February 2020 COMMODORE’S REPORT riends: been working tirelessly to give F our best shot at completing In recent issues of The Channel, my Commodore’s our dreams (see photo). Report has mentioned how CGSC is like a “factory We thought we had been that makes sailors”, and that our instructional competing internationally and programs provide a path that can lead a young at the highest possible level sailor all the way from learning to sail in prams to for the past two years, but now racing ORC boats and cruising as an adult, and we have a chance to continue in some cases, the highest levels of competitive our path into greater territory sailing. I want to make you all aware of an example at the Olympic level. Our qualifying regatta will be of one such sailor, Daniel Ofarril, who has in the 2020 Miami Sailing World cup. For the past recent weeks been training at CGSC with the goal six months we’ve been training Monday–Friday at of qualifying for the Olympics. In his own words: our college venue at Jacksonville University, and “I was born in Mexico City, and moved to Acapulco driving down to Coconut Grove to train more on on the Pacific Ocean where the weekends. As the event approaches we’ve I started sailing at the age of been intensifying our workouts 9. The first boat I ever sailed and practices progressively competitively was the Optimist, throughout December and then after three years I started January, often sailing over 4-5 sailing Lasers and also did hours and after we hit the gym some big boat series racing for 1-2 hours to reach our best in Farr 40’s and TP’52. After possible results in hopes of various state and national wins achieving our goals. I realized I wanted much more; Finesse: This past summer came this led my family to decide with a great surprise because I to move to the U.S. I arrived acquired past Commodore Bill to Miami in 2014 and the first Beaver’s legendary Tartan ’34 thing I did was look for a sailing sailboat, Finesse. I remember club. I walked down Bayshore that morning I woke up super Drive looking at different clubs early by accident, so I until I reached the end and found ended up being the first Coconut Grove Sailing Club. one arriving at the club for The second I stepped into the club I work. That was the day knew this was the place where I would Bill’s son Thomas was achieve my dreams. I quickly joined selling Finesse, and I was CGSC’s Youth Program, which I’m lucky to be the first to see really grateful for because as a result her. I gave him a call right of all the hard work put in and help away, and a week later I given to me, I was able to reach state, was her new owner (see national and international podiums at photo). For the past 6 regattas during my time at CGSC. months Finesse has taught Olympic Campaign: Since I started me a lot and given me sailing my biggest dream has been to great experiences, most win a gold Medal at the Olympics. Earlier importantly my journeys up this year I was given the opportunity to to Jacksonville and then fight for a spot in the 2020 Olympics back down to Miami, which in Tokyo in the I-470 class. My partner included stints offshore in Alfonso Garcia-Bringas and I have 2 the Gulf Stream and on Intercoastal Waterway, Jacksonville University Sailing Team which I had not previously done. Finesse is an Class of 2022 / Engineering Physics / Student incredibly sturdy, fast and reliable boat. My future Ambassador” plans are to repair her and get her to 100% so I Let’s all root for Daniel and Alfonso in their can start racing her on Biscayne Bay just like old Olympic campaign! Let’s also support all of our times. other young sailors in the hope that someday I want to take the opportunity to tell everybody soon some of them can advance to such lofty how grateful I am to Coconut Grove Sailing Club heights as well… and especially to Commodore James Grupenhoff who gave me the chance to share my story here. Fair winds, James I have received incredible support for the past five years and want to thank the General Manager James Grupenhoff, Lauren Simpson, Youth Sailing Director Alberto Commodore Olivo and all the coaches that I’ve had over the [email protected] years: Hernan Peralta, Marco Casiola, Tony Mier and Orlando Alfonso that have always been there for me. This club has become my second home and everybody here is like family to me. I hope one day I will bring back a gold medal with me to represent the incredible community of Coconut Grove Sailing Club. Thank you, Daniel Ofarril VICE COMMODORE’S REPORT t’s busy around the club this time of year- we’re are the glue and the oil that Iin peak regatta season and CGSC plays a major makes CGSC so effective. role in the big international regattas on and around So a particularly heartfelt the bay. This naturally stretches club resources thanks to all our staff. We and equipment. Our staff do a tremendous job may not always remember in keeping our fleets operable and available and to say thanks when we see managing the shoreside activities needed to fully you each day – but we truly support the racing activity, all while continuing to appreciate your efforts and good humor even in manage the day to day operations of the club. the face of the crises you deal with and resolve, Their work (and that of member volunteers) is and in dealing with us the members! what makes CGSC so successful and able to meet THANKS EVERYONE!!! our primary mission of supporting and enhancing sailing on the bay. Jim Green, Rear Commodore Sometimes I think we rather take the apparently [email protected] Bali Ha’i seamless performance for granted. I recently took time to sit down and think about what our staff achieves on a daily and long term basis. They 3 REAR COMMODORE’S REPORT ope this edition of the channel finds everyone Green Fleet, 9th in the laser Hwell and relaxed after the holidays and New standard, and 10th in the laser Year. This December we had our annual boat 4.7 division. parade gathering. Although the parade was called Finally, we are now in the off due to weather, our members had a wonderful initial planning phases and I time socializing with delicious food and free flowing am going to give you a sneak beverages. Highlights were the Pruitt festive hat peek into what we have in store collection, Mickey Mouse holiday blow up (a kid for our annual Rendezvous. favorite) and the dock was lit beautifully with lights. The theme is “Halfway to Coming up during the month of February, we have Bimini”….so if you think of some fun Bahamian the ever-popular Coconut Grove Arts Fest. This themed games, food, beverages, or clothing- let is actually an excellent opportunity for members me know and we will incorporate them during our to volunteer to work our CGSC booth. The goal planning meetings! of the booth is to promote the club membership Robert Carlson, Rear Commodore and our youth sailing program. So, if you would SV -Zephyrus like to enjoy some fun people watching, and enjoy [email protected] social interaction and talking up your favorite spot on Biscayne Bay, please contact me at [email protected] to volunteer for the My daughter, Penelope and day. I enjoying the evening at the I would be remiss not to discuss the historic boat parade event victories from our youth sailing team at the Orange Bowl Regatta held from December 26-30, 2019. We held first and second place in the Optimist Finn 2020 Miami Winter Series Begins he Miami Finn fleet based at Coconut Grove the year. Those dates are on the Coconut Grove TSailing Club on Biscayne Bay started its Sailing Club website. new winter series January 4, with a 12-14 knot The Miami Sail Week (Finn East Coast Championship) breeze. Three double windward-leeward courses March 6, 7, 8 will be a three-day event that is part of were run in beautiful Miami winter conditions. The the iconic Miami sailing series with Coconut Grove next winter series event is January 18, when it is Sailing Club hosting the sailors. expected many of the Olympic-level aspirants in This event is a great prelude to the Finn Midwinters town for the World Sailing Cup Miami will join the in Sarasota (4 hours from Miami) scheduled for fun. March 13,14, 15. Bermuda’s Rockal Evans, who arrived early in Miami There are plenty of lodging opportunities in Coconut to prepare to qualify both his country and himself Grove within walking or biking distance from the for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, won all the club. There is also several places to store your races, assisted by his coach, World Champion and boat before, between, and after the regatta days. European Champion Ed Wright of the British Sailing Contact [email protected] for details. Team. With the Miami Winter Finn Series and the Finn Awards for podium finishes were gift certificates to Midwinters in Sarasota, Florida warm water sailing is West Marine, provided by SKYFREESHOP, world- now a special opportunity for Finnsters to experience wide duty free stores in the best airports.