Quinte Sailability's Blog

2010 comes to us

quintesailability — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 20:18:23 +0000

The 2010 Olympic Torch relay is working it’s way across Canada and I’m pretty excited about it for two reasons:

- it’s stopping at the RCAF Flyers Arena at 8 Wing CFB Trenton at 1:42 p.m. on December 15, and,

- Fletch is a torch bearer!

The Torch Relay will arrive in Quinte West at 1:39 p.m. (13:39 EST) and make a Community Stop at the RCAF Flyers Arena at 8 Wing CFB Trenton at 1:42 p.m. (13:42 EST). The community is encouraged to come out for a barbeque, music and a live radio broadcast starting at 12:00 p.m. in anticipation of the arrival of the torch. Road closures along RCAF Road will be in effect starting at 1:30 p.m.

The torchbearer will continue along the route southbound on RCAF Road and on to Dundas Street East, passing the torch at 2:06 p.m. (14:06 EST). The relay route stays on Dundas Street through downtown Trenton, where the Trenton Citizens Band and Trenton Golden Hawks will be out greeting and entertaining the crowds, starting at 1:30 p.m.

Continuing along Dundas Street West (Old Hwy 2) towards Trenton High School for a brief Community Stop at 2:34 p.m. (14:34 EST), and be passed from the last Quinte West torch bearer at Tripp Boulevard.

Day 47 Dec 15
Kingston, Odessa, Napanee, Tyendinaga, Deseronto, Picton, Belleville, CFB Trenton, Trenton, Brighton, Colborne, Cobourg, Port Hope, Bailieboro, Peterborough

Day 48 Dec 16
Peterborough, Lakefield, Curve Lake, Bridgenorth, Omemee, Lindsay, Orono, Newcastle, Bowmanville, Courtice, Oshawa

Now, if you want to see Fletch run with the torch (and I can tell you he’s pretty suave in his official suit) then head off to Orono ( which is in Clarington) and be at Mill Street well before 1:30 as the torch should arrive at approximately 1:46 PM on Dec 16th.

You can also watch the Torch Relay from the comfort of your comfy chair…

This boat also does knot have a name

Carly — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 02:55:31 +0000

Sometimes I run and hide when I see a smile on Fletch’s face – he’s always up to something and tonight was no exception. “Look” he says with a smile on his face. He points towards a trailer, upon which sits a pretty boat with a pretty big engine.

It’s a 14 foot Grew fiberglass run about with a 75 horsepower Chrysler outboard engine. I walk around it, knocking on the hull and poking and prodding various bits of boat as I examine it.

Then I ask the fateful question: Does it…? “No, it does not have a name”.

Oh. I see.

So here we are with another boat, the fourth boat in our fleet, another boat that along with the 18 foot Cadorette needs a name.

Send us your name suggestions and you too can win a prize if we choose your name, two prizes or maybe one big prize if you can name both the new boats!

Fun with flags

quintesailability — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:41:34 +0000

There are several signal flags that are used to help co-ordinate the start and conduct of racing. Our sailors who race should be able to recognize them and understand what those flags mean, especially what the flags that are flown during the start sequence mean.

	Warning Signal. 5 minutes to race start when the class flag is raised.
	Preparatory signal. 4 minutes to start when flag Papa is raised.
	Preparatory signal. Flag Papa removed 1 minute before start.
	Start Signal. Race starts when the class flag removed.

These flags can also be used to spell things out…

Do you know what this says?

Sails and snow?

Carly — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:34:26 +0000

There is a real freedom that comes when we read the wind, work the sails and head where we want, free of speed bumps and yellow lines. Yes, a wonderful freedom that lasts so long yet ends so early. The boats are all out of the water, the dock is empty and all of out sailors are wearing warm sweaters instead of hats and t-shirts. As much as I love the winter I do miss those wonderful days summer days spent sailing around the Bay of Quinte.

Although the bay is frozen we can recapture that sense of freedom by trading our sails for skis and enjoying the snow in a special way – it’s called Track 3 skiing. The name is derived from the three tracks left in the snow by a skier carving down a run on a single ski while using two outrigger poles with small ski blades for balance and turning. Depending on the nature of the disability, a skier may eventually do without the outriggers and use conventional ski poles.

Track 3 Skiing provides children, youth and adults with disabilities the opportunity to safely experience the pleasure of downhill skiing as a leisure activity. Post-Second World War servicemen, injured during their tour of duty, were pioneers of the specialized alpine sport (watch it during the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver). In the late 1940s, these soldiers with disabilities benefited from courses teaching them how to ski despite their injuries.

Besides being a speedy sailor, Jennifer Smith is also a downhill demon when she hits the hills at Batawa – she spoke about her experiences last year during an interview with the Trentonian.

The Batawa ski hill is the host facility for our local Track 3 program. Similar programs are operating at Georgian Peaks Ski Club, Alpine Ski Club and Craigleith Ski Club in the Collingwood area, the London Ski Club and Horseshoe Valley Ski Club in Barrie and the Waterloo Region Track 3 Ski School.

For more information check the Canadian Association for Disabled Skiing, the Ontario Track 3 ski organization, the London Track 3 program, the Waterloo Track 3 program

The skiing ability is the same – the only difference is the Tracks in the snow…

The boat does knot have a name

Carly — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:31:07 +0000

Sailability has a new boat and a mighty fine boat it is. There is a slight problem though – it doesn’t have a name!

The Erin Knot and the Why Knot are pleased to announce the Name the New Boat contest. Send us your knotty and nautical name suggestions – the one we pick wins a super secret prize!

Extreme Sailing

quintesailability — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:11:16 +0000

Brought to you by our favorite Amie…

Wheelchair Bus Virgin!

quintesailability — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:24:33 +0000

Today I caught the city bus with Sandy! It was our big adventure to the Quinte Mall. Myself being a wheelchair bus virgin, Sandy decided it was time to take me on the bus and get over my fear! The city bus was a ride to remember! We had a blast riding the bus route, making two transfers and meeting and talking to people. There were different people coming and going from the bus. Most of the bus drivers were awesome with us… well… except for one crotchety man but Sandy and I just told him thank you and to have a great night! Thank you Sandy for showing me the ropes and the bus route for that matter! lol

By Jennifer Smith

Team work

quintesailability — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 12:37:58 +0000

There is nothing – absolutely nothing – half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.
– Water Rat, Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows

Natalie steers and Jenn works the sheets as they sail the Al Hawkins home on an evening with light winds.

Where’s the wind?

quintesailability — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 22:24:06 +0000

The Friday afternoon racing gang have somehow managed to become afflicted by the Wednesday evening “no wind for racing” syndrome – teacher Amie kept them busy with some really good lessons about what makes the boats tick, and how to talk boat to other boaters.

Just one day earlier though Alex found the wind as he flew the spinnaker on the Mac Attack

more images here…

Parts of a sail…

quintesailability — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 20:53:44 +0000

Teacher Amie and the Friday racing class review the parts of a sail.