Except for those hardy few who freeze their fingers to the winch handles, most have put their boats to bed and are contemplating upgrade/maintenance lists and finding shelter against the winter chills.
But Wait! It Doesn’t Need to be the End of the Sailing Season!
For over a quarter century, one of the largest clubs on the bay, Singles on Sailboats (SOS), has sponsored a number of public seminars throughout the winter in the form of monthly brunch speakers and weekend seminars culminating in a sailapalooza called “Spring Training” when they take over several buildings at Anne Arundel Community College for a day of multiple seminars on scores of subjects including boat handling, all manner of boat and systems maintenance, weather forecasting, safety, the latest boating apps, navigation, marine cuisine, and, of course, sailing.
Last season, over 250 sailors attended these informative sessions and we are planning to make this season’s program, to be held Saturday March 12, chock full of advice and thoughts to prepare you better for your time on the water. There are sessions for just about everyone at every level of sailing skill and experience. So whether you are an old salt or new to sailing, Spring Training is for you!
The cost is $55 for members of SOS and $75 for non-members. This fee includes course materials, continental breakfast and lunch. Program details and online registration are available at singlesonsailboats.org. Sign up as early as possible because the most popular classes fill up quickly.
In the meantime, Do you want to learn more about our wonderful Chesapeake Bay? Our brunch program on January 24 will feature John Page Williams, senior naturalist with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, who created the bay foundation’s education program in the 1970s, modeling it on his earlier experience with Outward Bound. He also led CBF’s development program and early outreach efforts as a writer and lecturer. He has published numerous articles in newspapers and boating and fishing magazines, and three books about the bay. His topic will be the history of the Chesapeake Bay.
The program will be held at the Annapolis Doubletree Hotel and is open to the public with a cost of $32. Come and meet other sailors during the 11:00 a.m. social gathering time and noon brunch, with the program to follow. To register, please contact Carole Jordan, [email protected]
SOS is a nonprofit organization for single adults who participate in a wide range of sailing related activities including day sails, weekend and extended cruises, bareboat cruises to far flung destinations, sailing education, and social functions at sea and ashore.
