Opening day 2014 for the Sailing Division!

The excitement grew Sunday after the Power Boat races, with the start of the 2014 Sailing Season Opening Event.

I was overwhelmed at the attendance, it was great to see old friends and a lot of new ones!  The event started off at 11:30 with an Opening, featuring Mark Twain White and myself.  Of course, we both gave a short speeches, welcoming everyone and outlining our plans for the club. 

The awesome part for me, was the turnout. During the gathering and then just after, I saw on the map as many as 50 people attending, and more on the borders trying to get in!  I’m thinking that although the speeches were wonderful and all that, the real reason people were there was excitement over the start of races and events at Starboards and the introduction of the Bandit 25.

During the opening meeting, there was a free giveaway of a Bandit, winner: Faline, (Pim Strom)!

 Congratulations, and please enjoy it!

After the meeting came the fun stuff. Two demo rezzers with Bandits had been set up.  People took to the Blake in droves, at one point as many as 25 or more, were out enjoying the new boat and trying its various features.

Everyone got their own boat to try!

There was room for everyone, but lots of people wanted to share their experiences.

 After folks got used to the “feel” of their boats, came a low pressure -  fun race, using the Short Olympic course. It was really great seeing the start with 12 boats passing over the line. 

Just a great sight to see!

Because it was not a formal race, results are not going to be posted, but most finished the course, and everyone had a great time with a great boat!

Most people stayed on for the LCC cruise taking place just after, while others did their own thing for the rest of the afternoon with the new boats. 

Events ended with the finishing of the LCC cruise after party, featuring the awesome sounds from Benny The Boozehound. Great stuff Benny!

I want to thank everyone for coming! Next Sunday, we race these boats for real, same course, the Short Olympic, with the winds to be announced. I invite all people interested, whether you are experienced or not!

 Come on out, casual racing, good people, and good fun!


(All Photos Courtesy of ZZ Bottom. Thanks again ZZ!)

An exciting 2014 for Starboards Sailboat Division

Ahoy! I'm Maiti Yenni.  This year marks the start of an exciting new chapter for the oldest Sailing club in SL. I am extremely honored and proud to be named the new Commodore for Starboards' Sailboat Division. I approached Nber and Mark some months ago wanting to help with activities at the club, a club that has an amazing history, with a group of club members as varied and interesting as one can get. It's an exciting time, getting to know various members, management staff, our Powerboat Division Commodores, and of course people from many of the other Yacht Clubs in SL.
Our course set for the sailing division will be as diverse as the members I serve. It is my plan that over the next few months, many of the features that have been the staple of the club will be revamped and brought back fully. But also, our goal is to guide people who are interested first in learning sailing, then introduced into racing later, if they desire. This mission will play an important part in the first events we are planning.
 One such event is our up and coming race series with a newly introduced sail boat. This boat is a daysailer type boat, the Bandit 25, and represents this shift in our focus. It's the sort of boat and racing series that one may find in real life  - with average people getting together on the weekends and racing their boats at the local club. Good, relaxed fun!
As things get settled, yes hardcore racers, we will be getting that level of racing going once more as well..  Various events will be announced. Also, as activity increases, the club will start fielding sailors to events happening at other clubs. Social events hosted at the club are also clearly on the horizon.

It is my hope that you come and join us as part of the Starboards sailing community!