Molly Asseltine
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RACE COMMITTEE 2015
Now that we're back in the water, it's time to begin my annual campaign, in search of Race Committee volunteers. Once again, we have a full calendar that needs to be covered. Besides our regular weeknight club races, we have many weekend events, including reciprocal regattas where we give back to sister clubs who have helped us. Add to that, 2 additional regattas which we are hosting this year -the Ontario Laser Masters/Great Lakes Masters and the J24 Canadians - and it will be a busy year. Throw in the Pan Am Games, in which several ABYC Race Committee personnel will be taking part, and our RC resources will be stretched pretty thin.
So we're going to need help. Here is what we have scheduled for the season:
May 9 George Coyles Tune-up
May 23, 24 ABYC Regatta
June 13 ABYC Single/Double Handed races
June 20, 21 RCYC Open Regatta
June 27, 28 Ontario Laser Masters/Great Lakes Masters (hosted by ABYC)
July 11 ABYC Family race #1
July 23, 24 Steerers Regatta (PCYC)
July 25, 26 Four Sisters Regatta (PCYC)
August 15 ABYC Summer Bell Buoy Race
August 16 ABYC Family Race #2
Sept. 12 QCYC Open Regatta
Sept. 13 ABYC Vertigone/Minerve Challenge race
Sept. 19, 20 J24 Canadian Championship (hosted by ABYC)
Sept. 26 Donald D. Summerville Memorial Race
Oct. 3 ABYC Archie Walker race
I'm not asking people to give up all their summer weekends - just one. There are a lot of racers and crew out there who have never volunteered to help in all the time I've been doing this job and I would like to see that change. Were it not for the hundreds of hours of time and energy donated by other volunteers each season, the racing program you all enjoy would not be able to happen.
So, please do the right thing and give back to the racing program. Pick an event, sign up and most importantly, honour your commitment. The most common excuse I hear is "sorry, I'll be racing". Well...not everyone is going to be in the Laser Masters, or the Steerers or Four Sisters, or the J24 Canadians, or...get my drift?
And racers aren't the only people I'd like to see helping out. Race Committee is an equal opportunity business. New members to the club, senior and associate, are most welcome. It's a great way to take part in a race or regatta if you don't have a boat to crew on or if you just want to get to know some people and be involved. If you have teenagers at home, they can earn hours to put toward their high school community service requirement. Cruisers who want to have a look at the racing side of things - come on down. Experience is not necessary - we'll teach you what to do. If you can pay attention and follow directions, you'll be fine.
And yes, it all counts toward your mandatory work hours.
I hope to see a lot of new faces on the RC boats this year. Who knows? You just might surprise yourself and enjoy it. But you won't know until you give it a try.
