Recreation and Sports

ATTENTION ALL BOATERS!

Thu, 9 Sep 2010 09:12:28 -0400

The Coast Guard Auxiliary has posted important safety information at the following link: Click HERE to download the pdf.

When Does the Sun Set in the Northern Neck?

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 08:34:38 -0400

(When are jet skis supposed to be off the water?)
Question: Why are “jet skis” not equipped with running (navigation) lights?
Answer: Jet Ski operators/owners are not entitled or permitted to operate a jet ski in Virginia before sunrise or after sunset. It’s against the law. Let’s talk later about sunrise, YAWN!!

Question: When does the sun set in the Northern Neck?
Answer: The Department of Games and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) publishes sunset and sunrise times in its booklet, Virginia Boat Operators Manual.

In August: The sun sets (jet skis are required to be off the water):
   1st: 7:17 PM
   2nd: 7:16 PM
   3rd : 7:15 PM

You get the idea: about 1 minute less each day so by toward August end:
   29th: 6:43 PM
   30th: 6:41 PM

Bow Riding is Dangerous and Illegal!!!

Tue, 3 Aug 2010 09:29:34 -0400

One of the things that bothers every Coast Guard Auxiliarist, whether on patrol or observing boaters from their shore-side homes, is seeing young people with feet and arms draped over the bow of a boat. Why? A sudden shift in the boat’s speed or course can cause one of these young folks to fall overboard and disappear under the boat and into the churning propeller. Bow riding is not only dangerous. It’s not legal.

On several recent safety patrols, Flotilla 3-10 Auxiliary crews have strongly urged other vessel captains to have their young charges, who have been hanging over the bow, get back into the interior of the boat. In every case, they have complied. Whew! And to think that most of the offenders were not wearing life jackets. Double whew!! And they were under the age of 13. Triple Whew!!! No charge for saving a young life; we’re volunteers.

Bow riding has become an alarming practice and also an alarming, sometimes deadly statistic. According to the Dire tor of Auxiliary, 5th Southern region, “In 2008, there were 65 boating fatalities recorded in the 5th District, a 5 per cent increase from 2007. The primary contributing factors in 20% of these fatalities was the standing or sitting on the gunwhales (side), bow, or transom of boats, which represented a 500% increase from 2007.

Christchurch Crew Team Invited to National Scholastic Rowing Championship

Wed, 9 Jun 2010 11:06:27 -0400

After winning championships at the Eastern VA Scholastic Championships and the 35th annual VA Scholastic Rowing Championships, the Christchurch School Men’s Varsity Quadruple Scull accepted a coveted invitation (one of only 12 schools in the country) to row in the National Scholastic Rowing Championship in Saratoga Springs, NY on May 29. The foursome advanced to the six-boat final along with Haverford, Malvern Prep, Chestnut Hill, St. Francis (Canada) and Niskayuna.

While in NY, Coach Richard Laurance took the team to see the sites, including Fort Ticonderoga on Lake Champlain (pictured here).

Left to right: Tim Johnson of Lancastger, Kyle Byrd of Gloucester, Markus Weber of La Plata, MD and John Radcliffe of Heathsville.

Christchurch School Coaches Honored

Wed, 9 Jun 2010 10:58:48 -0400

Coach Jon Waite named VA Prep League 2010 Baseball Coach-of-the-Year

Coach Waite led the Seahorses to a berth in the state playoff quarterfinals this spring with regular season victories over Norfolk Academy, Collegiate School and FUMA. At Christchurch for five years, Waite also teaches math and is the Dean of Students. Prior, Waite worked for sixteen years at Norfolk Academy, during which time he was named Prep League Coach of the Year in 2000. A graduate of Hampden-Sydney College, Waite enjoyed a stint as a minor league pitcher for the Huntington Cubs.

Christchurch Lacrosse Players Named All-American

Wed, 9 Jun 2010 10:43:27 -0400

Christchurch School Head Lacrosse Coach Vince Smith is pleased to announce that Collin Brooke ’10 and Justin Ashby ’10 have been named All-American by US Lacrosse, the governing body of the sport. In all, ten All-Americans and six Academic All-Americans were chosen from the state of Virginia.

Brooke, a long stick middie, was selected for “acting as a solid leader, statistically, vocally, and by example.” A five-year student at Christchurch, Brooke is the son of Jim and Julie Brooke of Alexandria. He earned a Division I lacrosse scholarship from Quinnipiac University in Hamden, CT.

Goalie Ashby was selected as an Academic American for “stellar production in the cage while remaining committed to continued growth off the field as well, not just in the classroom, but in his local community.” Ashby is the son of Ron and Tammy Ashby of Alexandria. He will play lacrosse at Randolph College in Lynchburg.

THE COAST GUARD AUXILIARY WANTS TO CHECK YOUR BOAT

Tue, 8 Jun 2010 07:37:33 -0400

The Coast Guard and Marine Police have a responsibility to assist in keeping boaters safe. One of the ways they go about this is to verify that you have all the equipment on board for the safety of your family, friends and fellow boaters. Experience has shown that without the basic safety equipment aboard, boaters can experience tragic results before assistance can arrive on scene. So when members of the Coast Guard ask to board your boat, they are just checking to insure that you have the minimum amount of safety equipment on board to help you survive a bad event.

Things happen fast on the water and you can get into a situation that is not your fault. Someone not paying attention can hit you, a sudden leak could occur, or your electronics go out and a fog bank is quickly forming – all situations that might require you to fend for yourself for quite awhile before help arrives.

To get boaters’ attention and make them realize the seriousness of failing to have the proper safety equipment aboard, serious penalties can be imposed if you do not carry this equipment. Fines can be hefty or a good day can be ruined because you are forced to return to your dock (under escort) for failing an inspection.

Pat Hogan and Billy Ingram discussing fire extinguishers at a recent Vessel Safety Day at Ingram Bay Marina.

Bowling Teams Forming Now; Sponsorships Available

Tue, 1 Jun 2010 09:36:56 -0400

Boys & Girls Club to Host Bowl-A-Thon on June 19

The Boys & Girls Club of the Northern Neck (BGCNN) will host a Bowl-a-Thon on June 19 from 12 noon to 3 p.m. at the Kilmarnock Entertainment Center. The Bowl-a-Thon will raise funds to support scholarships to the Club’s summer camp program, according to Board member and event chair William Hines. The BGCNN summer program provides day-long summer activities for enrolled students that include field trips, computer training, swimming, arts and crafts and more. The summer program runs from June 7 to Aug. 20 and is open to children and youth 6 to 18.

Sixteen teams totaling 64 bowlers (four people per team) will compete in the event. To become a bowler in the Bowl-a-thon or to form your own team, call Tyren Frazier or Darlene Chamberlain at the BGCNN at 804 435-9696. Teams are welcome.

“This is going to be a fun event to benefit the young people of this community who want to participate in the Boys & Girls Club summer program,” Hines said. “We are looking for bowlers who want to compete and raise money for the Club, pin sponsors, lane sponsors and supporters. After all, all proceeds go to benefit the children of the Northern Neck.”

Win a Kayak at the Northern Neck Kayak Festival & Expo

Wed, 26 May 2010 11:48:17 -0400

The Sports Centre, Ltd has donated a kayak for the raffle at the Northern Neck Kayak Festival and Expo on June 5 at Camp Kekoka on Boys Camp Road in Kilmarnock. Other prizes include a kayak paddle, fishing personal flotation device, and Visipole donated by Old Dominion Kayaks, a round of golf for four donated by The Tides Inn, and a $250 gift certificate to The Lancaster Tavern.

Raffle tickets will be available during the All Day Kayaking Event that includes three competitive kayaking events.

KAYAK FISHING TOURNAMENT

Chesapeake Bank sponsors the first event of the day, the kayak fishing tournament. The three divisions of the tournament will be rockfish, croaker, and flounder. First prize for each division will be a fishing expedition in the Northern Neck donated by Carroll Webb and second prize in each division will be a kayak fishing DVD by famed angler, Kayak Kevin.

FLOTILLA 33 ADVISES TO BE PREPARED FOR HURRICANE SEASON

Tue, 25 May 2010 08:38:44 -0400

Living as we do along the Atlantic Coast, on tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay, our boats are prone to hurricane damage. Hurricane season runs from June 1–Nov 30. And while there may have been a lull in the number and severity of hurricanes in our area last year, some weather experts are predicting a more active year in 2010. In addition, there are Nor’easters that could be just “out-of-season hurricanes.” In any event, with thousands of recreational and commercial watercraft in our area, it is worth the time and effort to have a plan in case a hurricane threatens.

Where Is Your Boat?

Recent studies have shown that boats stored out of the water are less likely to suffer significant damage than boats left in the water. They might tip over on land but they can sink in the water.

Is your boat on a lift? If so, you want to make sure it is higher then any expected storm surge and high waves and be sure to use additional lines to secure the boat. Get the boat high on the lift early so it is above the surge line if power goes out early. Remember Ernesto? A lot of boaters were surprised by that storm. Power was lost early and people did not get a chance to raise the lift when the worst part of the storm came in and was a lot worse than predicted.

Is your boat at a Marina? Does your Marina have a plan to remove in-water boats and store them in case of a hurricane?

If your boat is in the water at your dock, can you put it on a trailer and tow it out of danger? Your boat is probably safer on a trailer than in the water during a storm. Some insurance companies will pay you to put your boat on land. Some raise your deductible for damage caused by a “named Storm”. But remember not to park the trailer under the trees. And fill the gas and water tanks for more stability.

No matter where your boat will be, remove valuable equipment and expensive electronics.