Fourth of July

Fourth of July - Oh My!

Full Swing

July 27 2011

Greetings!

Oakcliff's street cred is on the rise with good press on the US SAILING Road Show site from the Friends of the Bay Regatta. I was in San Francisco talking about Oakcliff to an America's Cup Audience in their 'Cup Chat'. The Oakcliff All American Offshore Team held 3 separate gatherings and fundraisers in the Newport RI area. AND we had a very successful Grade 3 Match Race.

On top of the regularly scheduled sailing this week, we also will be sending the 50 and the 11.3 up to be ready for the Halifax Race. With stops in this holiday weekend in Newport where we will cheer on the Offshore Team as they start the Transatlantic and Boston to check out the Extreme 40s and network/sail with Boston Community Sailing.

We are spreading the Oakcliff message far and wide!

In This Issue

Investing Seminar

No Johnny Carson but Tom Ehman

Calling all 'kids' under 23

You Need to Umpire & We Need You

Crazy Race Story

Going Transatlantic!

Robots Cleanning up Oyster Bay

How's your stock?

Hunt's "Investing for Sailors" seminar has moved to Fridays at 12:15PM and will continue through to Friday, September 2. At that point he will go back to the Fall schedule which is 10AM Saturday on Saturday, September 10.

I have to admit the first couple of times I went most of the words that he fills the air with went flying by but the more I listen the more I learn. The best part is he is teaching the essential tools needed to be self sufficient in investing well into the future. Financial training and coaching - fits right in with Oakcliff.

San Francisco Cup Chat Review

It was modeled after Johnny Carson's Tonight Show, including the green room and a band and announcer. This was the 2nd episode of "Cup Chat" and the focus was definitely on the entertainment side but I think I managed to spread the word about and increase the interest in Oakcliff.

The audio on the online replay isn't stellar so I'll just tell you that the really funny parts were teasing Shannon Falcone about his inability to stay attached to a capsized AC 45 and then some double entendre re: Rule 69 :-).

Oyster Bay Youth Clinegatta July 14 - 17

Dave Perry is coming back to Oakcliff for the Oyster Bay Youth Clinegatta co-sponsored by Seawanhaka Corinthian YC. There will be a two day Dave Perry Clinic followed by a two day grade 4 match race regatta sailed in SCYC's Sonars. Sailors under 23 years old are welcome and we already have a talented group traveling to the area for the Clinegatta. The entry deadline has been extended to allow last minute registrations. To register go to our calendar and click on the Youth Clinegatta or go to this registration link.

If you are here as an adult supervisor and want to volunteer to help with Race Committee, Umpire or just as importantly the social / entertainment committee please contact Bill Simon at BSimon@oakcliffsailing.org.

Umpires make Match Racing Possible

Umpire Seminar July 14 - 17

Bruce Cook from US Sailing will be holding a 2 evening Umpire Seminar on Thursday, July 14 and Friday, July 15. This seminar is ideal for people who are considering umpiring and already are familiar with the Racing Rules of Sailing. If you have ever thought about umpiring this is the seminar for you. Umpires are in great demand and we need you.

After the two evening Seminar you can practice what you learned and test yourself by umpiring the Youth Regatta on July 16 and 17. You can register at this link.

Exciting and Very Unexpected Racing

Congratulations to Patrick Ryan and Riggamaroo Racing from New Orleans who sailed a perfect regatta to clench the top spot at the Oakcliff June Invitational. He bested a strong fleet of 8. Second was Jon Singsen from King's Point and 3rd was Oakcliff's own Jamie Ebenau. The winds kept the race committee on their toes but Sue Miller and team did a great job.

For some reason this weekend there was an added challenge in old submerged oyster sticks which floated just below the surface and grabbed onto keels to create some crazy racing. One race in particular between Doug Shannon and Mike Quaglio stand out and went like this:

Mike wins the start, Doug goes right and picks up a big lead. Top mark approach, Mike has clawed back and is just going to cross ahead on port tack. Oyster stick grabs Mike's boat they screech to a halt. Doug sails on to nearly a 1-leg lead. Mike strips down, dives overboard and wrestles the oyster stick clear. They stay "head in the game". Kyra yanks up the spinnaker (see photo) and they chase Doug getting to a bow to bow situation at the top mark, but on port and Doug forces Mike to do two down-speed tacks in little to no wind and they park it. Doug rounds and sets the spinnaker.. right into a 180 shift. Mike and team come from behind ghost under Doug with a jib up, catch a puff, set the spinnaker again and finish the race with wet underwear, a shake of the head and huge sigh of relief.

Remember that there is no Oakcliff Match Racing on Tuesday the 5th but we still have the Grade 5 match race on Saturday. There will also be 'Match Racing for Classics' at 3pm Sunday and a special 4th of July Monday session. If you are interested, you need to call John McGrane 516-712-7453 or just show up at 2:30 at OBMC.

In the meantime...

Have a Happy Red White and Blue Weekend!

Dawn Riley
Oakcliff Sailing Center

Oakcliff AAOT - Starts Sunday

The Oakcliff All American Offshore Team is nearly ready to head "across the pond". That is a nice way of saying that they are going to head to from Newport into the North Atlantic, hoping to stay in favorable Gulf Stream currents as long as possible. As soon as they drop out of that the temperatures will drop dramatically and the fog may kick in. There could be some big lows that will add to the challenge. Although he ultimate challenge as in most distance races is working together as a team when you are cold and tired and hungry.

The Oakcliff AAOT is happy to have some great sponsors and three of them are working together to mitigate the above challenges. First and foremost, Gill has not only provided their stellar Offshore Gear but Jerry Richards traveled to Newport to provide expert tips for keeping dry and warm.

We are happy to announce that 11th Hour Racing has stepped up and is helping offset the costs of the freeze dried food from Mary Janes Farm which will keep the team well nourished.

For Safety we are VERY pleased to have team wearing Spinlock DeckVests They take care of two challenges, safe AND attached to the boat.

If you are in Newport this Sunday they will be headed off on Sunday afternoon. Finally they are still raising funds. Click here to donate.

EvoSport Sponsor!

Oakcliff is very pleased to announce a partnership with EvoSport Fitness Club.

Oakcliff acorns and trainees are going to be pushed to their limit by expert Stephen Gourlay and his team. With convenient locations in Oyster Bay and Bayville and a customized sailors workout, EvoSport is a great partner. I personally am looking forward to seeing and evolution in my workouts and stepping up my fitness level. We encourage all supporters to check out our newest sponsor - EvoSport!

Rozilla Project Cleaning Up OB!

The Rozilla Project has sailed into Oyster Bay. Literally. Rachel and James and their two large Newfoundland dogs sailed the legendary American Promise into Oyster Bay. The Rozilla Project's visit is being hosted by Oakcliff, Friends of the Bay and The Waterfront Center. We are joining in their simple but important mission of protecting and cleaning the oceans.

This Friday they will be at the Waterfront Center Beach with their VideoRay, an underwater robot which will scour the bottom of the bay researching and ... picking up trash.

I highly recommend their project and from 1 to 6pm all members of the public but especially Oakcliff Supporters are invited to stop by and check out the technology and the mission.