Herb Meyer Regatta 2023
Wow! What a weekend it was!
303 DIVISION WINNERS
1. Paul Speight
2. Jeff Breen & Kelly
3. Damon Wandke & Hunter Johnston
3. Damon Wandke & Kathy Shephard
LIBERTY DIVISION WINNERS
1. Chris Burrell
2. Kathi Pugh
3. Eddie Elliot
Everything was working perfectly when our Friday crew called it a day after spending a great many hours building boats. The weekend started off with a 4:30 AM phone call on Saturday morning from the Coast Guard letting us know that they were searching for the “missing person” on one of our boats. When they brought back the boat to Pier 40, they noticed all the other little boats that were tied up so they were glad the diver didn’t spend too much time looking for a man overboard!
Later that morning, the dock crew discovered a broken part on the boat that went rogue. Nate and Scott sprang into action and McGyvered a new part save the day. By the time the morning was over, two boats needed to be fixed and one swapped out completely. All during the day, there were the usual on-the-water repairs and only one boat needed to be towed back to dock to be fixed. Luckily, the sailor only missed one race and was back on the water in record time rivaling any Formula One pit crew.
But on the positive side and there were so many… The weather was glorious — warm and windy both days. The wind was especially good on Saturday. Nothing like the winds of last year but consistently blowing with bigger gusts now and then. On Sunday when it was hot in San Francisco, there was some consternation that the wind wouldn’t come up in time. After delaying the race a bit to reset the course, the winds from the north shifted to the west and we had a cool light breeze throughout the day. It was a little challenging because the winds were shifty but it made for some fun racing.
None of this could have ever happened if it wouldn’t have been for large boatsful of volunteers. SBYC has been providing race committee support for all of our Herb Meyer Regattas. First, we have to first thank our PRO, Suni. She was our PRO last year as well and we really appreciate her doing this for us. But she couldn’t do it alone, she also had top-notch Race Committee on Annabelle of Trish, Daniel, Sally, Anita, Lynn, Candace and Robert. They ran each race like clockwork. We know they did a good job because there was no grumbling from any sailors at the end. Also, we really appreciate the folks on the Mackin who set the marks and provided support crew. Several of these folks are repeat offenders and have done this for us for years. Thank you Lloyd, Dave and Hooman.
As well we so appreciate our cadre of BAADS volunteers including (in no particular order) Ed, Ryan, Joe, Nate, Kathy, Alex, Julia, Jim, Robert, Scott, Jake, Tony, Scott, Jeff, Ralph and Michael. We have specially have to think our dockmaster on Saturday, Josh, and our dockmistress on Sunday, Melissa. Last but certainly not least, a huge thank you to our small boat director, Chris, our small boat bosun, John, and our first mate, Carl. These guys are on the small boat dock several times a week and throughout the year.
We also have to thank the person who organized the entire Herb Meyer Regatta, Cristina. She did it all from drafting the notice of race and sailing instructions, recruiting the volunteers and bringing everything to keep us hydrated and fed for both of the days. For last day festivities, thank you to Ken, who got the clubhouse ready and kept us plied with drinks. Also, a round of drinks were bought by Ted whose father was one of Herb’s old sailing friends. Cheers, mates!
It is truly a team effort to pull this off every year. Thank you to each and everyone who contributed in some small way and especially to those of you especially contributed in really big ways.
Everyone was a winner, but some have medals to prove it!
