Test Instructors needed - - JoAnne McClure

It has come to my attention that we may need additional test instructors to accommodate students' need for getting rated. If you have 3 years experience teaching and would like to become a test instructor, please contact me. The more people available for testing, the more opportunities students have to get that all-important rating.

Docking and capsize workshops - - JoAnne McClure

August 27 is this summer's docking and capsize workshop date. The docking workshop is from 9 am until noon. The capsize demo/workshop begins at noon.

All are welcome for both events. The docking workshop porvides practice in good docking proceures and works on "dock phobia" for new sailors and old salts alike. The capsize demo explains and then demonstrates capsize procedures on an Interlake. If you would like to participate in the capsize, bring a change of clothes (skin out), and a towel and plan on getting wet. This event qualifies for the US Sailing Small Boat Certification requirement. No sign up is required for either event.

Need more information? Contact JoAnne McClure (je-mcclure@earthlink.net).

ASI to host University of Michigan Sailing Club! - - David Barbour

In the spirit of sailing camaraderie, ASI is inviting the UMSC to join us for a picnic and sail at Kent Lake on August 20th from 11-3. Please join us to welcome this great group and to take them out for sails to show off our Interlakes. If you are interested in volunteering to take UMSC members out on the water or can bring in salads or deserts, please contact me at davidbarbour@yahoo.com.

Stay tuned for UMSC's invite for ASI to join them at Baseline Lake. The date will be posted shortly.

Thanks, David Barbour

You are tempting me...  - - Joan Swain

The good news is, 9 of the lost items previously noted have been claimed from the Kensington Dockmaster box. However, as of picnic day, 7 remained. Instead of listing what the items are, perhaps this new list will jangle your recollection that "yes, I'm missing my... Sterns, Lands End, Warmers, GoFit, Export, no name, or no name....item."

You do realize that the longer these (or newly acquired) items stay in the Dockmaster box, the less likely they'll be safe from being soiled or damaged or........     OK, since that's clear, this will be the last Burgee alert before boat take out. 

Ahoy ASI Members, Friends and Guests! - - Party hearty !

You are cordially invited to a “Home Made Sangria” party in celebration of the Level 3-4 transfer trip 2011

What’s the occasion? Avast me hearties!

A group of Sea Dogs from A.S.I. (American Sailing Institute) are returning from a cruise of the “North Channel”. They will be heavily laden with tall tales and rich pictures of their adventure. What better excuse for throwing a party?!

Where?

• N 42’25.813
• W 83’40.157

For you Landlubbers the address is:

• 63345 W. 8 mile road
• South Lyon, MI 48178

When?

• Saturday, September 17th. 8:00 PM

What to bring? A dish to pass and a bottle of red wine (The wine is for the Sangria so it doesn’t need to be the good stuff) and lots of sailing pictures and stories.

What say you! A cat on board!?

There is a cat that insists on living here. Arrrg! If you have allergies to a cat please take any precautions necessary to enjoy the party.

Join us in the annual celebration for the 2011 ASI students earning their “Level 4”. This is ASI’s highest Level of achievement. Truly worthy of an evening of merry making, cheer and congratulations!

Your host, Loren McFadden

Cell, (248) 568-5960

Please RSVP at: loren.j.mcfadden@gmail.com

Team USA wins the Kent Cup Trophy - - Michael Golden

The Kent Cup Race on Saturday started with a concern over very light air but the Milford wind god came thru, making it a successful and fun event.

all the usual suspects! 

Team USA takes First Place in the Kent Cup

Team USA, Gary Crosbie E, Fred Trinker I, & Ivan Roman N took first place with a score of 2-1-1.

Novices Steve Kang, Brian Moore, Ivan Roman, and Andrzei Dlugokecki competed in the 3rd race. Ivan took the First place Novice Award. The novices are first year racers.

Team Poland took 1st Place Coordinated Couture Award.

Andrzei Dlugokecki, Mike Nolta, and Michael Golden

Newly rated 2010 students can participate in the fall-off-the-dock series. All members are welcome to crew at no charge and get a feel for racing. Come join us Sunday Sept 18 or 25, and Oct 2 or 8 (Sat) at 3:45.

NEW flexible options for Dockmasters at Kent Lake - - Anne Ostroth and Joan Swain

DOCKMASTERS are needed at Kent Lake for all Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays for the rest of the sailing season.  The dock master helps keep things running smoothly at the dock when there are a lot of boats coming and going,  Also, it is helpful to club members who want to take children and non-sailors sailing to have someone to catch a line or give a timely shove. This is especially important on class days. 

Due to the mysteriously low turnout for members to volunteer for the Dockmaster slot at Kent Lake, at the Operations Team Meeting we agreed with Anne Ostroth's suggestion (Anne being the one who is your dockmaster connection) that you now have the option of committing to 2 hour shifts vs the long standing 4 hour shifts.

The shifts will now be from 9-11, 11-1, 1-3, 3-5 for weekends and holidays.  For those of you who want the more traditional 4 hours, all you need do is take two shifts - or three, or all four.   And if you're planning on being at the Lake for another reason - i.e. Maintenance or sailing or just taking a breather from other obligations, you may be more inclined to slip in 2 hours before or after to help others leave and approach the dock. 

Still keep Anne informed of your taking advantage of dockmastering.  Remember, all the information is in the Dockmaster notebook in the Dockmaster Box, but basically you'll be helping out those heading out or finishing a sail - on occasion making sea-worthy suggestions or being a PR person for those showing interest.  And in any down time, you can check in with whatever latest electronic gadget you have, relax, read, or just enjoy the fact that you're helping the Club serve one of its functions.  All details for contacting Anne are in her weekly article below. 

Instructors should not have to conscript friends and family to serve as dock masters for when they are teaching.  Best of all serving as dock master is a good way to earn work hours. If you are interested please email Anne at aostr2@yahoo.com.

Practice Sails - - JoAnne McClure

Ahoy Practice Sail Skippers!

I've had some feedback from students now that they are out there sailing with you and I'd like to pass along some things tthat I have heard in the form of suggestions.

First, a big thank you for taking our students out so they can practice their skills. It is extra important now, when the wind can be somewhat flaky. In fact, our class on Saturday had almost no wind, so students need make-up help from you.

Second, I would like to suggest that you remember that these people are very new to sailing and don't know everything yet. That's why they are sailing with you. So when you ask them to perform a maneuver, you may have to explain what you want them to do, or even to demonstrate it for them. At any rate, harken back to when you were new to sailing and didn't know all ther terminology. Try to help them learn and remember terms, but don't expect them to be perfect. If hey don't respond right away, try to reword your request, or provide a hand gesture along with it so they have a clue what you are asking them to do. It will help them, and that's what it's all about.

Finally, here's a reprise of a note I've sent out before about having a great practice sail.

Skippers:

· Be sure that the student does all the sailing and rigging. You act as a resource for the student. Be a coach. Watch what they do and offer encouragement and positive suggestions.

· Find something positive about any maneuver that the student executes, and then shape their behavior toward the goal.

· Be aware of the skills on the water test. Push the student to try everything, but ask them what skills they want to work on that day.

· Don’t forget to practice docking. It may be that on an evening practice sail docking needs to be practiced early, while the wind is still up.

· Have Fun!!

Students:

· Take charge of your experience. Tell your skipper what you want to work on and then do it.

· Remember that all rated members skipper practice sails. Their skills may vary. If you need instruction (not just practice), request a practice sail with an instructor.

· Take criticism with a grain of salt. We try for consistency, but everyone has his/her own idiosyncratic ways of doing things. Take what you need from the experience. You will find that there is something to learn from everyone with whom you sail.

· Be sure that you learn something every time that you sail. Each time is a new experience. We all learn something every time we go out on the water. You should too.

· Have Fun!!

Thanks again for all you do!

Here's information you need to get your rating - - JoAnne McClure

1. You have 2 seasons to do it, so if you took your class in 2010, you must get rated this year. The one exception to this is people who took the class in September. They must be rated by 2012. If you do not, you will have to re-enroll in the Level 1 class.

2. After you have completed all your classes (including the Maintenance Class), and can perform all the maneuvers on the water test form (practice, practice, practice), contact one of the Water Test Instructors:

• Yasuo Fujita
• Don Anderson
• Sam Olive
• Bob Frank
• Bill Lane
• Tom Sand

and make an appointment to take your test. Bring your water test form and get it signed when you have completed the test successfully.

3. Next, study your book and handouts for the written test. When you're ready to take it, contact one of the Written Test Instructors and make an appointment to take the test. BRING YOUR WATER TEST AND SAIL PASS WITH YOU TO THE WRITTEN TEST. Written Test Instructors are: 

• David Pardy
• Chris Lamb
• Nancy Weiss
• MaryJane Bacinski
• JoAnne McCLure
• Sam Olive
• Trudy Morse 

If you don't pass you must wait 2 weeks before retaking the test and you should study this time.

4. Sail as much as you can so you can mentor another sailor! Good luck!

Sailing opportunities galore!

There are more organized opportunities for us all to sail our Interlakes and keelboats than ever before! Thanks to Dave Amsdill, Bob Dallos, Heidi Dzendzel, Vic Macks, David Ei, Michael Golden, Harry Vanicelli and Dave Pardy, you'll have an easy time putting together a crew, whether you want to sail at Kensington, Stony Creek, or Lake St Clair.

The articles below fill in the details. Now, no excuses - let's GO SAILING!

Thundering Thursdays at Kent Lake - - Dave Amsdill

Please join us for open sailing, practice sails and guest sails on Thundering Thursdays 6 PM till dark. I will be keeping an email distribution list and will email a reminder and update of weather projections on Tuesday each week and will be accepting reservations via cell phone. Please email me (amsdill@comcast.net) to get on our distribution list and call me, Dave Amsdill, at 734-645-3806 to let me know your plans in order that we may do our best to get everyone out and sailing.

If you are a rated sailor and could be available for most or at least some Thursday nights please volunteer to join the Thundering Thursday team to provide practice sails to students, guest sails to prospective members and just get some sailing in. Please don’t worry that you’re not experienced or knowledgeable enough, we’ll learn together. It’s a great way to earn hours, empower new students, improve your skills and knowledge and give back to the club.

See you there, Dave Amsdill

Tuesday Day Sails - - Dave Pardy

For those interested, David Pardy will be coordinating day sails at Kensington on Tuesdays. This is not meant to replace any other sails but meets the philosophy of 'the more sailing the better'.

Here is how it works: Send David a quick note saying you're interested at dspardy@pardysell.com so he can add you to the email list. David will check the weather and send out a note to those interested probably by the Sunday before the Tuesday sail confirming the sail.

Those who can make it on the Tuesday, reply back to David that they will make it and whether they are rated or not. This should allow David to make sure that we have enough rated sailors for the number of students/guests.

We all meet at the lake at 10:30 and sail until about 1:00 or until people wear out. If weather looks good other days, David might add sails now and then and he'll email those on his list. We also need a few more rated sailors who can commit to be there most Tuesdays since David won't be able to make all of them. He'll also need help if we have a surplus of students/guests. If you can make most Tuesday, please let David know so he can plan.

Wet n' Wild Wednesdays at mid-season! - - Bob Dallos and John Johnston

What are Wet and Wild Wednesdays? It’s time for the old salts, new students and those in between, to get in some practice with our fleet of Interlake’s. No need for setting up appointments, checking the web or trading voice messages, simply show up at the East boat launch at Kent Lake about 18:00 (6pm for the newbie’s). What could be easier?

There is one important rule: You must be ready for fun, skill sharpening, practice sailing, and of course meeting with other club members that also have a passion for sailing. We will be around to help ensure that all new sailors are teamed up with rated and experienced sailors. We will even help with the Dock Master and launch chores, if you’re nice to us. Then we all have fun and sail until dusk chases us off the lake. If by chance, we have more unrated or new members than we can pair with rated members,( yes, it has happened a few time in the last few years) bear with us and we will make every attempt to get everyone some tiller time.

For the rated and experienced members of the club, this is not only a great way to meet and welcome new member (and show off a bit) but also to help them gain confidence in their skills so they too can become rated and play it forward. Not only will you have a great time, you get a bonus in that you even earn some volunteer hours, and without you, there would not be WWW!

Looking forward to another great summer of sailing,

See you at the dock, 

John Johnston and Bob Dallos

still more sailing opportunities! - - Vic  Macks

I've put together a list of rated sailors sailing daytime weekdays. You can initiate a sail by email/phone call to anyone on the list. For example, you can look ahead one to three days, check the weather, decide on a day, and call/email those on the list for crew. This could be on Interlakes or keelboats, depending on your rating and interest and the interests of those on the list. It's that simple. The list contains rated sailors interested in Kent, Stony Creek, or Lake St. Clair. The time share fee for keelboats would be split among the number aboard.

This will not conflict with what Dave Pardy is doing on Tuesdays at Kent (see above). It may compliment his efforts with sailing on Kent on other weekdays.

Send me an email (vicmacks3@gmail.com) with the following:

• Name and rating
• email address and phone number(s)
• likely days available
• preferences (Kent, Stony Creek, Lake St. Clair)

I will email an updated list as often as there are changes, additions, etc. Remember, sails will be initiated by anyone on the list. All that's needed is you on the list.

Questions? Send an email or call me at 586-779-1782

And still another connection for sailing! - - David Ei

I am now available for practice sails on every weekday evening except Tuesday.I’m available for practice sails at Kent lake most Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings. I can be reached at (734) 205-9151 (days) and (734-449-2404 (evenings)

David Ei

A few more things...       

Words to live by: Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright - until you hear them speak.

The ASI Burgee is on a weekly schedule. The next one will be Tuesday, August 16. Please send your Burgee input to asidon@comcast.net by Sunday for inclusion in that Burgee. But send pictures as attachments, please!