The GRSA frostbite series is almost here!  Come out and enjoy some of the best racing all season!  There will be four days of racing this year.  They are scheduled for every other weekend, but we will be using the off weekends as tentative make up days in the event the weather does not cooperate. Registration will open at 11:00 with the first warning at noon.  Races will be held “in the cove” and are short, fast paced, and a bunch of fun! The scheduled dates are: Sunday, February 04 Sunday, February 18 Sunday, March 03 Sunday, March 17 With the tentative make up dates as: Sunday, February 11 Sunday, February 25 Sunday, March 10 Sunday, March 24 As in the past, we are opening the series to non-members of GRSA, and will allow boat storage at our site for this series.  We hope to see all of you on the water this winter!!  Please contact Chris Cookson (ccookson.grsa@gmail.com) with any questions or if you'd like to help out.

Please join us Easter Sunday.  Meet at the pavilion and we'll send the kids out all together.  Then join us for a little dessert and good company.

If any older kids would like to help hide instead of hunt we would love their help.  Come at 2:15 to help hide eggs.

Wanted to invite our GRSA friends to participate in some Race Committee Training events FBYC is offering our members--one of which is happening in Richmond area

1--Murphy Rules--Race Committee Training (1/2 Day) by John McCarthy,, March 19, 2022 @1400 Horsepen Road, Richmond, VA, details/register at:

Murphy Rules: Join the Race Committee Training - FBYC

Note:   This is a "best practices" course---does not lead to US Sailing Certification, but is good intro/review for club RC, and a good prep for the official US Sailing Course on  April 9 (Item 2)

2---One Day  US Sailing Club Race Management Seminar 

Saturday April 9, 2022, 08:00 - 17:00 @ Fishing Bay Yacht Club, by Jerry Thompson

US Sailing Club Race Officer Training - FBYC

The FBYC event page  will direct you to the US Sailing sign up page.    This course can lead to US Sailing certification, which includes group insurance coverage for Certified Race Officers.

Regards

Ron Jenkins

Fleet 103 Captain

Hello Everyone!!

I just wanted to send out a quick note about the upcoming GRSA frostbiting season.  There will be four days of racing this year.  They are scheduled for every other weekend, but we will be using the off weekends as tentative make up days in the event the weather does not cooperate.

Registration will open at 11:00 with the first warning at noon.  Races will be held “in the cove” and are short, fast paced, and a bunch of fun!

The scheduled dates are:

Sunday, February 06

Sunday, February 20

Sunday, March 06

Sunday, March 20

With the tentative make up dates as:

Sunday, February 13

Sunday, February 27

Sunday, March 13

Sunday, March 27

As in the past, we are opening the series to non-members of GRSA, and will allow boat storage at our site for this series.  We hope to see all of you on the water this winter!!  Please reach out if you have any questions.

Happy New Year,

Chris Cookson

804-986-3231

ccookson.grsa@gmail.com

From the Commodore

Fellow GRSA Members, Hello!  I hope you all had a happy Thanksgiving!  As the end of the year approaches, there are a couple of things I would like to be sure you are aware of. First, a reminder about the Annual Meeting and Holiday Party.  It is a week away, on December 4th, at the Brandermill Country Club.  Registration for dinner is open until Wednesday night, so please don’t forget to sign up.  Details are on the website.  For those of you who are newer members and may not know, yes, it is a “meeting” and we do discuss club business (briefly I hope).  It is an opportunity to hear about and discuss everything that is happening with your club, and we also have a few awards that we present.  The event is also GRSA’s Holiday party, and a great chance celebrate the holidays with your sailing friends.  It is open to all members. I also would like to ask everyone to take a minute to think about their current membership type, and to consider whether changing to a Stockholder Membership or Social Membership is something that will benefit you. GRSA Stockholder benefits include eligibility to serve as a GRSA club officer and the option to vote on issues that go before GRSA stockholders at the club’s annual meeting, the option of having up to two sailboats onsite, as well as reduced annual dues.  Additionally, by purchasing stock, GRSA stockholders make both a financial investment in and a personal commitment to the club, and work together with our membership to advance the club for the benefit of all. Current GRSA members in good standing may purchase stock by making a written request to purchase a share of stock to the GRSA Board of Directors to the attention of the GRSA Secretary at Secretary@grsa.org. Upon approval by the Board, the Secretary will forward a Share Registration form for you to complete and return along with your stock purchase payment of $750.  Once the Share Registration form and stock payment have been received, the Secretary will issue and mail the stock certificate.  If you would like to be a stockholder for 2022, your request must be submitted by December 20th. Please note the following regarding stock purchase: ·         The sale of GRSA stock is always at the discretion of the Board of Directors. ·         A member must belong to GRSA for an uninterrupted period of not less than six months prior to application to become a shareholder. Stockholders may redeem their stock by making a written request to the Board of Directors; however, redemption of stock is always at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Perhaps a Social Membership would be a good option for you.  As a member of “the best club ever,” everyone reading this email is aware of what a special place GRSA is for the local sailing community.  We want to ensure that the club continues to be a relevant and thriving hub for sailing for years to come.  There currently are 53 individuals/families on our waiting list, eager to join and take part in sailing on Swift Creek Reservoir but our boatyard is full, and this limits the number of new members we can accept. There are a considerable number of boats on the property that haven’t seen the water in a very long time.  If you own one of these boats, have been a member at GRSA for at least 10 years and can no longer sail due to health or other personal reasons, please take a moment to consider the benefits of moving to a social membership.  The clubs' bylaws state: “Social Members shall be a GRSA member for at least 10 years, but due to health or other personal reasons wish to remain an active member of the club but with restricted rights as to storage of a boat on club property. There will be no boat storage of any type permitted on club property, this includes sailing and non-sailing craft. They shall enjoy all the other rights and privileges of the association except that of boat storage on the facility. Transition of existing active members into Social Members must be approved by the board. The dues for the Social members will be established by Board." Currently these dues are a substantial discount over the active members' rate.  It does require the removal of your existing boat(s), but the club is willing to help with the sale, disposal, or donation of your unused craft if you are unable to remove it yourself. Social membership is an opportunity for those that qualify to retain access to the club that we all know and love, while enjoying significantly discounted annual dues.  Additionally, anyone switching to a social membership is freeing up space for new members eager to get out on the water in their boats.  This is critical for the continued health and vibrancy of GRSA. The 2022 dues for GRSA memberships are:                 Social Membership:                                   $125                       Stockholder Membership:                        $450                 Non-Stockholder Membership:               $600 If you are interested in, or have any questions relating to, a stockholder or social membership please reach out to a member of the board as soon as possible. I look forward to seeing you at the Holiday Party next Saturday! Chris

From the GRSA Board of Directors

It is with sadness that we must pass along to you the passing of Lyn Atherton. The Athertons were some of the original members of GRSA, and are a large reason the club is what it is today.  Lyn's son Bob, and grandson Robbie and their families are also members. A Celebration of Life will be held 4 p.m. Saturday, November 20, 2021 at Bliley's-Chippenham, 6900 Hull Street Rd. https://www.blileys.com/obituaries/Lyndal-Hagood-Atherton?obId=23081296#/obituaryInfo#/obituaryInfo

GRSA DEFENDS THE CUP

             Perhaps the cooler temperatures, overcast skis, northerly breeze, with a time change , was a factor but 5 stalwart GRSA sailors and crew took to the water Sunday against a lone participant from Brandermill in this years Swift Creek Cup. 

            While the air was a bit brisk, several sailors decided to test the waters to check the temperature differential. First Dave Stagney sailing with Chris Cookson suddenly found himself stroking for the stern of “Foot Off.” Chris was at a bit of a lose trying to figure out if he should slow down or try and reach the finish line before dropping behind any more boats. Dave grabbed the stern safety line and hoisted himself in just as Chris sheeted in to gather speed. (Chris, you need to finish with the same crew you started with).  Not to be out done Steven Brown and daughter Sarah surfing down wind for the leeward mark under spinnaker, were caught by a rouge wind shift that took them over,  Sarah who hardly got wet climbed to the board and finally Dad appeared over the rail to add enough weight to right the ship.  They sailed on to finish the race as if this was a normal event.  While everyone else was trying to stay dry, Nick Monday in his Sunfish splashed thru the waves.

            In the end after times were calculated and computed by Lennert Stromberg awards were made. All Skippers and Crews were given participation mementos and finishing “in the money” were 3^rd  Nick Monday in his Sunfish,   2^nd Chris Cookson /Dave Stagney in a Flying Scot (along with a couple hundred pounds of Hydrilla jammed in the centerboard box,) and taking top honors and the Cup, Pete Cookson and crew extraordinaire Grant Smith.

            The actual times will be posted elsewhere on the web site as soon as I decipher my hand writing.

           

            While this completes the 2021 Racing Season all boat owners are reminded to check their boats and to be current on the new site rules regarding boat storage.  Hope to see you at the annual meeting in December.

Dave Upton RC Chair

           

Fellow GRSA members,

I hope you all are doing well.  The following are the nominees for the 2022 Board of Directors to be voted on at the annual meeting on December 4^th:

Commodore:  Jill Reilly

Vice Commodore:  Grant Smith

Rear Commodore:  John Lew

Treasurer:  Dan Walsh

Secretary:  Joan Evans

Members at Large:  Rocky Rochester      

                                       Michelle Leipold

                                       Wayne Jennings

                                       Chris Cookson

I hope to see you at the meeting and party.

Thank you,

Chris

Fellow GRSA Members,

The GRSA Board of Directors has unanimously voted to adopt an amendment to the club’s site rules.  This amendment relates to the upkeep of members’ boats, trailers, parking spaces, and associated equipment, and will go into effect January 1, 2022.  It does not change the current site rules but adds to them.  Please take a few minutes and become familiar with the amendment below.

As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Thank you,

Chris Cookson

GRSA Commodore

804-986-3231

ccookson.grsa@gmail.com

Boat Dry Dock (Dock) Parking

Prefix

Greater Richmond Sailing Association, Inc. (the “Association” or “GRSA”) owns and operates a variety of common areas within the facility grounds, including shelter, playground, boat slips, boat on trailer parking docks, (collectively “Common Areas”).

The Association has previously promulgated rules pertaining to boating and watercraft in the GRSA Common Areas.

This Rule is designed to promote the safe and efficient operation of all Common Areas.

While the Association’s operation of the Common Areas is intended to facilitate recreation, safety, and fairness, the GRSA endeavors to operate its Common Areas consistent with Virginia law and the governing documents of the GRSA, including, but not limited to, the By-Laws.

As such, GRSA has adopted this Rule to express its desire that Members and other individuals respect the limited availability of space In the Common Areas, and the need for Members to maintain their property in the Boat Dry Dock Parking spot (Dock) and pay all required fees associated with their use of the same.

In most cases, Members who are in good standing are allowed a boat parking spot within the Common Areas are assigned spaces for dry docking their watercraft

Members are also expected to complete all required documentation and pay all required fees before using the Common Areas for the purpose of using and/or storing their watercraft.

Policy

1. All boats on GRSA property must be seaworthy, shipshape, and trailer roadworthy.

a . "Seaworthy" means capable of being launched and operated on Swift Creek Reservoir without more than the reasonable and customary preparatory tasks:

rigging sails, installing drain plugs, proper safety equipment, and the like.

b. Owners may perform boat maintenance on GRSA grounds with the following provisos: maintenance tasks may not infringe on common areas for extended periods of time; projects requiring more than one day for completion shall be left neat, with all tools and materials stowed, whenever the owner leaves the Club grounds; the Club reserves the right to notify owners that a project must be completed or the boat removed from Club property within one week's time.

c. "Shipshape" means (by way of example and not of limitation):

covers and tarpaulins clean, without holes, and fastened down; paint clean and tight and free of mold; lines stowed or tied off; leaves and other debris removed; drains open; free of water, trash, etc.

d. The term “watercraft”(boat) is intended to include all manner of vessels, including sailboats, rowboats, canoes, paddle boats, windsurfers, kayaks, inflatable boats, paddle boards, and any other allowed to be stored within the GRSA Common Areas.

e. All boats must have the annual GRSA registration number (decal) affixed at the proper location.

2. All trailers must be roadworthy. "Roadworthy" means: tires inflated and in good repair, bearings unseized, sound frame, working hitch, a tongue jack and wheel for rigs too heavy to move by hand. 

2. a. loose equipment (see 2a(i) must be in good repair and have the owner's identification permanently affixed.

i. trailer dollies, spars, rudder, daggerboard, paddles, sails, et.al.

3. Parking spaces will be assigned by the GRSA Facilities Committee. No more than one boat may be kept in a space. Owners are responsible for keeping their boat within the assigned space. Owners are responsible for controlling vegetation under or around boats.

4. The Board may appoint a ‘Compliance” official as it deems advisable to enforce Rules.

a. An Owner / Member given written notice of a violation shall correct the conditions cited or remove the boat, trailer, or equipment from GRSA grounds within the time stated in such notice.

i. 1^st Notice 30 days to be in compliance – Member will be contacted:

            1. phone call or voice mail, and

            2. e-mail, and

            3. regular USPS mail

ii. 2^nd Notice 30 days after 4.a.i – if not in compliance Member will be contacted:

            1. phone call or voice mail, and

            2. e-mail, and

            3. regular USPS mail

iii. Final Notice 30 days after 4.a.ii – if not in compliance: Member will be contacted:       

• 1.      A USPS Certified Letter will be sent to notify of non-compliance
• 2.      Boat may be moved to the inactive parking area of GRSA and if issues not subsequently corrected may be removed from the site.
• 3.      Member will be billed $100 monthly storage fee, retroactive to the date of contact of 1^st Notice.

5. Members and their guests should not park in a boat parking place assigned to another member.

GRSA Invitational Crew and Helpers Needed!

June 12th - 13th

If you would like to crew on one of the sailboats racing in the Invitational, please contact me.  We have had a few folks who would like to race, but are in need of crew.

Or perhaps you would like to spend a couple of days out on the water and be close to the action, but are not sure you want to race.  We are still in need of helpers on the Race Committee and Mark boats on one or both days.  No experience needed, and it is a great way to learn how the races are conducted.

If you are interested in either crewing or helping out, please email me at ccookson.grsa@gmail.com or send me a text at 804-986-3231.

Thank you, and see you at the club soon!!

Chris