|
|
"Hot Stories of Icy Sailing Adventures"
Volume 8 No. 1 January 1997
(C) Chris Voith 1997
| We Test New Equipment You Can't Afford | |
|---|---|
AtlantaWIND | January 1997
Phil Duvic Finds a Mouse Onboard
|
Scandal Rocks ABC
The quiet world of Atlanta windsurfing was rocked over year end by the revelation that now ex-president for life, William Fragakis was skipping incredible Van Pugh sessions because of an illicit jetski habit. This disturbing turn of events came to light after club member Joseph Stanley examined some photos he took at the famous Lake Lanier sailing venue. He brought the evidence to the attention of the Atlanta Board- sailing Club's Bored of Directors who acted immediately and without hesitation and cleaned house.
Apparently, the rot ran deeper into the club. Further investigations revealed that long-time newsletter editor Chris Voith was aware of William's habit but had failed to bring it public because of suspected kickbacks. Chris had his computer mouse unceremoniously stripped from him and has been relegated to sailing his ten year old O'Brien in regattas.
This scandal has forced the club to look for new leadership at the worst possible time- annual elections. The club's Bored, er... Board hopes that other concerned club members will step into the breach. Otherwise, the club's PTA-style succession policy will be enacted. The slate of nominees will be composed of those absent from the meeting. Be there or be.... elected?
Christmas Party!The old control tower at Peachtee-DeKalb Airport was once again the scene of a night of fun and frivolity. Nonetheless, the following night, at the same location, the our club held its reknown Christmas Party. About 60 club members, family and guests showed up to celebrate the holiday season, exchange gifts and eat a few desserts.
The location is always scenic and intimate with a view of not only the airport and its lights but all of Atlanta and even Stone Mountain. Inside, lights, desserts and smiling faces completed the mood.
The highlight of the evening was the ever popular White Elephant Gift Exchange. Its always surprising as one person's "oh, no," is someone else's "gold". A Tarzan action figure drew a moan but soon found a happy home in Austin Burch's hands. Nancy reports that tarZAN (as Austin says) continues to be a hit. The "wind cap", a baseball hat will a self-contained wind source (a tiny fan), also made the rounds as sailors attempted to plan ahead for the summere doldrums.
As always, Robert Blazer came through with a fought over item. We know that the giver is supposed to be anonymous (usually to protect them from embarassment and shame) but year after year, he keeps bringing really nice gifts that participants vie for. This year, the Gaastra quiver bag didn't find a permanent home until the end. Attempts by early gift openers to hold on to it were for naught.
Joseph Stanley showed up with his video camera and took video "snapshots" of many of those in attendance. He then assembled them into a yearbook style montage that we've put up on our web page. Take a look if you can.
Many thanks to Chris and Ginny Voith for arranging the location carrying lots of stuff up and down the steps. Thanks to all who came. If you couldn't make it, hold on to those unreturnable gifts, you'll have a place to use them next year.
Swan Song from a Lame DuckI think the most profound thing I've learned this year and can relate to you is how many really nice people there are in the club. This wasn't demonstrated by words but rather by deeds. Think back about what we've done together this year- regattas, trips, parties, teaching clinics. In every case, one or more of you took the time to help your fellow club members get more out of windsurfing. I'd list the names but it's a very long list and I'd never forgive myself if I left even one name out. My thanks to everyone.
One day this fall at Van Pugh, I was giving my sales pitch to a prospective member. This guy said he'd been windsurfing in Atlanta about ten years but apparently didn't know anyone else sailing that day. (It was a nice fall day and the parking lot was full.) After telling him all the things the club did, he looked at me and asked, "Why should I join?"
I was dumbfounded. In my mind was the Hatteras trip, the learn-to-sail picnics, watching videos at the meetings, getting pounded at volleyball, the good food and fun of the regattas. Mostly, I was thinking that of everyone sailing there that day, I knew just about all of them from the club and considered them my friends. My brain was so busy thinking of these things my jaw froze up. Well, I guess this guy will still be showing up at Van Pugh ten years from now and sailing by himself.
Now, to the obvious question, "Okay, cheese breath, if it's such a great gig, why are you declining to be president again?"
The prime reason is that I think that, especially for a club, change is refreshing. The more people we involve in the operation of the club, the more we can draw on a range of skills, interests and ideas. We avoid the inertia that inevitably creeps in. The same thing done the same way over and over. And, most importantly, it remains our club. Too frequently, clubs become identified by a certain clique. New members are reluctant to speak up, old ones get bored and outsiders think that what a few say applies to all. Somewhere out there lurks another club member brimming with "wacko" ideas (most of my phone calls to Chris Voith started with, "Hey Chris, I have this wacko idea..." And, they usually were). Do you have some ideas that would be fun to try? Do you have a different twist on things? Would you just want to be more involved in the wonderful world of windsurfing? Step right up and sign here....
Member Profile- Dan Burch
The editors would like to take credit for the idea of this month's profilee but we must give credit where it's due. A number of open class sailors pointed out that Dan was worthy because of his two-peat as Georgia Champion.
The editors, however, are more cynical of their motives. Do we dare suspect that these same sailors might be wishing for the ABC equivalent of the Sports Illustrated Jinx (whereupon, having your picture on the cover is the kiss of misfortune)? Dan humbly credits luck with being part of his success elsewhere in this newsletter. Given the skill of his opponents we think it unlikely. But now with your picture here, Dan, we suggest you attach a rabbit's foot to your harness at the Iceman. We should also mention that he's been an ABC member for ten years and was president-for-life in 1990.
ABC: So Dan, we see here from your press release, that you've been state champion 3 times. Tell us what it takes. Take us through one of your grueling training days.
DB: I get up at dawn and drink massive amounts of Columbian caffeine product. Then, I wrestle the tag team duo of Austin and Mariah into their clothes. Next, I warm up the Team Burch VW Eurovan (the USS Farfromnukin) and drive the dynamic duo to school.
Now, I'm in the work mode as I go to people's homes and make lots of holes in them (the houses, that is). Then, I string enough wire from one end of the house to the other to make a suspension bridge. I then install a lot of little electronic devices that interconnect to form the Stealth Security System and big time noise maker. Finally, the Jedi Alarm Master (moi) begs for a check before rocketing back to the juvenile unit's learning center and then to home base.
Now the fun starts. The kids watch their favorite video for the thousandth time (ed. note:1001 Dalmations?) while I prepare dinner. This is when I consume my secret training beverage, a malted barley concotion. We eat and then play with the kids. The forty pound kid lift is great training for pumping. At last, Nancy and I prepare for the 3 hour ritual of getting the kids to bed.
ABC: As we thought, Dan. The champion's road is a hard one. What makes this all worth it? Are there any sessions that really stand out?
DB: Oddly enough, my wildest day of sailing was on a long board (Equipe II) down at Nancy's grandfather's house on Ft. Myers Beach. I had to fight the incoming tide as I tacked back and forth to get out of the narrow channel to the open ocean. As I reached the point, I was greeted by a good 25 mph breeze that continued to build. I could hardly keep the board on the water and as I got further out, the chop had me bouncing around and holding on for dear life. I knew then that a longboard couldn't possibly go any faster, at least, not with me on it.
One other occassion was at St. George Island, just west of Shell Point. The wind was moderate but the real thrill came from a group of dolphins that followed me. They did one of those criss-crossing routines just under my bow just like on a Jacques Cousteau film.
ABC: Dan, a man of your accomplishments must of had a few bumps along the road...
DB: Yeah, I had only been sailing for about three months and had already bought my first psuedo shortboard- a ten foot BIC. I lived in Long Island, NY and had driven to Smith Point National Beach on the south shore. I drove my four wheeler right down to the water, unloaded my gear, and sailed off for my destination- the nude beach. Having arrived there, quite a few people wanted to look at the board (ed. note: suuure, Dan...) and asked the usual questions (ed. note: "Let's see, a 460 mast you say? How long is that in inches?").
I chilled out for a while and talked to some of the regulars. As it does there, the wind picked up at 4 pm and I went out sans bathing suit. Life was good- for about thirty minutes. Suddenly the sky turned black and my 6.0 RAF sail became turbo-charged. As I struggled to get back back in, I could see all the people leaving the beach. Finally, I caught a wave and shot towards shore only to have the wave close in on top of me. As I rolled around on the ocean floor, I thought I was a goner. The mast and boom had broken and the shredded sail and rigging was wrapped around my body. Upon reaching the surface, I got pounded again and again until two guys pulled the lot of us onto the shore. After regainng my senses, I started jogging back to where I had left my clothes. The looks from all the fully-clothed people I passed was enough to end my nude sailing for that summer.
ABC: Ouch. So when you aren't hanging "free" on your board, what do you do for kicks?
DB: I'm either earning money to buy more equipment or searching for the perfect beer. But, I do plan to rig a board for off-shore fishing. The fishing is great down at our beach house in Englewood (ed note: see For Sail). I want to combine sailing and fishing for a new experience. ABC: Well, take our advice. Don't combine fishing with nude sailing if you know what we mean. So, we've heard from members inventing stay-dry boards and roller reefing sails. What are you working on back at the lab?
DB: The Lego windsurfing System. Its going to be the hot ticket. Move over, Tickle Me Elmo.The basic kit comes with an eight foot board and a 12 foot mast. If you need more volume, just pop off the nose and add a piece to the board. You can increase the size all the way up to that of a Daysailer (small sailboat). Also, the new Velcro board and bootie set will make foot straps obsolete.
ABC: Yeah, and knee cartilage extinct. Lego, hmmm. You and Austin have been working too hard. Well, one last thing. Were you born in Atlanta?
DB: Yes. Fourth generation.
ABC: At last, a native Atlantan. Who let you in the club? Well, thanks Dan and good luck next year.
Dan also wanted us to mention his family (cue Jetsons' music): daughter, Mariah (4 1/2, future freestyle champion or journalist); Nancy- his wife (formerly an avid windsurfer, now an avid Mom and Dan's best friend); his son Austin (2 1/2, future standup comic or lead role in Batman 17).
Top of Page
Top of Page
But what would it take to be able to beat everybody all the time? The following is my ideal for the perfect Atlanta windsurfing competitor.
He or she would have: Top of Page
The Berkeley Lake Organization of Windsurfers (BLOW) wishes to thank all who participated in their annual New Year's Skinny Dip Regatta. (You too, Dan Burch). You may send cards of congratulations to race winner Richard Short c/o Piedmont Hospital where he is almost fully recovered from his hypothermia.
The windsurfing honor society, Beta Iota Kappa, announces the next lecture in their historical series: "If Yoko Ono had windsurfed, would the Beatles have remained intact?" Dr. Oscar Von Luff of Flowery Branch College will be the guest lecturer.
Top of Page
Annual membership in the Atlanta Boardsailing Club is still only $20 ($30 for a family). Send payment to the address below.
Atlanta Boardsailing Club
Attention all women windsurfers: Jackie Greaner will be hosting a get-together at her home in Brookhaven from 4 to 6 pm, Sunday, Jan. 12. This is a great time to meet other women sailing partners, mentors and travel buddies. Call 404-266-3572 for directions. I urge you all to attend. It will be fun and will make your sailing much more fun. Bring a friend, too.
Attention All Women WindsurfersWelcome to our newest member:
We now have 80 individual or family memberships.
Dan Burch, Fleet CaptainIMCO Fleet One - One Design News
Anatomy of an Atlanta Sailor
The sailors in Atlanta have truly benefited from the wealth of talent that we have here. We all push each other to do better and learn from watching or following each other on the race course. In many races, the skill level is so even that if ten people were in ten races, there could be ten different winners. That's alot more fun than having one or two guys dominate.
by Our Staff
News from Local Clubs
The Benevolent and Paternal Order of the Skunk regrets to inform all local windsurfers that Bingo night has been temporarily suspended. The new ventilation system in their new lodge, despite predictions to the contrary, doesn't blow hard enough. They apologize for the inconvenience.
Ms. Charlotte Bronte of the Yorkshire Moors, England should have been credited with Jane Air in last month's classics. Her sister, Emily, instead wrote a little book called Wuthering Heights. What's a wuther, I wonder? Also, we misspelled the name of Mr. Wile E. Coyote of Monument Valley, AZ. We regret the inconvenience.
Windsurfing in Classic Literature- Corrections and Retractions
P.O. Box 28376
Atlanta, GA 30358
For a membership form
Top of Page