The HCYC Clubhouse was filled to near capacity for our Adult Beginning Racing Seminar. This was a great way to get several of our newest HCYC members involved in the Club’s sailing activities. My thanks go out to Derek Crawford for volunteering his time to share his knowledge and experience with us! After a catered lunch from Skull Creek Barbeque, it was off to the races.

The skies were cloudy and threatening, but five skippers and their crews were at the starting line for the “Rookie Rhumb” Regatta. At the start of the first race, the winds were variable at 5-6 knots, but thirty minutes into the race, the wind picked up nicely to 12 knots directly out of the south. By the end of the 1.5 nautical mile race, the clouds were looking more threatening; therefore, the Race Committee abandoned the 2nd and 3rd races in the interest of safety. At the end of the day, the first place trophy went to Chip Taute and the second place trophy was awarded to Joy Clayton. Congratulations!

Of course, this regatta could not have taken place without the many volunteers who assisted. Many thanks to Carol Teat who delivered the tasty lunch to all of us, to Beverly and Rob Henwood and Jerry Hause who expertly set the racecourse and manned the Chase Boat, and to John Ruiz, Jeff Walne, and Renee and Dave Herrington who assisted me with the Race Committee duties. The race results are posted on the web site.

We are three weeks into the Friday Night "Patriot Series." The fourth and final race will determine the winner for each of the three fleets. The first Friday night race began with significant amounts of rain falling; however, eight skippers and crews donned their foul weather gear and met me at the starting line. Unfortunately, Mother Nature decided to intervene with thunder and lightening half way through the race, making it mandatory to abandon the race. Not to be deterred from racing, the skippers and their crews met me at the starting line on Saturday afternoon for the rescheduled race. The second race of the "Patriot Series" was sailed as planned on the next Friday evening with nine skippers and their crews at the starting line.

Mother Nature intervened once again for the third race of the series. By mid-Friday afternoon, the rain gauge reached 7.5” in New Braunfels, and it was still raining so the race as cancelled. The rain and thunderstorms continued into Saturday; however, the rain finally stopped, and the clouds lifted so it was off to the races on Sunday afternoon. I can hardly wait to see what next Friday brings. Stay tuned for the final chapter of the "Patriot Series".

As you know, it takes numerous volunteers to run a successful sailboat race. My heartfelt thanks to Charlie Teat, Bryan Lindsey, Jeff Walne, Chip Taute, Joe Pyle, John Ruiz, Dave Herrington, and Birch Smith for setting and measuring the racecourses. Additionally, my personal thanks to Velma Smith, Kristy Kahil, Austin Kahil, Marty Chrisman, and Renee’ and Dave Herrington for assisting me with the Race Committee duties. The Rear Commodore for Sail cannot carry out all of the duties required for sailboat racing single-handedly. The assistance of all these volunteers is invaluable! The race results are posted on the web site.

It is not too early to start thinking about the officers who will lead our Club in 2008. Volunteering as an officer is the perfect way in which you can support HCYC. Service to your Club is an expression of your natural gifts and talents and demonstrates your commitment to excellence. In the words of Margaret Mead (1901-1978), “Never doubt that a small, group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has”. You make a difference!