BRIDGE2011-2012

(Abbreviated List—Full List on Website)www.vpsboat.com

Commander Bill Stewart!!!!!.....604 738-2635Training Officer Glen Hodgkinson..............604 233-0443Asst Training Officer —BoatingPeter Mokkonen...............604 608-1818Asst Training Officer — Advanced & ElectivesLois MacDonald!!!!.604 266-2582SecretaryP/Cdr Marion Pearson!..604 228-0183Programs Officer Barbara Constantine........604 876-0156 Environment OfficerBill Blancard!!!!.......604 931-5153Public Relations OfficerEardley Beaton!!!!..604 734-4900Webmaster/IT OfficerPeter Bennett!!!!!.604 817-4165Newsletter OfficerMaureen Phillips!!!...604 739-2166Past CommanderDon Mercer!!!!!....604 685-6501CruisemasterLois MacDonald!!!....604 266-2582HistorianDennis Steeves!!!!.604 263-4276

Change of Address or Membership Inquiries Twyla Graeme!!!.......604 738-8563

We have just had our AGM/COW (Annual General Meeting/Change of Watch) and BBQ on May 16, 2011 at the False Creek Yacht Club.

With us was District Commander Don Griffin, who pledged the new Bridge, and myself as Squadron Commander for a second term. At our meeting we handed out 62 merit marks that represented a minimum of 20 hours of service to our squadron. I wish to congratulate all those who earned their merit mark.! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! (continued on page 2)

Volume XXIX Number 10 June 2011

From the Commander’s Log! ! ! By Commander Bill Stewart

Upcoming Events• June 11 & 12 - VPSS Stag Cruise

See pages 10 & 11 for details and registration.

• June 20 - VPSS Graduation Ceremony! Come out to this Squadron Night meeting at the False Creek Yacht Club

and welcome the new graduates.

• August 25 to 28 - Vancouver Wooden Boat Festival! See page 7 for more details about this popular event. • August 27 & 28 - Rendezvous Cruise to Keats Island" See “Cruisemaster’s Corner” on page 5 for more information.

• September 17 - Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup See page 9 for details.

Squadron Night meetings are held at the False Creek Yacht Club located at the north shore of False Creek, right under the Granville Street Bridge. Doors open at 7:00 pm. Event begins at 7:30 pm. Cost is $5 per person. See you there!

Commander’s Report (continued from page 1)

I would like to thank the out-going Bridge members for serving this past year. Your devotion to VPSS has kept us on course and allowed us to move into the New Year. I welcome the new Bridge, and look forward to working closely with you over the next year.

I’d like to thank our training officers, Dave Atchison and Peter Girling, and our assistant training officers, Glen Hodgkinson and Kit Griffin, who have done an incredible job over the past year managing all the course programs that VPSS offers.

The operating of these courses involved 20 instructors, 15 proctors, two class chairs plus several evenings of work by the registration team and exam markers. I would like to thank every one of you for your dedication and continued support of our squadron.

The student cruises are always a highlight for our boating course students. I wish to thank all the skippers who gave their time and boats in support of the squadron during the fall and spring classes. And to all the proctors who came out to help with the student cruises, a big thank you. All the cruising material for the skippers, proctors and students was put together by

Larry Yatkowsky. Thank you, Larry, for all the work you have done.

Thanks also goes to Cruisemaster Lois MacDonald for organizing all the squadron cruise events. If you have any ideas for cruises or would like to help organize one, Lois would like to hear from you at cruisemaster@vpsboat.com.

June 12 is our annual Stag Cruise, and I will report on this event in the September issue.

Coming up after that on June 20 is our graduating class ceremony, and I hope you will come out and welcome our graduating students as new members.

Our Masthead editor is Maureen Phillips. I wish to thank Maureen for all her work in producing a great looking newsletter continually month after month and for her patience in waiting for me to write my reports. A BIG thank you.

Our squadron marks its 56th year of teaching safe boating and, as you know, is run by our very dedicated volunteers.

It is important that we find new volunteers from our squadron, or from other sources, who are willing to step up and help keep our organization running smoothly for many more years to come. If you have some time to give back to your

squadron, I would be pleased to hear from you.

As classes are all now finished until September, we have earned the time to go out boating. Please take pictures of your cruises and favourite places to visit. We always welcome presentations for our members at Squadron Night meetings (and photos provide much appreciated material for the Masthead too). Our new Programs Officer, Barbara Constantine, would be very pleased to hear from you regarding presentations.

I wish everyone safe boating this summer, and hope to see you out on the water!

Bill Stewartbstewart@frontierpower.com

Enjoying a row on the water off Saturna Island.

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Merit Marks for Our VolunteersAccording to a 2007 Canadian Survey of Giving: Volunteering and Participating, 12.5 million Canadians contribute annually 2.1 billion hours - the equivalent of 1.1 million full-time jobs - to a wide range of charitable and not-for-profit organizations. Our squadron could not exist without the generous gifts of time, energy and enthusiasm of so many volunteers. Those who have contributed more than 20 hours to the Squadron in the 2010-2011 season have been awarded a Merit Mark and Certificate. Of course most have contributed vastly more than 20 hours. The number of years each has been volunteering is also listed below. We are very grateful to each and every one of you.

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AGM & COW BBQ

Marion Pearson, Don Griffin, Bill Stewart, Dave Atchison and Don Mercer

Sylvia Steede receiving her 20th Merit Award.

Art Rendall receiving the Oops Award (for filling his gas tank with water)

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• July 18 - Raft-Up & PotluckRaft-up in False Creek near Spruce Harbour Marina around 5:30 - 6:00 pm and bring your favourite appy for this informal gathering.

• August 27 & 28 - Rendezvous Weekend at Plumper Cove (NW side of Keats Island)

Arrive no later than 1230 on the Saturday in order to take the water taxi (arrives early afternoon) to the BBQ at Doug Puddifant’s.

Plumper Cove Marine Facilities:Dock ($2 per meter per night)Mooring Buoys ($10 per night)Spacious anchorage immediately to the south.

Warning: There is a rocky patch at a depth of 0.5m below chart datum, 25m off the end of the central mooring float.

For further information, contact Lois at 604-266-2582.

Cruisemaster’s Cornerby Cruisemaster Lois MacDonald at

cruisemaster@vpsboat.com

Dave Dorman's navigational skill was the focus of a gentle roasting from several former seamanship students. Dorman, who has decades of

experience both as a sailor and a commercial pilot, had earlier admitted to his class that he had

once grounded his trawler on a large rock northwest of Thetis Island. At the AGM/COW, Dorman was informed that application has been made to Ottawa to officially change the name of Danger Reef to Dorman's Dock. The popular instructor was presented with a chart of the Gulf Islands that highlighted the proposed change. He also received two editions of Yachting Magazine (circa 1946) as well as a copy of The Old Man and the Sea. Dorman has been an instructor with VPPS since the early 1990s. Paul Heeney, CPS

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Food & Socializing Dominate the Bowen Island Rendezvous!

Three boats, out of an anticipated 9 or 10, ignored the weather forecast of a rainy weekend and kept the rendezvous at Snug Cove -- and they weren’t disappointed. The weather cooperated; the rain stopped and the sun came out for awhile, which

afforded the opportunity to go exploring around the area. We knew nothing of the hail that pelted down in parts of the Lower Mainland. As it was cool and wet, instead of having our meal on the dock, we

feasted aboard “Et’s Waterfront Condo” where the potluck selections were plentiful and delicious. The timing of dinner was earlier than usual, dictated by the hockey game and the desire to gets seats in the marina’s new clubhouse to be able to watch the game.

While the Canucks did not win, they provided great entertainment and an opportunity for us to socialize with other boaters/hockey fans. On Sunday, conditions were favourable enough for the power boaters to enjoy a good cruise back, and there was sufficient wind for the sailboats to sail all the way into the Bay, at times enjoying an average of 5.5 knots.

The next rendezvous is August 27-28 at Keats Island – looking forward to seeing you there!

Lois MacDonaldCruisemaster

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From the Desk of Eardley Beaton...

Vancouver Wooden Boat Festival

This popular event will be held at Granville Island, Aug 25 - 28, and our squadron will take on the responsibility of picking up the CPS booth and setting it up in the main square by 10:00 am on the 25th. We will have two shifts per day at 10:00 am to 1:30 pm and at 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm, and for each shift we will need two volunteers who have taken the Boating Course. This is a fun opportunity to meet people and discuss their boating questions, and it’s all located in one of Vancouver's most popular spots on False Creek. Please phone

604-734-4900 or e-mail beatonsbeat@shaw.ca before June 26, as I will be away for the summer until July 29.

Here is a link to more information about the Vancouver Wooden Boat Festival: http://vcn.bc.ca/vwbs/Festival%202011/Festival%20Reg%20Brochure.pdf Lawn Signs

Our Fall Boating courses will start in September, so we will be putting up some twenty-five signs on August 15 in strategic locations on lawns of VPSS members and friends, as well as on some notice boards to encourage potential boaters to educate themselves on recreational boating and safety on the water. I will once again call on members, John Cartmel and Terry Friesen, and others who may wish to learn about this program so they can take

it on and help our squadron in future.

West Marine - Kitsilano’s “Slam Events”

We will be putting on the program Wednesday evening, September 7 at 7:00 p.m. This is one of West's regular Wednesday evening boating programs for their customers and friends. We will be telling our VPSS and CPS stories and explaining what one can learn by taking our courses. Eardley BeatonPublic Relations Officer

False Creek Fuel Barge Opening Soon!Barge Operator, Michael Short, is trying hard to have the fuel barge up and running as soon as possible.

The installation of the new underground storage tank will begin on June 6, 2011 and continue for the following three weeks. For updates and information on False Creek Fuels (Gas Barge), go to www.falsecreekfuels.com. Ph

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I am amazed every day at how the colours of the cliffs change as you move from one anchorage to the next. From Los Gatos we went to a small cove called San Marte. There are some big reefs off this cove and we were looking forward to snorkeling on them. There were many many kinds of fish and I was excited to see such BIG parrot fish. They were about 2 feet long! There were also corals and fans and starfish and many other interesting things to look at. The water is still a bit chilly though at 23 degrees so we didn't stay in too long, maybe 45 minutes or so. From there, we headed to Aqua Verde which was 7 miles.

Excerpt from Ellen Gallant’s blog,

May 30, 2011, aboard Kasasa.

Two Other VPSS Members Sailing Offshore

VPSS members Ellen Gallant and Ian Shepherd left Vancouver in October 2010 and headed down the west coast. They’re now cruising in warm

Mexican waters and keeping a blog of their adventures. For a full account of their voyage so far, visit http://www.sailblogs.com/member/www.kasasa.com/

Ellen Gallant and Ian Shepherd left Vancouver on “Kasasa” in October 2010 and headed down the coast to sunny Mexico.

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REMINDER!

VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED Great Canadian Shoreline

Cleanup 2011

RAIN OR SHINE!

When: Saturday, September 17, 2011Where: Jericho Beach East Area from Alma Street to Jericho Sailing SchoolTime: Registration and Orientation: 0930 hrsCleanup:1000 - 1500 hrs.

Meet at the Jericho Beach East Concession Stand area at 0930 hrs for registration, forming teams and a brief orientation.

Refreshments, cleaning supplies and materials will be supplied.

Squadron members, family and friends are encouraged to attend. Bring your rubber boots and rain gear as we will be cleaning up the beach rain or shine. Let’s see which team will have bragging rights to the most unusual item collected.

For further information, contact Bill Blancard, Environment Officer, VPSS at 604-931-5153 or email: Gonefishin2@telus.net

Thank you and see you there! Have a great summer!

Meanwhile,how others in the world deal with beach litter...This sign and the imaginative fencing were spotted in Ramsgate, England next to the chalk cliffs on the seashore. (Not sure why there’s a question mark after “Your help is needed.”)

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The Vancouver Stag CruiseWill be held on June 11 & 12, 2011

up Indian Arm

Hone the skills that you learned in the Power Squadron classes.

Try participating in a predicted log race or a sailing competition.

Please talk to other members of your Squadron and make them aware of this popular event and encourage your male friends to attend.

Put a crew together today!!

Registration form on next page.

Vancouver Power and Sail Squadron Stag Cruise Committee

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REGISTRATION FOR THEVANCOUVER POWER AND SAIL SQUADRON

STAG CRUISE JUNE 11 & 12, 2011 RENDEZVOUS (0900 TO 1200) BEDWELL BAY, INDIAN ARM

COMMITTEE BOAT “DARUMA” ---Communication Channel 68

Destination for the weekend : Lat 49 degrees 23.728’N, Long 122 degrees 53.159’W( Please arrive for tie up after 1345)

SATURDAY: SUNDAY:Predicted Log Sausage & Pancake BreakfastSailing Competition Photo ContestSteak Dinner TrophiesDraws & Prizes Sailpast – Salute to Cdr. FEE: ONLY $60 PER PERSON (ALL-INCLUSIVE)

$50 WITH PRE-REGISTRATION BY JUNE 1, 2011

NOTE: To ensure that a steak and space is reserved for you and your party please complete and mail the following registration form no later than June 1st. (Please provide your own dishes and eating utensils.)

REGISTRATION FORM … PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY

SEND TO: John Steede Phone: 604-274-0087 7191 Anvil Crescent E-Mail: sjsteede@shaw.ca Richmond, BC V7C 4E7

Skipper’s Name: Address: Squadron:_____________ Telephone:_____________E-Mail: __________________ If bringing boat, Boat Name:

Power: ! Sail: ! Length: Beam: Draft: Crew Members’ Names:

I would like to enter: The Predicted Log Competition Yes No

Sailing Competition Yes No

I would like to be an observer in: The Predicted Log Competition Yes No

Sailing Competition Yes No

OUR REGISTRATION FEE ENCLOSED: X $50.00 = TOTAL:

MAKE CHEQUES PAYABLE TO “VANCOUVER POWER & SAIL SQUADRON”