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SFBA June 97 NewsletterMembership Drive | Volunteers Wanted | Crissy Field Update | Letters | Safety | Interview with Peter Lui | Peninsula Update | Northbay Update | Secret Site of the Month | Shop Guide | Suisun Slalom | Calendar SFBA HERE NOW! Mid-season has arrived and the time to join SFBA or renew yourmembership is NOW! As the only non-profit organization dedicated to the stewardship of your windsurfing interests in the Bay Area, it is only proper that every woman and man who hooks-in on Bay waters do whatever they can to support SFBA and their sport. As most of you know, SFBA members volunteer their life energy and rearrange their work schedules & on-the-water time to promote safety, provide education, ensure access and improve facilities for windsurfers throughout the Bay Area. Your contributions are SFBAEs only funding source... each contribution is very important, each contribution is very much! In this newsletter you'll notice some subtle but significant changes in the support SFBA provides. For one, we've made it easier for you to join SFBA or to renew your annual membership... just fill out the membership information on the back of the enclosed envelope and send it in with your $20 dues/donation. If you've already joined/renewed, please pass it on to a friend. In addition, the SFBA newsletter now also provides a map and location of Bay Area windsurfing shops and clinics/schools, and in each issue we are highlighting at least one of the many known and/or unknown launch sites around the Bay. So stay tuned in and turned on to the continually evolving SFBA... and if you'd like to contribute to future newsletters, please contact Ms. Karina OConnor, our new newsletter coordinator, at (415) 507-7154. Bill Robberson for all SFBA volunteers SFBA NEEDS YOU Join, volunteer, support the community..New Membership Drive As you can see by examining the cool new envelop that we have enclosed with this month's newsletter, we are changing our process for getting new members and collecting membership dues. We're striving to make things easier by enclosing a pre-addressed envelope with a tear-off top. To update our records, and contribute valuable funds (and help us put together a great season closing party), just fill out the tear-off portion, insert it into the envelope with your check and drop it in the mail. (Don't forget the stamp!) Volunteers Wanted The SFBA is still looking for a few good men and women volunteers to fill a few
positions. The Social Activities Director will be involved in planning and coordinating SFBA social events including the Season Opening and Closing Parities, beach barbecues and local windsurfaris! The Advertising Coordinator will be involved in the procurement and coordination of advertising for publishing in the SFBA Newsletter and on the Website. If interested in either of the above positions, please call Bill at 415-885-4357 or Karina at 415-661-9584. Kudos go out to Karina O'Connor, who volunteered to tackle the monthly coordination of the SFBA Newsletter and Jay Valentine who will be our Windsurfing Safety Evangelist. As newsletter coordinator, Karina would love to hear your ideas or consider your articles for inclusion in future issues of the Newsletter. Are members interested in finding our where the cool sites are, what Internet resources are available, where can I take classes, who's the cool new chick/dude shredding at Larkspur (may not be able to help you with that one)?? Feel free to call her at (415) 661-9584 or email (preferred!) to the SFBA email box at info@sfba.org. (esp. if you have information on upcoming events that the windsurfing community should know about, cool pictures or would like to write about your favorite secret site!) Central San Francisco Bay Update Crissy Field: The Crissy Field Committee is pleased to report that we're working with representatives from the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA), Golden Gate National Parks Association (GGNPA), and their landscape and building design consultants on the architectural design and placement of the restrooms, showers, safety tower and other related items such as turf, irrigation, etc. At this stage of the design refinement, weEre looking at a restroom capacity of four stalls each for men and women (yes, two of the men's are standing-room only), including enclosed space for changing clothes and wetsuits and four external (outside) showers. We're also assessing the aesthetic and functional considerations of whether a land-form or a stand-alone safety tower is best. With regard to the design and construction schedule, if all goes as originally planned, Crissy Field Tidal-Basin earth-work could begin as soon as the Spring of next year (April/May 1998), with construction of the East-end facilities to follow during at least a year of phased construction. Although weEre not too pysched about earth-movers and flying-dust during prime windsurfing time, we figure that if the construction actually begins on time, the Teamsters Union will have the big machines idle by 3:30 each day... regardless, we'll be on-top of it. In the near future, we'll keep you informed as work and milestones progress, and hope to have some preliminary drawings to share with you soon. Please note that your incorrigible Crissy Field Committee consists of John ("I can't keep doing this".. but he does anyway) Obrien, Jay (Let me tell you about the time I ....) Valentine, Jeff (got Elvis?) Bunch and your's truly. Fort Baker: As mentioned in the last newsletter, GGNRA and GGNPA are also gearing up their planning efforts at Fort Baker. Bob Stevens and I met with their planners in early May to learn more about the ideas and options in mind for Fort Baker, and to discuss regional recreational interests. Although SFBA has high hopes for significant access (launch/retrieval) improvements in the wharf area, the US Army is most likely years away (2 to 5) from departing the base as its prime tenant and releasing management to the National Park Service. None-the-less, Bob Stevens is putting together an SFBA Fort Baker team to represent windsurfing access interests at the north end of the bridge. So, if youEre a frequent Fort Baker launchee, or would like to be, contact either Bob Stevens (415 456-3194) or me for more information. Treasure Island: In the last newsletter we noted that public access to Treasure Island (TI) has been open for at least a couple of years now. Come late September '97, the City of San Francisco becomes the major tenant of this magical place.... the north end is great for all types of windsurfing, including slalom, course boards and bump & jump yahooing! During this transition from the US Navy to the City, SFBA would like to establish a greater presence, including installation of a windtalker. If you have any interest, parking and access is available at the northeast corner. Afterwards, let us know what you think. Note: Be forewarned that the launch is usually a sideshore wind off of large and slippery (low-tide) riprap, and you may be able to retrieve at the small beach on the lee side of the jetty. And remember, the currents there can be as strong as those in the middle of the Bay at Crissy. Bill Robberson, Central Bay Committee Letters in the Wind Ensuring access for windsurfing in the Bay Area is one of the major goals of the SFBA. In the letter below, Jeff Craft of the San Francisco School of Windsurfing, offers his 'view from the front line' on potential issues associated with the Stadium Measure which passed in the recent San Francisco election.World class Windsurfing Site or No Access - What will become of Candlestick Park? Whether you sail at Candlestick or not, if access is shut down, more crowed conditions will result at the other Bay Area sailing sites. By owning the school at Candlestick, access is very important to me. When the Stadium Measure was pending, I talked to both sides from Quentin Kopp to Michael CoBruno, press secretary of the 49ers. To be honest, they have been passing out conflicting stories. I've heard rumors from the State indicating that all access will be wiped out to the 49ers saying they will improve the area and install lockers. At the press meeting at Candlestick two weeks ago, before the stadium bill passed, it was revealed that the 49ers did not know the extend of windsurfing at Candlestick and did not have any provisions for windsurfing in their contract with the city. But all is not lost, if we work together, this could be a wonderful opportunity to have the windsurfing facilities drastically improved. We need a concentrated effort by the windsurfing community to outline their desires before the plans for the stadium are set into motion. As a start, we should put together names of registered voters who want to see improvements and a draft a list of specific ideas for improvement. But these are just a couple of suggestions that I can think of. Feel free to contact me at San Francisco School of Windsurfing at (415) with any suggestions or if you want to help make this happen. Jeff Craft, San Francisco Safety Issues Safety Classes at Candlestick The San Francisco School of Windsurfing will be running free safety classes starting June 28 at 12:30 pm. The classes will last for approximately one hour and present sailors with survival skills for conditions when equipment breaks. Skills such as self-rescue and turtling will be covered in the class. The school will also require anyone needing a rescue to take the class. Safety Tips As the 1997 sailing season approaches the mid-year point, there have been several safety- related windsurfing incidents in the San Francisco area. Most incidents seem to occur at Crissy Field and the mid-peninsula sailing sites. Although our sport is very safe in steady, light to moderate winds and waves, changeable conditions can lead to events involving injury or exposure, and can become life-threatening. As sailors, we need to not only be aware of potential threats to our own safety, but be willing to mention to others the potential risks at any given site. Prepare for emergencies. If you follow a few simple guidelines, you can decrease your chances of getting into trouble, and increase your chances of being rescued if you ever do need help. Keep your equipment in good condition: Masts, fins, booms and bases are key areas to check for wear and cracks. Defects and wear can be subtle and hard to spot. Downhaul and outhaul lines should not be frayed or worn. This is one of the easiest areas to check, and replacement line is very inexpensive. If you are not sure about what is needs replacing for safety reasons, check with one of the local shops. The experience of the shop employees, who are usually often expert sailors used to adverse sailing conditions, will be very helpful. Make sure all fittings are snug before you leave the shore. It can be nearly impossible to get a base back in the mast-track in heavy chop. Know the sailing site: Check the tide and current conditions for the sailing area. Most of the shops sell inexpensive tide and current handbooks. Check with the "locals" who sail regularly at any site. Winds can build or drop on any given day. Be aware of the hazards that occur with increasing wind speeds - especially in offshore wind conditions. Too much sail and a board that's too large can be a serious problem when the wind picks up and waves get too big for non-experts to handle. Also be aware of the dangers of going out on a small "sinker" board in offshore winds and having the wind die. If you cannot get back to shore before dark, and are not rescued, hypothermia can be a real danger - sailors have lost their lives for this reason. Make sure your wetsuit is warm enough - not just for sailing, but also for prolonged exposure in cold water. Carry a safety kit: A whistle, 30 feet of line, 3 marine flares and a strobe light make up a basic safety kit. A "Leatherman" type multitool can be a great help if the water is calm enough to use it for repairs. Get new flares twice a year - set off your old ones on July 4 and at the end of the season. That way you will know how to use them and have an idea of how good they are. Replace the battery in your strobe at least once per year. Last month a peninsula sailor needed a rescue - his flares didn't work and his strobe battery was dead. He almost didn't make it - don't let this happen to you. Use the "Buddy system:" If you are alone, find someone on the beach and work out an agreement to check on each other. Try to sail within sight of your "buddy" even if you don't sail right next to each other. Make sure that both of you are back safely before leaving the launch. If it is approaching darkness, and any sailor's car is still at the launch site, you'll have to make a judgement call on phoning 911. You cannot be sure if a sailor left their vehicle there to drive somewhere with another person, but most people will not leave a vehicle loaded with expensive gear at an isolated site after dark. Don't ever lose your board while you're out on the water: If your rig gets separated from your board, let the rig go. In high winds, your board will quickly disappear downwind if the mast is detached. Last, but not least, call the Coast Guard if you are rescued so that any search effort can be called off. Dave Van Harn Focus on Members Supporting the Windsurfing Community Interview - Peter Liu Peter is heavily involved in promoting and supporting windsurfers and windsurfing-related activities in the south bay. In addition to operating Peter's Cafe, which has been at its current location in Milbrae for five years, Peter Works as rep for John Forsyth Design Sailboards
Where to Meet Peter For those of you interested in meeting Peter and seeing his cafe which is colorfully decorated in windsurfing gear (his coat hanger is made from better board than the one I sold at the swap meet last week), just take the Milbrae exit off of 101, and head west. You can't miss the turquoise cafe located at the northeast corner of the intersection at the first stoplight. The Autographed Board! Peter has an autographed board containing signatures from local windsurfing legends such as Ian Boyd, Luke Hargreabos, John Chao, Dean Karnazes, Chris Chan and Micah Buzianis. Other 'famous' diners who have left their John Hancocks on collectibles include Brad Duffy, Matt and Kevin Prichard and Bjorn Dunkerbeck. Peter has been selling custom boards for John Forsyth for many years. The boards, which are epoxy with a foam core and can come with glass cloth or carbon overlay, run from $1250 each and can weight from 11.5 lbs to 15 lbs. John Forsyth lived in the Bay Area for several years and was previously a shaper for Dill Sailboards up in Oregon. Two years ago John moved back to Oregon, but still designs custom boards especially designed for sailing in the Bay Area bay or ocean waters. Back in 1993, Peter got involved in development of a video guide to sailing sites in the Bay area. The video, called 'A Quake on the Gold Coast' is sixty minutes and features Ian Boyde, Ken Hart, Brad Duffy and Randy Nelson. Sites from Bodega Bay to Santa Cruz are reviewed while reggae and new wave music plays. Peter also organized annual trips and caters BBQ's for local sailors. He has had an average of 20 SFBA/peninsula sailors join him on route to Margarita for the last three years. He caters swap meets for Windsurf/Bicycle Warehouse and meetings for the Peninsula SFBA chapter. His cuisine made its next appearance at the North Bay Classic Challenge at Coyote Point on June 21st. PENINSULA NEWS Third Ave Tribe Tackles Ramp On Saturday, June 7th a core group of 20 (with a peak of about 40 volunteers) did their best with the materials at hand to stick the main launch ramp back together well enough to last the rest of the season (or at least the rest of the week). A "commuter lane" has been created down the rocks to the right of the main ramp, for those in a frenzy. (Just follow the orange line.) The area has also been cleared of glass, metal shards, and treasures such as a pointer fin, a pager, and a giant crab. Thanks to Windsurf Warehouse for once again supplying bagels and juice! Third Ave Benefit Raffle Extended The raffle undertaken by Peter Liu of Peter's Cafe has been extended till the end of June. We usually ask for 20 bucks for gravel and sandbags - this year we're asking that you spend the $20 on a chance to win a Forsyth board, sails, harnesses, free food, and other great stuff. The proceeds will go to the Third Ave ramp reconstruction fund. Tickets can be purchased at ASD, Helm, Windsurf Warehouse, and Peter's Cafe. 3rd Ave Bluebloods Now Titled - You Can Be Too! SFBA is recognizing some folks who are virtual institutions by conferring official titles: to Jay Runge and Jim Paugh, who have regularly stayed late (as late as 1 a.m.!) waiting for breakdowns to show up, the title of "Beachmaster". To Owain Chilton, we convey the title "Leader of the Pack" as the representative of the young and hardbodied. Don't forget about our already legendary Bob "Mud Man" Prevett. At the end of the season there will be special recognition for the "sailor of the year". If you know someone who deserves a title, or if you would like to know how you can earn one yourself, contact Randy Anderson randy52@ix.netcom.com, (415) 595-1185 or at the big red Toyota 4x4. SFBA always needs new blood to help with the three S's: site, safety, and social! Progress On 3rd Ave Improvements According to Foster City staff, money will definitely be budgeted this year to fix the ramps, but don't expect to see the ramps fixed this season. - It would interfere with sailing anyway! The new paved access road (connecting to the signalized intersection to the west) is slated to be built this summer, and the old access closed. City staff also assured SFBA that the wetlands restoration project planned for between the pitch and putt course and the Bay will NOT interfere with the rigging area. No response from the City on the continuing golf ball issue with regard to requiring the range to raise/ install fences. Burlingame Launch Improvements Opportunity? The City of Burlingame has applied for a permit from the Bay Commission to construct a shoreline park on Airport Blvd. from Beach Road to Fisherman's Park. This work is being funded by the San Francisco Airport as part of mitigation for eliminating public access in the Flying Tigers area. People who sail from the shoreline between the Airport and Coyote may know more about the opportunity here and be able to ask for water access. The Bay Commission staff person is Jeff Jensen at SF Bay Conservation and Development Commission, 30 Van Ness Ave., Suite 2011, S.F., 94102 (415) 557-3686, or call Randy Anderson at (415)691-1200 if you want to help with this. San Mateo Launch Improvements Opportunity? Member George Haye reports that the City of San Mateo is moving forward with plans to convert the old dump site (the big mound on the bay between 3rd Ave and Coyote) into a park. In 1993 SFBA got launch ramps included in the plan – as at least a place to get out if washed up there. The steep topography would make it difficult to build parking near the water (but it never hurts to ask and given how far you have to walk from some of the parking at 3rd, it might not be so bad!). Letters of encouragement can be addressed to Ken Passini, Associate Engineer, City of San Mateo Public Works Dept., 330 West 20th Ave., San Mateo 94403. North Bay News The northwesterly winds have been providing some great sailing days at Tomales, Bodega, and Rod and Gun Club. These are all good sites for advanced and seasoned intermediate level sailors. Check out these sites when you have a chance. Though Larkspur remains a great beginner site, especially in the mornings before mid
day, we have had a few thermal days the past week, allowing a few good small sail days. A
few reminders about Larkspur in case you are new to the site: The ABK & Cort Larned Classes are going well at Larkspur and offer a great opportunity for the Beginner as well as those looking for Advanced Technique. Check them out. ABK is also offering a series of Monday night demonstrations and lectures at Windsports in San Rafael, covering rigging, jibbing, tacking, safety, rules of the road, and a variety of other subjects. A few of the notable speakers include: Women's World Champion, Jessica Crisp and Windtracks Sailing Coach, Andy Brandt. Call Windsports for times & dates (415)-459-1171. Once again, I would like to remind you of the Porto-potty generously provided by the SFBA Each year from April through October, the Porto-potty is there for your pleasure. It is cleaned once a week unless the usage requires a twice a week cleaning. Your dues help pay for this convenience so please fill out your membership and send it in today. See you on the water. Jeff Hickman Secret (or not so) Site of the Month - Pt. Isabel Pt. Isabel is one of the launch sites that can put you on the middle of the bay, down wind from the Olympic Circle. This very nice launch site is a grassy and fairly clean area with good parking. There is also a park and a walking trail that is used by dog walkers (you know what to watch for!). The site is an East Bay spot, but also easy for Marin-ites to access. Wind days occur often when Berkeley is windy and sometimes when Larkspur is falling off. Overall, I think that Pt. Isabel is more consistent that either of these two sites. To launch, sailors must go a little upwind before getting in the sailing groove. To get to the launch site from the East Bay, take 80 or 580 to Albany and exit on Central Avenue going west (towards the bay). You can also access the site from Marin by taking 580 from the Richmond San Rafael Bridge and taking the Central Avenue exit. After exiting, go past Costco and go all the way to the end of Central Avenue. Then turn right on Isabel Street and go all the way to the end again. Park at the end on the side of the road or in the parking lot (no cost) and have fun! Kristin Mortimore Where Can I Go For Equipment and Classes in the Bay Area? The SFBA Shop Guide contains the current list of shops, rental locations and class locations. If we missed any locations, please drop us a line and we'll add you to the list! Suisun Slough Slalom Dear Longboard enthusiasts, For those even mildly amused by the prospect, I have taken the time to formulate possible weekends that willwork with the hightides necessary to pull off this epic event...Please note this is not my idea. I am just the poor slob who's will is too weak to resist the chance for a free Helicopter ride and hopefully a cold brewski. Confirmation of interest should be address to myself (Eric Simonson at ESSPhoto@aol.com) or Anne Hammerslag, her address is AnneUSA34@aol.com. If you have a Longboard or can borrow one or know somebody who might be interested, please pass the word, and reply ASAP. Let us know which weekend(s) work for you, we'll go from there and pick the ones that are most popular (wind cooperating -all times are for Sat, add 45 min for Sun): June 21 & 22 @ 5:00pm, July 4,5,& 6 @ 5:00pm, July 19 & 20 @ 3:45pm, July 26 & 27 @ 9:00pm, Aug 2 & 3 @ 4:26pm, Aug 9 & 10 @ 7:30pm, Aug 16 & 17 @ 3:00pm, Aug 23 & 24 @ 7:26pm, Aug 30 & 31 @ 2:40 pm. Please Note: We would meet at the starting point, Pierce Landing Road just across the Benicia Bridge at around 2:00 pm the day of the event. Gear would be unloaded and an automobile shuttle to the ending point at Suisun City would then proceed....Leaving cars there...Then loadem up and back to "Put In" for launch around 3:00 PM....Then off you go for a ten mile down wind ride through "Gods Slalom" At the "Take Out" Clay will be waiting with Ice Cold beer, and piping hot pizza for all! (right Clay?) Allrighty then..... Erik Simonson 415.355.7336.voice 415.355.1080. fax Updated - 8/30/97 Comments, Suggestions? SFBA Webmaster |