Wild Horses taking the lead during the Mystic River Mudhead Association’s Third Annual Hospice Regatta.

On Saturday, July 17th, the Third Annual Mudhead Benefit Cup for Hospice SECT raised an estimated $45,000. During the day, 63 boats ranging from 21 to 42 feet, raced on Fisher’s Island Sound. The event also included three racing circles from Stonington to Groton.

Trophies were awarded to 30 skippers in 10 classes. First Place went to Wild Horses, Leda, SnowBird, Zig Zag Zoom, and SeTherin were the PHRF winners in Classes One-Five, respectively. Bonanza took first place in Ensign 6 class, Splashdance in CC7, Windsong in CC8, Skean Dhu Saluck in Shields Class 9, and Wunder Dog in J-24 Class 10.

Following the races, the Mega Party kicked off under the Sperry Tent at Mystic Shipyard. Rock n’ Soul Revue entertained over 550 party goers as they danced the night away.

Food, provided by 20 Mystic area restaurants, free-flowing rum and over adozen raffle prizes completed the night. Mike Cavanaugh, Crystal Slipper, won a 60 foot slip at Seaport Marine in the live auction

SnowBird heading down the Mystic River to the start of the Mudhead’s Hospice Regatta. SnowBird wins first place in her class, PHRF 3.

TheBergendahl Family, One More Time, was honored as this year’s top fundraiser.   Donations are still being accepted at online at www.firstgiving.com/HSECT.

For more information about the Mystic River Mudhead Association visit www.mudhead.org.

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The New London Community Boating program teaches New London children boating skills. (l-r, back row) Max Satti with head sailing instructors Becka Wesley and Andrew Ziolkovski, Lola Omotosho, Prince Omotosho (front row) Olivia Satti, Jessica Rolon, Aries Santiago and Yvenson Auberg.

Monday, June 28, 2010 several youngsters between ages nine and 17, from all over New London, formed a circle at Greens Harbor Beach, and introduced themselves to head sailing instructors, Becka Wesley, Mystic, and Andrew Ziolkovski, Maine.  For some of the kids, it was “old-hat” as they already know and love Becka, who began coaching an amazing program organized through New London Parks and Recreation called New London Community Boating, over ten years ago.  Andrew travels all the way from Maine each summer to participate in this program.

Carolyn Leuze, Program Director and founder of the New London Community Boating, watched as the kids hopped aboard JY-Trainers and Optimus sailboats with great pride and satisfaction .  Carolyn slates her husband as her inspiration, as he devoted many years of his life to youth sailing at the Thames Yacht Club, New London.  She is a retired teacher, working 25 years at Ledyard Center School and decided to start this program 13 years ago.

Notes Carolyn, “A most rewarding experience, was once watching a young man, who had quite low self esteem-maneuver and handle his boat.  The sense of pride this instilled in him when he returned to the dock brought me to tears!”

I mentioned that Coach Kent Ward of Gloves Not Guns struggles to get parents to stay the course and transport the kids to practice.  She credits my good friend, Tommy Major, New London, Park & Recreation Director, with the success of this program. “Having Tommy on board was crucial to our success-he arranged for transportation, and secured us our location here at Greens Harbor Beach!”

When Becka helped out a friend at the Thames Yacht Club for their Youth Sailing program 10 years ago, she was enamored!  “I was so lucky as a kid to have the opportunity to learn how to sail. I immediately had to become part of this program and share my knowledge with kids who might otherwise not be able to do so!”

This camp is unique. It meets five days a week, catering to 25 kids in the morning, and 25 in the afternoon session.  No other program in the area meets that often.

Max Satti, 14 years old, and 4 year veteran of the program, says, “New London Community Boating is a great way to learn how to sail and meet new people!”

Dennis Crowe, Aquatics Director, City of New London Swim program at Ocean Beach Park, urges people to sign up for swim lessons.  Says Dennis, “The swimming and sailing program is a nice mixture for learning how to be safe on the water, and to learn how much fun, with a little dose of confidence, the water can be!”

There is still time to join New London Community Boating, it is free of charge to kids who live in New London, or attend the public schools.  They don’t even have to know how to swim! Forms are available at Greens Harbor Beach. The Swimming Program begins on July 6th, for more information call 860.447.5230.

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State Representative Elissa Wright

State Representative Elissa Wright (D-Groton) is supporting a regulation being proposed by the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) that would establish a “Slow-No-Wake” zone for boaters throughout the entire Mystic River.

The “Slow-No-Wake” proposal was aired at a recent public hearing held by the DEP at its Marine Headquarters in Old Lyme where the agency was hearing testimony on rulemaking proceedings that included adding one new regulation, revising certain other boating regulations, and repealing other obsolete regulations.

Rep. Wright attended the DEP’s public hearing where she testified in support of a proposed amendment to the state’s boating regulations to establish a “Slow-No-Wake” zone in the entire Mystic River.

Rep. Wright pointed out that the measure is actually an outgrowth of legislation she worked on with local advocates and co-introduced in the 2009 session of the General Assembly to provide better enforcement of vessel speed, ensure the safety of marine operation, and protect the general welfare of all users in the Mystic River.

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The Mystic River Mudhead Sailing Association and Hospice Southeastern Connecticut are pleased to announce that the 2010 Mudhead Benefit Regatta for Hospice, taking place July 17th is certified as a Bronze Level Clean Regatta by the non-profit organization Sailors for the Sea. The Mystic River Mudhead Sailing Association pledges its commitment to clean waters and shores, and vows to fulfill and encourage others to fulfill the goals and requirements set forth by Sailors for the Sea.

The Mudhead Benefit Race is a fundraiser for Hospice Southeastern CT, a non-profit community-based organization.  Hospice Southeastern CT is a member of the National Hospice Regatta Alliance. There is no registration fee to enter the race (the after-race party at Mystic Shipyard is $20.00 per person) and all participants are encouraged to raise funds for Hospice Southeastern CT.  All donations are tax-deductible. For more information, go to www.mudhead.org.

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Maria Petrillo, Mystic, shown sailing at the ICSA/Gill National Championship, is named to the The Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association (ICSA) All Academic Sailing Team for 2009, adding to the All American honors the 2009 Roger Williams University graduate earned last spring. The 2009 ICSA All Academic Team recognizes ten First Team and ten Second Team student-athletes who maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.5 on a scale of 4.00, were a key starter or reserve member of their school’s sailing team, and who had reached junior standing at his or her institution of learning in order to be considered eligible for this distinction.  Also remarkable is that six of the scholar athletes named to the 2009 All Academic Sailing Team – including Maria Mahler-Haug, Branford – were also named to the ICSA All Academic Sailing Team in 2008.

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Congratulations to sailing legend, Peter Ross, and the crew of Tynaje for finishing first in Class #1 and first overall in the Red Lobdell Memorial Regatta on August 15th. This is Peter’s fifth time winning the Regatta. The trophy was presented to Peter at the Stonington Harbour Yacht Club on October 17th.

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Congratulations to all of you who purchased personal flotation devices (PFD) for you and your children’s safety. And most importantly, that you are wearing them!

I do want to talk about other safety factors: narrow channels. We talked about who has the right away: no one. Each captain must do whatever is necessary to prevent collision.

With the volume of boats moving in the local rivers, we need to be especially vigilant when crossing or overtaking another vessel. Remember, when overtaking a boat from behind, one toot on your horn means you intend to pass the vessel on his starboard side. Or, you intend to bring the vessel down your port side He should responde with one toot on his horn to signify that it is safe to proceed. He will maintain course and speed until you have safely passed the vessel.

During low tides, there are many areas where you need to stay as close as possible to the middle of the channel to make sure you do not run aground.

If you want to take a short trip from the boat launch in Westerly, try this trip down the Pawcatuck River. It will take you to Pawcatuck Point. This is a great exercise for you to practice traveling through narrow channels. First, make a 90 degree turn to starboard taking the green bell #23 down your starboard side. Continue to follow the red and green buoys to Sandy Point.  Bring the red #4 down your port side and continue past the red #2 Academy Rock bell to the junction buoy, Stonington Point. You will see the top of the junction buoy is painted red. Continue to Stonington as if you were returning from sea, “red right return.”

I have mentioned that these buoys are subject to movement based on wind and tide. Do not go too close to them. The red #2 bell at the entrance to Little Narragansett Bay hides behind Academy Rock. This rock did a lot of vessel damage though the years. Look at your chart to confirm where you are. And always make sure to carry your chart every time you leave your dock.

Don’t forget to take a few minutes before you leave your anchorage to fill out a float plan telling someone on the dock what time you are leaving, where you are going and how soon you expect to return. It could save your life.

Follow the navigation rules and have a great safe summer!

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Join the Mystic River Mudhead Sailing Association, and you can race Wednesday nights in Fishers Island Sound. From late May through August, the Mudhead racing fleet is out there searching for the next shift and the opportunity to pass boats.

You must be a member of the Mudheads in order to race. Register by Tuesday at noon and have a current PHRF-Eastern CT certificate. The courses are usually windward-leeward, using both drop marks and government buoys.

Please contact them at Mudhead@mudhead.org for more information, or visit the website www.mudhead.org.

Benefit Cup for Hospice SECT

Come out and race to benefit Hospice SECT! The Benefit Cup Race is set for July 18th in Fishers Island Sound.

The MegaParty at Mystic Shipyard will cap off the day with local cuisine from local Mystic restaurants and music from Rock n’ Soul Revue.

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