10th Annual Watauga Lake Cleanup happens 9 AM – 2 PM on Saturday, August 24. Last year we collected about 4 tons of trash. Let’s have some WLSC volunteers help make a big difference keeping our beautiful lake clean.

Volunteers will meet at Fish Springs Marina, Sink Mountain Boat Ramp and Pioneer Landing to sign in and get oriented. Lakeshore Marina is providing a couple of boats, but you need to sign in at Fish Springs to get gear, snacks, swag and probably a water bottle. Wear work clothes you can get wet in. Don’t forget the sunscreen!

If you will be there let Jeff Arnfield know (text 423-647-2671, or email windward@lizards.net) so he can advise the team on what to plan for. Specific questions? Text or call the coordinator at 423-534-4785.

We all love this lake – Let’s chip in and polish this gem!

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Attention all Sailors!
Fun race Sat July, 20th at 2:00 PM skippers meeting at 1:00. This fun race will be a staggered start around the island and back to the start mark for hopefully a exciting finish. All sailors are welcome, hope for wind. Potluck after race, or if no wind a potluck instead of sailing. Hope to see you there.

WLSC Race Captain
Rob Remme

From Commodore Dave Gurysh:

Thought that you would like to hear about some of our recent activities:

The Upper Chesapeake Cruise Trip, June 17-22:
6 couples (W. Catoe’s, Gurysh’s, Lockett’s, Middaugh’s with son Doug and wife Connie, and Veldman’s) had a wonderful time chartering 3 sailboats out of Rock Hall, MD for 5-6 days.  We were joined by Rob and Minta Fannon who were cruising the Chesapeake in June.  We sailed to Annapolis and then on to St. Michaels for 2 nights, and back to Annapolis before returning to Rock Hall.  The Middaugh’s stayed longer in Annapolis to visit the Naval Academy and then cruised to Inner Harbor Baltimore.  All cruising went well except for one dinghy mishap, resulting in a change out of wet clothes for 2 folks.  We had nice weather for most of the trip and good wind, and of course we all enjoyed the delicious local seafood and the get-togethers on the boats and in town.

The Summer Sailstice, June 22-23:
Jeff Arnfield organized his annual celebration of the Summer Solstice with a Saturday night raft-up at the waterfall cove on the mountain side.  The Hinkle’s and Jack Woodside joined the Arnfield’s for the raft-up.

The WLSC Youth Sailing Camp, June 28-30:
7 children attended the 3-day sailing camp and had a great time.  They learned how to tie bowlines and figure-8’s and rig the Laser sailboats each morning, and spent 2 days out on the lake developing their sailing skills.  We accomplished the goal of the sailing camp for the children….To Have A Safe, Fun, and Learning Experience in the Sport of Sailing.  Many thanks to all members who helped put on this camp, including:

• Scott Fagley for his great job of being in charge of the camp
• Danielle Catoe for providing the tasty meals and drinks, and getting t-shirts and framed pictures for the kids.
• Wayne Catoe for showing the kids how to set-up rigging of the boats.
• Clarke Lucas and Skip Greene for their knot tying and sailing class presentations
• Billy Becker for assisting with boat rigging and offering use of his jet-ski.
• And to those members who offered use of their Lasers for the camp.

Summer FUN Race #1 and Cookout on July 6th:
Nine (9) boats participated in a pursuit race to and back from the island with new member Greg Henry single-handling his Hunter 18 to win the race.  John and Mary Jane Rice finished 2nd on the Ultimate 20, new member David Wolons and crew took 3rd, and Skip Greene and James Little took 4th place.  Light winds to the island were followed by a bit stronger winds back to the line.

Twenty-six (26) members turned out for the Hamburger/Hot Dog Cookout and Potluck Dinner on Saturday evening.  VC Billy Becker and Alex Lindsay did a great job on the grille and everyone brought delicious sides and desserts.  Thanks to all who helped with set-up and clean-up for the dinner.

Next WLSC Event:  Summer Fun Race #2 on Saturday July 20

Ahoy WLSC Sailors!

A reminder for the July 4th and July events this week, as follows:

Thursday July 4th:

• At 2pm, Lakeshore Resort/Marina plans to have their Annual Boat Parade.  Sailboats are welcome to join the parade at the end of the line.  So dress up your sailboat and join the parade.
• Fireworks on the lake to begin after sunset.

Saturday July 6th:

• Summer Fun Race #1, with skippers meeting at 1pm and start of race at 2pm
• At 5:30pm, Hamburgers & Hot Dogs Dinner on the Deck .
• Members are asked to bring a potluck dish to share such as baked beans, potato salad, a vegetable, a dessert, or any side that goes with a burger or hot dog.
• Refreshments of iced tea, lemonade, and soft drink will be provided, as well as condiments and buns for the burgers & dogs.
• Price per person:  $3.00 , free for children 12 & under.
• Please Reply To Commodore Dave by Wednesday July 3 as to how many people in your family plan to attend the dinner on July 6.  So far, the Beckers, W. Catoes, Locketts, Rices, and Veldmans have said they will come.  We need more!

Dave Gurysh <commodorewlsc2019@gmail.com>

While Friday is the actual Summer Solstice – the longest daylight of the year, as the earth’s axis is most directly tilted toward the Sun – Saturday June 22 we’ll celebrate the Summer Sailstice, an informal event at which saily folks do away-from-the-dock boaty things in watery places.

This year’s event will be a relaxed, informal, family-friendly day sail and overnight raftup, anchored or tied off in a secure cove.

What’s in it for you? Some good sailing and a great evening under the stars (or clouds). Need something more tangible? Sign up at the Summer Sailstice site https://www.summersailstice.com/2019/event/windwards-watauga-lake-sailing-summer-sailstice-celebration and be eligible for their prize drawing.

It’s a BYOE (bring your own everything) – your food, beverages, stories, boat, porta-potty…   It’s quite common to share some or all of the first three, though.  Apart from something to eat and somewhere to sleep, all you’ll need is a good attitude, some fenders and dock lines, possibly a suitable anchor and rode (talk to me if you are not sure), the ability to come up alongside another boat without ramming it, ideally a VHF radio, a jaunty swagger in your stride and a song in your heart.

If you want to come raft up but have no experience doing so, don’t sweat it.  We can talk you in and help secure your boat. No overnight experience needed!

Communication is best on VHF.  Hail on 16 (Windward, Windward, Windward, this is .  Respond and switch to 6-8), working on 68, alternate 69 if 68 is tied up.

Actual raft-up location won’t be determined until Saturday, due to weather, projected boat density, what areas are already occupied, whim of Windward’s skipper, etc,  but plan on someplace east of the marina, west of the bridge, with enough space to accommodate those planning to raft, plus the few others who decide all spur-of-the-moment like that it sounds like fun and they can maybe wait to wash their hair until Sunday night, thus freeing them up to attend.  We may be anchored, shore-tied or a combination of the two.

Even for informal events some planning is useful, so if you think you might be coming email me at windward@lizards.net to let me know either “see you there” or “maybe” or “I’m interested but nervous” so I can narrow down suitable sites.

Fair Winds,
Jeff, s/v Windward

Ahoy WLSC Sailors!

This is to let you know that rain or shine the Veterans Regatta is still a GO tomorrow!  We have a lot of food prepared and entertainment too, so the Regatta is a GO.  Registration still starts at 12:00 noon and depending on the weather, Anita may need to re-arrange when we go out sailing, eat the dinner, and listen to the band.  Hopefully there will be a window of opportunity to take the veterans out sailing in good wind (10 kts) for an hour or two.

Anita has received numerous phone calls and she is plenty busy, so please don’t call her to see if the regatta is on or not.  It’s ON!

Sail On My Friends!

Commodore Dave

The final race of the Spring Series races was Saturday. With little to nothing winds and 80 degrees. A total of 7 boats competing.

Many thanks to Russ and Gayle for volunteering to do committee boat. The committee boat called the race short due to dying winds. All 7 boats finished this years short series course in under a hour thirty minutes.

A Class

1st Skip Greene

2nd Pete Catoe

3rd Rob Remme

 

PC Class

1st Clarke Lucas

2nd Tommy Willis

3rd Le Bateau David Wolons

4th Scott Fagley

WLSC Race Captain

Rob Remme

Sailors take warning the last Spring race is

Sat May 18^th
Skippers meeting 1:00
First Horn 2:00

If you want to crew be at the Skippers meeting.

Hope to see you there.

WLSC Race Captain
Rob Remme

Weather permitting, we will try to make up the last race

 April 27^th  First Race   8:30 Captains meeting first horn at 9:00
Potluck at 12:00 approximately
Second Race Skippers meeting 1:00 first horn 1:30

If you want to crew please be at the Skippers meeting.

Hope to see you there

WLSC Race Captain
Rob Remme

Mark your calendars: WLSC’s next events are the Race Clinic and Spring General Meeting, both to be held on Saturday March 30, tentatively planned to be on the event deck.