Well, better late than never. It is really great to see all of the rain this week. Thank you for everyone who has been diligent with their rain dances. I hate to say it, because we will never hear the end of it, but Gordon may have been right! Last month he called for a wet April. But don’t worry, he didn’t call for snow, so he was only partially right! Even if we have to hear Gordon gloat, I am really happy to see all this moisture, knowing the joy it will bring us this summer. It could not have come at a better time.
Thursday night racing has begun and the Memorial Day Regatta is right around the corner. This year’s Memorial Day Regatta should be one to remember with incredible racing, good food, fun entertainment, and great friends. This year the Memorial Day Regatta will expand the family nature of sailboat racing by including a junior regatta. Matt Berger the Program Director at Willamette Sailing Club will be our PRO for the junior course. We are hoping to see our members out on Lasers and our new Opti’s and 420’s. Emily Avey and Langdon Junge will be teaching two separate weekend clinics for any experienced junior sailers who want to learn to race.
I am also looking forward to seeing all of you at some of the incredible social events that are being planned by various incredible volunteers. Please plan to come to the deck party, the 4th of July, and the Concert at the Lake. More details regarding each of these events are forthcoming.
Sail School is returning this year after a 2 year hiatus. We have incredible classes lined up with Opti’s, Zuma’s, 420’s, Multi-hulls, big boats, women’s class, and a the new fleet course. The fleet course will give members an opportunity lo learn about all of the various fleets we have on the water. You will have an opportunity to sail one of the many racing boats that are available. Please join this class is you are interested in crewing or taking the leap to buy on elf these incredible boats.
I think I am most excited to announce that we will have sailing instruction all summer long at EYC this season. We have hired Emily and Langdon to help us develop both a junior sailing program and provide instruction to any club members who are looking to expand their skill sets. We do not have a full program developed yet, but Emily and Langdon will help us shape one. We new we need to start somewhere and the incredible fundraising our members have done to the EYC Restricted Fund at the Oregon Youth Sailing Foundation has given us the financial base to get this started.
If you are interested in the youth program or instruction for yourself, please contact Stephanie Lunceford our Vice-Commodore, at tephaniejlunceford@gmail.com. She is looking to find out what you or your junior sailor might be looking for this summer along with your availability for lessons. We will work to craft a flexible program this summer to meet as many of your needs as we can. Next year we will plan to develop a more structured program, but we have to start somewhere.
I am looking forward to seeing you at the club a bunch this spring and summer! Keep up the rain dance!
Eugene Yacht Club Commodore, Matt Sprick