I can't remember seeing ice in our harbour at this time of year in all my time at the club.  This weekend looking at it (the ice) I couldn't help but think that the first overnight race I will be competing in will be in two months.  It will most likely be a real "Frozen Hood", glad I bought that survival suit a couple of years ago!  All joking aside, we now have three weekends to get our boats ready for launch. To this end the Board has made the decision that we will have the clubhouse and Food and Beverage service open all Mondays and Tuesdays in April.  This will give members access to hot water in the laundry room and the opportunity to wind down after an evening of working on their boats, weather permitting.  I have taken some flack about the cost of this but we felt that this service to the members was well worth the cost.  If we have some of those evenings comfortable enough to work on your boat I am sure you will enjoy the opportunity to use your food and beverage service.

This past Saturday was our annual New Members Evening.  It was great to see the turnout of new members and members with a few seasons under their belts.  (Couldn't think of a better way to say that).  To our new members, I would like to say welcome to our ABYC family!  We are happy to have you aboard and hope that you use and enjoy YOUR club to the fullest.  I would like to give you a few tips.  Like that first day in high school,it can be a bit overwhelming.  You don't know a lot of people and are not quite sure of "the lay of the land".  Do not be afraid of approaching any member and ask for help or advice.  To new members with boats ask your neighbours about what kind of dock lines you should have, what are the club cruises like, how do I get a PHRF certificate or do we need to make reservations in the dining room.  To associate and keel boat training program members the same applies.  Come to our crew bank night and meet skippers who are looking for crew for race nights and regatta weekends.  Every race night in Duffy's the crew bank coordinator will have a board set up with skippers looking for crew and crew looking for a boat to race on.  Try to be there by 5:45 to get your name on the board to get on the water.  It may take you a few tries on different boats to feel comfortable but don't give up, once you get with the right crew I guarantee you will enjoy it.

To our members that have been around the harbour a few times; just remember what it was like during your first year at the club. Introduce yourself to new members on your dock, ask them if they have any questions, give them a hand at the mast crane, help them get involved in committee or work party work that suits their skills.  The future of our club is in the strength of a strong membership.

This weekend don't forget to make reservations for our Easter Egg Hunt for the kids and brunch for the entire family.  Paul, Victoria and the rest of the crew have been planning this for weeks now.  The poster is in this week's S2S.  

Well that is my sermon from the mount for this week.  Have a great Easter Weekend and see ya at the club! 

Mike Macdonald  

On April 18, put on your masks, beads and costumes and join us for another great party at ABYC. The music is going to be awesome with a DJ and a New Orleans-style jazz band.  The decorations will be fabulous and there will be special Cajun drinks and snacks on the menu. 

 

Watch Ship2Shore for more details!

Mardi Gras Trivia

2.  What does Mardi Gras translate to in English? (Fat Tuesday)

3.  What are the official colors of Mardi Gras, and what do they stand for?

The ABYC Keelboat Course is a beginner level, internationally recognized Sail Canada program offered in conjunction with Humber College.  Classes; which are scheduled at various times during the week and on weekends, provide both off- and on-water instruction and are designed to give students the necessary skills to act as both skipper and crew on a sailboat of up to 35 feet in length, in moderate weather conditions.  The course is taught on a 31 ft. keelboat (Hunter) and is ideal for new sailors.

The fee includes a one-year Introductory Associate Membership at ABYC with all privileges.

For more information, class schedules and the registration form see http://abyc.on.ca/abyc-sailing-school/sailing-school-keelboat-program/ 

The Learn to Sail Open House is scheduled for Tuesday, May 5, so pass that on. 

Classes, especially those early in the season, fill fast.  So tell your friends to register now to avoid being disappointed.

And once your friends graduate, they are eligible for the introductory Co-Op program, a great way to keep sailing an ABYC boat for the whole summer.

   - Greg Chapman

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As we enter a new boating season here at Ashbridge's Bay (Our 83rd!) I'm sure we're all getting excited for another great year of racing, cruising, fair weather and all the other things that make this club the unique Lake Ontario setting that so many have come to love.  It is our commitment as staff to make this feel like a home away from home that you can be proud of and never hesitate to brag about to friends and family alike.  It is easy to take our club for granted at times, but we should always try to remember that we are a favourite destination for many around the lake, and have a long and impressive history to boast of.  We're also known to throw one heck of a party from time to time...

While we do our very best to maintain the standard of excellence that you have come to expect through your time as a member, there are occasions when we fail to notice certain issues around our property.  I would like for you all to feel that you can come to me with any concerns you may have, as we can all agree that ABYC takes pride in our friendly atmosphere.  I will always be happy to field any questions or requests, but if you are unable to find me, I would like for there to be an established system through which I can be reached.  As such, I have placed a yellow binder in the main club office labelled "Work Requests for Yard Staff" which I will be checking daily.  This will also make it easier for our Manager Rennie Stobbs and the office staff to draw my attention to said requests.   

If you are away from the club, I can also be reached at the gas dock phone extension 223, or by e-mail at gchapman.abyc@gmail.com.

I look forward to working with all of you over the next few months, please don't hesitate to contact me. I know we have some new faces as well, so please don't hesitate to find me and introduce yourself.  

See you soon!

- Carolyn Weckesser, Dock Ladies Coordinator

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The "Dock Lady" team is one part of a large and detailed launch operation.  (FYI, no offence to the guys, but this team has traditionally been crewed by our women members as many of the men are assigned to the heavily physical tasks, hence the name "Dock Lady".)

At launch, the primary Dock Lady team works on the docks to welcome, and assist boat owners to tie up in their slips for the first time in a new season.  The team also includes members stationed near the launching areas (two cranes and rail/mast crane) to announce your "splashdown" to ensure there is someone to greet you at your slip, and the public address system announcer.  This team is integral to making the launch (and in the fall the haul out), operations run smoothly, efficiently and safely.  Your cooperation with our team is greatly appreciated!  

We are recruiting new members for this crew for 2015.  Anyone interested in joining our team, please contact me at ABYCDockLadies@gmail.com for additional details.  No technical skills are needed, just enthusiasm!