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Greetings!
2013: Bring It! That is what I posted on Facebook and trust me, 2013 is going to deliver. The Sapling and Acorn programs are being led by a force of nature: Jay Kehoe. Our fleet is growing from 51 to 75 boats due in large part to the addition of 24 Olympic Dinghies that Hunt and Betsy Lawrence are purchasing and lending to Oakcliff. Oakcliff is, as of today an official: US Sailing Team Sperry-Topsider Training Center.
Read on for all of the details of this new program and this will be in addition to everything we are already doing.
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Official Training Center for the US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider
|  This is one of the more monumental announcements. Through the generous support of Hunt and Betsy Lawrence both Oakcliff and the US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider are taking a huge step forward. Hunt and Betsy are purchasing 24 Olympic Class boats, including eight of each the 49er, 49erFX and the Nacra 17. Oakcliff will manage and maintain them and the US Sailing Team will bring their athletes and coaches for training. Read here for the whole release but suffice it to say in addition to everything else we are doing we are now also raising the next Olympic Champions. |
The Rules Have Changed: Dave to the Rescue
|  The Racing Rules of Sailing have changed for 2013-2016. That is the bad news, the good news is that we have secured Oakcliff Board Member, Dave Perry to come to Oakcliff and explain all of the nuances of the new rules and tricks of the trade that allow you to use them to your best advantage. This is a North-U production.
I will point out again that I didn't loose any protests in college and I specifically attribute it to reading Dave - the Rule Master's - book. Dave is dynamic, entertaining and a vast resource on tactics and rules. Sign up here for the March 24 all day seminar. |
Key West, Chicago, St. Pete, Miami, Long Beach
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While technically we have been on holiday Jay Kehoe and I have been on the road shouting the message of Oakcliff from the rooftops, OK from the coach boats. Jay's focused on Miami where he was a volunteer coach for the Orange Bowl for those who didn't have private coaches. He's also a regular at the Jaguar Series.
I dropped into the Rose Bowl where I hope we will pick up a few more Acorns from and was able to catch up with 2012 Acorn Zack Hall. He reports that he is having a great season in High School Sailing climbing up to the podium in almost every regatta. It was really nice visiting with him again and am happy to see Acorns Representing!
IN TWO WEEKS: I'll be at Key West Race Week for Monday through Wednesday. Thursday through Saturday I'll be at the National Sailing Programs Symposium and US Sailing Board Retreat in Clearwater Florida. Finally on Sunday I'll be at Chicago's Strictly Sail.
Email at driley@oakcliffsailing.org or call me on 415 760 7642 if you would like to catch up and hear more about the Acorn and Sapling Programs or talk about donating to or sailing at Oakcliff: 2013 is going to be a great year to be at Oakcliff!
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Mystic to Honor Hunt and Betsy
|  Hunt and Betsy like to be the behind the scenes supporters but since we have blown their cover in this issue of the newsletter we are going to go all the way. On January 29th Mystic Seaport will be honoring them with the W.P. Stephens Award. It's appropriate that with all Hunt and Betsy have done to educate, that this award's namesake was known as the "Dean of American Yachtsmen". As you can see in the invitation here - Mystic also honors them for "preserving classic yachts through use, the most practical and important strategy for ensuring their long term survival". A reminder, you can enjoy sailing on these works of art every weekend spring and fall and Thursday summer evenings. This is a fundraiser for Mystic at the NYYC. I hope to see you there. |
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In closing can I just say - 2013 is going to be amazing. You are all a part of what we have accomplished over the past three years and I look forward to sailing with you again soon and conquering another great season.
Sincerely,
Dawn
Oakcliff Sailing Center
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Save Your Dates!
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| The Oakcliff Calendar is fully populated so you can put your feet up by the fire and start booking your summer sailing.
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Frostbiting Galore
|  | The Interclub splashed and Sapling grads Brendan and Brock took to the cold waters of Manhassett Bay. They were welcomed by the fleet and managed to hold their own. Bill Simon was on site and submitted the photos.
If Lasers are more your thing - supporters are invited to sail the Oakcliff Lsers at Seawanhaka. You need to email race@oakcliffsailing.org to confirm your boat and for the Sewanhaka Race Information you can click here.
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Changing Lives
|  | One of the most awesome feelings in the world is when one of us gets positive feedback from a student or a parent. Read below for a few of the comments we got from last season.
Thank you, my son has grown so much, he is now a man who can shake my hand, look me in the eye and have a real conversation.
Last summer was such a growing year for my son. He is much more confident and well rounded. He is having fun and he is winning races.
And from a student: I wanted to thank you for giving me the push I needed. Motivation is still there in my life, and I don't see it going anywhere.
Thank you for making Oakcliff such an amazing place. I learned so much (sailing and life wise), and had an amazing summer.
So wonderful and I can't wait to see what amazing things our graduates accomplish in the future and to meet a whole new crop this year. Slots are filling up fast so please go to the web site and apply today.
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