By Charles Segebrecht
The geometry of our marina’s collection of masts–as with San Francisco’s or Newport Harbor’s or any others–has always intrigued me, knowing each mast has sailing lore behind it.
Some of these tales are of harrowing events at sea, some tell of successes on a race course, others are of disappearing into an isolated Caribbean cove at sunset. Our Club’s sailors have collections of their own “sea stories” associated with these masts–just ask Joe Bartels, Paul Brown, Bill Casassa or even Elizabeth Biron. But do keep in mind this nautical fact: with a salty sailor’s story, a fine line sometimes exists between truth and imagination–and sometimes just a filament of truth actually remains. But what fun it is to listen to these tales of lore in, say, a smoky waterfront tavern. It doesn’t get any better.
Or does it? Imagine creating your own sea stories by leaving a shoreline with your significant other in a sailboat with no engine noise or exhaust. Imagine learning a life-long marine skill—sailing–with your kids in your own “backyard,” and the sea stories you could then tell.
Imagine watching your son or daughter at the helm of a sailboat, gathering confidence as he or she controls a sailboat for the first time. And then imagine the child using this skill in yachting competition at Lake Quivira, or perhaps later in a university racing program or even traveling in a racing circuit. As you think about these examples playing out, it should be obvious: imagination wouldn’t always be required to make for an interesting “sea story” to tell.
Always be skeptical, however, of a sailor’s story beginning with, “Now this ain’t no lie . . .” because it invariably is. Having stated this aphorism, I want to underscore the following ain’t no lie: call any of the LQ Yacht Club members and get connected with an experienced sailor for individual instruction. Do so this season–not next season. Begin gathering maritime wisdom to share at your favorite scuttlebutt. And furthermore, beat the impending price hike and take advantage of our 2009 Club membership rates before they go up after May 15. Find your 2012 membership form in the weekly Quivira E-News.
Some very recent overheard scuttlebutt was the marina is looking much more presentable. This is due to exemplary work by Club members throughout this last week–an actual combined 152 hours of volunteered sweat equity! Randy Treas, Joe Biron and professional help from Jeff White (golf-course Super) made a huge difference in grading of the northern boat yard. Dave Walters, Phil Laddin, Eliot Alpert, Joe Bartels and Chris Pucci expertly constructed a trailer bench within this northern area and repaired docks. Megan Treas, Leanna Walters and Nancy Metzler planted, weeded and watered wherever needed.
Jack Treas, John Vani and John’s sons spread (and played in) seven tons of beach sand. John and Leslie Emanuels (while on crutches!) provided major housekeeping, Bruce Braun did more than his share of bending and pulling and Brian Segebrecht kept a power-washer in his grip all day.
Bridgette Vani impacted the Club more than she knows with the donation of a new refrigerator (this could be appropriately labeled in salty language as the Club’s scuttlebutt). I agree with how these collaborating Club members made conspicuous improvements to their marina. With a little imagination, they surly will have adventuresome work-weekend stories to share. Please listen attentively, and then thank them for their honest work.
Definition: scuttlebutt – A barrel used to be called a butt in tall-masted sailing ship days; if it stored drinking water on one of these ships, it was called a scuttlebutt. Sailors gathered around this to quench their thirst and share their “sea stories.”
Diversion: This sailing season–not next season–take a sailing lesson!
