VIEW FROM THE HELM
Welcome to 2012 and the final View from the Helm article from me. So, what's the view from the lofty position of the outgoing Commodore? It's clear that our Club has a bright and sunny forecast loaded with fun, friends, and sailing. One thing needed to make sure this year is a success is for you to join us on the LPSC Board of Directors.
If you think serving on the Board sounds like a bore—or worse—that's not the case at all. Going to a Board meeting is an enjoyable and interesting way to spend an hour chatting with friends about Club events. We meet in member homes for a simple meal, and then we begin the meeting, which is typically an informal discussion, mostly planning for events.
It's so cool how everyone on the Board contributes in his or her own way—the creative people, the worker bees, the detail-oriented, the organizers, the outgoing ones, the quiet thinkers, and the wise guys. Serving on the Board is a great opportunity to make friends with a dozen LPSC people and a way to give back. You really should volunteer your strengths to serve the Club. Call me to discuss.
Now those of you who have attended various Club meetings this year know that I have given some brief lectures as Perfesser K for a fictitious course named Sailing Academics 101. Well the term is over, and now it's time for the final exam. See how well you can answer these questions (many of which were asked by people who are not as smart as you).
Maritime history. What was unusual about the first known sailing ship, circa 5000 BC? What was unusual about the navigator on the record-fast clipper ship, the Flying Cloud?
Marine biology. What is the longest animal that ever lived, and would you be grossed out or fascinated to see a bootlace worm that was 180 feet long?
Oceanography. What color is the sea and why? How deep is the sea, and how much deeper would it be if it weren't for the sponges soaking some of it up?
Geography/Islands. Are the Bahamas surrounded by water? If too many people stand on one side of a small island (e.g. Guam), will it tilt or capsize? Where several islands are close together, are they connected under water? At Lake Pleasant, do they use hydraulics to make the islands go up and down?
Anchoring. When at anchor, which side of the boat will the sun rise on? When several boats are anchored in a cove (not in a raft-up), are they required by law to point in the same direction?
Boat handling/Right of way. If you are under sail on a beam reach with the wind over your port side and another sailboat approaches on a starboard tack, how soon should you apply the brakes?
For answers to these and many other sailing-related questions, be sure to attend Lake Pleasant Sailing Club meetings and events in 2012.
Emily Kaufmann
2011 Commodore |
2012 Calenda
