This year's season of Maui sailing events was kicked off on Feb 7th. Hosted by a joint effort by Maui Boat & Yacht Club and Lahaina Yacht Club, the day began with a brief race committee seminar. There were over a dozen people in attendance. There were as many new faces as there were familiar ones and a few that hadn't been seen for years. That mix in itself made the seminar a success.
LYC's Dan O'Hanlon and MB&YC's Cosco Carlbom went through what it takes to put on a regatta. Starting with what is involved in making a schedule, to NOR's, to skipper's meetings, what a race committee was and did, to setting a course, to calculating the results. The classroom session lasted for about an hour then it was time to go out on the water where the classroom learning was put to practice.
At 11:00 am a skippers meeting was held at the harbor. In this case the skippers took on some new potential crew as well as some of their regulars. A big mahalo to skippers: Geoff Bourne (Noa), Mike Sowers (Snickers), and Nancy Goode (Boondoggle). Then those interested in race committee got organized on “Pops” Fawner's Grand Banks 34 “Pops Ride”. What a great committee boat, thanks Pops. They left the harbor at approximately 11:30 to get set up for to conduct some practice “races.”
It doesn't matter how often I go out; I am always impressed by the beauty of Maui from the water. It is especially green now from the recent rains.
At 12:20, all was set for the first start; but the postponement flag went up as the wind shifted from 180 – 210. Veterans of Lahaina inshore sailing were not one bit surprised.
Curtis Robb provided the mark boat and what a great mark boat it is. Thanks Curtis. The mark was moved accordingly, down came the postponement flag, and the 5 minute sequence started shortly thereafter. The next race had a general recall. Good practice for the race committee and racers. The wind completely died and all further racing was abandoned.
Once the boats were put away, it was off to Puamana Park where MB&YC provided a fabulous Bar-B-Q. Actually Patty Hoffman along with her support crew (aka husband Aron) put on the spread. Most of the talk was about the day on the water, the upcoming season, sailing in general, and sailing tall tales -- both old standards and new editions.
I would like to extend a MAHALO NUI to all who pitched in and made the day a success. No names mentioned for fear somebody would be missed. You are all appreciated. What a great start to the season. Watch for updates on MB&YC's next event, which is a Lahaina Inshore Regatta scheduled for 2/21/09.
Aloha,
Cosco Carlbom
MB&YC Commodore
