Downtown Sailing Center Blog

Irene Update - Time to Batten Down the Hatches

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 04:22:46 GMT

Here is what the Weather Channel has to say about Irene:

We've added an "EXTREME" threat level category from eastern North Carolina to southern New England. According to Hurricane Expert, Dr. Rick Knabb and Sr. Meteorologist, Stu Ostro, "this is a particularly threatening situation and it's best for people to be on alert."
Computer models are currently trending toward a forecast solution of rare potency for portions of the Northeast.
Irene will be a serious and multi-hazard threat for the major metropolitan areas of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. This includes Norfolk, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York City, Hartford, and Boston. This hurricane has the potential to produce flooding rains, high winds, downed trees (on houses, cars, power lines) and widespread power outages. Significant impacts along the immediate coast include high waves, surge and beach erosion.
For North Carolina, the main impacts of damaging winds and storm surge flooding will be confined to the far eastern portions of the state. In addition to the Outer Banks, this potentially includes Morehead City and Atlantic Beach.
Timing: Irene will make its closest approach to North Carolina late Friday night through Saturday. Northeast U.S. impacts would be Saturday night through early Monday.
We remain a couple of days away from Irene's direct impacts along the US East Coast andcritical uncertainties related to Irene's exact track and intensity remain. Stay tuned to The Weather Channel and right here on weather.com for further updates.

Eye on Irene

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 13:44:22 GMT

It is hurricane season. Fortunately for the Downtown Sailing Center we are in a protected area, but we still keep our eye on each tropical storm as it supercharges in the Caribbean.

Hurricane Irene has the potential to reach us and while hurricane force winds are unlikely, heavy rain and storm force winds are likely. We will be tracking Irene and preparing accordingly. In the meanwhile, we hope you'll get out and enjoy the best weather of the season!

DSC Weather

ANZ500-232000- 730 AM EDT TUE AUG 23 2011

SYNOPSIS FOR THE TIDAL POTOMAC AND MD PORTION OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY HIGH PRESSURE OVER THE MID ATLANTIC REGION TODAY AND TONIGHT WILL MOVE OFF THE COAST WEDNESDAY. A COLD FRONT WILL APPROACH THE AREA LATE THURSDAY. HURRICANE IRENE MAY IMPACT THE WATERS SUNDAY.

ANZ538-232000- PATAPSCO RIVER INCLUDING BALTIMORE HARBOR- 730 AM EDT

TODAY NW WINDS 5 TO 10 KT...BECOMING SW LATE. WAVES 1 FT.

TONIGHT S WINDS 5 KT. WAVES LESS THAN 1 FT.

WED S WINDS 5 TO 10 KT. WAVES 1 FT.

WED NIGHT S WINDS 10 KT. WAVES 1 FT.

THU S WINDS 10 KT. WAVES 1 FT. SHOWERS AND TSTMS LIKELY.

THU NIGHT S WINDS 5 TO 10 KT. WAVES 1 FT. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND TSTMS.

FRI E WINDS AROUND 5 KT. WAVES 1 FT. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND TSTMS AFTER MIDNIGHT.

SAT E WINDS 5 TO 10 KT. WAVES 1 FT. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND TSTMS THROUGH THE DAY...THEN SHOWERS AND TSTMS LIKELY THROUGH THE NIGHT. WINDS AND WAVES HIGHER AND VISIBILITIES LOWER IN AND NEAR TSTMS.

Great Video!

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 18:17:09 GMT

Another Great Thank You to our accessible volunteers!

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 13:09:43 GMT

Each time I get an amazing email I always want to share it with everyone since all your hard work made it possible. Here is a recent email I received from Terri Parrish one of our dedicated sailors.

The volunteers are friendly and very respectful of the myriad of disabilities they are introduced to every other week. However, in particular, last Saturday was an amazing accomplishment. When the storm approached and moved in much quicker than any of us anticipated, the volunteers reacted and brought the persons with disabilities out of the boats with ease, confidence and the utmost of safety. Although we were watching as the thunder and lightening approached, the volunteers remained calm and brought the boats in without incident and made sure each person with a disability was safely

escorted to their vehicles.

Thank you for ALL you do!

Terri Parrish

8-17-11 DSC Weather

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 11:34:46 GMT

DSC Weather

SYNOPSIS FOR THE TIDAL POTOMAC AND MD PORTION OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY  
HIGH PRESSURE WILL BUILD INTO THE MID ATLANTIC REGION TODAY...
AND WILL MOVE OFFSHORE TONIGHT. A COLD FRONT APPROACHES THE WATERS TOWARD 
THE END OF THE WEEK.

ANZ538-172300- PATAPSCO RIVER INCLUDING BALTIMORE HARBOR- 
430 AM EDT WED AUG 17 2011

TODAY SE WINDS AROUND 5 KT. WAVES 1 FT.

TONIGHT S WINDS 5 TO 10 KT. WAVES 1 FT.

THU S WINDS 5 TO 10 KT. WAVES 1 FT. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND TSTMS.

THU NIGHT SE WINDS 5 TO 10 KT. WAVES 1 FT. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND TSTMS.

FRI S WINDS 5 TO 10 KT. WAVES 1 FT. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND TSTMS.

FRI NIGHT E WINDS 5 TO 10 KT...BECOMING N AFTER MIDNIGHT. WAVES 1 FT. A 
CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND TSTMS.

SAT S WINDS AROUND 5 KT. WAVES 1 FT. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND TSTMS IN 
THE MORNING.

SUN S WINDS 5 TO 10 KT. WAVES 1 FT. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND TSTMS THROUGH 
THE NIGHT.   WINDS AND WAVES HIGHER AND VISIBILITIES LOWER IN AND NEAR TSTMS.

The Unwritten Rule of Gross Tonage

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 10:53:53 GMT

&amp;lt;a href='http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/tanker-takes-out-yacht/2025i9lm' target='_new' title='Tanker Takes Out Yacht'&amp;gt;Video: Tanker Takes Out Yacht&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;

Access-Ability Saturday Thank You to Volunteers!!!!

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 20:22:00 GMT

Last Saturday was an awesome moment for the DSC! We had a completely volunteer driven accessible Saturday and everyone stepped up to the challenge. Though there are some kinks that still need to be worked out, I want you to all know that you are all the greatest volunteers! Without your drive and determination our accessible program would not exist and would not be the huge success it has been this year.

Here are some quotes from happy accessible sailors:

“This is our first time coming to the sailing center, it was better than I had ever expected and I can’t wait to return for the next session.”

“We have been coming non-stop this summer, we haven’t smiled this much in over a year, thanks so much to everyone who volunteered for making this possible.”

“My son is so captivated by sailing, I have never seen anything affect him this way. His only movement is his power chair. His use of space, his entire world in fact, is extremely limited. I can imagine that the sailing gives him that which he has been unable to ever experience, a sense of freedom and vast openness. I am truly grateful for this opportunity you have given my son.”

And I wanted to end this with an email from Ed Duggan, someone who is truly dedicated to this program and always tells me that he cannot thank everyone enough!

“I don't think that DSC staff and volunteers understand the enormous value that they add to the lives of people with disabilities trough the Accessible Sailing Program. Every time you see people with disabilities pulling into the parking lot, imagine that they are giving you an ovation. The very fact that they are there shows that they TREMENDOUSLY value what you are doing. How can you know that?

Because just showing up can take hours of work. It might take 30 minutes just to pull yourself up on the bed and transfer to your wheelchair. Bathroom activities can easily take another hour. Getting dressed -maybe yet a further hour. That's not just my story. And that's not just a one-time event. A dozen things can go wrong as you get ready to leave the house and probably half a dozen will. People with disabilities and/or their caregivers, if they have them, might have already put in a half day's work by the time they arrive at 'A' dock at 10:00 a.m.

I have always been proud to be affiliated with the DSC, but today, July 16, 2011, was over the top. All the dinghies were out, plus a Sonar and cruiser. Twenty-six disabled sailors - a huge number! Twenty-six people had adventures to brag about. Twenty-six people soaked in hours of sun, fresh air, new companionship. Twenty-six people left their limitations at the dock. A sailor with a disability recently told me why she so loves the DSC: 'Because they make you feel so welcome here.' I wish that I could convey to you what those words really mean to the heart of a person with a disability.”

Couldn’t have said it better myself, thank you all again!

Sincerely,

Lynn Handy and the whole DSC staff

IFDS Disabled Sailing Combined World Championships

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 02:20:25 GMT

Weymouth, UK (July 7, 2011) - Britain’s Alexandra Rickham and Niki Birrell
have been crowned SKUD World champions for the third consecutive year on
the penultimate day of the IFDS Disabled Sailing Combined World
Championships today.

But the race for the Sonar and 2.4mR titles are still in the balance as the
155 sailors that have done battle on the 2012 Paralympic Waters of the
Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy this week prepare for one
final race on Friday.

In the Sonar, Skandia Team GBR’s John Robertson, Hannah Stodel and Steve
Thomas currently hold a seven-point advantage over the second-placed
Norwegian team of Alex Wang-Hansen, Per Eugen Kristiansen and Marie
Solberg, who themselves are tied on 44 points with Bruno Jourdren, Eric
Flageul and Nicolas Vimont-Vicary (FRA).

Meanwhile it is double Dutch at the top of the 2.4mR standings with
defending champion Thierry Schmitter (NED) holding a 12 point lead over his
national teammate and training partner Andre Rademaker. Schmitter, who is
carrying a discarded 16th, has to make sure he doesn’t post a letter score,
with Rademaker finishing in the top three, to wrap up his hat-trick of IFDS
World crowns.

For the North American contingent, opportunities remain to land on podium.
In the 2.4mR, John Ruf (USA) is in fourth but only one point from third
with teammate Mark LeBlanc just one point further. In the Skud, Jennifer
French/ Jean-Paul Creignou (USA) has moved up to second, now just seven
points from gold. Prospects in the Sonar are less hopeful, as Paul
Callahan/ Thomas Brown/ Bradley Johnson (USA) are in fifth but twelve
points from bronze. -- Full story:
http://www.ifdsworlds2011.com/eventsites/content.asp?id=5519&eventid=69387

Sail For Kids - A letter from Kathleen Lester, Board Vice President

Fri, 01 Jul 2011 20:08:47 GMT

Dear DSC Community:

Join us for our 4th Annual Sail for Kids Regatta and Fundraiser! Sail for Kids is our largest fundraiser of the year and we need your help and participation to accomplish our goal of raising $20,000.

There are several ways you can get involved and have fun!

Attend the Barbecue on Sunday, July 24th!

Cheer on the regatta participants from 5:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. at the Sunday afternoon family barbecue. We will have live music, and games, including gutter races, the grinder competition, as well as kids games and activities. Tickets are only $25. To buy your tickets click here!

Race in the Regatta!

You do not have to be a race skipper to race in the regatta. Any DSC skipper can enter the regatta in the non-spinnaker class on either Saturday or Sunday. If you are not a skipper but want to participate in the regatta, contact the DSC Office to get paired up with a skipper and get ready to have some fun!

I am a new skipper (3 weeks ago) and I recruited my husband and stepdaughter to race with me and we intend on having a blast. Are there any other families out there that want to challenge us?

You do not even have to be a skipper. There will be access dinghy racing for crew level members too!

To register for the regatta, click here.

Fundraising!

Whether you are participating in the regatta or not, you can participate in our fundraising competition by being a fund racer. You can create your own fundraising page and raise money for your boat or your fundraising team. Not only will there be awards for the winners of the regattas, but there will be awards for the top fundraisers too. To create your own fundraising page, start fundraising now!

If you need some ideas about how to develop some tools for fundraising, I drafted a flyer for Team Lester and a log to track donations that do not come in through the website, view the FUNDRAISING FLYER or DONATION LOG.

Event Sponsorship!

If you or your company would like to sponsor the Sail for Kids event, there are many levels of sponsorship available. To access the sponsor opportunities and forms, visit here.

Your participation and contribution will help keep us keep our commitment to our community, where "Sailing is for Everyone!".

Sincerely,
Kathleen S. Lester
Vice President
Board of Directors

Insight on Disability

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 12:48:30 GMT

The Downtown Sailing Center was recently featured on the Insight on Disability radio program. Ed Duggan and Kristen Berry were on 680 AM talking about the accessible sailing programs of the Downtown Sailing Center. Check it out at the Insight on Disability archive below (minutes 18-36)

http://www.mediafire.com/?qfc2dyk2ccoxd7d

DSC In The News!

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 14:23:11 GMT

The Downtown Sailing Center has been making quite a splash in the news lately! Check out these great articles that showcase the hard work of DSC volunteers and staff as well as the incredible experiences DSC participants enjoy!

Read about the Downtown Sailing Center's partnership with Johns Hopkins Urban Health Institute and their Small-Grants Program. Thanks to Theresa Marshall for making this program a success!

Read about the Downtown Sailing Center's partnership with The Kennedy Krieger Institute's International Center For Spinal Code Injury (ICSCI.) The DSC and the ICSCI are working together to use virtual sailing to train and treat new sailors.

Read about DSC founder and current board VP's history and vision for the Downtown Sailing Center in Baltimore Style Magazine.

Read the July Baltimore Magazine article about the Downtown Sailing Center's Dakari Dawkins and the Sailing Instructor Trainee (S.I.T.) Program. See how DSC's youth programs are making a HUGE difference in young people's lives. (link coming!)

Tip of the Week

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 14:24:50 GMT

This week we are starting a new segment in the weekly newsletter - the tips and tricks section! Got a hot tip, send it to Grady.

You can adjust the amount of power your sails generate by changing the amount and location of the draft, the amount of twist and the angle of attack of your sails.

Deep sails (more draft) generate more power. But, more power is not always better - especially in big breeze.

You can reduce the draft of your sails - or flatten them - by applying halyard tension, outhaul tension, backstay tension, Cunningham tension and moving the jib lead car blocks aft.

Light air evening? Ease your draft controls to power your sails up!

Sail to Fort McHenry

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 23:11:26 GMT

Last week was a great sail to Fort McHenry and it incorporated a great group of people. We had accessible sailors, volunteers and members all sailing in the same event together. The wind was perfect and everyone got to the Fort within a half hour of leaving the DSC. Nolan North, Kathleen Buckley, Steve Gross and Josh Ewen were in charge of monitoring everyone’s safety while out on the water. They did an excellent job of keeping everyone on pace and out of the channel.

This was just another great moment that illustrated the DSC’s mission. As Outreach Manager this was one of my goals. To join together volunteers, accessible sailors and members on the docks and at events. One of the biggest surprises for me is how many members are volunteers as well. I can’t thank my volunteers enough but I am so glad they had an opportunity last night to enjoy the perks of our sailing center. Since many times they are sweating on the docks working hard for our accessible programs they deserved a beautiful sail.

It was also wonderful to see new members and new access skippers out on the water enjoying the night. Thanks to the hard work of Sean and his team our access dinghy riggings have reached new heights. The steering stays much more constant and the sail out to Fort McHenry went without repair. Our next step is to fix up our boom and rigging so when that’s complete our access dinghies will be ready for anything.

The wind did pick up in the beginning of the night so it is important to remember that access dinghies can heel dramatically and to always have your hand on the main sheet in preparation to let out the sail.

Thanks to everyone who came out last week, it was a wonderful event and plan on seeing another one in the near future.

Lynn Handy

DSC and Board Member Make Style Magazine!

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 15:48:00 GMT

Style Magazine recently wrote an article on DSC Board Member, founder, and amazing volunteer Doug Silber! Check out the article here.

Thanks for all you have done for the DSC Doug!

Steve Gross's response to Saturday's Accessible Event

Tue, 07 Jun 2011 17:36:47 GMT

The accessible program Saturday morning was a shining example of what vision, hard work and desire can do to to make something happen. In the early days of accessible sailing there were four people with a Catalina 22 and a plastic chair from Home Depot.We had desire..we surely worked hard and we had vision...As I stood on the docks Saturday and experienced something really special I realized that a lot of people had put their thoughts and hard work together to make what is probably one of the finest community outreach programs for people with disabilities in the country.

It was an amazing sight. Here I was standing on new accessible docks that had an electric lift to help get people out on the water to go sailing.There is a person like Lynn Handy directing over twenty volunteers to get the participants out in boats.The physical part of this momentous endeavor is only part of the story......

There are volunteers on the docks that are getting more out of this accessible program then the participants.There is a one volunteer after another doing their duties as a volunteer focusing on things like the angle of the seats that lift people, talking with parents of participants, and most of all going sailing with a new sailor who is some one who wants to sail but does it in a different manner. Much like the situation where you have more then one way to do the same thing....Sailing seems to be the great equalizer and everyone in the boat turns out to be crew and just trying to sail. The disabilities are left on the dock and everyone focuses on one ability..sailing...Some sailors are skippers,some are crew, some are into navigation, some are racers but the common bond is all are out on the water sailing adding to the overall sailing experience with just being on a sail boat.

Saturday was a special day in the history of the DSC...People of all ability levels were on the docks and going out sailing with the help of some of the best volunteers an organization could possibly ask for or hope to find. It was sort of like a good meal at a favorite restaurant and it just sings to you and it leaves a fond memory for a long time or the soup that is cooked slowly and the ingredients are added on e at a time and it has a great taste the day after because it was done just right..The volunteers great efforts and great attitudes were more impressive then the great weather and good winds.The participants were quick to get on the water and stayed out to the last possible moments of the day's schedule.

The DSC is a community sailing Center and Saturdays activities were really putting the "community" in Community Sailing.While twenty participants were sailing with over twenty volunteers,Kristen Berry was doing a training class with the summer teaching staff.The cruisers and other volunteers were hard at work volunteering and fixing boats.The docks were alive and full of great activities that are sorely needed in today's world.

Saturday morning was a little rough in the beginning...starting out at 8:00 AM and waiting for the wind to arrive...rigging boats...setting up the pop up tents..organizing all the different elements of an accessible sail is no easy feat. Lynn Handy was holding the army of volunteers together and had a definite strategy. Lynn accomplished something never done before...She did a thorough chalk talk with the accessible sailors and went over sailing strategy and boat control.This was a compliment to the DSC's program in that it has developed sailors of all ability levels to the point of passing just a goal of a program that offers one day sail boat rides to a program that truly develops sailors for a lifetime by enriching sailing skills regardless of ability level.

Sure enough the wind arrived..the faithful volunteers came in droves...there were the sailors who are racers,cruisers, even physical therapists who do this stuff all week long but make time to volunteer on a Saturday morning. The participants always arrive early and eager to sail. Our participants come to the accessible program from as far as Washington DC.They travel by accessible transportation(Mobility),vans and cars that are adapted with hand controls, family members bring participants too.....The convergence of all this desire to sail really provides a special "air" on the docks. It is a situation of let's focus on what we can do and not harp on what we can't do...The participants ignite this shining example of looking at the glass half full.There are participants who need to be lifted into boats that will surely lift volunteers spirits, participants and anyone who is on the docks spirits for the up and coming week by being an example of showing what the human spirit is capable of doing with a little positive thought and desire.

An interesting result of the accessible program is that it is adaptable for the participants but really has an effect on all the volunteers too...The simple facts are that everyone in this world needs to adapt one way or another.The accessible program involves a lot of principles that everyone needs to understand and practice.There is more than one way to do things and competition is competition at all levels...and all forms. Some people are left handed and do things differently, but the accessible sailing program really brings out the meaning of doing thing differently..It seems like the accessible program makes you think about how everyone can work together to overcome differences to try and make things be on common grounds.

In this world people tend to take things for granted or expect things to go just right...I have to say that there needs to be given a big hand of applause to everyone who is on the staff at the DSC.

There also needs to be a great big round of thanks to the board and staff for actually making a dream of accessible docks a reality.The docks and electric lift are a major improvement to the facilities. New facilities are only part of the picture. Great staff that is focused on the mission while out getting the job is the means that really make the new docks work well to make sailing accessible to everyone.The Downtown Sailing Center is making having a positive effect on the community through sailing, great members, great volunteers and truly an outstanding staff led by Kristen Berry.

Spring Flower Cruise Wrap-Up

Wed, 01 Jun 2011 18:57:20 GMT

We embarked on our adventure at the very interesting time of 11:11 Saturday morning. The Spring Flower cruise was my first raft up with the DSC cruising program and I was excited. Things were calm as we motored toward the key bridge. Jason, our skipper, seemed very relaxed and interested in making sure we had a great time. Shortly after we passed the bridge we raised the sails and we were truley underway. Frank was our first mate and Jason let him helm as they discussed the best route to take. It wasn't too long before we began to encounter some rough water. We were in good hands with Frank behind the wheel. Josh and I were taking care of the jib and watching for other craft at the bow and stern. Jason, the ever patient skipper talked Frank through any tense moments and this helped to keep Josh and I calm. This allowed us both to have a blast sailing even when the boat was heeling at a 50 degree angle. Later that day Josh and I both took the helm as we navigated through the crab pot mine field. Up to this point, when I had been at the helm of Big Indian, I always had a tendency to over steer or under steer. Either way, it made it difficult to maintain my course. I had shared this with Jason and he said to set my course visually and then aim for it. Then wait for the boat to react and correct a little bit at a time by making tiny corrections as i go. For some reason, this made sense to me and I had no problems after that.

We finally arrived at the Magothy and our raft-up spot in Sillery Bay. There were two rafts and a single boat. We were with Ithica, Square One was rafted up with Eve and Hal and Jan was anchored alone as she thought she might be leaving early in the morning. There were several dingy's available which allowed everyone to traverse between boats and socialize. We met Eve's cat Hess and Jan's sailor dog Banjo. He was adorable in his doggie PFD with a handle. Everyone was friendly and I had a great time. I believe everyone else did as well. The food and snacks were delicious and sailing made them taste that much better. The wind on the sail home was coming from directly behind us so Jason had us take a less direct route. He wasn't in a hurry and wanted us to feel as comfortable as possible. The sun was hot but most of the way, we had some wind to help cool us a bit. Frank was once again at the helm and several times Jason directed him to either stand on or give way. The decisions he made we based on basic rules of the water first but secondarily, they were made because it was good seamanship. I was very impressed with his attitude.

My first raft up was a complete and total success and I will be signing up for as many more as I possible can. if you would like to have this much fun in one weekend, please don't hesitate to check out our cruising calendar and sign up for one or more immediately. If you aren't part of the cruisng program and have been considering it, do it now.

By: Becky Rhone-Nowlan

Friendly Reminder

Tue, 31 May 2011 13:16:47 GMT

Summer is here! With the conclusion of the Memorial Day weekend the summer season is upon us.

With more and more members sailing, this is a good time to remind everyone of some of the rules and guidelines that govern all of us at the Downtown Sailing Center.

Parking

Please park in the gravel lot.

Please park on the street during RED FLAG days. Red flag days are posted on the DSC calendar (the next one is June 9.)

Drive slowly and carefully around the parking lot. Youth and community outreach programs have already begun.

After sailing, please move your car to the street. If you are going to enjoy after-sailing refreshments at a local establishment, please move your car to the street.

The parking lot curfew is 10:00 P.M. All cars MUST be out of the lot by 10:00 P.M.

Pavilion

The Baltimore Museum of Industry rents the pavilion for museum events and private parties. If there is an event taking place under the pavilion, please avoid the ENTIRE pavilion. This includes the Saturday farmers market.

Year after year this is a point of contention between the Baltimore Museum of Industry and the Downtown Sailing Center. We rely on your respectful use of the facility to maintain our relationship with the BMI.

Alcohol

Alcohol is prohibited on Downtown Sailing Center boats and docks.

Alcohol is prohibited on the BMI campus, except during sanctioned events such as end of series parties and first Friday socials.

Dogs

While the campus of the Baltimore Museum of Industry is dog friendly, all dogs must be on a leash while on campus. Please, promptly clean up any dog waste.

PFD's

PFD’s must be worn at all times when on DSC boats and docks, except between June 1 and October 31. You are STRONGLY encouraged to wear a PFD at all times.

Thank you for you adherence to these rules and guidelines.

Office Closed - May 30

Wed, 25 May 2011 13:43:09 GMT

In observance of Memorial Day, the Downtown Sailing Center offices will be closed on Monday, May 30, 2011.

The Downtown Sailing Center offices are open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday. We are closed for most federal government holidays.

While we do operate operate classes and events on the weekend, we are often not available to answer to phone or respond to messages until the next business day.

Accessible Docks!

Wed, 25 May 2011 13:29:09 GMT

In case you haven't heard, the new docks are up and running for the access dinghies! We were able to use them as our launch site for the access-ability Saturday event. The new docks are so amazing and it really enhances our program. We were able to run numerous races from the docks and effectively get all our participants in the water safely. Many of our participants stressed that the new docks made them feel more comfortable and it was a lot easier to walk on. So thanks again to Doug Silber and everyone involved in making the docks a reality.

A truly amazing moment took place on Sayonara on Saturday. A woman from New York, who was a former sailing instructor tragically, suffered a brain injury that limited her ability to sail. She was only down for a few days but Kathleen Pryor and Mariette Wright made it their mission to get her out on the water. She went sailing throughout the morning and her whole family was so overjoyed with the experience. So thanks again to Kathleen and Mariette for giving her a sail she won’t soon forget.

Thank you to Pete Raynor, Shannon Darlington, and Erica Denner for coordinating the safety boat. They effectively keep everyone safe and ran numerous races for the participants and volunteers.

Thanks also to Jen Millar and Chris Lancaster who have helped with almost every transfer on every Saturday event. Their professional experience and amazing dedication has truly been essential to the success of our spring sails.

I want to end this update with a brilliant quote from one of our most dedicated volunteers, Kathy Buckley that describes the reason why access-ability sailing is such an amazing experience for both the participants and the volunteers.

“It is such wonderful feeling for me and the other volunteers to see the parents and relatives of the participants have some enjoyment with their loved ones. Their lives are not easy and to provide them with a little respite from their daily lives is such a satisfying feeling. I don’t think I have done any other volunteer work that gives me such satisfaction.”

I hope to see everyone on June 4^th for our next Access-Ability Saturday. The cruising boats will be added as part of our event, making for an exciting day on the water.

We are also in need of volunteers for our make-up day for the League for Disabilities today May 24^th and most likely next Tuesday May 31^st. Check the accessible calendar for updates and registration.

Sail For Kids

Tue, 24 May 2011 10:46:37 GMT

The Downtown Sailing Center would like to personally invite you to join us and participate in our 2011 Sail For Kids Regatta to be held Saturday, July 23 and Sunday, 24 2011.

Accept the challenge and you and more than 150 other sailors and supporters on nearly 40 DSC boats will race in access dinghies, keelboats and cruising boats. Racing begins daily at 10:00 AM and ends daily by 4:00 P.M.

A racers party will follow Saturday’s action and Sunday will conclude with a family friendly summer bar-b-cue complete with music, food, awards and more.

The purpose of the regatta is to create awareness and raise funds for the youth and community outreach programs of The Downtown Sailing Center by engaging our most supportive and active sailors in a pledge-driven regatta.

There are two easy steps to joining the fun at the 4^th Annual Sail For Kids.

Step One: Commit to joining us for the race as an individual or team.

Step Two: Spread the word about your participation in the Sail For Kids Regatta and your support of The Downtown Sailing Center’s youth and community outreach programs.

Information for prospective sailors

At this year’s Sail for Kids Regatta and Fundraiser there will be four divisions of racers.

Division One Racers will be made up of individuals and teams who will be racing our fleet of Access Dinghies over the course of two days, directly off of The Downtown Sailing Center docks. Racing will begin at 10:00 A.M. and conclude daily by 4:00 P.M. with regular breaks between races. This is the perfect way for an individual, a couple, a family team or a group of junior sailors to enjoy the regatta in a low key and fun way. The number of boats available is limited so register to sail today!

Division Two Racers will be made up of teams who will be racing our fleet of day sailing keelboats in spinnaker and non-spinnaker races. If you are already a DSC Thursday Night Racing team, then get ready for two action packed days of racing.

Division Three Racers will be made up of teams who will be racing our fleet of cruising boats over 10 to 20 nautical mile distance courses.

Division Four Racers will be made up of individuals and teams that do not intend to sail the event, but want to “race” in the fundraising race.

To register as an individual or team all you need to do is email the office and commit to racing with us on July 23 and 24.

Once registered, a personal fundraising page and link will be created that you can use to spread the word to your supporters and others. Grady or Kristen will help you set up your team’s online page so you can begin spreading the word about your involvement with Sail For Kids and your support of the Downtown Sailing Center.

Once your team page is created you and your team can set your individual donation goals for the event (we are suggesting each individual pledge to raise $100), post messages about your preparation and your personal commitment, describe why you support The Downtown Sailing Center, add photos and videos and personalize your fundraising page in minutes.

Interested in participating, volunteering or have questions??? Contact executive director, Kristen Berry at Kristen@downtownsailing.org or 410-727-0722.

Thank you in advance for joining us in raising awareness and funds for the youth and outreach programs of The Downtown Sailing Center.

DATE	Holiday
Monday, May 30	Memorial Day
Monday, July 4	Independence Day
Monday, September 5	Labor Day
Monday, October 10	Columbus Day
Friday, November 11	Veterans Day
Thursday, November 24	Thanksgiving Day
Monday, December 26***	Christmas Day