The CANNON
Galveston Bay Cruising Association
In this issue...
From the Outgoing Commodore
From the Incoming Commodore
Don't Forget to RSVP for the Commodore's Ball
Welcome to our New Members
Pictures from the Icicle Series
Congratulations to the Winners
What's HOT on the Discussion Board
Thank you Duane and Welcome Kevin!
Clubhouse from the Sky
Sailing Simply Fast
Galveston Bay Cruising Association (GBCA)
Our Sponsors
 
UKlogo
 
UK quiz
 
 
 darkwater
ZAC JOHNSON
832-284-4146
 
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Kathlyn 
KATHLYN BEZ, REALTOR
832-689-9395
[email protected]
 
 
If you would like to advertise in The CANNON, please contact Jody Henry
 
BURGEES for SALE
GBCA Burgees ON SALE.  Pick up 2 or 3 for the low low price of $22.  Please contact Chris Kelley for more info!
 
Burgee Small
 
Upcoming Events
 
 
Commodore's Ball
February 7, 2009
 
GBCA Frostbite Regatta
February 14-15, 2009
 
HYC Midwinter Regatta
February 22, 2009
 
LYC Bay Cup 1
March 7, 2009
 
Race to the Border Kick Off Party
March 14, 2009
 
GBCA/ SOS-TEX Conundrum
March 20 - 21, 2009
Board of Govenors
Commodore
 
Vice Commodore
 
Treasurer
 
Secretary
 
Rear Commodore
 
Fleet Captain
 
Past Commodore
 
 
Board Members
 
Newsletter
 
 
Become a Member of GBCA
 
Senior or Crew Membership available. For more information, contact Emma Browning.
 
For an online form to sign up to be a member of GBCA, click here.

ADVERTISE IN THE CANNON!
Are you interested in advertising in the Cannon? 
 
We publish an e-newsletter that is sent to over 200 sailors in the Galveston Bay and Houston area.
 
Please contact Jody Henry or Chris Kelley

The Cannon
Galveston Bay Cruising Association
January 2009
From the Outgoing Commodore
by Duane Bez
 

 

Good Bye, 2008.  Hello, 2009!

Duane    
Any "year in review" essay about the sailing community in the Galveston Bay area in 2008 would have to admit it was a tough year.  But the resilience of the sailors has shown through.
            Many of GBCA's round-the-buoy races early in the year had to be delayed, restarted or cancelled due to lack of or shifty wind.  But Fleet Captain Kevin Box plugged on and the racers understood the problem and appreciated his efforts.  It was amazing how often it happened over several regattas in different months.  In the previous year, when I was running the races and he was on the mark set boat, we got so lucky he only remembers moving a mark once all year.  But fluky winds turned out to be a minor annoyance.
            Hurricane Ike sure made a mockery of those little problems.  It bashed boats, trashed club houses and destroyed the homes of some of our members.  Clean up is still in progress, and will be for some time.  Of course, the remainder of the year's sailing schedule was tossed in the dumper like so much soggy drywall.  But not too long after the clouds had cleared, it seemed right to get back on the water.  Sailing the impromptu FYI Regatta gave many a break from the reality of Ike and gave us a chance to enjoy the company of our fellow sailors.  And just as important, we raised over $2000 for the American Red Cross Hurricane Ike relief.
            The Cynthia Woods tragedy will be remembered for many years to come.  The unselfish sacrifice of Roger Stone should be an inspiration for all of us, not only as sailors, but as human beings as well.  And we shouldn't forget the professionalism of Steve Conway in keeping his crew together.  They brought their crew home.
            I think it is right though, that we continue to sail and race as recreation, because enjoying the life we have been given and the wonder of the world around us must be part of life's purpose.  What a drudgery if it wasn't.  What a waste if we didn't.
            One of the fun things introduced in 2008 was Kevin Box's invention-the Conundrum Regatta.  The variable nature of the course captured a lot of interest for a first time event.  It will be a challenge to pull off something like that this year because the Galveston Yacht Club is no more.  But I'm certainly looking forward to it!
            Another new development that should continue and improve in 2009 is the gbca.org website has migrated to a new server.  Thank you, Kevin Bednar.  Soon it should have a fresh new look and have more capabilities for GBCA members as well as the Board.  GBCA owes many, many thanks to Dave Hinrichsen and Stuart Lindow for creating and maintaining the website for the past decade.      
            The New Year, 2009, has certainly gotten off to a great start.  Two Icicle Series races with the wind around 20 knots!  And the first race was shorts and T-shirt weather!  Let's hope this is an omen.  Kevin Box has taken over as Commodore and I know he'll bring a ton of energy and creativity to that role.  Jim Powers is taking on the yeoman duty of Fleet Captain.  And Jody Henry, Chris Kelly, Emma Browning are returning again even after many years of service to the board of GBCA.  Kathlyn is still searching for unique trophies and Becky Doxey returns as Treasurer.  Our new board members are Chris Alk and Beverly Caldwell.  Also returning are Vicki Ryhne, Jim Tyson and Brian Hawboldt.  And I move to the position I am probably most qualified for-Past Commodore.        
            In my first article as Commodore I closed with a reminder that what we do, racing sailboats, no matter how intense it gets, is for enjoyment.  Let's try to continue with that attitude, but remember the huge responsibility we have as skippers when we take people out on the water.  Remember, this is SERIOUS FUN.  See you on the bay!  Duane

From the Incoming Commodore
by Kevin Box
 
kevinBWelcome to the first edition of the GBCA Cannon for the New Year.  The 2009 season is already underway with the first four Icicle Series races behind us.  We haven't actually seen any icicles on the race course yet, but there has been a lot of "antifreeze" consumed at the after-parties.   The "GBCA Lounge" has been standing room only, so I guess I wasn't the only one with a case of post-holiday cabin fever. 
 
February events include the Commodore's Ball on the 7th, Frostbite Regatta 14-15th and New Rules Night at GBCA on the 20th.  This presentation by UK-Halsey rules expert Butch Ulmer on the changes for 2009-2112 has filled up quickly.  Look for more information on these events below and at the GBCA website.
 
We have a strong Board of Governors reporting for duty that, unlike the global economy or your 401(k), plans to exceed your expectations this year.  The club runs on volunteers, so we are always looking for help with all aspects of our events, from raising the first warning signal all the way to cleaning up after the party.  E-mail the [email protected] and let us know how you'd like to help us keep GBCA the best value in sailing. 
 
Our membership includes many sailors of national caliber.  I'd like to call on you veterans to help out some of the many new faces I've seen come out this year for their first race.  Share a rum drink and a few tips with a new racer and keep this sport which has given us so much pleasure and fond memories growing.
 
On the subject of national caliber, congratulations to the crew of "Kicks" for a strong second place out of 14 boats in the J/80 class at KWRW.  Well done gentlemen!
 
I'd like to say thanks to all of our local sailors who took their game to Key West to represent the home team.   It's important not only to recognize the commitment it takes to mount such a campaign, but also the way knowledge gained from the experience translates to improvement in our local fleets.   How about an article from one of the Road Warriors for the next issue of The Cannon? 
 
Fair Winds

DON'T FORGET TO RSVP FOR THE COMMODORE'S BALL!
 
 
 
February 7, 2009commball10
6:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
 
Bay Area Community Center
5002 NASA Road 1
 
Please register online!
 
WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS
by Emma Browning
 
Brantly Minor
Kim Fondren (crew)
 
Richard Fox
John Yow

Josh Urbina (crew)
Joseph McCormack

Don Ford (crew)
Ed Lowrie (crew)
James Greenlee (crew)
Tom Replogle (crew)
Ted Skeffington
Bill Buffum (crew)
Jeremy Bowyer (crew)
 
PICTURES FROM THE ICICLE SERIES
 
PHOTOS BY Mike McGagh, Chris Kelley and John and Scott Lacy
 
seatrial2         icicle2
 
ruders       icicle1
 
yachtie       icicle5
 
icicle6     icicle7
 
tramp    solaris
 
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS OF THE (unofficial) JUDGE SMAILS REGATTA - SHAKEN NOT STIRRED
 
judgesmails
 
Pete Meeh, Beverly Caldwell and Walter Caldwell
WHAT'S HOT ON THE DISCUSSION BOARD
 
THANK YOU DUANE AND WELCOME KEVIN!
 
beeasy
 
CLUBHOUSE FROM THE SKY
 

 skyphoto
bsailinglogo 
Sailing Simply Fast
by Alan Bates
 

BSailing provides you with access to performance sailing.  Join for an unbeatably low annual fee which provides unlimited access to the J/80 (26') and J/105 (34').  You can learn to race in local regattas and enjoy fast, fun, cruising all year long.  Complete instruction with as much coaching as you need-more than a weekend course, you can have enough practice with professional instruction until you are ready to sail on your own.  This includes spinnaker training.  Sailing a J/Boat with the asymmetrical spinnaker is without comparison.  Come for a free demo ride-Contact Alan Bates-281.212.7348   Please visit  www.bsailing.com 

 
placetoraceburgee

The Galveston Bay Cruising Association (GBCA) is a non-profit corporation established in 1947 to promote the sport of yacht racing on Galveston Bay. GBCA hosts a full calendar of sailing events throughout the year and presently maintains a membership of over 175 racing sailors.

Members include World Champion
Sailors, Olympic Hopefuls and alumni
of the organization include an Olympic
Silver Medallist, and America's Cup Sailor.