P.O. Box 2122 Bay City, MI 48707-2122 Tel: 989-922-SAIL http://sbcsa.org

Fall 2002

President's Message
By Joe Parker

Another sailing season has ended, and the volunteers working for the SBCSA have put away the boats, moved the docks, and begun working on next year's projects. We all owe a big THANK YOU to those folks. A very special thank you also goes to instructors Bill Coberly and Kay Harley. Bill and his wife Margaret have worked tirelessly for the SBCSA since the very beginning. This year, Bill taught all of the adult sessions of the Learn to Sail course. Margaret is always willing to help out, and is always there to support us all in our efforts. Kay Harley taught both of the intermediate sessions this year and has made a significant impact on all of the kids. She is a great teacher, and we all have tremendous respect for her sailing abilities. She also is the one who edits and assembles this newsletter. Kay's husband Charlie is one of the regulars at the boatshop on SBCSA work nights.

We had seven beginning Learn to Sail classes for children this year. Some of them were not quite full, and I certainly hope that next season we can fill them up. Most of the class sessions were ably taught by our Dynamic Duo of Zac Bowdish and Alex Niederer. These two did a great job with the kids. They were very professional, yet let the kids have tons of fun while safely learning how to sail. I also cannot forget to thank Tim Scott who stepped in and was able to teach those sessions when Zac and Alex had to be out of town.

Ralph Friedrich donated his Venture 23, Columbine, which he has owned for over 25 years to SBCSA. The boat is in very good shape, and is a lot of fun to sail. Bay Harbor Marina donated a slip for the boat, and we have had it in the water all summer. The boat has had lots of use by SBCSA members. It was used at least once a week all summer long and was sometimes scheduled for two different members in the same day. Ralph, I hope you are reading this. Just know that Columbine helped many new sailors realize how wonderful Saginaw Bay is. A big thanks to Bay Harbor as well; if you are looking for a good place to keep your boat, give them a call.

As always, we have many individuals, businesses, and organizations to thank for our success. The space available is never enough to recognize all who donate time, money, materials, services or boats. Our organization truly is successful, and getting stronger every year. That strength and success are because of you. I think back to the day we decided on a name for the SBCSA. I think we got it right: Saginaw Bay COMMUNITY Sailing Association.

See you at the boatshop on Mondays. Have a great Holiday Season. Thank you.

47 Students Take Sailing Classes

The Youth Learn-to-Sail classes in the Optimist prams enrolled 23 different students, with three students re-enrolling for a second session, and one re-enrolling for a third. So we had 28 registrations in all. The repeat enrollments, both from kids who had taken classes in 2001 and from kids who took several classes this year to build their skills and keep on sailing, show how well SBCSA instructors are building interest, confidence and skills in young sailors.

Thirteen students enrolled in the two Intermediate Youth sessions. Most had sailed the prams previously and were in the Intermediate sessions for the second year. They enjoyed the challenges of the Transfusions, and gained confidence in sail handling with both main and jib, sailing safely in heavier air, and docking with control.

Eleven students participated in the two evening Adult sessions taught by Bill Coberly with some assistance from Joe Parker.

Student ages ranged from 8 to 71, showing you are never too young or too old to learn to sail. While most students came from Bay City (12), Caro (9), Midland (8), and Saginaw (7) were also well represented. Other students came from Chesaning (3), Essexville (2), Linwood (2), Reese, Lupton, Grand Blanc and Canton.

Youth Sailing Instructor: Zak Bowdish

Anyone who has watched Zak Bowdish take 8 year olds who have never been in a boat before, teach them how to rig and steer their own pram, help them through simple sail handling, and then get them safely back to the dock knows what a fine teacher he is. Zak keeps his explanations geared to the kids' level, breaks sessions up into short chunks, and gives kids plenty of one-on-one coaching. In fact, it's amazing how Zak can steer the safety boat with one hand, hold on to a pram with the other, and talk a child through his or her first attempt at a jibe. He gives the kids confidence, lots of opportunities to practice, and gradually builds their skills. Throughout, Zak is patient and supportive. In addition, everyone has lots of fun. Here are Zak's reflections on his summer 2002 classes:

Hi, I'm Zak Bowdish, and this was my second year with SBCSA. It was also the best year to date. This year I was privileged enough to teach both the morning and afternoon beginner sessions, and even an advanced class. As an education major and an active sailor, this was an priceless experience. Every class I taught, I had the opportunity to witness the sailors of tomorrow. It was a great summer for sailing. There was hardly a day with no wind, and more than one with too much.

Every class was different. Each student needed reinforcement of a certain skill, whether it be tacking, jibing, or sailing upwind. Teaching these skills not only helped the students, but myself as well. As a teacher you're forced to know your subject very well. Kids will come up with tough questions and it's up to the teacher to be able to explain the answer, in more than one way if needed. This forces me as a sailing instructor to study not only how to teach, but what I'm teaching. I know without a doubt that I have become a better sailor since I started teaching. I am grateful for the opportunity to be able to teach future sailors. There is no better job.

Experiential Education at its Best
Letter to the Editor, Saginaw News, July 14, 2002
From Margaret Heise

Bay City's best kept secret is sailing lessons offered by the Saginaw Bay Community Sailing Association. My grandchildren-ages 8, 10 and 11-finished two weeks of sailing lessons offered by the association. They not only learned the basics of sailing, but also had a great adventure.

The lessons are taught by top-notch instructors. They taught knots, preparing the boats for sailing (each student has his own boat), putting equipment away, maneuvering the boats and safety with an emphasis on fun.

It was great to see the patient, caring way instruction was delivered. This is experiential education at its best.

SBCSA Lessons Make It Easy to Sail
By Matt Turner

"I was in SBCSA's first adult session this summer. I can't say enough great things about the program. I'd never sailed before and our instructor, Bill [Coberly], did a great job of making me feel comfortable in a sailboat from day one. Over the remaining classes that comfort turned into confidence. Bill's enthusiasm for sailing really comes through in his instruction and demonstrations. The hands-on experience made it very easy for me to grasp the fundamental concepts of sailing. "After completing the course I found myself spending a lot of time sailing with friends on the Saginaw Bay. In fact I remember at one point mentioning to a friend of mine that the SBCSA lessons were one of the best things I've treated myself to in a long time."

Monday Nights in the Boatshop
By Bill Coberly

Starting January 6, 2003, SBCSA will be running its Boat Repair and Maintenance Workshop. Major projects will include adding flotation to the Transfusions and rebuilding the Tempest, a 23' keel boat. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn repair and maintenance techniques from experienced builders, or simply volunteer your time helping to keep SBCSA's fleet in shape.

We will meet every Monday from 6:00-9:00 PM in the Gougeon Brothers Boatshop. You are welcome to come to whatever sessions you can make. There is no cost, but all participants must be current members of SBCSA.

For further information, contact Bill Coberly at 989 667-9308 or sfactor43@worldnet.att.net.

Sailing Is My Adventure
By Karmen Jackson, Caro, MI

Sailing is my passion, my hobby, and my adventure. Sailing fulfills my pestering curiosity and teaches me experiences beyond my wildest imagination. It makes me find peace in life. When I'm sailing, I have lots of time to sort things out that very much needed to be sorted. When I'm sailing, I prioritize my time. Now I know what you are thinking: "Why couldn't you do that on land?" Quite simply because I would get too overwhelmed in what needed to be done and forget the small things that are so important.

I've looked at the sail boat in a much different perspective this year. I've been learning about the great explorers and how many adventures began with just food, a crew, a sail boat, and men who had determination. I was able to really imagine how scared most people might have felt and what courage they had. Sailing is so unpredictable, especially when owner manuals weren't yet invented and sea monsters were a reality. Besides all of the regular sailing information, I've learned how to face my fears and be brave. The first year of sailing lessons I was very scared. I was terrified at the thought of being alone in a boat on a river. I was only seven years old at the time, but if my good friend could be brave, well then I could too. Needless to say, I conquered that fear. Now I just jump for joy when I get to go sailing.

I've been living on this land for over 13 years now and it's getting dull. Driving in a car is too ordinary. I need a different mode of transportation. Sailing is just the trick! I've found there are a ton of fun activities to be done. Some of the fun things I've had the privilege to do are races, family get-togethers, and sunset pictures, just to name a few.

You know how a pop loses its fizz? Well, I assume you this cannot happen with sailing. In fact, sailing gets even more challenging and interesting. The more you sail, the more exciting it gets. Sailing never loses its fizz.

SBCSA General Membership Meeting
By Bruce Niederer, Secretary

The annual meeting was held November?6, 2002 at the Gougeon Brothers boathouse. Treasurer Tim Atkinson reported a balance in the checking account of $5552.21 and submitted a detailed accounting report for review. The report is available on request to any interested member.

SBCSA President Joe Parker reviewed the 2002 sailing season. He received many comments from the parents of students about the good job instructor Zak Bowdish and assistant Alex Niederer did conducting the youth sessions. The Venture and Compac both were well used by members this summer. Thanks to Bay Harbor Marina for donating the dock space.

Those present felt the Charter television ad was well received and seen by lots of folks, but agreed that it didn't generate any students. The board will look into possibly buying some TV time early next season to run the ad again. A very nice letter to the editor in the Saginaw News described the SBCSA as "the best kept secret in Bay City."

Joe expressed SBCSA's thanks to a number of special folks: Gougeon Brothers, Inc. for their continued and generous support in the form of storage and repair facilities, launch and haul out facilities, cash and equipment donations--without this, we simply couldn't exist; the Morley Brothers Foundation for their continued support including $1000 donated to purchase two new dock boxes to replace an old plywood one; the City of Bay City for the continued used of the Fifth St. site for our on water operations; and Steve Frame for his time and effort to produce the TV ad. A special thank you and gift certificate were presented to Bill and Margaret Coberly and Kay Harley and Charlie Fahlgren for their exceptional volunteer efforts over the years which have been instrumental in the success of the SBCSA. We can't thank them enough!

The group decided to continue to target schools, scouts, the USCG, and community education programs to promote the organization and recruit students for the next season.

Barry Duke and Bill Coberly were elected to another 3 year term on the board. Also, Mark Morley has volunteered to consult with the board to draft grant applications and target likely foundations. Kay Harley will help with the newsletter.

Still Wishing We Had This Stuff List

As a volunteer organization dependent on donations, we are always trying to scrounge up things that others do not need anymore. Some of these items are:

• docks at the mouth of the River for summer of 2003 .
• treated lumber for building of docks
• cell phone
• rigid bottom inflatable such as a 13 to 17 foot Boston Whaler or similar stable power boat
• more volunteers, instructors, students and money-WE NEED MORE OF THESE!!

Things We Have For Sail (Sale!!)

• Inflatable Achilles 8.5 dinghy, outboard bracket, plywood floor and oars - $400.00
• Lightning - 2 available at different prices
• X Class Sailboat with trailer - $500
• Helley Hanson foul weather gear. Large. Worn 1 time by a friend of mine - about a $450 value for $225 with $25 going to SBCSA. Contact Bill Darbee at 989-895-0579 (I can't give any more of his money away without his consent)

Time to Renew SBCSA Memberships
By Tim Atkinson

SBCSA would like to thank everyone who purchased a membership in 2002. The monies generated by Memberships are an important source of support for our organization. In fact, in 2002, membership fees accounted for approximately 29% of our operating funds. The remainder was made up by fees for lessons (34%) and donations (37%).

Benefits for members include a discount on lesson fees. In addition, all members are eligible to use the SBCSA's boats during scheduled Open Sailing times on the River, and adult members can reserve one of the larger boats to use on the Bay (after obtaining an instructor's endorsement to use a specific boat). Members may also attend our winter Boat Repair & Maintenance Workshop. All members are placed on our mailing list and receive the newsletter and other announcements.

2002 SBCSA memberships will expire on December 31. A family membership for 2003 is $125, an adult membership is $75, and a junior membership (under 18) is $25. New members can print a membership application from our web site (sbcsa.org). To renew your membership, just make out a check to SBCSA with a memo "2003 membership" and mail it in. Join now or renew early!

Donations to SBCSA

As is the case with all charitable organizations, we need your help. In this instance, money does not cure all our ills. We need your enthusiasm and brawn. If you think you can help us financially and you want to start finalizing your tax planning for 2002, make sure you put us in your plans. You are allowed to write your check to the SBCSA and send it to SBCSA at P. O. Box 2122, Bay City, Michigan 48707. You may also write a check to the Bay Area Community Foundation but make sure that you designate your donation for the SBCSA Endowment Fund. During 2001, this fund provided almost $750 to the SBCSA operating budget, but the Board chose to not take the funds in 2002 because of the downturn in the stock market. Either donation qualifies as a charitable deduction-but get more advice on this from your tax advisor.

Contact Your SBCSA Board