GBCA Discussion Forum

Hey gang!

We just wanted to let everyone know that we are now partnered with Bay Access for our fundraising efforts, so donations made to our team are no tax-deductible! We also have a new website (thanks to Xavier) at http://texasblindsailing.com The site is still under construction, but there is a "donate" button, or you can also write a check to Bay Access/Texas Blind Sailing. We're getting close to our goal, however we still need help to get the team to Japan and time is running out so we welcome your support and thank all of our GBCA friends for cheering us on! If anyone has any questions, just send a message or call. Thanks everyone!

Hi friends!! Photobucket is running a contest called "Life is an Adventure" where you tell a story in photos and writing. The grand prize $25,000, which is pretty much what we need to get to Japan for the Blind Worlds! I figured our team's adventures make for a good story, so I entered us. Could you please go to the site and "Like" us? Thanks!!!! http://s1322.beta.photobucket.com/user/Texas_Blind_Sailing_Team/story/18895#add-text

David and I just want to wish all of our sailing friends a wonderful Thanksgiving! We are thankful for all the support we have received from everyone for our efforts with the Texas Blind Sailing Team! 

First of all, on behalf of the team, I wanted to thank everyone who has offered support and encouragement this year. We owe you our deepest thanks as we could not be doing this without you!

Newport was amazing! We had a wonderful host family who let us invade their home - the fact that they are partners in the IYAC certainly was a bonus! The weather was a wonderful break from the Houston heat. Having access to the Mojo RIB, our own "Texas Cheerleaders" as well as on-the-water coaching from an Olympic Silver Medalist was wonderful (although I think our competition would tend to disagree). 

Day one of racing gave us wind-o-plenty, starting around 14 and building, with puffs well into the 20's, maybe even a few close to 30. We ran 5 races, took bullets in the first 4 but one of the Boston teams (aka "Beanie Boys") got us in the 5th race. Unfortunately the team that came from Florida had to withdraw when one if their crew fractured her wrist during a gibe, but once they got her off the boat, they asked if they could continue to sail with us if they promised not to get in the way of the boats still racing. We unanimously agreed to let them stay out and play, and afterwards they thanked us all and kept us updated on their injured crew member.

The 2nd and final day of racing was slightly cooler with much lighter winds - a welcome change after the previous wet and wild day, although we had to shift mental gears, tactics and weight placement after all the heavy-weather racing (Thanks again to Charlie for his advice - it definitely made a difference!). We knew that despite taking 4 out of 5 1sts the previous day, there was still a very good chance that the 2nd place team could catch us if we weren't on our game. We took 2 2nds with the first two races, however the 2nd place team took 2 3rds and we were still able to increase our lead. Race 3 gave us another 1st and effectively sealed our 2nd National title, but there was one more race to go. With the final race, we figured we would just take it easy and keep clear of the teams still battling for 2nd. We were a bit late for the start, then tacked off in a different direction from the rest of the fleet... yet somehow ended up back in the lead and finished with one more bullet!

The awards and after party were lots of fun. We still keep wishing we could sneak out the big beautiful perpetual trophy, but I don't think Sail Newport (or TSA, for that matter) would appreciate that.    After the awards it was back to our hosts' home for a cookout with our Texas contingent and much-needed decompressing!

Monday was our play-day up there. We spent the day exploring downtown Newport and helping boost the local economy in the shops before our scheduled charter of the America's Cup 12 meter "Nefertiti". We had a blast sailing on that boat! The captain and crew were extremely nice and accommodating, and were happy to let us have a turn at the wheel - not even worrying about 2 of us being "blind". Of course, they also put us all to work on sail trim - those coffee grinders are a real workout!! One last dinner out, followed by a farewell trip to the IYAC before getting packed up, catching some sleep and heading out to the airport on Tuesday morning, homeward bound.

Now, the REAL work begins as we prepare for the 2013 Blind Worlds next May in Japan! Most of you have been following our adventures via the team's Facebook page, but if you haven't seen it yet, please visit us at https://www.facebook.com/TexasBlindSailingTeam where you can see updates and photos! Thanks again to all of our wonderful GBCA friends!!!

Blind Ambition, the J24, needs crew for tomorrow night. We go non-spin and need someone to help with jib trim and foredeck. Thanks!

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

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

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

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

We need a 3rd body on the Soling for tonight's race. Experience helpful but not necessary. Call 713 408-0444

Hi gang!

We are competing in the Blind Sailing Nationals in Newport in a couple of weeks, and this Thursday there is a news crew doing a story on our team. They want to film us practicing in Clear Lake but need access to a chase boat. We thought we had one lined up, but were just told it would not be available after all, so if anyone has a small power boat and a couple of hours to spare around lunch time this Thursday, please contact me. We'll be happy to pay for your fuel. Thanks!

Karen

David and I need a 3rd person on the Soling for Leukemia Cup. It's a very old-school no-frills boat. We race non-spin and you'd be helping me with jib trim and whisker pole. Call David at 832-492-0376 if you're interested. Thanks!.

Our Soling is being repainted so David and I are available if anyone needs crew. Package deal - one highly experienced sailor who can handle any position and one enthusiastic novice who can follow instructions and do whatever needs to be done. Call or PM me at info on my sig. line.

Karen

We are DIEING for all of our sailing pals to join us for a creepy and kooky, mysterious and spooky but altogether informal "Addams Family Halloween open house. Costume is optional but a macabre sense of fun is essential! Fun will start around 4PM. If you can make it, PM or email me for our address! Hope to see you!!

Hi!

David and I are looking for a ride for the Leukemia Cup Regatta. If you don't know us. David is a VERY experienced racer and can handle any job on the boat and I am a very enthusiastic novice who's happy to help out, even if I'm just rail mea... er, candy! We're a package deal so give us a shout if you need 2 extra people!

Hi all.

I am wondering if anyone here knows of an opening for part time office help. I know I've mentioned being a massage therapist (and it's on my sig line), but I've also become very interested in working in the sailing industry in some capacity. Although I am still really new to sailing so I couldn't sell million dollar yachts at this point, I have a lot of experience in customer service and sales. I could help with phones, billing, maybe scheduling for charters etc. I'm flexible and learn quickly, so if anyone does need this type of help, please give me a call or PM me. Thanks!


--Karen

We could use an extra hand tomorrow on "Big D", (Peterson 34') for the 1st Icicle race. Boat is docked at HYC.  Send message or call David at 832 492-0376 if interested. Thanks!

Here is a link to the photo album from the double-handed regatta last saturday.

http://photobucket.com/HYCdoublehanded120509

Hi!

I hope no one minds my doing a little shameless self-promotion. I just moved to Shoreacres from New Orleans a few weeks ago and I am new to the sailing community (my boyfriend is a life-long sailor and is teaching me, and I am totally hooked!) Anyhow, I am a licensed massage therapist but being hew here, I am having to start my business from scratch. I would love to offer my services to the community, either with studio appointments or possibly to provide chair massage at sailing-related functions. Having been crew a few times now, I KNOW how sore we all get! If there is any interest, please contact me - you can PM or email me at seaoftranquility@ymail.com. Thanks!!

Karen