GBCA Discussion Forum

Hi!  We are racing "Blind Ambition", the J24 tonight and could use an additional crew member for sail trim help. We'd prefer someone with J24 experience as this is the first time we are racing this boat. Please CALL us (my cell phone is on my signature line) as we'll be out most of the bay. Boat time will be around 3:30 and boat is in dry storage at Seabrook Marina

I'm sorry... I couldn't resist...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDYWdABRQIo

Hi sailing friends!

I hope no one minds my posting this here. Our team is gearing up to defend our Blind Sailing Nationals title this September in Newport, as well as competing in the Blind Sailing Worlds in Japan. We have had a lot of support from the sailing community, for which we are very grateful; Jack Luker has provided us with a J24 for local practice and competing over the next year and Seabrook Marina has generously donated a slip for the next year. Farley Fontenot at Quantum Sails is also helping us with a set of sails as well as offering us some great coaching advice. We sincerely appreciate these people for their assistance and support!

We are looking for advice as far as fundraising ideas to help cover the additional travel and training expenses. Most of our competitors have the benefit of local sailing programs for the blind who can coach and raise funds for them under 501(c)3 status. We would love to see a program like that one day here in the Houston area, and we hope that our team's success might help pave the way for one. For now though, we're on our own. I've been doing chair massage at local events and putting that money towards the things we've already paid for (sails, boat insurance, airline tickets etc), and I started a fundraising page at http://www.indiegogo.com/Texas-Blind-Sailing-National-Team, but if anyone out there has any fundraising ideas that don't require non-profit status, please share them! Thanks!

So sorry for the families of these racers!!

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/04/29/3-dead-1-missing-in-mishap-during-california-yacht-race/#ixzz1tPaEIxNL?test=latestnews

Quote from: Bee on April 23, 2012, 08:31:31 PM
Ok, I can read now.  Hope you guys can translate what I said.

I think most of us are fluent in "Sleep-deprived Salor-ese". It's remarkably similar to "Drunk Salor-ese". 

Hey wait a second, shouldn't the neck massages be given by the one who does it for a living? (Namely ME??) Actually I was meaning to ask if I could do anything to help out this weekend as we're not going to be racing, so I'd be happy to offer chair massage!

OK Non-spin peeps, where are you?

I also wanted to say thanks to everyone here. As Chris said, to be voted by your peers is indeed an honor, and for someone so new to this sport, it was something I genuinely never expected! Seeing the names of the previous Yachtsman of the Year winners made me more astonished that you would vote me among them, but I still say that it was Dave, Jim and Scott who really deserve the honors. It was their experience, guidance  and teamwork that made us successful; I just held the darn stick! 

Here are some photos I took - definitely not up to Gary's or the Lacy's standards and I'm getting used to the settings on the new camera, but I think there are a few good ones. http://photobucket.com/Icicle11412

Gary, you caught my best side modeling the new shirts!

I got a new camera for Christmas (yes, I may be visually impaired but I'm actually a pretty good photographer)  so if the winds are still light, I might bring it out and try to get a few shots.

I remember pulling solid sheets of ice about an inch thick out of the Soling last year.

Hey everyone!

We're having our "Addams Family" Halloween party again next Saturday October 29th at 5PM. All our sailing friends are welcome. Costume not required, just bring a macabre sense of humor! I know J-Fest is that weekend to, so feel free to stop by afterwards if you're going to that. You don't need to RSVP, but if you do know you're coming, give me a shout so I can get a rough idea of how many people to expect. We're in Shoreacres, not far from Houston Yacht Club - call if you need the address and directions.

Karen 713 408-0444
David 832 492-0376

Oops, thought I was posting in "General Discussion". (I hear the blind jokes coming already - hey at least I have a valid excuse!) 

Hey everyone!

We're having our "Addams Family" Halloween party again next Saturday October 29th at 5PM. All our sailing friends are welcome. Costume not required, just bring a macabre sense of humor! I know J-Fest is that weekend to, so feel free to stop by afterwards if you're going to that. You don't need to RSVP, but if you do know you're coming, give me a shout so I can get a rough idea of how many people to expect. We're in Shoreacres, not far from Houston Yacht Club - call if you need the address and directions.

Karen 713 408-0444
David 832 492-0376