Mayo Water Sports Fun Fest Exceeds Expectations!

Students working on the new skills.
Students working on the new skills.

About 100 people showed up for BABA & AA Co. Rec and Park’s 2nd annual Water Sports Fun Fest at Mayo Beach on July 14.  About half the people were BABA members and their families, and the other half were members of the public and new to BABA and windsurfing.

East of Maui had an awesome fleet of stand up paddle boards available for demo the day after their hugely successful Chesapeake Challenge SUP race.  Mark, Mark and Sarah got about 45 folks on board at Mayo.    Annapolis Community Boating brought out a trailer full of kayaks and lots of life jackets, and the AA County Public Water Access Committee shared information about how to improve water access for everyone.

Special thanks to Mark Storch/Outdoor Architects for being our primary sponsor for the event.  Mark wanted to find a way to give back to BABA because he’s enjoyed many years as a member, participated in Hatteras trips and a few regattas, but doesn’t really have time to volunteer.  Through Mark’s sponsorship we were able to provide a terrific lunch, desserts and drinks to all the attendees.  aix Sponsa also provided monetary support that helped make the lunch spread even sweeter.  Thanks to both of you for helping make the Fun Fest great.

Big thanks to Mike McCormick, Ann Jackson, Maureen Pritchard and Tom Jackson for organizing and executing all the details needed for the Fun Fest.  BABA Volunteers Mark Rags and Daphne had about 30 students for the Taste of Windsurfing.  Everyone got some time on the water thanks to coaching from Janice, Coby, Dennis and Sharon.  Many of the Taste students successfully sailed and completed 180’s to get them back to where they started.    Bill A and Helen vG had a posse of novice windsurfers out on the water too.

Thanks everyone who loaned gear for the Taste of Windsurfing – it wouldn’t be possible to give so many people a chance to try our sport without the right rigs and boards.  We encouraged everyone to commit some time to windsurfing on proper beginner/novice gear by heading up to Ultimate Watersports at Gunpowder Falls State Park in Chase, MD.

And thanks again to Anne Arundel Co. Rec and Parks for opening up Mayo for the Water Sports Fun Fest – we’re looking forward to doing it again next year!

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