Luffing Lassies, Sarasota Sailing Squadron

News

BURGEE – September 2010 – Luffing Lassies

We’re Sailing on Thursdays Again

Ellen McKeefe

It must be September. We’re back out sailing on Thursday mornings with all the new Lassies who just completed Learn to Sail week. You’ll read more about them in the October Burgee.

During the summer, Sarasota Sailing Squadron Commodore Alan Pressman asked the LL’s to support the Squadron’s efforts to secure a long term lease with the City of Sarasota. He and the SSS Board Secretary, David Jennings, decided that speakers from the various facets of the SSS can best present their position on the lease issue to the City Commission. LL Captain Linda Schwartz was the first to do so. She addressed the Commission in mid August, “What makes the Squadron unique for all of us is that it is still affordable. For many families other more expensive yacht club venues are not an option and it is not only an economic issue. The big clubs do not offer small boat programs. As small boat sailors, we do not have another option. We need this facility and we need it to be affordable.”

Linda’s presentation was solidly backed by 19 LL’s and spouses who attended the session; Linda and Bill Tiffan, Lisa and Willy Dodds, Fran and Charlie Mericle, Debbie and John Shuck, Leslie and Joe Panzarella, Michelle Lee, Rachel Harvey, Margaret Swift, Jo Dzina, Marilyn Watkins, Carol McDowell, Lorri Kaighin, Jane Lyons and Tom Schwartz.

As Alan and David had hoped, the Commissioners and Mayor Kelly Kirschner took note of the enthusiastic LL turn out. Never known to miss an opportunity to celebrate, the LL crowd then had a beer or two at Mattison’s City Grille.

Though never in doubt, the 28-year symbiotic relationship between LL and SSS was made even more solid that night. And when we are asked to show up at another City Commission meeting, we will.

Captain Linda and Robin Wall have been busy developing an LL website with a local web designer. Preliminary mock-ups look good. To offset some costs, advertising space will be available to LL business owners. Rachel Harvey’s excellent photos of many LL events are showcased on the website. Details next month.

Hot shot Sunfishers are signing up for the Performance Women Sunfish Clinic at SSS, September 18 and 19. Eight-time Sunfish World Champion Eduardo Cordero will work with participants on tactics, starts and marks; all just shortly before the Sunfish Women’s North American Championship at the Squadron, October 1st through 3rd.

Gillian Whatmore is behind a 420 program for this sailing season. 420’s were incorporated in the Learn to Sail program and will be sailed monthly beginning in September. YSP has nine 420’s rigged and ready for training so we need to thank David Livingston and Dalton Tebo for sharing them with us.

As a new season gets underway we need to acknowledge our indefatigable race committee. I do not have all the names yet but you know who you are. We want to tell you in advance that without you there would be no season, no racing, no Thursday morning tradition. So, thank you, race committee.

Yes, it’s still stifling; hot and humid. After all, it is September in Florida. But the mornings are a tad fresher and that first cool October morning is not too far off. See you on the water next Thursday morning.





		News BURGEE – September 2010 – Luffing Lassies We’re Sailing on Thursdays Again Ellen McKeefe It must be September. We’re back out sailing on Thursday mornings with all the new Lassies who just completed Learn to Sail week. You’ll read more about them in the October Burgee. During the summer, Sarasota Sailing Squadron Commodore Alan Pressman asked the LL’s to support the Squadron’s efforts to secure a long term lease with the City of Sarasota. He and the SSS Board Secretary, David Jennings, decided that speakers from the various facets of the SSS can best present their position on the lease issue to the City Commission. LL Captain Linda Schwartz was the first to do so. She addressed the Commission in mid August, “What makes the Squadron unique for all of us is that it is still affordable. For many families other more expensive yacht club venues are not an option and it is not only an economic issue. The big clubs do not offer small boat programs. As small boat sailors, we do not have another option. We need this facility and we need it to be affordable.” Linda’s presentation was solidly backed by 19 LL’s and spouses who attended the session; Linda and Bill Tiffan, Lisa and Willy Dodds, Fran and Charlie Mericle, Debbie and John Shuck, Leslie and Joe Panzarella, Michelle Lee, Rachel Harvey, Margaret Swift, Jo Dzina, Marilyn Watkins, Carol McDowell, Lorri Kaighin, Jane Lyons and Tom Schwartz. As Alan and David had hoped, the Commissioners and Mayor Kelly Kirschner took note of the enthusiastic LL turn out. Never known to miss an opportunity to celebrate, the LL crowd then had a beer or two at Mattison’s City Grille. Though never in doubt, the 28-year symbiotic relationship between LL and SSS was made even more solid that night. And when we are asked to show up at another City Commission meeting, we will. Captain Linda and Robin Wall have been busy developing an LL website with a local web designer. Preliminary mock-ups look good. To offset some costs, advertising space will be available to LL business owners. Rachel Harvey’s excellent photos of many LL events are showcased on the website. Details next month. Hot shot Sunfishers are signing up for the Performance Women Sunfish Clinic at SSS, September 18 and 19. Eight-time Sunfish World Champion Eduardo Cordero will work with participants on tactics, starts and marks; all just shortly before the Sunfish Women’s North American Championship at the Squadron, October 1st through 3rd. Gillian Whatmore is behind a 420 program for this sailing season. 420’s were incorporated in the Learn to Sail program and will be sailed monthly beginning in September. YSP has nine 420’s rigged and ready for training so we need to thank David Livingston and Dalton Tebo for sharing them with us. As a new season gets underway we need to acknowledge our indefatigable race committee. I do not have all the names yet but you know who you are. We want to tell you in advance that without you there would be no season, no racing, no Thursday morning tradition. So, thank you, race committee. Yes, it’s still stifling; hot and humid. After all, it is September in Florida. But the mornings are a tad fresher and that first cool October morning is not too far off. See you on the water next Thursday morning.