At this point, we have all noticed the unseasonable weather Chicago is experiencing. Yesterday our high was 12 degrees lower than the average temperature. The lake is higher than it has been in years. Over the winter Lake Michigan almost froze over, or so I've been told.
Recently we heard rumors that this was going to be the summer that Chicago didn't get a summer. Crain's Chicago is even doing a story on businesses being affected by the weather!
The going theory on this weird weather is Sun Spots. Being sailor's, all we know is that any pocket of good weather we get - we're hitting the water!
Hope to see you during the next spot of sunny weather.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
The Sailor's Forum has returned!
Sailing is a social sport. We love watching new and old friends reconnect on B Dock while sailing. That's why it became so important for us to relaunch the Sailor's Forum.
Take a tour of the topics we have created already. Let us know if there are topics you would like to see. Some of these topics were created in direct response to some of your survey responses.
Take a tour of the topics we have created already. Let us know if there are topics you would like to see. Some of these topics were created in direct response to some of your survey responses.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
A month of images
A picture is worth a thousand words, or so they say. I'm hoping that the below pictures help cover for our general lack of blog updates recently.
This May saw a lot of action on B Dock.
Unilever came out for a Team Building event in the middle of the month. A little bit of the Irish luck helped us out, with a break in the rain that day allowing just enough time for the teams to go out and do some sailing. Despite the cold weather and waves - everyone returned to the dock with a smile on their face.
For each of our Team Building Events, the work boat goes out to monitor the race course, sound the starting horn and determine the winner. Prior to starting a race, boats have to sail in the area by the starting line being careful to not cross the line before the starting horn. If you accidentally cross the line too early, you're disqualified!
Off they go for a great event!
Basic Sailing has been very popular this season. We have over 60 sailors this week alone!
Recently a pair of sunglasses took a bath so Charlie and Alex went looking for them. Life is certainly interesting on B-Dock.
Already this season Chicago Sailing has hosted two successful marriage proposals, continuing our 100% success history. An unsuspecting girlfriend was led to the J/24 and greeted by a bouquet of roses and chocolate covered strawberries. Her day of surprises continued as they went out for a romantic charter than ended with a ring.
This May saw a lot of action on B Dock.
Unilever came out for a Team Building event in the middle of the month. A little bit of the Irish luck helped us out, with a break in the rain that day allowing just enough time for the teams to go out and do some sailing. Despite the cold weather and waves - everyone returned to the dock with a smile on their face.
For each of our Team Building Events, the work boat goes out to monitor the race course, sound the starting horn and determine the winner. Prior to starting a race, boats have to sail in the area by the starting line being careful to not cross the line before the starting horn. If you accidentally cross the line too early, you're disqualified!
Off they go for a great event!
Basic Sailing has been very popular this season. We have over 60 sailors this week alone!
Recently a pair of sunglasses took a bath so Charlie and Alex went looking for them. Life is certainly interesting on B-Dock.
Already this season Chicago Sailing has hosted two successful marriage proposals, continuing our 100% success history. An unsuspecting girlfriend was led to the J/24 and greeted by a bouquet of roses and chocolate covered strawberries. Her day of surprises continued as they went out for a romantic charter than ended with a ring.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
FINALLY! Some great sailing weather...
I arrived at B Dock to find the winds out of the west at 10 knots and our boats already heading out with classes on them. After three weekends of cold, overcast weather punctuated with sun and winds of 40 knots - today is a very good day.
Summer might finally be on its way.
Other sailors have caught on to the return of summer, as you can see the harbor is starting to show a little more life. There are still a lot more boats that need to return. Soon this will be a bustling place.
Tom Macku started teaching a new group of landlubbers how to sail this morning. We're thrilled to have him back along with our other returning instructors.
In a couple of weeks Chicago Sailing will host US SAILING's own instructors as they lead an instructor training course. Many of our new instructors are taking part along with others from around the city. There was so much interest that US SAILING is scheduling another course later this season with us. Belmont Yacht Club (the bigger, white and green houseboat just north of us) is providing the classroom space. A big thank you to them for their assistance in holding this course!
Ryan and Alex met while taking Basic Sailing at the start of this season. They endured the cold and passed with flying colors, now they are practicing their newly learned skills. In another week, Sanjay will be joining them for Intermediate Sailing. I'm excited to see this team and their friends all summer long.
There's one week left for free check-outs and an extra free hour for your rental! It's time for you to return to the water.
Summer might finally be on its way.
Other sailors have caught on to the return of summer, as you can see the harbor is starting to show a little more life. There are still a lot more boats that need to return. Soon this will be a bustling place.
Tom Macku started teaching a new group of landlubbers how to sail this morning. We're thrilled to have him back along with our other returning instructors.
In a couple of weeks Chicago Sailing will host US SAILING's own instructors as they lead an instructor training course. Many of our new instructors are taking part along with others from around the city. There was so much interest that US SAILING is scheduling another course later this season with us. Belmont Yacht Club (the bigger, white and green houseboat just north of us) is providing the classroom space. A big thank you to them for their assistance in holding this course!
Ryan and Alex met while taking Basic Sailing at the start of this season. They endured the cold and passed with flying colors, now they are practicing their newly learned skills. In another week, Sanjay will be joining them for Intermediate Sailing. I'm excited to see this team and their friends all summer long.
There's one week left for free check-outs and an extra free hour for your rental! It's time for you to return to the water.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Feedback from You
We have had a busy few weeks to the Chicago Sailing season. I actually looked forward to coming in today and the boats going out with their students. A moment of quiet time to catch up on our blog and other activities.
Sitting next to my desk are the course evaluations from our first batch of converted landlubbers. The sentence that sums it all up for me is, "Best sailing class ever!"
WOW - you can't buy better marketing.
Now in the digital age you can see all sorts of feedback online. Entire sites are devoted to user reviews, such as Yelp. These reviews help us do our jobs better. We hope that you will share your Chicago Sailing experiences with others and if you ever have an experience that does not match your expectations please tell us.
Sitting next to my desk are the course evaluations from our first batch of converted landlubbers. The sentence that sums it all up for me is, "Best sailing class ever!"
WOW - you can't buy better marketing.
Now in the digital age you can see all sorts of feedback online. Entire sites are devoted to user reviews, such as Yelp. These reviews help us do our jobs better. We hope that you will share your Chicago Sailing experiences with others and if you ever have an experience that does not match your expectations please tell us.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Tax Day Savings
Just a few discounts from us to you from now through May 10th.
* All seasonal check-out fees are waived with your first rental
* Get 1 additional hour for free with all 2 hour rentals
* Food and coffee to keep sailors warm on the weekends
Boats are available, call 773-871-7245 to make your reservation today.
* All seasonal check-out fees are waived with your first rental
* Get 1 additional hour for free with all 2 hour rentals
* Food and coffee to keep sailors warm on the weekends
Boats are available, call 773-871-7245 to make your reservation today.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Opening Weekend 2009
Friday I arrived at B Dock to find the guys hard at work.
Bucko was washing off the boats.
Charlie was working on the rigging on our J/22's.
Donny was painting.
They made sure all was ready for our season start yesterday. We had 5 eager landlubbers arrive before 8:30 am to start their sailing adventure.
Rick Reed started his second season of instruction this weekend.
Sanjay Singh, who has been with us longer than the office staff can figure out, was also on hand to make sure our new sailors received expert instruction. Sanjay is helping Chicago Sailing train a new batch of instructors while Ronan is in Ireland.
As I write, we have one boat coming back in the harbor, a crock pot with sloppy joes to warm you up and a pot of coffee on. The view doesn't get much better than this, with the Hancock and Trump towers in the distance and a harbor that is waiting for the boats to return.
Bucko was washing off the boats.
Charlie was working on the rigging on our J/22's.
Donny was painting.
They made sure all was ready for our season start yesterday. We had 5 eager landlubbers arrive before 8:30 am to start their sailing adventure.
Rick Reed started his second season of instruction this weekend.
Sanjay Singh, who has been with us longer than the office staff can figure out, was also on hand to make sure our new sailors received expert instruction. Sanjay is helping Chicago Sailing train a new batch of instructors while Ronan is in Ireland.
As I write, we have one boat coming back in the harbor, a crock pot with sloppy joes to warm you up and a pot of coffee on. The view doesn't get much better than this, with the Hancock and Trump towers in the distance and a harbor that is waiting for the boats to return.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
