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Exciting New Sport Boat for ASF Intermediate Sailors

By Mike Ferring on May 20, 2013 in Education News, Juniors Program, Sailing News

Gerald Byrnes tries out the new O’pen Bic on Tempe Town Lake. Photo: Phil Freedman

The Arizona Sailing Foundation has bought four new O’pen Bic sport boats for Junior ASF sailors.

ASF president George Tingom says the boats will fill a need to offer a high performance alternative to the Optis for young sailors who have topped out and are looking for something faster and sportier.

The name is a play on the name of the product we all know—the ubiquitous Bic ballpoint pen. But the boat is a play on the new shape of sailing—high performance.

It’s thermoformed polyethylene and rotomolded construction with full roach, fully-battened, clear mylar mainsail. With an open transom, there’s none of that Opti bailing stuff if the boat takes on water.

The O’pen is an international one-design class and you can tell from the promotional video that kids really enjoy them.

Register for AYC-US Sailing Powerboat Class May 16 and 19

By Mike Ferring on April 29, 2013 in Education News

Instructor Rob Gibbs

Rob Gibbs will conduct a powerboat training class on two days in May. The classroom portion is Thursday, May 16 from 5:30 to 9:30 pm at the Tempe Police Department, Apache Substation. The on-the-water portion will be on Sunday, May 19, from 8am to 1pm at Lake Pleasant.

The course is offered by the Arizona Sailing Foundation (ASF) as a courtesy to AYC members—for no charge. Since we need additional certified boat drivers for AYC events, if you’re not a member, you may take the course for just $50 if you intend to help on race committee.

Perfect Conditions for High School Championship

By Mike Ferring on April 21, 2013 in Education News, Racing Updates, Sailing News

Cedric Lorch and the V for Victory! Photos: Phil Freedman

Cedric Lorch signals V for Victory! Photos: Gerald Byrnes

After the first race of the 2013 Arizona State High School Sailing Championship, after hearing the yells from the winning boat, it was apparent whose names would be etched on the championship aulde mug trophy.

Cedric Lorch (son of multi-year AYC club champion Martin Lorch) from Valley Lutheran HS and Mitchell Wenger from Connolly Middle School took home the hardware. But of the seven boats racing, the team of Graydon Sharp and Peter Blake kept the heat on with steady finishes and took second, just four points behind.

Race committee chairman, high school sailing coach, and instructor George Tingom said that this year’s event was by far the best for the championship and thinks next year’s could be even stronger.

“We have a fantastic core of volunteers that will make this event a strong foundation for high school sailing in Arizona,” he says. “We’re hopeful of fielding a bigger turnout of between ten to fourteen boats culminating with a barbeque.”

This year’s champions vow to be back for a repeat.

—Words by Philip Freedman

Rounding the mark at the 2013 High School Championship Regatta.

Final
(Corrected Results with Throw-outs)

1^st Place 6 Points – (Cedric Lorch / Mitchell Wenger)

2^nd Place 10 Points – (Graydon Sharp / Peter Blake)

3^rd Place 15 Points (Bharath Tata / Jake Xu)

4^th Place 19 Points (Luke Marino / Lliya Panfilinco)

5^th Place 22 Points (Madison Cordova / Isabella Hutchinson)

6^th Place 22 Points (Alec Arthur / Daniel Moore)

7^th Place 30 Points (Wilson Davis / Austin / Lannitti)

Wing-on-wing downwind at the Championship Regatta.

Competitors surround organizer George Tingom. Champ Cedric Lorch holds the hardware.

Competitors surround organizer George Tingom. Champs Cedric Lorch and Mitchell Wenger hold the hardware.

High School Championship Saturday, April 20

By Mike Ferring on March 7, 2013 in Education News, Events, Juniors Program

2012 High School Champions

The annual High School Championship regatta will be Saturday, April 20, at Tempe Town Lake. The boats will be C14s, using boats from the Arizona Sailing Foundation (ASF). Here are the documents you’ll need to enter. Contact Regatta Organizer George Tingom if you have questions.

Notice of Race
Sailing Instructions
Entry Form

Gary Jobson Picks Former AYC Junior as One of Eight All-Stars

By Mike Ferring on January 15, 2013 in Education News, Juniors Program

Each year Gary Jobson scours the country for the top young sailors and gives them recognition in his Sailing World column, shining a light on what he calls All-Star finalists. And this year, he picked a former Arizona Yacht Club Junior sailor.

Scott Buckstaff just turned 18, but most of us remember him as a promising Opti sailor, guided by his talented sailing parents, Dan and Kathleen Buckstaff. The family moved to the San Francisco Bay Area a few years ago and Scott continued to sail. Did he ever!

Gary Jobson notes that last year Scott won the U.S. Youth Sailing Championship in the 29er class with crew James Moody. Besides his skiff sailing, Scott has been sailing on keel boats and this last summer served as tactician aboard the J/90 Ragtime and won the YRA of San Francisco Champion of Champions Regatta.

In his spare time, says Jobson, Scott mountain bikes and trains for triathalons.

Dan and Kathleen were instrumental in gearing up the Arizona Sailing Foundation’s Junior Program, helping acquire a fleet of Optis, setting the curriculum and building excitement for the program, even taking the kids to national competitions. Scott’s success shows where a program like that can lead.

US Sailing Level 1 Instructor Course Here in January

By Mike Ferring on November 25, 2012 in Adult Program, Education News, Member Interest, Sailing News

Registration is now open for the US Sailing Level 1 Instructor course, to be taught here on two intensive weekends in January—the weekends of January 5&6 and 12&13.

US Sailing requires a minimum of 8 students in the course, a number we’ve failed to meet the last two times this course has been offered in Phoenix. So we really need your support this time.

Here’s the sales pitch: Not only does the course prepare you to teach sailing, but it also makes you a better sailor. Course instructor Ray Deppa has taught all of the US Sailing Instructor courses in Phoenix, and he’s a real pro, someone who will leave you knowing more about this game we play. But teaching sailing is actually the best part. Introducing new people to the sport is a lot of fun—seeing them begin to understand how a boat moves through the water by wind alone and seeing the joy they get from figuring it out.

Sign up four weeks or more before the class and it’s $325; after that it’s $345. If you pass the course and teach for the Arizona Sailing Foundation, ASF will reimburse half your tuition. (If you’re a high school or college student, check with George Tingom for possible higher reimbursement rate.)

I just paged through some of the US Sailing material on the course. You’ll find some information here. And the registration begins here. There’s quite a bit of paperwork involved and you’ll need to be a member of US Sailing (a good thing anyway) and you’ll need to pass a first aid and CPR course (definitely a good thing anyway). The prerequisites are extensive. My advice: don’t let any of that discourage you. The other students and Instructor Ray Deppa will help you through it. If you want to pass, you’ll pass.

For questions on the course, check with George Tingom, who’s organizing the course and has been involved in every one we’ve held since 2003 (when I took it).

Sailing Video Contest Supporting ASF

By Admin on September 29, 2012 in Education News, Member Interest, Sailing News

Hey everyone!

There have been some pretty cool videos floating around the web from club members—and now we’re going to have a contest! From NOW until the end of the Spring Season, submit your video (send me the link and I’ll put it on our site – Web@arizonayachtclub.org) and you’ll get a chance to win some AYC swag in the form of shirts and hats.

How does this support ASF? Get your GoPro sport camera and accessories (mounts, floaty back doors, batteries, etc.) from the AYC website and the partnership proceeds will be donated to the ASF. Click on the link below to go to the GoPro store right now and order.

Or if you can’t see that image:
Official GoPro® Store

Ladies Day at the Lake

By Mike Ferring on September 24, 2012 in Adult Program, Cruising News, Education News, Events

AYC is pleased to support the Lake Pleasant Sailing Club’s third Ladies Day@the Lake on November 10.

Please pass this info along to any woman you know who would like to learn more about sailing. There will be something for every skill level. Instructors include Mike and Maryellen Ferring, Fran Weber — winner of the 2012 SCWSA Peggy Slater Award, Nancy Erley, Lynn Buchanan and other notable sailors.

The Ladies’ Day@the Lake is a day-long, sailing summit for women sponsored by Lake Pleasant Sailing Club (LPSC). It is designed to introduce women to and/or enhance their skills in recreational boating through both land-based seminars and on-the-water workshops.

Five packages are available to choose from, each specially designed with classes complementing each other to give the student a comprehensive day of instruction at their level of sailing experience. Our instructors have been carefully selected for their subject knowledge and instruction skills. A small teacher-to-student ratio in these courses will assure students will receive personal attention.

All instruction, light breakfast, use of boats, water, goodie bag, course materials and a box lunch are included in the $85 fee for the Day@the Lake. Take advantage of this sure-to-be-fun learning opportunity. Remember, course enrollment is limited and registration closes on November 3rd or when a course is full. Don’t be left watching from the shore!

PACKAGES

Welcome Aboard / novice
Full day in the classroom and on-the-water
For the newbie to learn the ropes, parts of the boat and what makes a sailboat work. Then take the helm of a sailboat to practice capturing the power of the wind. (All day classroom, dock-side and on-the water instruction.) This package includes the basics of boating safety, sailing terminology, points of sail, rules for Arizona waterways with hands-on sailing experience.

Pleasure Sailing / novice & experienced
Day sailing, vacation cruising and blue water sailing
Its all about having more fun. During this package students will review rules of sailing, best safety practices, preparation to get your boat underway as well as learn tips and more from experienced sailors and cruisers.

The Accomplished Sailor / intermediate to advanced
Reach the next level
Women choosing this package will learn ways to better make the boat do what they want. Participants will practice essential skills, discover tips and use practical skill building exercises to take them to the next level.

Racing 101 / novice & experienced
For friendly competition
Sailboat racing offers many opportunities to hone skills and stretch sailing legs. As an introduction to the exciting world of sailboat racing, this course package will culminate in a just-for-fun race. (must know port and starboard!)

Take a Kayak / novice or experienced
Learn the basics
Get a solid start or refresh your knowledge for flat water kayaking. Course focuses on safely taking a kayak for exercise, enjoyment and exploring the far reaches of Lake Pleasant and elsewhere.

Further information and registration available here.
Debbie Huntsman
Lake Pleasant Sailing Club
Commodore
623.780.8787

Isabel Love Wins ASF-AYC Scholarship

By Mike Ferring on September 11, 2012 in Education News, Juniors Program

Isabel Love’s successful AYC-ASF scholarship application.

Isabel Love will be sailing an ASF Opti class this fall, setting out on a lifetime of sailing that she says may one day see her sailing around the world. When you’re 8 years old, the entire world is open to you.

Isabel will receive $50 toward the tuition of the ASF class as part of a scholarship program for AYC members. She submitted one of the best applications we’ve ever seen, the essay and picture reproduced here.

If your child would like to learn to sail, consider ASF and remember the scholarship: here’s the link to the application. You’ll find more information on the education page.

TTL ASF Work Day

By Mike Ferring on September 9, 2012 in Education News, Events

Your help would be greatly appreciated. Please plan to join fellow sailors and club members down at Tempe Town Lake on September 15 as we do some much needed cleaning and maintenance on the ASF sailing education fleet of boats.

When: Saturday, September 15 from 8:00 am till noon.

Where: Tempe Town Lake Marina

What to bring: tools, scrub brush

Why: you will feel good about volunteering to help

Everyone is welcome and it would be wonderful to see anyone who has ever benefited from any of the Tempe Town Lake programs.

US Sailing Level 1 Instructor Course Here in January

By Mike Ferring on August 22, 2012 in Adult Program, Education News, Member Interest, Sailing News

Registration is now open for the US Sailing Level 1 Instructor course, to be taught here on two intensive weekends in January—the weekends of January 5&6 and 12&13.

US Sailing requires a minimum of 8 students in the course, a number we’ve failed to meet the last two times this course has been offered in Phoenix. So we really need your support this time.

Sign up four weeks or more before the class and it’s $325. If you pass the course and teach for the Arizona Sailing Foundation, ASF will reimburse half your tuition.

For questions on the course, check with George Tingom, who organizing the course and has been involved in every one we’ve held since 2003 (when I took it).

Phil Freedman Writes College Sailing Book

By Mike Ferring on June 28, 2012 in Education News, Member Interest, Sailing News

Phil Freedman's new book.

Phil Freedman swept into town like a summer monsoon a couple years ago, deciding to move here from San Diego to be with his daughter Carina, who had enrolled at Arizona State University. Phil is a big personality and a lifetime sailor, so it was no surprise that he grabbed hold of the ASU sailing team and suddenly transformed it into something much bigger than it had been. He bought boats, “branded” the team with signs and clothes, and recruited lots of kids, most of whom had never sailed before. Along the way, Emory Heisler recruited Phil to be Vice Commodore.

Unfortunately, simultaneously, Phil was fighting some serious health problems that seem to have only gotten worse since. He resigned from the AYC board and hasn’t been able to give the ASU sailing team as much help as he wanted.

But he wrote and published a book. It’s called College Sailing Made Easy, a banquet of thoughts, ideas, suggestions, and concepts to help field a college racing team. Illustrated with cartoons and drawings and punctuated with humor, it covers everything from sail trim to how to order T-shirts. And it concludes with pictures of Phil’s favorite time sailing—when he actually fielded and drove a 12-meter America’s Cup challenger in San Diego.

If you’d like a copy of the book, contact Phil at this email or it’s available at Amazon for $12.95.

High School Sailing Champs: Luke Marino and Jack Griffin

By Mike Ferring on May 4, 2012 in Education News, Featured, Juniors Program, Racing Updates

2012 High School Champions Jack Griffin and Luke Marino

Luke Marino and Jack Griffin slipped past last year’s champs to grab this year’s High School Sailing Championship, held at Tempe Town Lake Saturday, April 21.

After three light-air races in the morning, last year’s winning team of Alexia Lorch and Scott Soethe were just two points behind Luke and Jack. After a lunch break, the wind picked up and everyone headed out for one more deciding race. Luke and Jack won, sealing the championship.

Luke is a Washington High School student in Arizona’s Glendale district. And Jack is a student at Ward Traditional Academy in Tempe. They were awarded a perpetual trophy that they can display at their schools and were given individual trophies to keep.

The high school championship is run by the Arizona Sailing Foundation (ASF) and was organized by George Tingom. The Principal Race Officer was Arizona State University student Gerald Byrnes.

While the championship isn’t limited to students who participate in ASF’s Tuesday after-school sailing class, both Luke and Jack are in the program. Three years ago, Jack also won the most improved junior sailor award as part of the ASF Opti Program.

Information on the ASF high school class is available here.

George is already planning the next championship and says that unless a special Tempe event forces a date change, the event will happen Saturday, April 15, 2013.

Roll Tack with Anna Tunnacliffe

By Mike Ferring on April 1, 2012 in Adult Program, Education News, Juniors Program, Member Interest

Want to know how to roll-tack a Laser? Tony Eanes did. And when Anna Tunnacliffe visited the ASF high school program, Tony asked her to show the students how to do it.

In light air, Anna went through the steps below while the students watched and Mike Ferring snapped a sequence of pictures. Just do it this way!

To see a roll tack in video, try this. Anna’s roll tacks are faster and more powerful, but the mechanics are the same.

Step one: heel the boat to windward (All photos: Mike Ferring)

Step two: WAY to windward.

Step three: tack

Step four: when the boat is about to capsize, time to bring it back up

Step five: Plant it!

Step six: using all your strength and weight

Step seven: trim in sail and sail on (faster than when you entered the turn)

Arizona High School Sailing Championship

By Admin on April 1, 2012 in Education News, Juniors Program, Racing Updates, Sailing News

The Fourth Annual Arizona High School Sailing Championship is scheduled to be held on 21 April 2012 at Tempe Town Lake.

Last year Alexia Lorch won and her crew was Scott Soethe. She is was junior at Xavier College Preparatory and Scott was a student at Brophy College Preparatory. A perpetual trophy to display at the school of the skipper for half the time until next years race (the other half of the time to be displayed at the school of the crew) was presented after the races. Individual trophies were presented for the winners to keep.

This year’s competition promises to be great. For more information and to get your race documents visit this link: http://arizonayachtclub.org/arizona-high-school-sailing-championship/

ASF Boats Gleam After Work Day

By Mike Ferring on February 5, 2012 in Education News, Events, Featured

Washing and polishing the ASF fleet. Photos: Bob Nesbit

The Arizona Sailing Foundation boats have a shiny look today after being washed, buffed, and tweaked during a Saturday (2/4) work party. It was all part of an effort to have the boats ready for the spring series of classes by the nonprofit AYC subsidiary, including Start Sailing Right and Sailing Skills Development for adults, high school classes, and two Opti classes for kids.

The 3+ hour work session included cleaning the storage area, washing all the boats and making sure all the rigging and sails are ready for the rough treatment they tend to get from beginning sailors. The work detail was organized by ASF president John Mayall and board members George Tingom and Greg Dean. Some of the others who jumped in to help included: Pat Blumm, the Davis family, Paul Eyssautier, Mike Ferring, Phil Freedman, Chalz Kirubi, Dick Krebill, Bob Nesbit, and Decker Williams. There were at least 3-4 others whose names we missed.

We thank everybody who lent a hand. Next: Let the classes begin!

Greg Dean pushes one of the clean boats into the final line-up at Tempe Town Lake.

Become a US Sailing Instructor

By Mike Ferring on February 1, 2012 in Education News

UPDATE 3/4/2012 – This course was cancelled due to scheduling conflicts. The ASF and AYC strive to provide world class instruction and part of that is the highest quality instructor cadre. We will offer this class again soon, so please check back!

Here’s a great way to improve your sailing while helping kids and adults join this fabulous sport: Become a US Sailing-certified Level 1 Small Boat Instructor. And….if you use your newly certified skills to teach ASF Classes the ASF will refund you 50% of the course fee. Beat that!!!!

During an intensive few days, without leaving town, you can pick up the skills and certification you need. The next class is scheduled for the end of March, with five four-hour classroom sessions in the evening on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, March 20-22, plus Tuesday, March 27, and Thursday, March 29. The on-the-water sessions will take place all day Saturday and Sunday, March 24-25.

It’s a ton of fun to introduce people to sailing and the Arizona Sailing Foundation (our AYC educational subsidiary) could use your help. Longtime instructor George Tingom says, “12 or 13 years ago I thought someday I’d have some grandchildren and it would neat to teach them sailing. While waiting for grandchildren to grow I’ve had a lot of fun. You could too.”

You’ll sign up for the class through US Sailing. The charge is $330, less $20 if you sign up at least two weeks in advance. Here’s the link to sign up. (For certification you’ll also need to pass a first aid and CPR course and join US Sailing.)

If you teach ASF classes, the foundation will reimburse you for half your certification fees.

Questions? Of course you have questions. Email George Tingom or call him at 480.948.3814.

ASU Sailors visit U of M Sailing “Compound”

By philip.freedman on July 3, 2011 in Education News, Sailing News

This week my daughter Carina Freedman sailed with the University of Michigan Sailing Team. They sail on Baseline Lake about thirty minutes from Ann Arbor Michigan.

The Michigan Sailing Team has quite a setup on their lake. Maybe forty boats with a hundred foot dock which comes out of the lake during the winter months. Michigan is ranked #3 in their conference and sails by the 20 – 20 rule. The 20 -20 rule is if it is blowing over 20 mph they do not sail if it goes under 20 degrees.

That Saturday we had lunch with Tom Ehman and his father Tom Ehman Sr. at Portage Lake Yacht Club on Portage Lake Michigan. Portage Lake is right next to Baseline Lake and is a wonderful family yacht club. Tom junior flew in from San Francisco to sail with father for the weekend. Tom Sr. bought the land for the Yacht Club and moved the YC to its present location in 1951.

Tom Ehman Sr. & Carina Freedman

Google Tom Ehman – you will see that he is the former head of the America’s Cup and is the current head of ORACLE in San Francisco defending the America’s Cup which will be sailed in San Francisco in 2013. Tom Sr. also started and created the 360 and 720 penalty turn rule in sailing, They are both good friends of mind. Tom junior took my French fries at lunch.

At lunch we discussed one main topic. Kids today just don’t want it that bad anymore. It’s simple: WANT IT MORE THAN THE OTHER GUY IN EVERY WAY. Beat your competition in hull preparation, sail knowledge, and sailing skills. Simply put: BEAT YOUR COMPETITION TIMES TEN and HAVE FUN asusailing.org

AZ High School Sailing Championship & ASF Picnic

By eheisler on May 1, 2011 in Juniors Program, Racing Updates, Sailing News, Social Events

The third double handed (two person) sailing championship was held in the east basin of Tempe Town Lake on Saturday April 16^th 2011. Parents and friends cheered on their favorite sailors from the blue shade umbrellas on the north shore (just below the east basin condo development).

Alexia Lorch won with crew Scott Soethe. Alexia is a junior at Xavier College Preparatory and Scott attends Brophy College Preparatory. A perpetual trophy to display at the school of the skipper for half the time until next years race (the other half of the time to be displayed at the school of the crew) was presented after the races. Individual trophies were presented for the winners to keep.

Four boats sailed with eight students on board. The last two years had six boats racing in the championship. We hope to have more than six in 2012. Two races were held in the morning with very light wind. A one hour lunch break was taken before three twice around races in freshening afternoon breeze (6-8 MPH). Three different boats scored first place finishes. There was a chance for a lead change in the last race, but Alexia and Scott managed to hold off the competition in variable strength wind that was changing direction frequently.

FYI for next year….the race is NOT LIMITED TO ASF HS SAILING CLASS STUDENTS, however we’re pleased to note that this year’s winner was a student in 2010.

Information about High School Sailing Classes is available at http://www.arizonayachtclub.org/Education/hsclass.shtml

There are decorative blue shade umbrellas on the north shore (just below the east basin condo development) where many parents and siblings cheered.

As of now, unless some special Tempe event forces a date change, the 2012 championship will be held on Saturday April 22nd 2012.

AFTER THE RACING…..it was time to PIG OUT! The Arizona Sailing Foundation and Arizona Yacht Club joined together for a very nice Spring Picnic. High School Sailing Championship participants, Start Sailing Right spring class students and a menagerie of AYC members, families and friends enjoyed an afternoon of sun and sailing on the “Grassy Knoll”.

Many thanks to ASF Board President John Mayall and his picnic team: Rick Lake, “Pig Master”, Dave Christensen, “Grill Master”, and Lisa Lake, Wendy Larsen and a host of other helping hands! Congratulations to ASF for ending the spring season in excellent fashion!

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