Remember those lazy days of summer as a kid just mess'in around with your pals? Well, the Membership committee wants to help improve the club experience for families with kids.

  

Karen and I joined ABYC in 2003 and Ella and Tara, aka the twins, were born in 2004. They have grown up with the club like a second home and we participate regularly in the cruising program as well as the many winter activities. 

As any parent knows, kids can get bored REALLY quickly and it's really important to have other kids around. We try informally to coordinate our cruising and other activities with the members we know that have children. That way we have happy kids and, just as important, happy Mums & Dads!

The Club membership records do not list the names and ages of members' children. The membership committee would like to ask any members with children to identify their names and ages. As summer cruises and the many other events (ie. family race, club picnic, bingo night, Christmas party, Halloween, etc.) take place, the organizers would be better able to reach out to the families with information so we can encourage a greater family participation. 

If you are interested in a bit more information as events come along, please email the following to alancoulter@rogers.com:

Parents' names, boat name, kids' names, ages & date of birth, email address and phone number.

Thanks and here's to seeing all those future little sailors mess'in about in boats!

• Is very comfortable working with computers
• Enjoys teaching and helping people
• Has the patience of a saint (just kidding...kind of) 

On behalf of the membership committee, we would like to invite you to a "Learn the Rules of Racing" event hosted by Wendy Loat, Sail Canada National Judge. Don't expect a hard core rules night. This will be a fun evening, a good chance to meet skippers from ABYC. There is no charge for this event.

The Racing Rules De-Mystified for New Racers

Whether you want to make the next America's Cup Team or just want to get the best performance out of your boat so you can be first in the cruising buffet line, Club Racing is the perfect way to get started on achieving your goals. Many sailors fear sailing onto the race course because their eyes glazed over by page 2 while reading the Racing Rules of Sailing. 

Wendy Loat will present the rules you really need to know in a fun and understandable way so you can begin your quest to becoming a better sailor. We'll cover the basics and what to do when (if) you run into trouble, and how to get out of it (including what to do if you protest another boat or get protested). Learn how to have fun racing on Tuesday and Thursday nights, or take your family out for one of our bell buoy races on a weekend without fear of running afoul of other boats. Besides, ABYC has many prizes and trophies to be won, so soon you'll be bragging about your conquests to your co-workers.

Thursday, January 21 at 7 pm

Bring a rule book if you have one.