole - November 2004

In a Nutshell

The weather was decidedly unsummery this year but no one at J-Town seemed to mind too much, as the club buzzed with the energy that comes from an enthusiastic membership.

Lobsterfeast and the J-Town Regatta were really enjoyable this year and Social Wednesdays were so popular that Social Sundays were added. Many new members participated in racing before they were out of White Sail and the Laser fleet had a stellar year, partly due to our enthusiastic and involved instructors and supportive Old Salts. Veteran sailors once again enjoyed getting out on the lake minutes after leaving work and the club did well in the race results with members travelling afield to take part in the Canadian and US Albacore Nationals.

Okay, we had a few problems with centreboards and weeds, a new sail and rudder storage system threw many of us for a loop and there were NO crew to start the season, but all in all, I gotta say, it was a good summer to be a member of the St. James Town Sailing Club.

Our 2004 Executive, lacking a Secretary or Membership Chair, must be thanked profusely for putting in the extra effort to make it all happen. We must also praise all those unsung heroes that make a cooperative club such as ours work. We should all be thanking the people who help out on race committees and crash boats and help with race training; the person who buys, delivers and loads the beer (thanks Mike); the people who return the empties; the person (or two) who buys, delivers and loads the soft drinks; the person (or two) who keeps the cupboards stocked with garbage bags, detergent, popcorn, oil, coffee, peanut butter and salt; the people who buy and stock the social locker with plates, napkins, cutlery and cups; the people who mop, wipe, dust, vacuum (yes, there is a vacuum!)and organize; take out the garbage, take home the recycling, refill the water jugs, pump up the dolly tires, mow the lawn, tend the gardens, fill the gas tanks, help repair the boats, stock up on parts, help set the club up in spring and put it away in the fall; phone, email and beg, bartend, serve, decorate, shop, cook and clean up (etc!).

The docks are now out and the boats have been put to bed for the winter. Another sailing season is behind us and another shall begin about six months from now.

And what a season it was. St. James Town Sailing Club had more than 100 new members this past season (that may be our most ever), of whom 85 went through our White Sail learn-to-sail program. We had an outstanding compliment of instructors (Ken, Jacob, Barb, Ashley, Thomas) who saw to it that our new sailors were trained better than ever. On those days that were too windy for Mooredale to run classes, our brave young students were out in the harbour learning and capsizing and capsizing and learning while the folks next door sat on shore.

The result was a very high success rate in new members achieving their White Sail III standard. Just two years ago the initial success rate in the program was hovering around 20%. It's now around 75% with many more new sailors reaching the standard after getting out sailing a few more times.

Bronze IV, taught by Ken and Barb (hey, that has a ring to it - kind of a Mattel thing) was again a success with ten members taking the opportunity to upgrade their boat handling skills and sailing knowledge. At least three sailors made a successful jump straight from the July White Sail class into the August Bronze IV class.

New to JTown this year were Wednesday Laser clinics, which were met with great enthusiasm and which greatly increased the use of the Lasers this year. Several new laser sailors were spawned from this program, most notably Liz Thompson, who was the only first year sailor to participate in the first annual St. James Town Laser Regatta.

The Monday night race training program rebuilt by Ann White in 2001 continued to take hold this year, with consistently high participation from sailors of all levels. First year regulars in this program did exceedingly well in inter-club racing this year including Craig Fletcher (1st club crew, JTown regatta), Richard Piercy (2nd club crew overall standings), Julia McCarvell (1st place helm, Westwood New Helms Regatta) and Stef Turner (3rd place helm, Westwood New Helms Regatta).

Finally, Hobie training took place this year for the first time ever in this club, as this was the first full year that JTown actually had a catamaran. (How was that allowed to go on for so many years?) With only one boat, training was limited, but we did certify a number of new Hobie helms, most notably Blaine Gervais, who by mid-summer was clearly the #1 "Hobie dude" in the club. Between Blaine and I at least 40 different members experienced at least one ride on the cat. If we can purchase a second Hobie 16 before next season, we will be able to run more organized, scheduled Hobie training sessions.

That's it for "This year in JTown education". A special thanks to everyone who volunteered their time to the program including:

Ian Aukema, Ann White, Mike Morrison, Richard Seow, Chris Maslowski, Robert Bamford, Paul McHugh, Ron Seligman, J.P. Bureaud, Tannis Baker, Kirk McGregor, Blaine Gervais, Richard Piercey, Liz Thompson, Allan Measor and Paul Chandler.

J-Town had a great year socially!

J-Town's 2004 social calendar began Jan. 1 with the annual Polar Bear Swim and, once the ice had thoroughly hardened, close to 25 people came to the annual Skating Party for a superb skate across the Outer Harbour. Snow near the club required walking to the ratspit to put on skates, otherwise it was clear skating (although a bit bumpy) to the Leslie St. Spit. Many thanks to everyone who helped with the Party, special thanks to Klinger for his Chowder.

The summer kicked off with the second annual potluck Summer Solstice party - a laid back affair with DJ, Peter Fuller, spinning some great old tunes all afternoon and into the evening.

Things really Took Off the next weekend however, as hundreds of members, family and friends descended on the club to take part in J-Town's most successful Lobsterfeast ever. Social Chairs extraordinaires, JP Bureaud and Kirby Park, had over 40 selfless volunteers help them pull it off and over 200 people happily benefitted!

July 17, the J-Town Regatta and White Sail party was ably organized by Cathyann White and her crew of helpers, including many new to the club, and much fun was had by a full house including a special appearance by J-Town's own Mick "Ed" Jagger. The food was great and an enthusiastic DJ kept people hopping 'til they could hop no more.

Every Wednesday night, starting in early June, over 20 people paired up for a sail and then merrily wolfed down delicious grub painstakingly cooked and presented by a revolving group of amateur chefs organized by Kirby. Then starting in August, Suzanne Young and Nigel Rigby thought up the Sunday afternoon social sail and dinner for those people who weren't getting enough! It too was a great success.

Friday and Monday nights, racers hung around on the deck for hours, eating popcorn, quaffing beers and hotly discussing the merits of going left.

Oct 2, we had 60 members, new and old, come down to Ashbridges Bay Yacht Club to cap the summer at the Commodores Ball. Members enjoyed an evening of food, celebration and reminiscing about the fantastic sailing and great social times we had at J-Town this summer! Some members opted for the pool table (apparently Richard Seow is our resident shark - a title our Commodore, Paul Chandler, might wish to contest) while the rest danced till the wee hours.