Congratulations to SpinSheet's Century Club class of 2017!
As of January 9, 45 sailors in various boats had reached their 100 days on the water in 2017, and we expected more sailing logs to be delivered to our email box by the January 15 deadline. We will honor the 2017 SpinSheet Century Club class and give them special “SpinSheet 100” burgees at our Annapolis Crew Party at the end of April.
If you qualify for the club but have not yet sent us your log, you may do so until January 15. For those who’ve resolved to join the Century Club in 2018, start counting your on-water days now!
Here are several Centurions’ comments about their on-the-water adventures last year. Find more here.
Elliott Peterson
Solomons, MD
What compelled you to join SpinSheet’s Century Club? It’s been a goal the last few years, but due to two knee surgeries, not a realistic goal. It not only means I’m sailing, it means I’m healthy.
What was the breakdown by boat of your time spent on sailboats, powerboats, kayaks, or other crafts? Mostly our sailboat Stingray and sailboats of friends, a few ferry boat rides, and paddling my Wenonah Prism solo canoe in several states.
Do you have a full-time job? If so, how do you find the time to get out on the water so often? No, I have a three-quarters-time job, and that has helped!
Do you have a few days that stand out as the most special ones on the water this season? New Year’s Day sail and sailing on schooner Heron were highlights. Winning the last Wednesday night race was also special.
Did you experience anything extraordinary? We got a podium finish (third) the last day of the Screwpile Regatta racing with John Boy LeCourt on Stingray in light air!
Did you experience anything scary? While motoring home from St. Michaels, we ran out of fuel and had to sail shorthanded back to and into the slip in about 20- to 25-knot winds. Luckily, we had some help from our neighbors and dockmates.
Favorite wildlife sightings? We spotted a pod of eight to 10 dolphins feeding right near our slip in Mill creek. While sailing, we seemed to see lots more brown pelicans on the Bay—reminds me of Florida!
What would you say to someone considering joining the Century Club in 2018? Sail early, sail often, and don’t forget to start and keep the log!
Juliet Thompson
Annapolis, MD
What compelled you to join the club? At Severn Sailing Association (SSA) we are always trying to make the race committee fun and more appealing. Realizing that we are all active racers I decided that the one thing we have in common is that we are competitive. I thought if I set a record of 100 days of race committee (RC) on the water, people would be motivated to break my record and we would have more volunteers for RC.
Do you have a full-time job? If so, how do you find the time to get out on the water so often? I have a full time job as a high school science teacher. This means that I can be home by 3 p.m. and have the summer off which allows me to do a lot of volunteering.
Did you experience anything extraordinary? I was late to the signal boat on the first day of the J/24 East Coast Championships because I had to attend my swearing in naturalization ceremony in Baltimore. Mike Higgens had rigged an enormous American flag on the inflatable that took me out to the signal boat. When we got out there, everyone was clapping. It was such an emotional day, not just due to the actual ceremony, but also the outpouring of support on the race course was quite extraordinary… Good thing the wind was steady out of the south; it was hard to concentrate on the task at hand.
What did you learn by spending so many days out there? Before I started I calculated that I usually spend over 70 days a year doing race committee. Finding the other 30 days motivated me to reach out to other yacht clubs. In doing this I got a much better idea of how the different local RCs operate. I got to see how the RC at Eastport Yacht Club has so much fun and is so supportive of each other.
What would you say to someone considering joining the Century Club in 2018? More time on the water can only do you good… Most of the summer I was out on the water five days a week. It felt like I spent the whole summer smiling.
Richard Wahl
Havre de Grace, MD
Is this your first year in the Century Club? I have been counting my days on the water for the past four years, but this is the first year that I’ve had over 50 days.
Do you have a full-time job? If so, how do you find the time to get out on the water so often? I’m a Texas transplant, and I was a career soldier. I asked to be stationed at Aberdeen Proving Grounds in 2009, just so I could go sailing on the Chesapeake. A week after moving here, I found a boat to crew on, and the rest is history. I recently retired from the military and did not plan on going back to work, but I did; and I’ve also made a solid effort to get on the water more. I’ve started a Non-Profit Youth Sailing program in Havre de Grace with two fellow sailors. So crewing on friends boats, taking one of my two boats out, or working in the Youth Sailing Program, that keeps me on the water.
Do you have a few days that stand out as the most special ones on the water this season? This year I raced my Catalina 310 in four races, a first time for so many on my boat. I raced in the Sippy Cup for the first time and took second place.
Favorite wildlife sightings? The bald eagles flying over the Susquehanna River and swooping down to grab a fish out of the water. I can never get enough of that.
What did you learn by spending so many days out there? That the Chesapeake Bay is a wonderful place, and I can only hope to spend as many days on the water in 2018.
What would you say to someone considering joining the Century Club in 2018? Just track your time on the water and put a little extra effort in getting on the water. Before you know it you will find yourself looking at the finish line (100) getting closer day by day. If you don’t succeed, try again.
Sarah Ryan Hudson
Norfolk, VA
What compelled you to join SpinSheet’s Century Club? My sailing partner, Thomas Symborski, was a SpinSheet Century Club member when we met. I decided to follow in his footsteps. It was easy to make it a goal when I live walking distance from Sail Nauticus and have made so many friends to sail with. Also, my growing collection of burgees is so fun to show off at Norfolk Harborfest!
What was the breakdown by boat of your time spent on sailboats, powerboats, kayaks, or other crafts? I have been on the water about 115 days now and still counting (as of November 30), so I have sailed at least 100. I am sure I missed some in my log. About 90 times were on Sail Nauticus’s Harbor 20s and 10 working or sailing aboard Schooner Virginia. A handful were on a motor vessel. I also counted a round-trip on the Staten Island Ferry for fun.
How do you find the time to get out on the water so often? I teach at Sail Nauticus so that helps me rack up the days. It takes about five minutes to check in, rig, and get off the dock!
Do you have a few days that stand out as the most special ones on the water this season? I got to single hand a Harbor 20 for the first time this summer for a photo shoot. It was so amazing to have the whole fleet out with a drone overhead. The Sail Nauticus fleet really brings color to Downtown Norfolk.
Did you experience anything extraordinary? This summer, we really worked to grow our Women’s Social Sail. The most extraordinary thing to me is enabling women to get on the water. I have made the very best friends and gotten to share my passion with them. I was able to share my knowledge, many laughs, and a few glasses of wine (once we were back on shore). I hope to continue to encourage more ladies to set sail.
Did you experience anything scary? Yes! On a very windy day my motor malfunctioned, and when I tried to set sail, the sail got stuck halfway up. I was the only adult onboard, so it was very stressful. I ended up throwing the anchor overboard as quickly as possible and got assistance.
Favorite wildlife sightings? Dolphins! This summer at Sail Nauticus we saw dolphins every day for a week! They even came in our basin behind the Battleship Wisconsin while Schooner Virginia was in Cape Charles.
What did you learn by spending so many days out there? I have grown as a human in my last two years spending 100-plus days on the water. I have grown in confidence and humility. Sailing has helped me learn to communicate effectively and enabled me to be proud of the person I am.
What would you say to someone considering joining the Century Club in 2018? I’d probably say either: “See you on the water” or “Call me! Let’s go for a sail.”
Ashley Love - Four-Time Centurion, Annapolis, MD
What did you learn by spending so many days out there? Being on the water and being successful at racing or even cruising takes effort. What goes around comes around, and the more you invest in terms of time doing repairs on land, race committee duty, practice, or coacing adds up. It's not just about the last day of the championship; it's all of the days that lead up to that moment. All of those great things like working out a new way to launch the spinnaker and a terrific overnight blast downwind offshore to the the not-so-great things like those couple of capsizes, a few penalty turns, sailing your throw out race early, and cuts, bruises, and sunburn that all add up to this wonderful life.
Mike Christman, Annapolis, MD
At lunch (December 5) I reached 100 days on the water for 2017, mostly on my standup paddleboard (Old Yeller). Slow start to the year, recovering from a borken ankle and subsequent surgery at the end of 206, as well as a very busy work year, but the SUP really helped with the ankle rehab. My year includes: 83 SUP training days, eight days of surfing in Florida and Assateague, five days of playing on a new inflatable SUP, three (or more) days in my friend's Whaler, and one - yes, just one - wonderful day sailing on my buddy's Hylas 54.
In all it has been another blessed year spending time in and on the water with my family and friends. I try every day to truly appreciate the gifts we share here in Annapolis; for me Weems Creek, the Severn, and the Bay. We are lucky. Thank you for all the Spinsheet crew does for our town.You are one of our assets and keep us connected - and keep your feet wet!
Sean Martin—Three-Time Centurion—210 Days
Ocean City, MD
What would you say to someone considering joining the Century Club in 2018? Do it, Do it, Do it! I’ve tried to talk several friends into doing it, but I must not be good at applying “pier pressure” because I haven’t convinced anyone yet, even people I know who spend 100 days or close to it on the water. That’s my goal for next year. Get more members for the club… Thanks for a great publication!
Find more SpinSheet Century Club stories here.
