Lots of June gloom as expected but it didn’t keep us from some of our most enjoyable events and activities. The month started out with an entertaining and very educational presentation on local Heavy Weather by Mike Pyzel. This very anticipated lecture resulted in standing room only in the Waterfront Classroom. Our Fun and Entertainment meetings are gaining momentum and attendance is resulting in a packed house. What was not anticipated but is very exciting is that when the presentation is over at about 9pm, members tend to hang around and socialize afterward for quite a while. So come join us for the program and stay for the social time afterward.
The Progressive Dinner followed shortly after that meeting on Saturday, June 9. Those who attended were able to work up quite an appetite as the order of courses took us from Marina 2 to Marina 1 and then back to Marina 4. Another well-attended event, we were joined by a few new members and they enjoyed the opportunity to tour a few of the squadron’s boats and view a really excellent new teak deck on the Ablitt’s S/V Maude.
We received notice that the Ventura Squadron was going to make their annual trek to Santa Barbara Harbor and invited our squadron to a happy hour on their member’s 55’ motor yacht, M/V Mariposa, on June 15. We appreciate them extending a welcome to their neighboring squadron. They presented us with a bottle of champagne which we opened and shared around.
We didn’t schedule any squadron cruises to the islands this year because the past has shown that trying to schedule cruises at our February planning meeting doesn’t result in very positive results due to the fickleness of weather and members’ other commitments. So this year we just proposed that if someone is going over, they should announce it to the fleet and invite anyone available to go that weekend. Such was the case when Scott Burns announced he was headed over on Friday, June 15. As a result, three vessels, S/V Benchmark, S/V Quiddity, and S/V Libertad enjoyed a weekend away from the mainland.
Finally, we asked Steve Young to schedule some Evening Sail activities, just a quick trip away from the docks, shake out the sails or crank over the motor –everyone knows how a boat will rot if not used. June 28 was the first one he scheduled and even though he couldn’t attend, he rallied several boats out of their slips and into the deep blue.
More of the same coming up in July and the rest of the year. And don’t overlook our great lineup of educational courses. Marine Electrical Systems just completed and Piloting is underway, still time to join the class. The class instructor is John Profant, one our most experienced and distinguished members. In fact, please join me in congratulating John on being the squadron’s most recent member who has qualified for Life Membership.