Annual events
Annual meeting
The Annual Meeting of Carlyle Sailing Association is held in October or November for the primary purpose of electing flag officers for the following year. All~ members are encouraged to attend and participate in the election and general discussion. Questions and comments from the floor are answered or discussed by officers or members of the board of directors. Any new programs or issues are presented for the benefit of all. Refreshments are available and a social atmosphere is provided. Many constructive ideas and suggestions have occurred at this occasion. This is a perfect opportunity for members to voice there opinion directly to the Board of Directors. It does make a difference, attend and be heard.
Championship Regatta
Past Winners
2011: John Folwell
2010: Matt Burridge
2009: Dan Moriarty
2008: Dan Moriarty
2007: Dan Moriarty
2005: Dan Moriarty
2004: John Sepanski
2003: Mike Hill
2002: John Sepanski
2001: Mike Hill
2000: Mike Hill
1999: John MacDonald III
1998: Matt Burridge
1997: Ed Verch
1996: Matt Burridge
1991: Doug Flath
1990: Doug Flath
1989: David Mednik
1988: John Sepanski
1987: Matt Burridge
1986: Matt Burridge
1985: Matt Burridge
1984: Paul Dowkontt
1983: John Folwell
1982: Matt Burridge
1981: Paul Dowkontt
CSA Championship Regatta
The CSA Championship Regatta was started in 1981 and for 10 years it was a race whose entrants were either fleet champions or second place finishers in a fleet. All the entrants to the race during this period were required to sail on a Sunfish for the regatta.
In 1996 the Regatta got a new lease on life. Entrants were allowed to sail on their own boats, and these boats were handicapped according to their Portsmouth numbers. A formula is used to try to keep the races equitable with all the different boats. Again as in the first decade of the regatta, entrants are restricted to fleet champions or second place finishers, for each fleet, as determined by the Championship series of the club races.
The race usually happens on the Luau weekend or the first weekend in August. The Championship Blue Ribbon Regatta is ideally the mother of all competitions and determines the top racer for the ENTIRE CSA sailing season. A traveling trophy is awarded to the champion and given out at the Commodore's Banquet.
Commodore's Banquet
The Commodore's Banquet is an annual CSA event that occurs in January. This long standing tradition brings CSA members together for a formal event and allows the outgoing commodore to give special recognition to Carlyle sailors.
The Commodore is elected every year, but there is a chain of command that must be climbed to get to the position of being the commodore candidate. By the time a person gets to commodore, that person has served as fleet captain, committee chairperson and Vice Commodore. The exchange of flags and the installation of the new commodore takes place at the banquet.
The banquet allows the outgoing commodore to give special recognition to sailors or CSA members who have made special contributions during the past season. Elegant trophies are awarded to sailors from each fleet who are winners based on a point system used throughout the season. The memories shared at happy hour, the wonderful meal and the commodore's presentations are what make the banquet a memorable CSA tradition.
Dock days
Dock Days happen at the beginning of sailing season in late April and at the conclusion of sailing season, which is usually the last Saturday in October. Docks are an integral part of the CSA physical structure and operation. They are, of course, essential for launching and returning boats to the CSA port.
CSA has five docks - A,B,C,D and the daily use dock. The daily use has two launching ramps for heavy trailered boats while the other docks have cranes for launching lighter weight vessels.
Prior to the beginning of sailing season, the CSA docks chairperson and fleet captains contact members who are willing to help with maintenance and repairs. Some of this work requires heavy lifting and mechanical skills. In a docks work party, some members will help with maintenance on the docks, while others may choose to be involved in putting them in the water.
Dock maintenance generally includes replacing dock boards, cleats and rebuilding flotation fixtures. This is done on the weekends to allow members to earn work hours toward reimbursement on the next years membership. The last docks party before the opening of sailing season is the most important for this is when the docks are reattached to the sea wall.
At the end of the season, the work process is largely reversed. Docks are removed from sea walls, collapsed and stored for the winter. Dock days can involve hard work, but they are always fun as well. Work party members meet new people and learn about their sailing experiences.
Holiday regattas
Holiday regattas occur on the Forth of July and Labor Day weekends. Open to all CSA members, this event includes both regular CSA races and an additional third race. The regattas are followed by beer, soda, snacks, and trophy presentation.
Luau
CSA members and guests are invited to this Hawaiian themed day full of fun and food. The Luau is held July 2nd on the CSA grounds.
New member days
Held on the first or second Saturday after the sailing season opens is for members only. The purpose is to show the new members the different attributes of the facilities. They are shown how to use the hoists, where their parking spot is, and where other fleets are located. Also covered are items such as race committee duty, expected conduct of guests and an explanation of future social events of the coming year. By the end of the day, we hope the new member feels more comfortable and thoroughly welcome at CSA, a family-oriented sailing facility.
Strawberry Women's Regatta
On Labor Day weekend, CSA holds the Strawberry Women's Regatta. This event is to promote women in sailing and is open to all female CSA members. The day includes three short, fun races on monohulls, catamarans, or cabin boats. There are gallons of strawberry daiquiris, homemade appetizers, T-shirts, and baby-sitting (if needed). Absolutely no coaching or other interference by males will be tolerated!
Whale of a Sail
In 1961 at the parent sailing association (Valley Sailing Association), the Whale of a Sail began as a multiclass regatta. Then Carlyle Sailing Association became the host of the Whale of a Sail in its first year of 1971. Typically 200 boats attended prior to each of the CSA fleets hosting its own regatta. In the 1980's the Whale of a Sail peaked with over 300 boats. But, today there are as many people as today many of the boats are cabin boats with many crews. As the Whale developed in the early 1980's, the one race course regatta went to two to three different courses. Today, the three race courses are multihulls, monohulls and cabin sailboats. The event takes place in middle September with a casual weekend of fun, relaxation, camaraderie, volunteerism and good sailing.
