Sewell Mountain Sailing Association has a new logo thanks to Vice Commodore Jeff Seager and his team!
We will be integrating this into our official correspondence and promoting the SMSA "look" in the future.
We think you'll agree- it looks pretty "Snazzy"!
This is GREAT news as it will allow our organization to purchase the racing gear we need to host not only the the "Mountain Mama Hospice Regatta", but to help our members to become better sailors in the process.
Not everyone in the club races, but all of us want to learn how to handle the boats in a safe manner; learning how to "round the mark" gives all of us a better understanding of how to optimally set up our boat, critical sail and rudder handling skills and just a sense of fun that comes from pushing your personal comfort envelope!
The purchase of racing marks and essential gear will take place later this summer- but we would like to thank the City of Summersville for their support as we move forward and grow!
Clayton Spangler /Commodore
We are looking for volunteers!
The Sewell Mountain Sailing Association, in conjunction with the Hospice of Southern WV, will be hosting the MMHR V at Summersville Lake on August 22-23, 2015.
But we can't do it without your help!
The Commodore is calling a planning meeting for March 31st at 7:00pm (Tuesday) at Shoney's in Summersville, WV.
If you'd like to volunteer and be a part of something great that helps so many in the community, we ask that you attend this organizational planning meeting.
( With donations SMSA has raised, we've helped Hospice of Southern WV reach over 900 families )
We are looking for people to:
Help with parking
Event Information stations
Helping set up boats for launch
And many other ways not limited to the above- Everyone can be a part of the regatta, in big ways and small ways- but all important ways......Please make plans to attend !
**SMSA -WV has a room reserved in the back of the establishment**
**Dinner is not included as part of the meeting; but you may order on your own. If you wish to eat, please come at 6:30 so that we may start on time at 7:00**
Sewell Mountain Sailing Association is a relative newcomer to the national and international sailing community, but in 2012 our founders were wise to affiliate from the start with US Sailing, the national governing body for the sport of sailing.
US Sailing’s emphasis is on competition. And you may be interested mainly in pleasure sailing, but it would be a mistake to assume that U.S. Sailing has nothing to offer you. We encourage you to explore their website at www.ussailing.org to see the first-rate educational materials they offer, including some resources that are freely available to anyone.
Competition is one of the best ways to refine your sailings skills, and learning the rules of the sport keeps that competition friendly and fun. We have US Sailing to thank for that, too. US Sailing is committed to building participation at the local level, and we can help them do that.
Beginning March 2015, US Sailing and Sewell Mountain Sailing Association is partnering to bring the US Sailing MVP Program to the SMSA-WV Membership.
While SMSAWV already benefits from US Sailing resources, our decision to join the MVP Program will introduce even more valuable programs and services to our members, as well as savings on program materials and US Sailing membership fees.
** Each members receives a substantial discount on their US Sailing Membership, ($10 discount for individuals, $5 discount for youths, $15 discount for families)
Every US Sailing member contributes to the programs we enjoy. We are all “US Sailing,” and I encourage you to join me by becoming a member and investing in a thriving future for our sport.
To join online, you can follow the MVP image link from our membership page at www.smsawv.org/application/. Or go directly to our MVP signup page at US Sailing, at ussailingmvp.com/Smsawv. Either way, you’re adding even more value to our sailing program while enjoying the significant benefits of US Sailing membership.
Sincerely,
Clayton Spangler
Commodore, Sewell Mountain Sailing Association
Looking back over the past few years, it's amazing what the Sewell Mountain Sailing Association has accomplished. Under Bob Richards' watchful eye we've taught dozens of people to sail, and many of you are now happily trailering small sailboats to various lakes in and around West Virginia.
We love that.
We're always grateful for more help, too, whether you can show a kid in sailing class how to tie a bowline or volunteer to show guests around at the Mountain Mama Hospice Regatta. We hope you'll be moved to join us or to renew your existing membership, because the best is yet to come for this association of like-minded souls.
You can join or renew your membership right here on our website, and even pay online, or download the form and print it and mail it to us.
Thanks. We'll see you on the water!
The Sewell Mountain Sailing Association is pleased to announce the dates for its fifth annual benefit regatta in support of Hospice of Southern West Virginia, and tentative dates for Basics of Sailing classes and Fun Sail Days at Summersville Lake.
The Mountain Mama Hospice Regatta is set for Aug. 22-23, 2015, with festivities again centering around the peninsula at the Battle Run boat ramps. We look forward to greeting even more participants and more sponsors this year.
Check our events calendar for the details, and learn more about the annual hospice regatta by visiting the MMHR page on our website. You can also connect with our events calendar on your smart phone or tablet using Google Calendar, which allows you to set personalized reminders.
This is a fairly long blog post, for which we are almost sorry. We suggest you go now to fetch the beverage of your choice, and that you then return with sufficient resolve to read the story in its entirety.
In the wee hours of Oct. 25, 2014, two men set forth from Corliss, WV on a mission to retrieve and eventually restore a wooden sailing dinghy offered to Sewell Mountain Sailing Association by generous donors in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C.
The boat is a Penguin, brilliantly designed by Phillip Rhodes and popular for racing since the first were built in 1939. It's a small boat, with a length overall of less than 12 feet and a broad beam of 4.67 feet, according to Sailboatdata.com. The Penguin's cat rig makes for a very fun, very stable boat with just one sail -- ideal for Sewell Mountain Sailing Association's beginners sailing classes on Corliss Pond.
The trip from Corliss to Owings, MD was uneventful, painted with the rich hues of autumn as car and trailer cruised from Rainelle, WV to Lexington, VA. The traffic on I-81 was predictably heavy, but we veered east on I-64 to Charlottesville and quickly left the traffic behind by taking U.S. 29 north to I-66 at Haymarket. Inbound to D.C., the bumper-to-bumper traffic on I-66 was about as frantic as you might imagine in a VW Beetle with an empty trailer in tow.
On this trip were Harbor Master Bob Richards and newly elected Vice Commodore Jeff Seager, neither of whom had a clue about the adventure awaiting them. We arrived in good time at our destination to meet Charlie and Cairn Krafft, who kindly invited us in before showing us the boat.
At this point, we had some pretty clear indications of just who our benefactors were. Suffice it to say that the powder room wall was decorated with three trophies won in Penguin class international competition. Other walls of their home bore national and international sailing honors from decades past and into the present. Some of those trophies belonged to their sons, all three of them now away at school.
I don't know for sure about Bob, who has known his share of world-class sailors, but I (Jeff) was profoundly humbled. And charmed, too, by their kindness and the generosity of their gift to Sewell Mountain Sailing Association.
Bob talked with Charlie for some time as they looked over the boat, while I had a sandwich and talked with Cairn about botany (her specialty) and about their interest in sailing Thistles as well as Penguins. We all soon ended up outside again, securing the boat and getting ready for the trip home. We grabbed a few pictures, thanked the Kraffts sincerely and hit the road.
So ... leaving out a few details, we had some car trouble and found ourselves stranded. It was late Saturday afternoon, about 20 minutes from the Kraffts' home on the way to the Washington beltway that would take us home. I reached quickly for my phone and sent a message to AAA, and a tow truck was enroute in a very short time. Bob was considering whether to tow the car and boat to a VW dealership or to the nearest AAA-certified garage. Cars and trucks whizzed by in a constant stream.
Then something amazing happened.
A car pulled over in front of the tow truck. Out jumped Charlie and Cairn Krafft, who were on their way to a dinner party with friends. Then they amazed us again by insisting that the car and boat be towed back to their house, where we could stay until Charlie could help us fix Bob's car the next morning.
I've seen my share of hospitality of the highest order (West Virginia is a friendly place), but never have I known people who would open their home to two scraggly old salts they just met that day.
Charlie and Cairn went on to their party while we watched their TV, ate their food and cleaned up the mess we'd made in the galley before burrowing down in beds usually occupied by two of their sons. And when we woke on Sunday morning, Charlie had a plan and all the tools needed to execute that plan.
As you might expect (because this story is so full of miracles already), that plan worked flawlessly. The car was fixed and we were on our way again before noon.
We'll return to Maryland to race that Penguin when she's restored, because we said we would, and in all likelihood we will lose to Charlie Krafft gloriously, with big fat smiles on our grateful faces.
It's that time again-the SMSA General Business meeting is open to all members- and we look forward to all who can attend as we elect SMSA officers, wrap up old business for the year and give a report on where we are headed in the future- which is going to be pretty exciting!
This election will take place after the check presentation to Hospice and the beginning of the Sewell Mountain Sailing Association's annual business meeting ( To be held Oct. 16th at the Summersville Baymont Inn, 6:30 pm)
The names mentioned below are those who currently hold these positions and are available to continue them if re-elected.
If you wish to be considered for one of these positions, please contact the nomination committee by 10/13/2014 and clicking http://www.smsawv.org/contact-us/
to give us the name and position you would like to be considered for.
Role – By-Law or other description
Major Activities/Responsibilities
Commodore: The Commodore shall preside at all meetings of the Organization and of the Executive Committee. The Commodore may appoint standing or temporary committees as may be desired, with the exception of the Race Committee. In addition, the Commodore may determine and/or alter the duties of the officers provided the same is approved by the Executive Committee.
Chief Executive Officer
Oversee all SMSA-WV operations
Seats on nomination committee-Will guide the overall mission of the Association
Nominee for 2015:
Clayton Spangler
Vice Commodore: The Vice Commodore shall assist the Commodore in all his duties and shall in the absence of the commodore assume his or her duties. The Vice Commodore shall direct the Organizations regattas including the on-the water activities, ( SVL) and away sailing events. He or she may appoint a member(s) to serve as Chairman of the MM-HR Regatta Committee.
Executive Officer
Regattas – Annual Hospice Regatta (Mountain Mama)
Recruiting Regatta Principle Race Officer
Scoring & Results Publication
Publicize regatta – post NORs on One-Design Web Sites
Secure Permits for activities (MMHR)
The VC may appoint a member to assist as needed.
Mountain Mama-Hospice Regatta.
Seats on the nomination committee
Nominee for 2015:
Jeff Seager
Summer Racing Series
Race Committee Chair
Maintenance of Race Committee Equipment
Coordinates with Harbor Master on chase boat and RC boat where applicable.
Co-Captain team at Hospice Regattas. (Nationals)
Seats on Nomination committee
Nominee for 2015:
Dave Davison
Treasurer: The Treasurer shall have charge of all the money belonging to the Organization and shall keep an accurate account of all monies received and expended and of the paid-up status of the membership.
Chief Financial Officer
Budget, receipt and disbursement of club funds.
Periodic financial reporting
Coordination with Membership Chair – receipt of dues
Signature authority on bank accounts.
Or as directed by the Commodore.
Seats on nomination committee
Nominee for 2015:
Kathy Stonemark
Meeting Minutes – Executive Committee Actions & Business
Correspondence
As directed by Commodore and or VC
Mail outs, i.e Dues notice, Thank You and Welcome Aboard Cards or notes. (Copies to BOD as needed or requested)
Nominee for 2015:
Cindi Ruckpaul
Harbor Master: The Harbor Master shall be responsible for the duties assigned to him by the Commodore and shall supervise and maintain boats and other equipment belonging to the Organization.
Maintenance of club boats & equipment,
Ships Store, Club items,Hats, Shirts, etc. Maintain a Pay-Pal acct. not to exceed $500 for re-ordering as needed.
Boat and Trailer Registration
General Maintenance
Storage
Member use program
Shop Day activities
Procure and store materials
Nominees for 2015:
Bob Richards
Mike McGraw
Social Chairman: The Social Chairman shall be responsible for the development and implementation of the Organization’s social activities.
Summerville based socials – Spring, Summer, Awards Regatta social activities All meetings
Coordinate special fund raising events.
Food and location activities
(Mama Friday night dinner, if held) as well as all meetings
Nominee for 2015
Sandy Richards
Membership Chairman: The Membership Chairman shall maintain accurate membership records and in conjunction with the Treasurer determine and record the paid up status of the membership. In addition the Membership Chairman shall be responsible for the development of membership and shall promote general public awareness of the Organization.
Maintains membership records
Membership Cards
Coordinates with Treasurer
Nominee for 2015
Joe & Sue Boston
Newsletter: Edit and publish editions of the association’s newsletter, SMSA-WV. Web site and Face Book pages.
Photo-journalism
Solicitation of stories
Maintain Web Site and Face Book pages
Nominee for 2015
Jeff Seager
Youth Sailing: Conduct Youth Sailing schools at Corliss Pond and Summersville Lake
Corliss Pond and SV Lake
junior sailors,
Youth Sailing Committee - Chair
Determine dates and number of students, etc.
Nominees for 2015
Bob Richards
Clayton Spangler
Mic Fries
It's time again for the Sewell Mountain Sailing Association's general business meeting, open to all members, following the 6:30 p.m. check presentation to Hospice of Southern West Virginia on Oct. 16 at Baymont Inn and Suites, Summersville.
We look forward to seeing all of you who can attend as we elect SMSA officers, wrap up old business for the year and give a report on where we are headed in the future - which is going to be pretty exciting!
Please join us at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16 at the Baymont Inn conference room in Summersville, WV as we present our MMHR check to Hospice of Southern West Virginia!
The Sewell Mountain Sailing Association's annual business meeting will follow the check presentation.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Fun Sail Day for THIS Sunday (Moved from Saturday)
When: Sun, September 7, 10am – 3pm
Description: Join us for a fun day of sailing on Summersville Lake! The weather was deemed a bit "iffy" (Short hand for stormy) for Saturday, so we are going to meet up this Sunday instead!
Cave Run Sailing Association has posted a Notice of Race for its 35th Grand Annual Regatta, Oct. 3-5 at Cave Run Lake near Morehead, Ky.
Online registration is available now. For registration and other details, visit Cave Run Sailing Association's website.
Our friends at Cave Run Sailing Association have posted a Notice of Race for their annual Bluegrass Charity Regatta on Sept. 14, benefiting children served by the Lexington Hearing and Speech Center in Lexington, Ky.
Cave Run Sailing Association is based at Cave Run Lake, near Morehead, Ky. We hope some of our members will participate in this worthy cause. Online registration is available now. Information about local lodging and camping is included in the Notice of Race.
Online registration for the Mountain Mama Hospice Regatta ended Aug. 15 to allow us time to prepare a roster for the race committee's scoring.
Late registration will be at the Battle Run boat ramps on Aug. 22 and 23, at the registration tent beside the first boat ramp you'll see as you arrive. All our activities will be based around the small peninsula to your right, just after you pass the campground (also on your right). For a clearer idea of the layout, and for directions to the lake and to Battle Run Campground, see our page called "Getting Here."
The regatta committee meeting originally scheduled for Aug. 9 will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 14 at the Shoney's Restaurant in Belle. Final reports will be given about preparations for the Mountain Mama Hospice Regatta on Aug. 22-24, and we'll wrap up any loose ends we find.
Due to weather being a factor and the amount of time required for some to travel to and from Summersville lake, I am canceling the meeting for this Saturday August 9th at 5pm.
I am planning to be at battle run and scoping out our space there regardless ( as well as critical power supply locations.)
The meeting to tie up all lose ends before the regatta will be held next week at some point -I will get the word out just where and when after I've had a chance to complete my walkabout at
Battle Run.
Meantime, if you have any updates or concerns-please contact me with them and I will put them on the next agenda.
Please keep check on our website on the "Captains log" for the next meeting update.
Thank you all for your understanding and help!
Clayton Spangler
SMSA Commodore
From the Harbor Master:
Basic's of Sailing classes for this weekend of August 9-10th have been re-scheduled to September 20-21 ! The weather for this week end is calling for rain and thunder storms.. we will always error on the side of your SAFETY ! ( Please RSVP soapysails at gmail dot com. if you plan on attending the September classes)
This event is governed by rules defined in The Racing Rules of Sailing, except as altered by these instructions.
Sewell Mountain Sailing Association of West Virginia will host the fourth annual Mountain Mama Hospice Regatta on Aug. 23-24 at the Battle Run Campground of Summersville Lake, near Mt. Nebo, WV.
Rear Commodore David Davison has prepared and submitted sailing instructions to be posted here no later than July 31, 2014. Davison will serve as Principal Race Officer for the regatta, in which boats will be assigned to one of three classes depending on their size and configuration.
Skippers are encouraged to register as soon as possible for this increasingly popular charity event.
Now all the information members need to know is at your fingertips.
As we grow, so do the needs of the group – and in that spirit, we wanted to create a website that was easy to navigate, find information easily as well as keeping everyone up to date on events and sailing opportunities!
We hope you will take a look at what SMSA has to offer. From FREE "Basics of Sailing" classes to help with your boat, we are first and foremost a community of like-minded sailors.
We look forward to hearing from you and we invite you to visit our Facebook page as well!
(Just click the link for FB on the right-hand side of the page.)
Sewell Mountain Sailing Association is a grassroots organization dedicated to bringing the sport of sailing to those who ordinarily wouldn't have access to the equipment needed.
We believe that everyone should have the chance to go sailing.
We appreciate all donations, however small or large, and we use these donations to support our sailing program in various ways.
This is our "blog," where notices are posted. You can browse all recent notices by using the "Captain's Log" link above, or select a particular post by date below.
Member #700191N
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