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Contact Events Racing History Sailing Links
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March 2002 Dear
Friends: Spring is
approaching and like many other sailors I am itching to get out on the
water again. As I write this
letter we are in the middle of a mild winter which makes my spring fever
even more severe. The Lake
Bluff Yacht Club Board and volunteers have an exciting season planned for
2002. While plans for some
events are still being finalized, the enclosed schedule has things for
everyone from casual sailors and landlubbers to hard core racers.
I hope every member takes the opportunity to participate in a
number of club events over the course of the coming year.
They have been planned with your interests in mind. Community Our club is
a community organization that hopefully enhances life in and around Lake
Bluff. You members are not
just sailors but also neighbors in our town and other parts of the North
Shore. We share a love of
sailing and the camaraderie that the sport brings.
I always enjoy the feeling of community at Club events which is not
always present at other yacht clubs I have visited.
Volunteers Every Club
event is organized and managed by members volunteering their time.
Our volunteers put in many hours to make club events rewarding to
all participants. Thank you
to everyone who have helped in the past and are working on events for the
upcoming year. New volunteers
are always welcome to lend a hand in all of the Club’s activities.
Please consider devoting a few hours to helping organize or set up
a party or other event. This
time will increase the enjoyment of our events and make each one more
manageable. Volunteer sign up
sheets will be at the Spring Cocktail Party and other club events.
People interested in Board positions are also welcome to inquire
about opportunities with current Board members. Youth Instilling a
love of sailing in our children helps perpetuate our club and the sport
overall. The Lake Bluff Park
District in conjunction with the Club offers summer sailing lessons for
beginners and intermediate level sailors.
These lessons offer an introduction to safe sailing in a fun
atmosphere. The instructors have grown up sailing with our club and are
enthusiastic about the coming summer.
Call the Park District for more information concerning the programs
available this summer. In
addition, children of Club members able to handle a Sunfish either alone
or with a friend or parent are welcome to race in our regular Sunday
afternoon races. Racing
Our Club
racing program is one of the most extensive in the area. Regular club racers from LBYC have gone on to perform well in
national and international Sunfish regattas.
Our members also regularly participate in other world class
regattas such as the Chicago to Mackinac race.
All members are welcome to join in the Sunday afternoon race series
beginning Memorial Day weekend and running through October (weather
permitting). Our race
committee also is planning to conduct a number of seminars and workshops
with nationally known experts to help everyone improve their sailing
enjoyment and race results. Safety This topic
while last is certainly not the least important.
The LBYC has an excellent safety record but much of that depends on
the skills and knowledge of our individual sailors. I encourage all club members to consider enrolling themselves
and their older children in boating safety courses offered by the Coast
Guard Auxiliary. These
courses teach the rules of the road, safety rules and basic seamanship
usually in a 1 day session. Classes
are regularly offered regularly around the North Shore and prices are
reasonable. For more
information call the Auxiliary at 847-634-4000 ext. 1300.
Also please note that the Illinois Department of Conservation
Police have been aggressively enforcing the State’s registration and
safety regulations in our area. Failure
to have your boat registered or to carry proper safety equipment can
result in an expensive fine. As you can
see, I am excited about the upcoming season.
Enclosed are membership forms and the preliminary schedule of club
events. Please return the
membership and slot renewal forms by April
5, 2002 so that we can assign vacated slots to those wanting to
upgrade or get new space in the compound. I look
forward to seeing all of you at the club events this summer. Sincerely, Douglas
Warren Commodore
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