the 2009 Wayfarer Ontario Championships
Lac Deschênes SC * July 25-26
the Regatta Chair's Report

The Wayfarer Ontarios of 2009

This was the summer of the Great Rains and our weekend at LDSC threatened to carry on the soggy tradition. Certainly on the Friday evening which saw mini flashfloods down the Club road along with other adventures this evening. One outcome of the Friday rains was the many streams that continued to run across the club property until Sunday afternoon.

However, the regatta gods smiled on us and the weather swung in our favour providing great sailing breezes and even blue skies and sun on the Saturday. As noted in the Racing Report by Uncle Al, the two races in the morning were light air affairs with the winds building to hiking speeds in the afternoon. A smooth series of five races for the day which ended in a happy group of sailors enjoying our traditional "Beef Burn" in the evening. Topped off with Dark and Stormies, the day was a success.

Sunday was decidedly greyer, but still with fine easterly sailing winds for the single race of the day. Thunder over the Gatineau hills prompted the RC Chair to call off the second race of the morning and a reduced fleet set out for shore, lunch and the awards for the weekend. I encourage you to read the Racing Report by Uncle Al at www.ldsc.ca/wayfarer . Click on "Photos and Results" on the home page for a fine review of the of the weekend's sailing activities.

On the social side, I want to commend the LDSC membership rising to the occasion once more and supporting this event. Again, the on-shore activities of the regatta flowed smoothly, a tribute to the dedication to the tradition that no LDSC event shall be without copious food and drink enough to satisfy the sailing crowd.

Where would we be without Nancy Webster Cole getting the coffee ready in the early morning hours. From the Strata and fruit breakfast prepared by Nancy and assisted by Karen Wilson on Saturday to the pancake, sausage and bacon feast managed by Karen once again on Sunday and ably assisted by Rod Riley and Andy Douma, we started the days on a great footing. Remember, breakfast is the most important meal of the day and we certainly didn't miss out on starting right.

The lunch duty was willingly taken on by Frances and Michel Bourbonnais. They were assisted by Janet Davies for the Saturday lunch and Alan Goldrosen on Sunday. On each of these days, we came ashore to find a buffet banquet already laid out in the clubhouse. We demolished enough on Saturday to warrant a rescue run for more groceries to ensure food for Sunday. I thank Brenda Allardyce for the emergency supply run for the Sunday supplies.

The Beef Burn was again a success with all congregating around the BBQs to cook steaks to personal perfection and to eat, drink and be merry under clear skies and a fine Saturday sunset. The shore crew led by Kim Bergevin included Deirdre Bowers, Janet Foster (of LDSC Cole Slaw fame), Peter Mazerolle coming in from vacation to assist, Marc Lamadelaine from the regatta photography run, Marc Billard (our intrepid Fire Starter), Brenda Allardyce who enhanced the salads, and assisted me with all the supplies shopping, and Mona Chandler who wasn't scheduled but helped out anyway. I hope I haven't missed anyone here.

Other tasks were handled by Bill Fyfe who was the Regatta Registrar and put up our signage. Michel Bourbonnais was Regatta Treasurer, assisted by Frances, both of whom spent the weekend at the club and very ably managed the financial and other needs of the event as they arose. I would also like to acknowledge Karen Wilson who "lived" at the club for the weekend as husband Pat was on the water with the RC and son Angus sailed as crew with me. Karen filled in throughout both days whether "scheduled" or not.

In closing, no report would be complete without a final thanks to the "Regatta Committee" which included Michel Bourbonnais (Treasurer) Bill Fyfe (Registrar and Signage), and Keith Cattell (Scoring/Protest Committee).

Photography was principally the effort of Marc Lamadelaine with additional pics by Al Schonborn. I also want to note the hard work by the LDSC Rear Commodore, Peter Blatherwick, ensuring we had the fine Race Committee above.