BROAD REACHERS
Article reprinted from "Smooth Sailing," SPYC July/August 2010 Newsletter
Carol Jurca R1-14A
R1-36A  Wendy Savage R1-0A Colleen Kennedy at “The Don” R1-9A

Waldo Jones, Sue Lapp, Janet Greene with Shasta
At the Florida Women’s Sailing Association meeting May 20th, our own Sue Lapp was installed as President!  Congratulations, Sue!  It is bound to be a great year with you at the helm!
A warm welcome was extended to the Keel Magnolias from Sarasota Yacht Club, who attended the FWSA meeting for the first time.  This enthusiastic group was organized last October with 15 members.  These women will sail Sonars.
The winner of the 2010 Young Woman Sailor of the Year Award, Paige Railey, Clearwater Yacht Club, is currently in England preparing for a major Regatta.  However, Mom and twin sister, Brooke accepted the award from FWSA for her.  A video clip of Paige expressing her appreciation for this award was shown.  We wish her and her family the very best!
This year, the Lily Khaighan Award was presented to Clearwater Yacht Club Bowchaser, Fay Nicholson, who has worked tirelessly several years for FWSA in several official capacities.  Fay has many talents.  Our program today featured a video, produced by Fay, entitled “The Rainbow Float”.  This was the story of this year’s Rainbow Regatta, stalemated due to not even a whisper of a breeze at Tampa Yacht Club.  The Regatta was hosted this year by the Mainsheet Mamas, Tampa, and Dinghy Dames from Davis Island.  The Mamas have stated that ‘Mental Health Day’ is any day on the water!   The Rainbow Regatta is symbolic of the Corinthian spirit of amateurs who participate for pure enjoyment.  This year the Broad Reachers were represented on the water by Carol Jurca who was supported by a group of landlubber Broads.
A donation was made to celebrate the life of sixteen year old Olivia Ceraolo, who died of bone cancer, 2008.  Olivia sailed out of the Clearwater Yacht Club and had already achieved the rating as a top US Sailor.  Find out about her inspirational life under the Zach Railey website.  Zach brought home a Silver Medal in 2008 and is the brother of Paige Railey.
On June 21 there will be a canopy walk in Myaka featuring talks by a marine biologist.  This event is organized by Debbie Schuck and bound to be an entertaining as well as informative event.  More info can be found at Naturesacademy.org/
May 15th found our Carol Jurca on board a Sonar on the water at SPYC for the FWSA Championship Regatta.  The ladies had a wonderful sailing day and spinnakers were up, allowing for a beautiful sight.  Captain Mary Jane Peabody and Jeanette Erb were aboard with Carol and Commodore Bob Johnson and served as Race Committee for the event.  Then there was the little matter of a protest…there’s a long story there…
On May 22, five Broad Reachers sailed around the island in front of the Don Cesar and explored one of the lagoons on a beautiful day for sailing.  Steve Peabody (mate of our Captain Mary Jane) and Barbara Shaw joined Len Jurca on the Safety Boat.  Then it was time for our General Meeting in the Clubhouse.
It was a beautiful day in the neighborhood of Weedon Island on May 27th, when Salty Sisters, Sharon Gremald and Connie Smith coordinated a kayaking adventure.   The group of adventurers, twenty in number, FWSA members  including four Broad Reachers (Captain Mary Jane Peabody, Janet Greene, Alice Emmett and Jeanette Erb).  We had a perfect run except for those who will remain nameless, but who were trapped by an unexpected barricade.  A sincere thank you to Sharon and Connie for such a wonderful experience!  The picnic lunch with elegant homemade desserts was also a hit.  Thank you, Salties!
Nauti Buoy Len Jurca reports that the lift and power are now operational for the launching of the safety boat.  Thank you, Len, and the others who worked to make this possible.  It certainly will make the lives of the Nauti Buoys much easier as they were not only hauling the prams but also launching and later pulling the safety boat in and out of the water using muscle only.
We are excited about the Junior Sailing two-week program, commencing June 14th.  We hope the weather will allow the youngsters to be on the water every day as the group was last year.
By the time you read this, the Broad Reachers will be ready for fall sailing.  We have a boat just waiting for you! Race Committee is always happy to have additional people on the dock too or in the safety boat.  Please come out and join us. You can do that by contacting Captain Mary Jane Peabody at mjpeabody@tampabay.rr.com or 727.415.5891 or Carol Jurca cdjurca@yahoo.com or 727.866.6236. Please call SPYC at Pass-A-Grille (727.360.1646) for lunch reservations.   See you ‘round the Clubhouse!