A Sense of Time and Place

To steer a good course for the Great South Bay Yacht Racing Association, presidents rely on enthusiastic clubs to offer a multitude of fantastic sailing opportunities, and rely on positive individuals who seek training and propel our association forward. Every president encourages the best communication possible among the clubs and sailors to balance the ebb and flow of events and boat classes, and every president encourages education for all to keep abreast of changing technical items and means.

Presidents realize communication is vital to success and often brings the unexpected. Presidents now communicate more directly to clubs and sailors with group emails and through the redesigned website. Presidents can be contacted through the website and internet by unknown individuals, some from afar who return early trophies once awarded by GSBYRA, and some individuals from the area who desire to join the organization. And consider how texted and tweeted communications by sailors can increase excitement about educational opportunities for sailing improvement and increase attendance at events.

Presidents realize positive growth builds upon the foundation of education laid in the past. First, we are indebted to those enthusiastic and well trained individuals who led our bay sailing programs and understood that involved parents, the right boats, and US SAILING certified instructors are critical to improve sailing. Second, we are indebted to those highly motivated individuals who became great role models for both youngsters and old timers by building boats for sailing programs, by acquiring education and certifications, and by running events of which to be proud. As a result, our bay celebrates a record number of certified US SAILING club race officers, judges, and an international umpire, all proficient in running quality events. And our bay has a certified safety and power boat instructor to provide training.

As president, I encourage you to celebrate all the individuals, classes and clubs from our bay who contribute to our success and I note several of special interest. Thank you Hap Fauth for remembering your roots and taking time from your ocean racing circuit to assert the importance of good race preparedness. I give kudos to Eric Forsyth for his remarkable sail through the Northwest Passage. I give kudos to Amanda Clark and her identically dressed crew for racing the P Class replica Kidd in Queen of the Bay at Bellport after being towed to the race by a restored classic powerboat. I give kudos to youngster Andrew Baransky for organizing a Junior Regatta to support juvenile diabetes, and being highlighted by US SAILING as October sailor of the month. I give kudos to youngster Alex Smith for taking charge of the Vanguard 15 fleet. I sincerely welcome Seaview Sailing Yacht Club and South Bay Watersports Association as provisional members of GSBYRA, and I invite Shinnecock Yacht Club and South Bay Catalina Yacht Club to join GSBYRA. Finally I dedicate our 2010 yearbook to John Everitt, a former president and in every sense a true champion of our bay forever in our memory.

Enjoy our premier sailing venue now, remember our heritage, and imagine our future!

MaryAnn Deering