Storm on the Horizon

Take a look at this impressive system which will bring 23 ft waves to the NW Coast by the weekend.

BY ERIN JOHNSON

We have strong weather headed our way; here are some of the forecasts for this massive low pressure system.

This is a map of the forecasted pressure on Thursday.  To help put this into context, here’s a little background on how to read these maps.

The lines are called isobars, and they indicate the pressure measured at sea level. The closer together these isobars are, the greater the change in pressure over a specific area.  Wind is air moving from high to low pressure, so the greater the pressure change, the greater the winds.  You can also get a general idea for the wind direction based on the isobars.  Wind blows with low pressure on to the left and high pressure on the right in the northern hemisphere, and is generally within 15-40 degrees off the direction of the isobars.

Other things to note: The center of the low pressure system (indicated by the L) is 947 mb, keep in mind that average sea-level pressure is 1013 mb. This is a very strong low. Also, this map gives temperature in degrees Celsius indicated by the color changes, so you get that information as well.

Another interesting forecasting tool is the NWS wavewatch3 models. Take a look:

Check out the height of these waves! The color indicates height in meters, so in the first map that maroon color is roughly 43 ft. (!)  The waves are able to get this big because of the combination of high winds over a long period of time with a large fetch (space for waves to build).

The second map shows the wave heights when they reach our coast. Now they aren’t 43 ft, but these waves are 7 meters or about 23 ft; Still substantial. If you have a chance to get out to Ocean Shores on Saturday you’d get a pretty good show.

This is a remarkable weather system, and I’m interested in seeing how it pans out. If you’d like to see an animation of the wave height, go to this website-

http://polar.ncep.noaa.gov/waves/main_int.html

Set the drop boxes to “latest model run”, “North Pacific Hurricane (reg)”, “wave heights”, and “animation”. Then just hit “go”. Pretty cool.

Also, I’m following Cliff Mass’s weather blog on the right, check in with that for his take on the system. He’ll give updates as the storm progresses.

This One Goes to Eleven

A three-masted laser with a twin rudder shown at the Hamburg Boat Show.

POSTED BY GORAN ZIVKOVIC

Could this be part of our new single/double/triple handed fleet?!

More information at http://www.sailinganarchy.com/article.php?get=4573

Photos courtesy of SailingAnarchy.com

Dust in the Wind

A sailor’s study of respect.

BY JAKE ANTLES

I don’t claim to be a gifted writer, and I do not normally thrust myself into the spotlight as I tend to sweat and shake. However, in the face of that, I have something to say. Something which I believe shouldn’t have to be said; and that is, always, always be respectful.

There is a certain degree of respect a sailor develops. You need a respect for hard work and time, and a respect for those who give their time and sweat when we cannot. You grow to respect boats, sails, and those things we must share. You give respect for others opinions when they have the ‘right-of-way’, be it on the water or off. We show respect for other’s mistakes, recognizing we all make them at some time or another. And we possess a respect for other’s feelings and the damage we could inflict with simple words. This culminates to a respect for yourself, and your value in this world.

These qualities are not innate. I believe that as sail-lovers our perception of the word respect, and what it entails, stems from our respect for the elements. We have all battled the wind at some point, shouting “THOU SHALL NOT PASS!!” or “I will conquer you!” Maybe that's just me.

All I know is that when I’m on the water, plowing through waves, straining my abs keeping my boat flat, jumping up into a plane in a 20 knot gust, then ultimately capsizing in a daring jibe… The entire world just makes sense.

Gasping for breath perched on the edge of my capsized boat; I realize there is absolutely no point to ever be mean-spirited. It is worthless to be impatient, and it is counterproductive to make others unhappy as that would surely make me unhappy.

I’m not sure about you, but I get particularly philosophical on the water. In my opinion, the wind stirs something similar inside all of us. We sailors know the wind more intimately than the normal person.  We realize we shouldn’t work against the wind and the waves, but instead work with that mighty force, giving us respect for those other mighty forces around us.

These thoughts are all in response to recent events that disappointed me greatly. I wish everyone in the world enjoyed the epiphany I have had. I wish everyone would learn to respect the wind, our limited time amongst said wind, and realize that respect for each other is much more important than those things that upset us; that those things are mere dust in the wind.

New Year, New Officers

Headed by Commodore Jasmine Lee-Barber, our new officers are ready to incite change and boost student involvement.

BY ERIN JOHNSON

Annually, during the beginning of fall quarter, the Washington Yacht Club holds elections for the three student-held officer positions within the club: Commodore, Vice Commodore, and Rear Commodore. 

These positions have very distinct responsibilities. The club is lead by the Commodore who is the official representative of the club, and calls and conducts all meetings. Underneath the Commodore, the Vice Commodore organizes the lesson program within the club, and the Rear Commodore is the Club’s liaison and contact point with the Washington Racing Team. 

The results of the 2009 elections bring together officers Jasmine Lee-Barber, Mario Jaspers, and Krysta Bouchard.  These three dedicated WYC sailors each bring exciting ideas about the club and a strong commitment to their new positions. 

Commodore Jasmine Lee- Barber, a biology major and comparative religion minor, grew up sailing and has been very active in the club during her four years as a member. Serving as Rear Commodore last year, Jasmine recognizes the pressing need for creating a fun and accessible environment for students.  “We’re trying to foster a love of sailing.” Jasmine states. “It’s all about making the yacht club more approachable.”

Mario Jaspers, now Vice Commodore, began sailing four years ago when he joined the yacht club. Since then he has become a ratings examiner, laser fleet captain, and a lesson instructor. As Vice Commodore, Mario’s goals are to streamline the lesson sign-up process and create a greater sense of community through lessons. 

As Rear Commodore, Krysta Bouchard has one thing in mind: Racing. Krysta is heading up a Sunday afternoon racing program within the club that targets students who have taken lessons before and are looking for the next step in their sail training. “I want to get… an informal program going for racing,” Krysta says. “I feel like you learn a lot better when you race; you have to learn when it’s fast and you’re on your feet.” Also, as a former member of the Washington Sailing Team, Krysta can use this connection to encourage communication between the two student organizations. 

All three new officers share a love of sailing and of meeting new people within the club. It is this love that fuels their dedication to the WYC and their position responsibilities. Mario says simply, “I think there’s a lot of excitement in the club right by lots of members, and it’s our responsibility to nourish it, and that’s one of our main goals.” They plan to do this by keeping students more active within the club through lessons, racing, and by creating more club events.

This year promises to be one filled with new action and innovation. We have much to look forward to under this passionate trio of student leaders.

Summer 2004 Telltale Archive

Full Summer 2004 Archived Issue

Commodore’s Report    Abigail Plawman

Hi everyone!

I hope this summer will see everyone getting some sun and fresh air out on the water. We have had an amazing year so far, with plenty to keep everyone busy. In March, the club purchased six new Hobie Bravos and the Vice Commodore Kyle Fitzpatrick has been doing a fantastic job working them into an already busy lesson schedule. Matt and Heather Squires redesigned the website (from as far away as Costa Rica). In April, the Snooze ‘n' Cruise Committee put on another fabulous trip to Blake Island, complete with cake, ice cream, and piñatas for my birthday! (Thanks guys!) We had a great Opening Day party in May, thanks to Cath Dahle. Informal racing has really taken off this spring, thanks to the race team, who kicked it off by acting as race committee and helping those new to racing understand how it all works. We even had a weather lecture in June from Walter Kelley, AMS Meteorologist for Channel 13 – sailors can always stand to know more about the weather! Many great things were accomplished this past year. Thank you to all the members whose hard work made them possible.

In the past few months, Mike Evans has built a new rudder-rack for the sail locker as well as designed new laser mast racks for the docks – thanks for your hard work! We had a spontaneous committee form to work on how to retain new members, which provided numerous great suggestions for the club! We accepted several new-to-us boats, including a Hobie 16, Hobie 18, and a Laser. We continue to look for new boats, so if anyone knows of other potential donations, please let me know!

The hard work everyone has put into the club this year is much appreciated. Currently, the club is looking to fill vacant positions and get all of our fleets in shape for the summer. If you have time, energy, or ideas that you want to share with the club, we would love to hear from you!

See you on the water!

Abigail Plawman

Summer 2003 Telltale Archive

Full Summer 2003 Archived Issue

Commodore’s Report    Claudette Meyer

Hello Sailors! I hope everyone is enjoying the last remaining days of summer. The past couple of quarters for the club have been good. Several new Lasers and a Hobie 16 were added to our fleet; the majority by donation. Our fleet captains are doing an excellent job working to maintain our boats. Special thanks to Abi Plawman for her tireless efforts in maintaining the sails. George Richardson, Christian Rusby and Matt MacAdam completed the remodel of the keelboat locker, while Ross Fleming spent days setting up the computer in the locker. Cath Dahle provided us with a terrific Opening Day party.

Both spring and summer Snooze N Cruises produced great turnout. Classes have received good attendance and have been running smoothly under the direction of Interim Vice Commodore Kyle Fitzpatrick. The club hired Marie Sandona as the new Program Director so that Kate Bogh, our veteran PD of two years could graduate. Marie has been doing a great job in tackling the club's administrative tasks. I trust everyone had a great time these past quarters and I look forward to continuing our current trend.

Lately, I have been working to recruit new fleet captains and fill other vacant positions. Please see the club webpage for current vacancies. Thank you to all those who have volunteered time, energy and ideas; your help is very much appreciated. I have also been working with the Vice Commodore in an effort to standardize the material presented in lessons. This year's Instructor's Clinic will take place in the near future. The club is continuing to look for new boats. Thank you to all those who have been keeping their eyes open for potential new-to-us boats. And I have been working to provide members with more opportunities to practice in higher winds and to advance their ratings.

Sadly, summer quarter will be my last quarter as Commodore. I have enjoyed serving the club these past two years and hope to continue in the future. Thank you for another great year at Washington Yacht Club!

Claudette Meyer

Spring 2001 Telltale Archive

Full Spring 2001 Archived Issue 

Commodore’s Report    John Pyles  Hello WYC! Well even though the weather seems to be about the same, spring is almost here. Despite the lack of wind and small classes, we had a good winter quarter. What we didn't have in numbers we made up in getting stuff done. We had a number of successful work parties and got a lot of boats fixed. In addition we've purchased a new computer for the club office to help out our great new Program Director Cathy, and the club database is up, running and almost complete! Thanks to Matt for all his hard work on this! We've had lot of club business things going on such as by-laws revision, work on a new budget, and revision of the day-sailor handbook. We also hope to have the UW Racing Team joining us back at the WAC soon. They are in the process of raising money to purchase more FJs and will then be moving their practices back to the WAC. We look forward to having them around more and a more integral part of WYC. Also thanks to the social committee for arranging the movie nights and pool sharks to keep give us something to do while there's no wind. Going into spring quarter we are lucky to fill many of our vacant positions with new, enthusiastic people. We have a new purser, quartermaster, publicity chair, computer consultant, assistant keelboat fleet captain and double-handed fleet captain. Spring quarter will again be a big push for new members and getting old members who haven't been around for a while active in the club again. We will have the usual array of different sorts of lessons including a weekly intermediate class. There will also be regattas, social events, some special lectures, the annual Opening Day festivities, Snooze 'n Cruise, and more. This spring in classes we are concentrating more on quality than quantity, with a better students to instructor ratio. The goal is to work on member retention and getting new members, especially students, active in the club for the long term. A mentoring program is also starting up to help with this, contact Adam if you're interested in that. As always, if you have any ideas or suggestions come to a meeting or contact me. A final thank you to Heather for her great work on the last few Telltales. Heather took over the reigns a while back and successfully moved the Telltale onto the web. Also thanks for your burgee and reciprocal work. Matt and Heather are heading off to the East coast to a big boat that's going to go places where the water is swimming temperature, I know I'm jealous. Good luck you guys! We'll miss you! To everyone else: go sailing, come to the parties! See you on the water...