PAGE 10 • AUTUMN 2006 THE JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SAILING ASSOCIATION
FEATURE STORY
continued from page 4
with wine and cheese served. Sometimes, but not
always. It was a wet, windy sail back to the club - and
we loved it!
The following night, it was summer solstice and a
special time to be on Antigua with new friends. ASA
threw a party in conjunction with the Summer
Sailstice event happening around the planet, and Tom
Varley (wait, that’s me!), performed music for the
event.
Time to go home ASA members enjoyed sailing Beneteau Oceanis 473s throughout the
As the week drew to a close, it was obvious that
week at Club Colonna.
expectations were met and exceeded. Many had the
chance to experience big boat sailing; others were there
works? To quote Robert Evans, “There are three sides to
to receive their various ASA certifications (and did -
every story: Your side, my side, and the truth. And no
congratulations to all of you!) Some arrived not knowing
one is lying. Memories shared serve each differently.”
what to expect, and found more than they dreamed of.
Memories shared. That was Members’ Week.
Others found themselves with incredible prizes from the
ASA giveaway on closing night! Suffice it to say,
As the turbo-twin leveled off, the bells chimed, indicating
everybody had the time of their lives.
we passed 10,000 feet. On the horizon a squall has
formed, creating a perfect rainbow from the rains.
For many, this was the second time around; they
Reclining my seat, I press the play button and Chris Martin
attended last year, and plan to be there in 2007. And for
of Coldplay is singing, “We live in a beautiful world ...”
those attending for the first time in 2006, they will be
Wake me when we get to San Juan.
the veterans to the new attendees in 2007. See how this
ANTIGUA 2006 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Friday: Most of the group arrives at Club Colonna with time to Tuesday: The two Beneteaus from Jolly Harbor return. The
check out their fabulous goodie bags, kick off their shoes, walk weather is better, but since the first group had so much fun in
barefoot in the sand and take a relaxing dip in the beautiful Jolly Harbor, the second group decides to save the pink sand
Caribbean waters or in the largest pool in Antigua! Before beaches for another time and heads to Jolly Harbor as well.
dinner, everyone meets up at the ASA Garden Villa for ASA’s Some of the ASA group ventures out of the resort for diving,
infamous welcome bash. mountain biking or renting a car to see the island. ASA
members at the resort continue taking out small boats or
Saturday: Everyone gets the chance to sign-up for keel boat day- enjoying the sun and the beach.
sails and over-nighters on the three beautiful Beneteau 470s
skippered by ASA certified instructors. ASA instructor-led small Wednesday: Happy Summer Solstice! The ASA small boat
boat clinics on the beach get underway and the keelboats head student certification clinic takes place today with training
out to enjoy a day sail to Dickinson Bay. Others snorkel and and review in the morning and certification testing in the
take in the bar on nearby island, Prickly Pear. The day ends afternoon. Congrats to the group: Everyone who signed up
with ASA’s rum punch barbeque, complete with all the lobster, passed and received their ASA 110 certification! The day ends
steak and chicken you can eat and a fabulous steel drum band. with a magical Summer Solstice party under the stars,
complete with (you guessed it!) rum punch and the music of
Sunday: Several ASA members experience Laser, Topaz, Tom Varley.
Optimist or Hobie small boats for the first time; participating
in the continuation of the small boat clinics. That night, ASA Thursday: Since this is everyone’s last full day, there is
heads to Shirley Heights in full force to watch the sunset over scrambling to try to fit in all the activities that haven’t been
English Harbor, dance, eat and party ’til the cabs come home. tried or repeat favorites. Members enjoy snorkeling, sailing the
small boats or just hanging out by the pool with the rest of the
Monday: The first over-night trip aboard two of the Beneteau 470s gang. Everyone gathers at sunset for a bittersweet farewell party.
gets underway. The plan was to head for Antigua’s sister island, Yes, it will soon be time to go home, but the pain is lessened
Barbuda and its famous pink sand beaches, but 30 knot winds with almost everyone winning a great raffle prize from ASA’s
had them heading for the shelter of Jolly Harbor. The trip to Jolly wonderful sponsors!
Harbor was exhilarating. Everyone had a great time exploring the
area’s beaches,restaurants and shops. The day ended with a festive Friday: Everyone says their fond goodbyes to Antigua, vowing
bbq complete with amazing grilled chicken and steaks. that they will be back next year as they head for home.
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