Surviving ice.

Although it looks like water, Mirror Lake in Tuftonboro, NH survived the rains. I did not venture out yesterday but it’s looks like the best shot at local ice. Lake Wentworth blew out 1/2 way and will need time to glaze over. 3 Skimmers are anxiously awaiting. An early Christmas present perhaps?

With the crisp taste of ice and competition still fresh, the anticipation for the coming cold front grows. Winter is bearing down, bringing the promise of smooth, black ice and the exhilarating conditions that define our sport.

Iceboating teaches us one lesson, again and again: success favors the ready. When the ice calls, you must answer. Paul Chamberland, and Jeff Roseberry, answered that call in MN and others heeded Bill Buchholz’s rallying cry at Plymouth Pond. They seized the moment and reaped the rewards.

Their efforts paid off, with Jeff picking up a fourth in the competitive DN Western Regional Championship. His result serves as a reminder of the spirit and skill required to compete at the highest levels.

As the temperature drops and the ice forms, we are reminded: the thrill awaits those who dare to chase it.

Bob S. our Cruising Chair sums it up in two sentences.

Don’t wait until you get to ice to look for all the parts. Nice day to set up and make sure everything is there and ready to go.

Bob S.

Think Ice,

John
john@neiya.org

P.S. We will have out regular 6:30 call tonight. No I can’t promise sailing on Saturday but we always have something to talk about. Email me if you have forgotten the number.

Bob S reports on Quaboag today.

Looking like we may have some ice around the region to talk about on Thursday evening.

Thanks Bob keep it coming.

The pond is frozen again, no holes spotted , 1 and half inches in front of the ramp.
will check again

Bob S

Think Ice,

John

P S. Report on Landfall gathering later tonight.

Quaboag is looking better today, with a half inch of ice where open water was two days ago.

There should be about an inch further out, snow tonight  3 to 6 inches it may help it or sink it and grey out, only time will tell.

It’s early December, we can just keep checking.

Bob S

Meanwhile, two of our members, Race Chair Paul Chamberland and Jeff Roseberry, are mixing it up on Lake Minnewaska in Starbuck, MN. Good luck sorting out your rigs this weekend and bring some cold back east with you.

Think Ice,

John
John@neiya.org

Bob S reports that Quaboag in Brookfield MA has skimmed over. Cold is here!

Stay tuned saliable ice is on its way.

Don’t forget the member call on Thursday 6:30 this Thursday. You should or will have the info in your email already of shortly.

Think Ice,

John
NEIYA, Commodore
john@neiya.org

Talk often centers around attracting new sailors to our sport. Anyone who has seen us zipping around on the frozen expanses, has the curiosity bug and as we are usually a chatty group, will often give them the low down. Sometimes if we judge them dressed for the cold, and we have a helmet that fits, and either a spare boat or a two seater, we may provide their first lessons in sailing on ice. The Gambits or Nites are great for this type of indoctrination. A DN with a sidecar can also do but tougher to trade the helm. Hopefully you have conditions that lend to a leisurely sail, smooth safe ice, relatively warm temps, and something less than hurricane force winds. After the test ride with you at the helm, you may ask your newbie if they want to take over. If they answer yes, you are now in the official role of instructor. Iceboating is one of the few remaining sports where there are no professional schools for instruction nor a certificate qualifying you. Here is where common sense and safety concerns should instantly pop into your head.

Hopefully you have tried to ascertain the sailing abilities of your new convert. Do they sail soft water, are they aware of the rules of the road, do they know points of sail, are they aware of ice hazards and rescue. (Hopefully you have lent them a set of picks and have a throw line handy,) Understand too that communication is limited at this point. The more information you can give while stopped and helmets off, so all instructions can be heard, the better the lesson. At this point hand signals could be agreed upon such as sheet in, ease off, right turn, tack, jibe, and most importantly STOP! If you’re frantically pounding on their shoulder, they may have no idea what you want. When in doubt, stop and talk. Start with just enough speed to keep the boat moving nicely, keep the speed down until tacking, jibing, and stopping have been practiced. This may be an hour or more but please be as careful and knowledgeable as you can with new converts. Good habits make for more enjoyment and safer forays. Once the novice begins building confidence, they will generally start improving their skills and the performance capabilities of the craft. If it’s your boat, you may have to set some limits.

If you’re helping someone with a first time on ice scenario, things are not quite so controlled. You may want to do a quick check to see if everything is set up correctly. I always carry a spare set of picks to lend just in case. After the basic instruction and rules have again been reinforced, you might try a game of follow the leader. Head up and do a few easy tacks and then stop. Your student should not be allowed to pass you and stop where you do. Talk about the short ride. Does everything in your boat seem to be working right? Did you have trouble with the boom shifting over? Does the sheet run through the blocks freely. Do you fit comfortably in the cockpit? (As comfortable as possible, depending on the boat.) This might mean a trip back to the pits to correct anything you need to. Going back though now introduces the student into jibing. Depending on conditions, this can be quite intimidating as they go broadside to the wind. Too tight a sheet has caused many an OBE. Out of boat experience. I’ve had several in my lifetime, fewer of later years. I must have learned.

A few more rounds of up and down in a good practice area, usually gives the student enough confidence to go for more. If you’re there with your buddies, you could join the group. You could be his wingman and keep an eye on him. If it’s just the two of you, you might want to do a little cruising. Keep a constant eye out for each other and take frequent breaks to converse. Remember helmets and face masks can muffle voices quite well.

At this point you should be recognized as doing your best to keep our sport alive. Thank you.

After a few times on the ice, you may see him doing quite well and you’ve got a new sailing buddy. He may also be the competitive type and foster an interest in racing. If you are a racer yourself, you may continue to be his teacher. If not, be sure he knows about the IDNIYRA, and tell him of any regattas you know of. I’ll leave racing lessons to those more qualified than myself.

For those of you who have had the opportunity to teach, thank you. You have taught someone a life long sport and help our sport survive a little longer. Think ice and remember what your runner plank is tuned for when the holidays hit. A Christmas Wish for smooth safe ice and fair winds.

So the fall meetings are over and many of us have checked our gear. Let’s see, that’s boat complete, now where are those stays at? Where’s my helmet and pics? Do I need to buy that drysuit this year? Where’s the trailer registration. Why is that light out? Eventually you are satisfied that you’re ready, just need ice.

So you are now on the ice and ready to step the mast and notice a frayed end on the head stay. You holler to your buddy and sure enough, he’s got a spare.

You just got to the ice with your first DN. (New to you.) You’ve been assured that all the parts were there. Joe has already set up his boat, his wife’s boat, and his new friend’s boat. He notices that perplexed look he has seem so many times over the years. He’s drawn to you like a magnet and asks,”Can I help you with that?”

I can remember my dad being bitten by the ice bug and several trip to Attitash lake near Amesbury. He was gathering information and it seemed like everyone had something to contribute.

Ask any newbie racer has he ever shared or taken in knowledge from other racers. Everyone always seems ready to talk about it, brag about it, even try to be a boat broker.

As you’re starting to sail, your first thought goes to, “What’s out there?” Time to check the report. Usually some one has scouted it and given an update. If you find something out there, you think of a way to warn others. Everyone seems to be as helpful as they can. Hope to see you on the ice.

Keep up the good PR and the great friendships on the ice.

Charlie