March News

Quotes heard at the GTYC bar regarding the upcoming Laser Racing season:
“I am going to try to sail my laser more this year.”
“I am driving to North Carolina to pick up my boat”
“I don’t have a boat yet, but I bought a ‘how to’ book and where should I get my hiking pants?”
“My brother is driving from Torch Lake to race on Tuesday nights’ with you guys.”
Sounds like to action is heating up ….


Put it on your calendars now!! A Laser Training Camp including, rigging, on the water video, coaching and debrief by World famous Coach, Tom Babel . Learn from the pro how the pro do it. Tuesday May 29th at 6:00 PM

Spring is right around the corner. Here are a few things that I found on Youtube.com that I thought would be helpful in getting you to think about laser sailing. Don’t just watch the video study it. Watch what they are doing on the boat that allows them to sail the boat so well.
Rules:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuG3TVjlnHc&NR Rules video overtaking boat obligations
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcStTTlvAzY overlap rule
Laser sailing heavy air/big surf:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gglU-h0nS9U Heavy Air Laser Sailing Worth watching what they are doing to stay Upright.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=N2AubwtWnBY Check it out laser surfing on waves
http://youtube.com/watch?v=bZA95a72PM0 Heavy air sailing laser note vang eased and weight back

Friday nights in May. There is a group of diehards donning wetsuits and drysuits starting in May for some fun racing and sailing. Come join the fun or just watch from YC front lawn.

Rules: Tom Babel and Dave Gerber present Racing Rules Seminar at GTYC Monday April 23rd from 6-9 PM. Please RSVP to Tom or Dave. If you have specific questions or situations you would them to address, please give them an advance notice.
TomBabel6856@aol.com or dgerber@quantumsails.com

"USED" LASERS FOR SALE:
2006 Blue Laser Pro - Original sail and new unused sail -
Seitech dolly - Deck Cover - Great Condition - $4200
Contact Eric Wynsma - eric@terrafirmaprop.com

2005 White Laser Pro

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1997 Dark Blue stripe on hull (in Wisconsin)sail # 162334, Vang & outhaul upgrade, Radial & Full rig mast sections, Only has one Radial sail included stock blades, tiller & extension, top cover, no trailer/dollyEverything is in very good shape. Lightly used. Estimated that the boat has less than 30 days of sailing on it.$3000John Strassman414-228-6328jstrassman@wi..rr.com

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If you are interested in selling your laser please let us know and we will have it in the next newsletter.

Want more information about laser sailing? Check out the Michigan district laser website at http://www.d19laser.com/. For additional information or to receive email updates please contact Than Dykstra than0629@gmail.com or Jamie Stuursma ljstuursma@chartermi.net

February News

In the words of Hans and Franz: "We're here to pump you up. Girly men
and Ladies) listen up with your girly little boats don't be afraid of the pumpattude. There are no Girly excuses like, oh it’s to cold, no wind, it's raining, too windy, too rough? To earn the right to be a laser sailor you must fight through the physical and mental pain and not succumb to the girly ways."

Do you know where your Laser is?

We have been busy talking and planning this years calendar. The summer racing schedule officially starts Tuesday June 5th, that is only 96 days away. That means Glenn Rauth, Scott Porter and crew, Paul Schneider, Eric Reed, Mark Lyons have a very short time to buy a boat because they are rumored to be on the starting line on June 5. These people have either expressed interest in sailing lasers, or if they haven't, we have decided that they should. There has also been a rumor floating around that John Briggs (JB) will be returning to the fleet this year. The fleet will be watching him closely to learn the techniques of the former pumpkin day champion. Another returning member of the fleet is former fleet captain Dave Gerber. I am sure that he will be out there with family racing his laser when in country. We also have some new comers to the fleet. One of them is a student at the East Junior High School Clark Phelps. If Clark sails as hard as he studies we are all in trouble.

Other activities planned include the annual Bunny Day regatta tentatively scheduled for Saturday May 5th, and a Laser Clinic for all levels of sailing expertise by the nationally recognized coach, Tom Babel. Tom will run some drills, shoot video and provide his expert advice on everything Laser for those in attendance. This event is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday May 29th.

Please contact Than Dykstra (than0629@gmail.com) or Jamie Stuursma (ljstuursma@chartermi.net) with any questions.