Vice commodore of the Eastport YC (EYC), Heather Ersts, says, “I was sitting at the bar… how many stories in sailing start with this line?! I was sitting at the bar EYC talking to Richard Ewing of Molto Bene, whom I had just met a few months earlier, along with Idarae Prothero, during my first stint as Lights Parade chief elf.” It was March of 2006, and Richard said, “You should come racing with us on Molto Bene.” Heather responded, “I don’t know a thing about sailing.” He said that was fine. He’d tell her what to do. “And that was the beginning of a hook, line, and sinker love affair with sailing!”
Heather Ersts (right).
What’s the best part about being in a sailing/yacht club?
I love the people. The boating community is full of interesting, resourceful, intelligent, well-traveled, friendly folks, who are always ready to hop in a boat—any boat—and get out on the water. When I joined the Annapolis boating community, I distinctly remember feeling that I had found “my people.”
Have you held an office within the club?
Yes, I was keeper of the log for a year and have been vice commodore for the past two years.
Do you have a favorite recent memory from a club event?
At the J/80 Worlds Championships, which EYC hosted last fall, on a beautiful and breezy October Saturday, I was out on the VIP/sponsor boat watching the last day of racing with members of the J/80 Worlds committee. I looked around at committee members having a great time with our sponsors, while others were Tweeting the race action around the world. The EYC race committee was doing what they do best. A great final trophy presentation awaited us back at EYC, and we had several EYC J/80 boats doing well on the race course. I was so proud of everyone involved, so honored to be a part of an amazing world-class event, and in awe of all of the talented and wonderful people surrounding me enjoying the Chesapeake Bay and all her splendor.
Anything else you would like to share with SpinSheet readers?
Volunteer at your club! It is the best way to meet and to get to know people. Nothing fosters friendships faster than rolling up your sleeves and tackling a project together. The friendships that develop through working together are deep, lasting, and will be there through life’s trials and triumphs.
