ISPA will be partnering with GILL North America http://www.gill.com to offer our Sailors and Instructors some of the finest Sailing Gear in the World. If you have any special requests on items please let us know and we will price it for you.
Vic Maui 2010 was an interesting ride this year with Turricum, a C&C 44 run by our Instructor Warren Hale of Sailcraft http://www.sailcraft.com/ coming in FIRST in elapsed time, and Second in corrected time in their division.
Great Job Hale and crew! Turicum then came back from Maui with Island Cruising's students on a Yachtmaster and Coastal Skipper course. Turicum is in the race circut in BC and teaches while racing. What an Adventure to be taught by one of our fabulous Instructors.
You can be included in this type of adventure by contacting one of our schools or Instructors.
Do you have your operators card yet? Don't risk the $250 fine if you get caught without one. Write an online exam with ISPA by following the links http://www.ispa.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=58&Itemid=75
One of our Long Time instructors, John Garfitt does a yearly ( or twice yearly) trip around Vancouver Island, certifying students for Coastal Skipper or Yachtmaster. One of his recent students was one who came from Japan for this trip. His comments are below:
As a sailor with 1400 hours on my 27' sailboat mostly single hand, the coastal skipper advanced sail course circumnavigating Vancouver Island with just two of us , my instructor, John, and myself, one-on-one coaching 100% for entire 12 days was tremendous value.
Impressive instructor's seamanship driving the first rate blue water sailboat at almost 10 knots in gale was eye opening.
Enjoyed very much and the course helped my skill development greatly.
Takeshi Tanaka Yokohama Japan
ISPA had two Instructors with Boats in the Annual
International Swifsture Yacht Race out of Victoria BC.
http://www.swiftsure.org/
After an eventful start, full of delays and false starts, both boats were on their way with almost 200 others in a blustery 30-40knot wind.
Judy and Crew on the Nordic 44 was in the top two boats (waiting on official results) in the Rossdale Rocks race while seeing winds up to 42 knots and seas of 3-6 feet. Speeds of 10 knots were reached, and Judy who is a US National Hobiecat Champion, again proved to be an excellent helmsman. It was wet and windy on the rail, says one of the crew members, but we love it!!! See Judy's websites at http://www.latitudesailingassoc.org/womens_sailing_seminar.htm
http://latitudesailingassoc.org/home.htm
Hale and Crew on Turicum http://www.sailcraft.com/Turicum.htm a C&C 44 returned to the Victoria dock at 7 pm, Sunday evening, after successfully completing the leg while many of the boats in the division either quit or DNF. When the wind dropped on Saturday night, many boats saw the same GPS position many times while being pushed around by the current in the Strait. An exhilariting time was had by all and they feel ready for the Challenge of the Vic Maui 2010 http://www.vicmaui.org/
At least two dismastings and many torn sails and other boat damage was noted on other vessels. For full results and news see the Swiftsure Website.
