Oakcliff Sailing Center
A Rescue at American

  May 1, 2012
Greetings!
As those of you who got through the WHOLE newsletter last week are aware, I promised not to skip a week again until the end of the season.  That way we won't have any epically long newsletters going forward.  There is some important info below though.  Read about the Oakcliff Team at last week's American Spring series and the plans for this week.
 
In This Issue
Oakcliff to the Rescue
Tuesday Drills Tonight
Needed: A Few Good Sailors
Investigation Under Way
Adopt a Visiting Sailor
A Rescue
Farr 40 1
Oakcliff Farr 40-1 Before the Rescue

Nearing the first top mark of the last race of the day on Sunday, the winds were solid 20 and gusting near 30.  The racing had been getting more and more competitive so the bulk of the 12-strong Class One were in the vicinity. The crew on Pendragon were hiking hard when the fitting on the lower lifeline let go and the two people hiking the hardest were immediately ejected straight into the ocean. Neither were wearing a life jacket.

The two in the water raised their hand to indicate that they were OK.  The water was in the low 50s so they were also getting cold rapidly. Pendragon went head to wind and started to drop their headsail and began to get sorted to turn around.   In the meantime, Oakcliff Farr 40-1 steered by Mark DiSanti sailed up to leeward of the two and went head to wind. As Jacon threw a horseshoe and the throwing line which was attached to the back of the boat, the rest of the team dropped the jib and managed the mainsheet to maintain position. The horseshoe reached one swimmer and the throwing line the other.  The team pulled the first person to the boat and started to haul him on board.  His foul weather gear bibs acted like a big sea anchor so he slipped the straps off and let the pants go down to his ankles.  This allowed for Dan & Jeff to pull him on board but if he had been dropped it would have been dangerous.

The Farr 40 was in the process of getting the second person when a Race Committee RIB arrived on the scene and both swimmers were transferred to the RIB and then back to their boat.  Pendragon retired from racing.  The Oakcliff Farr 40-1 resumed racing and finished the race.  They then asked for redress which was given so they ended up with average points for the regatta.

We were on the 11.3 watching the incident from a ways away and I was very proud of the Oakcliff team and their reaction.  I was also glad that most of our team was wearing their Spinlock PFDs so that if that had happened to us, our sailors would not have been at risk. 

Lesson Learned:  Safety takes pre-planning and education and vigilance by the whole team.  Congratulations to:  Jacon, Mark, Bob, Jeff, Laura, Jim, Sue, Dan and Brock on a job well done.
Tuesday Night Drills
On-Board Coaching
On Board Coaching

Last week I jumped on board one of the boats for Tuesday night and Mark DiSanti took the other one. The winds were really strong for a learning opportunity but both teams got the spinnakers up and made a lot of progress.  Currently the winds are zero-point-zero but the rain is supposed to pull out and after the skies clear there should be a 10-15 knot wind.

If you are planning on attending please do sign up so we can have the plan in place and get out on the water ASAP. 
A Few Good People for AYC this Weekend
Peacemaker at AYC

We have room for a few people for this weekend's racing.  Specifically we are looking for two good trimmers and one middle of the boat person for the Farr 40 which is currently sitting in 4th place and fighting for the podium.   Peacemaker is confirming if they need someone or not.  If you are available and have the qualifications please email [email protected]  ASAP.
 
Looking forward, don't forget next Wednesday is our first Coached Fleet Race.   Our second Grade 5 is on Saturday May 12th.  That event is almost full so if you are interested please sign up straight away.   You can always volunteer for race committee or umpiring as whether you are racing or volunteering you WILL learn.    Also to sweeten the pot, Jack Halyard's is offering the winning team a beverage or snack of their choice.  Go Bernie :-)!

I hope you have enjoyed this short but sweet newsletter and we'll see you on the water soon. 

Sincerely,
 

Dawn Riley and the Oakcliff Team 
US Sailing Investigates
Wreckage Ensanada Race
The Transom of the Lost Boat
Just a quick notification that US Sailing has been asked by the Coast Guard to investigate and report on the two recent tragedies in California.  The Coast Guard in an unprecedented move has revoked permits allowing races to go outside of San Francisco Bay.

I want to point out that sailing is a very low risk activity.  Also these are two completely different incidents but to the general public it has made sailing seem 'scary'.  As a board member of US Sailing we ask that everyone is patient and waits for the full report to be released.  It is expected that this will be done in the next month or so.
 
Spinlock - A Real
 Life-Saver

We are all a bit surprised how comfortable the Spinlock Deck Vests are when fitted properly.  When we race Oakcliff boats offshore and when the water is cold or rough we wear our Spinlocks and barely know they are there.  As a matter of fact I find they actually offer a little extra support.  If you would like your own just
Email Your Order 
Join Our Mailing List
Line Up to Get Your Visiting Sailor
Hughes Undefeated
They are cute, talented, respectful and homeless.  Our visiting sailors could use your extra bed or couch or even air mattress.  Specifically we are looking for housing for visiting racers May 16-20 for the Spring Clinegatta and September 6-10 for the Oakcliff International.  Email us soon to get the pick of the litter.
Photo Credit
Thanks to Cheryll Kerr for her great shooting.  Don't forget you can see more photos on the Oakcliff Web Site or Oakcliff's Facebook Page