GulfportYachtClub.org

Opening Day Flag Raising & Boat Parade

Saturday May 9^th, 2009

0800-1100 - Birthday Breakfast

1000 - Flag Raising

1100 - Blessing of the Fleet Boat Parade.

· Vessels will start to gather and line up behind the Commodore’s boat @ 10:45 right outside the channel.

· In a single-file line boats will motor to the end of the visitors pier slowing down to be blessed.

1200 – Captains Toast & Birthday Cake

· All captains & crew will come into the Chartroom for a toast to a wonderful and safe season. Orange juice for the kids.

1215 – Crew & Boat Awards

· Best Decorated

· Most Juniors

· Best Dressed Crew

· Best Overall

1330-till - Free sailing & Activities for Adults & Juniors, with Music

Spring Sailing Camp *NEW*

April 13-17 - GYC will host a spring sailing session.

Full Day $150 – ages 8 & up - 9:30am-4:00pm

Half Day $100–ages 4 thru 8 -12:00pm–4:00pm

As you noticed we will be hosting a Harbor Mice session for the younger ones. If you are interested please fill the form out on the sailing page of the website or pick one up from the club. Contact Sam V with any Questions or concerns.

GYA Winter Meeting Report

It was a wonderful weekend with our friends from around the coast. The club was full with all the yacht clubs’ decision makers. The GYA held meetings all day Saturday discussing all aspects of sport. The staff produced a fabulous banquet in the ballroom. Gulfport Yacht Club received two during the night. One for Attending all 16 Capdevielle Events & 1st Place in the Mississippi Challenger Division. It was an honor to be able to host this event and welcomes them back with open arms.

Lipton Report

GYC sailors traveled to Bay Waveland YC November 22 – 23 to sail against seventeen other GYA clubs from around the area to participate in the Sr. Lipton Regatta. Traditionally Sr. Lipton’s are held over Labor Day weekend however this year the regatta was postponed due to the threat of Hurricane Ike. The entire weekend provided beautiful sailing conditions allowing the BWYC race committee to run two races Saturday and two races Sunday in Easterly winds ranging from 8 – 20 knots with temperature in the high 50’s.

In race one with Sam Hopkins, Jr. skippering along and Sam Hopkins, Sr. and Jacob Seichsnydre crewing, GYC started off strong sailing in the top 5 - 6 the entire race when all of a sudden the mast fell down while approaching the finish line only 300 yards away. After getting a tow in, fixing the mast and then arriving the starting area with 5 minutes to spare for race two, skipper Ana Gayle Christian with Claire Yost and Sam Hopkins, Sr. crewing finished 6th place after having to sail the entire second downwind leg with a spinnaker ripped in half. Apparently the sail got caught on something sharp around the forward gunwale area of the boat causing the tear. Race 3 provided flukier sailing conditions than the previous races allowing skipper Michael Hage with crew Jeff Bell and Claire Yost to finish just outside the top 10. Race 4 ended up being the most exciting race to watch knowing that four clubs had a chance to win the regatta. Skipper Tom Matthews with Jeff Bell and Hugh Hawkins crewing sailed a beautiful race in the tricky shifting breeze and at one point were in second place but dropped back at the very end to finish eighth place. 12/11/2008

Wood Boat Festival

GYC Members clean House at the 2008 Wooden Boat Festival in Madisonville, LA! 12/03/2008 -