Forget Fall - Oakcliff is Sailing into Winter!

Shields Saturdays Match 40s Sundays

October 24, 2013

Have you missed us? We haven't sent a newsletter out in a few weeks but that doesn't mean that we have slowed down at all. As a matter of fact the racing on West Harbor is continuing longer this season than any other.

Tonight I'll be at Port Washington Library sharing a wrap up on the America's Cup and we are all waiting and watching as Jeff MacFarlane also waits and watches the weather in France - hoping to actually start the Mini Transat!

In This Issue

Speaking at PWL Tonight

Jeff on StandBy for Transat

Sailing under Snowflakes

Ker 11.3 Ripping up Manhaset Bay

Tweeking our Look

AWESOME Sailing Magazine Article

America's Cup Wrap Up - Tonight!

The America's Cup is done and dusted. So what really happened? Where will it go next? What kind of boats will be racing? Did it live up to the hype?

Tonight at 7:30 at the Port Washington Library, I'll be attempting to answer these questions. It will be fun addressing the technical as well as the rumors heard from the "social side" of sailing. Best of all - It's Free!

Code Orange - Will Jeff Start This Week?

The Transat was supposed to start 11 days ago but a bizarre series of low pressures have pummeled the Bay of Biscay which is where the first leg takes the fleet. This area rivals the Bass Straights as some of the toughest waters to cross and the organizers are not going to send the huge fleet of small boats into the eye of a storm.

Trying to put the race and the size of the boat into perspective imagine a Melges 20 that has been stepped on to be almost 10 feet wide and then they add canting keels and sail area about 20% more than a Melges 24 and one somewhat crazy sailor hangs on for dear life as they race for almost a month getting across the ocean.

Jeff is that crazy person representing Oakcliff. While we are all happy that he is not out in a storm, he is getting a bit antsy. The race organizers are using the code system - Red not going, Orange on standby and Green go. Right now they are on Orange with a possibility of heading out tomorrow for the 1st half of the 1st of 2 legs. Watch this link for updates.

Here is a link to a video on his Facebook page: I like the part where he says "Oh I'm going to be very competitive! That's my goal."

You can also still donate to Jeff's Campaign HERE.

Hunt's Winter Sailing Plan

Hunt is keeping us sailing until ... well ... we can't! Until further notice every Saturday you can warm up at 10am at 2 South Street listening to Hunt give his insight into investing. Grab a cup of soup at Sweet Tomato and head to the docks at 12:30 for some fleet racing on West Harbor.

Every Sunday you can commune with nature and at the same time get your adrenaline rushing with a morning of match racing on the Match 40s. Be at OBMC at 9:30 for a 10:00 start.

There is one Grade 3 left - the Halloween Regatta November 2 & 3 with Friday practice available. There is room for one more team.

The final graded event is a Grade 5 Clinegatta on Saturday November 9. We are still taking entries and rumor has it we have some new teams using this to settle scores from the squash court. Should be fun. Sign up here for the 10:00 clinic and 12:00 regatta.

UPDATE - Jeff just posted back into Code Red - hoping to start Monday or Tuesday. Things just keep changing here at Oakcliff. We challenge you to keep up :-).

Actually we challenge you to become a supporter or donor. If you are in town stop in and we can show you around. Believe it or not we Oakcliff and Oyster Bay are becoming tourist destinations. Just yesterday we had two out-of-towners come out of their way to drop in and say hello.

Sincerely,

Dawn Riley
Oakcliff Sailing Center

Oakcliff at Manhasset Bay Fall Series

Three teams of Oakcliff Sailors headed to Manhasset Bay Fall Series to race in the PHRF class. The Ker 11.3 is currently sitting in 1st.

The Farr 47 and one of the Farr 40s also braved the blustery day and all are looking forward to Saturday. MBYC is working hard to update the series. This year they have shorted it to three days guaranteeing the party after racing will be well attended. Even more important though was the party last Saturday where nearly $50,000 was raised for ALS Research on behalf of John and Adrienne Thompson - great friends of many many sailors including quite a few here at Oakcliff currently.

Stand By for a New Look

Lots of Ideas

In our spare time we are working on revamping the look of Oakcliff and continuing to define our programing. Yesterday we had a great session led by uber - marketer Denise Stires who also happens to be Acorn Hunter's Mother. The group included staff, supporters, SapGrads and our web team.

Supporter John Fryer likened our challenge to the iPad - everyone 'knows' what it is but they don't really know. The concept is still new and unlike any other. A challenge but also what an opportunity. Together we are redefining leadership in sailing.

IN THE PRESS

Sailing Magazine has a GREAT article on Oakcliff. They hit all of the important points so maybe part of our branding is just to have every sailor and potential sponsor and donor around the world read it. Here is a link so you can get that process started.

The November Sailing World also has a nice sidebar from Long Island to Rio. Here is a link to an online article and a photo tour.

UPDATE - Six 49ers and Six Nacras are going to stay warm in FL. They are on their way for training. SapGrad Sarah Ragle is fully immersed.