Greetings
After
a long cold winter we are all looking forward to welcoming everyone
back to the Spit. We will have great staff again this year, new
change rooms and storage, an enlarged dock, and improvements to the
Spit. In order to do this we have spent all our reserves and we
need your membership dues so we can complete our tasks for opening
day. The harsh winter played havoc with some of our beach and
we would like to have it repaired before the sailing season, so
please sign up online today. To renew your
membership click on 'Membership'.
Early Season
Membership Discount:
Memberships are available on-line, as noted
above. Early bird memberships are available until April 30. The cost
is $140, unchanged from last year. After May 1 the cost goes up to
$150. Membership for a couple is $250. Please sign up now!
Repairs to the Spit because of damage from winter storms need to be
done and paid for soon so that we're ready for the new season.
E-mail Newsletter
This season we will try to improve communication with members
using email newsletters. If you have a suggestion, please contact us
at squamishws@gmail.com
New
This Year
This year we have a brand
new container with larger change rooms and improved storage for our
equipment.
We are expanding our dock used for the
retrieval jetski to make it safer and more stable for our staff.
We have new wooden picnic tables. Let's
hope these last this year.
The telephone-based wind meter has
suffered damage and needs repair. We are taking steps to fix it
before the season begins.
We are representing windsport interests
with the District of Squamish and other government agencies.
We plan significant rock and gravel work
to improve the Spit for windsurfing and kiteboarding use. This
should give windsurfers a safer launch on the river side.
The District has agreed to place some
new signs at the Spit in an effort to control parking and to keep
people from parking in the turn-around area.
New VHF
radios for our staff to help in providing retrieval services.
Staff:
We are delighted to report that Brianna has
agreed to return as full-time Site Manager this season. Anneke, who
worked part-time last season, will also be full-time for the first
part of the season. Kate will join as full-time staff early in the
summer. An awesome team! We are working on having more consistent
coverage so that staff will be able to focus on orienting new members
and visitors, as well as on managing the higher volumes of sailors we
welcome on busy days. Staff will be posting hours of service each day
at the spit, depending on weather, number of sailors, and staff
availability.
Road Work:
The road to the Spit is
very rough at the moment. We have talked with the District of
Squamish and asked that they grade the road as soon as possible.
There is no regular schedule for grading, and we do not yet have a
date.
Provincial Grants:
New Director Woody Adal led
a committee which has submitted an application for a grant of $32,000
from BC Gaming funds. We hope to receive word by early May on whether
we will receive a grant and how much money we might receive.
Spring Clean-up:
We'll be arranging a day during the District
of Squamish Pitch-In Week (April 20 to 26) for a clean-up at the
sailing site as well as along the Spit as far as the yellow gate. The
date we pick will depend on the weather. If you can help, please
watch this site as well as the forums for an announcement. Let's
polish up the Spit for Opening Day!
Opening Day: Saturday May 16
We have put in our request for 20 knots of
inflow from 11:30 am to 5:00 pm, with a temperature of 24 degrees.
Come out with your new gear and help us start the season out right.
It's going to be a great day.
Hope to see you soon at the Spit!
