Sunday November 29th was not only Grey Cup Day but also the Calgary Yacht Club at Chestermere’s Christmas party and awards ceremony for the 2015 year. With over 60 people in attendance Commodore Michael Hooper handed out fifteen awards. The first one was to Member of the Year to the Rob and Sharon Oliveria Family. I am sure they spent more time at the CYC this season than they did in their Calgary home. Their volunteer and competitive spirit was infectious and that is what community is all about–they went above and beyond. The Skipper of the Year award went to a local Chestermere resident, Art Buitenwerf. Crew of the Year went to Connor Oliveria. Connor sailed in the Brass Monkey with Michael Hooper and helped out many other skippers this past year. Junior Male of the Year went to Connor Weicht, also a local young Chestermere man. Connor also came in 3rd in the Radial (Laser) Class at Sail West this year. The Comox Bay Sailing Club hosted Sail West July 23 to 26, 2015. The Junior Female of the Year was Mairin Rockliff. Optimist Sailor of the Year was Adam Chan–who is nearly dwarfed by the trophy! Master Sailor of the Year was Thom Stubbs. Thom started sailing a Laser later in life and is now 17th in the world. The Commodore Cup went to Lesley Reichenfeld. The Commodore cup is one of the CYC’s big events. There is one race that lasts about 1 ½ hours on a special course. This is followed by a formal sail past The Commodore who stands on the dock, by all CYC boats & skippers, followed by a formal tea. The Club Champion Single Handed ( one sailor in a boat) went to Phil Paxton, and Club Champion Double Handed Mono (two people in a boat with one hull) went to Art Buitenwerf and Adam Minshull. In the Twilight Series, Single Handed was awarded to Michael Hopper and Twilight Series Double Handed Mono went to Brian Graham. The Icebreaker Trophy for Laser first place Laser went to Barry Tee, a top Master Sailor and guest at the club from Sylvan Lake. This trophy is the oldest at the club, it was first awarded in 1929 (it is 86!). Originally it was awarded to the top sailor the ‘International Fourteen’ fleet, a very popular dingy in the early 1900s’. In the 60s it was re-dedicated to the ‘Flying Dutchman’ fleet at the club and more recently in the 90s dedicated to the ‘Laser’ fleet. This year The Brass Monkey trophy went to Phil Paxton (this is the last race of the year, often there is a lot of ice on the boats!) and the Laser Lantern Trophy also part of the Brass Monkey went to Michael Hooper.
There are many opportunities at the Calgary Yacht Club to get involved. Volunteers are always welcome to help with race nights once the season starts in the spring. You don’t have to have any experience sailing, training is provided. If you want to learn more you can also sign on as a crew member. The club provides paddle board rentals and many other activities, as well as sailing lessons available for old and young, novice and experienced. For more information go to www.cyc.ab.ca. Just scanning the photos will get you thinking about next spring and maybe a try at sailing!
