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by ajaxntmm - July 6, 2018

2018 Watersport Fun Fest – Mayo Beach

by Mike McCormick

On Sunday July 1st BABA teamed up with several other sponsors to hold the 6^th Mayo Beach Fun Fest. July weather was out in full force with tons of sun, temps in the very high 80’s and a light southerly breeze. Everyone was looking for shade and we all couldn’t wait to jump in the water.

Offering Taste of Windsurfing lessons is a big part of this annual event. It is always fun to share in the excitement of the 18 windsurfing recruits as they completed new skills – up-hauling, 180 turns, sailing position and sailing away. Their confidence in practicing these skills on land quickly transitions into a big challenge – balancing on the board that is moving all around in the moderate chop, raising the sail that has a lot of water on it, and finally grabbing the booms and sailing. Big cheers go up as new windsurfers meet the challenge by balancing on the board through all of these moves and sailing forward and away from the group. Extra credit is a graceful turn and exit from the board before hitting the beach or another group.

East of Maui (EOM) joined us again this year offering Standup Paddle (SUP) board quick lessons and free demonstrations. The demo boards were in constant use with a lot of people trying out the equipment and this rapidly expanding water sport. Mark Bandy from EOM also had a windsurfing foil setup, which a few people tried in the very light wind.

BABA and Outdoor Architects provided food and drink for the event giving the 80-some Fun Fest participants a chance to cool down in the shaded picnic area of Mayo Beach 3 and to connect with long time BABA friends and to meet new people from all over Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania and North Carolina.

This year we had over 77 Fun Fest registrants and drop-ins with 19 people participating in Taste of Windsurfing. Most of whom went into the water We were happy to meet a lot of new water sport enthusiasts from all over the world!

Thanks to all of our co-sponsors who made this event possible:

Outdoor Architects http://www.outdoorarchitects.com/landscape/default.aspx
East of Maui http://www.eastofmauiboardshop.com/
Baltimore Area Boardsailing Association http://www.windsurfbaba.org/
In Partnership with – Anne Arundel County Recreation and Parks.

And thanks to all of the BABA members who volunteered to set up, handle registration, feed us, mix up lots of lemonade and ice tea, provide Taste of Windsurfing instruction and in-the-water mentoring … in short make it all happen. A special thanks to Daphne Lathouras and Mark Sarrasin who led Taste of Windsurfing instruction and to Warren Evans our gear wrangler who made sure all of the gear was rigged and ready. All of the volunteers are listed below:

Food and drink shopping & registration – Ann Jackson & Maureen Pritchard
Taste of Windsurfing Land Lesson Instructors – Daphne Lathouras, Mark Sarrasin, Stuart Gray & Janice Emerling
Taste of Windsurfing Gear Captain – Warren Evans
Taste of Windsurfing Gear & Riggers – Daphne Lathouras, Mark Sarrasin, Janice Emerling, Stuart Gray, Steve Uhtoff, Christophe Waerzeggers, Helen Van Gelder, Feng Jin, Keith Wing, Bruce Doll
Taste of Windsurfing – in the water mentors – Janice Emerling, Coby Leyden, Helen Van Gelder, Keith Wing, Stuart Gray, Pancham Patel, Mike McCormick
Setup, Lunch and Cleanup – Maureen & Albert Pritchard, Ann Jackson, Janice Emerling, Mark Storch, Steve Uhtoff, Bruce Doll, Gordon Wells, Alice Mascette
Promotion and SignUp – Mike McCormick

My wife Ann and I moved to Annapolis in 1991 having caught the windsurfing bug in central PA where the only sail-able water was at state parks with human-made lakes, which were drained in late September for flood prevention. We were over-the-moon ecstatic with all of the water in Maryland and when we found a relatively new group – the Baltimore Area Boardsailing Association – that provided races, trips and comradery. And BABA is still doing it some 27 years later!

It is always fun to get together with BABA friends and to share our fun sport with new enthusiasts.

by BABA News - June 22, 2018

Reflections on a Week at ABK

by Dave Turner 2018-01-29--02-02 Group Pic

I was thrilled to be the 2017 winner of a free ABK Boardsports Windsurfing Clinic, generously donated to BABA by ABK owner, Andy Brandt. For those unfamiliar with ABK, they offer windsurfing clinics at most major US windsurfing sites and in the Caribbean, typically in shallow water sites to facilitate learning without all the climbing up on the board. I had taken ABK once before in Waves, NC, just north of the site of our Hatteras trips in Avon. While the free voucher specified that I needed to take the clinic in 2017, Andy very generously allowed me to take the clinic in January, 2018 in Bonaire. Here are some thoughts from that week:

by ajaxntmm - July 13, 2017

Mayo Beach Fun Fest – 2017

On Sunday July 9^th BABA teamed up with several other sponsors to hold the 5^th Mayo Beach Fun Fest. Low 80 degree temperatures and low humidity made it a perfect day at Mayo beach watching ships and yachts on the bay, a new family of osprey and lots of first time windsurfers and stand-up paddlers.

This year we had over 70 Fun Fest registrants and drop-ins with 22 people participating in Taste of Windsurfing. We were happy to meet a lot of new watersport enthusiasts from all over the world!

The squirrely, light off-shore wind along with some mild chop presented a challenge that Fun Fest participants met with enthusiasm – accomplishing dry up-hauls, 180 degree turns and sailing off to the horizon with BABA in-water mentors bouncing along in waste deep water to keep up. A special thanks to Daphne Lathouras and Mark Sarrasin who organized the Taste of Windsurfing activity and taught the lessons and to all of the in-water teachers.

Mark Bandy from East of Maui joined us again this year offering free SUP demos and different boards to try. Many of the participants took advantage of the opportunity for the first time and had a blast.

Steve Uthoff organized our first mixed fleet (windsurfer and then SUP) relay race with a simple off-shore gate course and relay exchanges inside the stone breakwaters. Team Steve took the honors with team Mark coming in 2^nd. We should definitely do this again!

Thanks to all of our co-sponsors who made this event possible:

Baltimore Area Boardsailing Association http://www.windsurfbaba.org/
East of Maui http://www.eastofmauiboardshop.com/
Outdoor Architects http://www.outdoorarchitects.com/landscape/default.aspx
In Partnership with – Anne Arundel County Recreation and Parks.

And a special thanks to all of the BABA member who volunteered to setup, handle registration, feed us, mix up lots of lemonade and ice tea, provide equipment for on-land and in-the-water windsurfing tastes, organize a relay race, … and in short make it all happen:

Ann Jackson and Mike McCormick
Charles Lorenzetti
Christophe Waerzeggers and Rebecca Millar
Dan Fenstermacher & Tawann Jackson
Daphne Lathouras
Dave Iseri
Eddie and Uyen Murawski
Eugene and Becky Belongay
Haiging Zhao
Helen Van Gelder and Bill Anderson
Jane Rigby
Janice Emerling
Maureen and Albert Pritchard
Mark and Jennifer Storch
Mark Sarrasin
Steve & Tracy Uthoff

After many years as a BABA member, it is still fun to get together with BABA friends and to share our fun sport together and with new enthusiasts.

Mike McCormick

by BABA News - March 31, 2017

ABK Trip Report: October 2016, Waves, NC

by Leon Turkevich

“Release the front hand all the way.”
“All the way?”

“Yep. All the way.”

In fact, I don’t release the front hand “all the way” as instructed, and the sail slams me backward off the board. Tom Lepak from ABK patiently explains that I fell back because I still had some pressure on my front hand which kept the backwinded sail from spinning around. I step back on the board and try again: this time, I do release my hand “all the way” by opening my palm and moving it away from the boom, and the backwinded sail effortlessly swings around in the fresh breeze as I step back into a perfect clew-first stance: my first successful lee-side escape! A few more tries and I got the heli-tack nailed. Now I just need to move it from the simulator to the water.

by BABA News - October 1, 2016

ABK Fall 2015

ed note – I’m oh so tardy in posting this article – please don’t let that inhibit any writers from sending articles for the blog. I promise to do better!

by Dave Turner

Since I have become accustomed to ending my year of windsurfing by signing up for the Fall BABA trip to Cape Hatteras, I was very disappointed to learn that a work commitment would prevent me from attending the 2015 trip. A quick internet search soon presented an appealing solution. I would attend BABA but only Thursday through Saturday and sign up for Andy Brandt’s ABK Windsurfing Clinic the following week. This would get me a week and a half in Hatteras!

I’d been thinking about attending ABK for a while. My windsurfing skills had improved a lot over the past few years due to quadrupling my time on the water. I was handling more wind, had moved to a much smaller board, and was gradually improving. I did, however, sense that my sailing needed an intervention of sorts in order to progress further. Sure, I’d developed into a straight line windsurfer with a decent non-planning dry pivot jibe, but I wanted more, such as the Heli tack , back wind sailing, the duck jibe, and , of course, windsurfing’s glass ceiling, the carve jibe.

by ajaxntmm - June 28, 2016

Mayo Beach Fun Fest 2016 – It was fun!

by Mike McCormick

On Saturday June 25^th BABA teamed up with several other sponsors to hold the 5^th Mayo Beach Fun Fest. The weather couldn’t have been better with low 80 temperatures, a light North Easterly breeze, perfect water temperature and not a jelly fish in sight.

With 21 BABA members attending and 18 other registrants we had a nice size group for the day. The Taste of Windsurfing class had 12 participants all of whom uphauled, turned the board around and transitioned to sailing position with occasional rapid exits into the water. It was fun meeting a diverse group of new sailors from Russia, Ukraine, Colombia South America, England, Western Maryland …

Mark Bandy from East of Maui joined us again this year offering free SUP demos and a number of different boards to try. Many of the participants took advantage of the opportunity and had some fun in the small chop.

This year’s event tested out the new “Car Launch Area #3”, which is South of the Mayo Park Buildings. The new area worked out just fine with easy drop off by the water, a nice picnic area under trees up the hill and a large grassy area to spread out. It was also nice being a little closer to the bathrooms. This is the new car top launch site during Summer Sunday public days at Mayo Beach.

Thanks to all of our co-sponsors who made this event possible:

Baltimore Area Boardsailing Association http://www.windsurfbaba.org/
East of Maui http://www.eastofmauiboardshop.com/
Outdoor Architects http://www.outdoorarchitects.com/landscape/default.aspx
In Partnership with – Anne Arundel County Recreation and Parks.

And a special thanks to the BABA member who volunteered to setup, handle registration, feed us, mix up lots of lemonade and ice tea, provide equipment for on-land and in-the-water windsurfing tastes and in short made it all happen:

Ann Jackson and Mike McCormick
Dave Iseri
Eddie and Uyen Murawski
Gordon Wells
Helen VanGelder and Bill Anderson
Janice Emerling
Jon Fleuchaus
Maureen and Albert Pritchard
Mark Raginsky
Mark Storch
Warren Evans

After many years as a BABA member, it is still fun to get together with BABA friends and to share our fun sport together and with new enthusiasts.

by ajaxntmm - June 5, 2016

Mayo Beach – 2016 Watersports Fun Fest

by Mike McCormick

The Mayo Beach 2016 Watersports Fun Fest is planned for June 25th from 11:00 to 3:00. This year marks that 6th annual Watersport Fun Fest at Mayo Beach Park. This event has been organized by BABA and co-sponsored with East of Maui, Annapolis Community Boating, Outdoor Architects and Anne Arundel County Recreation and Parks. We have had a lot of fun each year with peak attendance and fun in 2014.

Bring your car-top water craft or just come out for some fun at Mayo Beach Park on the Chesapeake Bay.

No charge for park admission or activities
Mayo Beach Park is open to the public from 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
On-site registration for Watersports Fun Fest activities (see below)
Car Top Area #3 – equipment drop off will be provided – parking at top of hill

Activities:

BYO – car-top water craft
Stand UP Paddling – free mini lessons and demo boards available (must be 15 years of age)
Windsurfing – “taste of windsurfing” instruction and land-based simulation
Sit Down Paddling – kayaking and canoeing – free mini lessons with demo equipment available (must have an adult if under 18)
Fun Events – SUP relay race, Windsurfing freestyle and other fun events
Picnic – Light food and beverages will be provided.

Note: swimming attire and water shoes are required for safe participation in on-water events. BYO life jacket if you have one.

Onsite Registration:

Register on-site the day of the event for Fun Fest activities. Due to limited facilities and equipment participation is on a 1^st come 1^st served basis.

Weather Cancellations

Fun Fest cancellations due to bad weather will be posted to the BABA Blog. https://windsurfbaba.wordpress.com/

Directions

From Annapolis, take MD Route 2 (Solomons Island Road) South (4.5 miles) to MD Route 214 (Central Avenue). Take 214 East (4.4 miles) and turn left on Shoreham Beach Road at Lou’s Store. Stay on Shoreham Beach Road (1 mile) through sharp turns (3 Mayo Beach signs) to Honeysuckle Drive. Turn sharp right and follow Honeysuckle Drive into the Park.

by BABA News - April 2, 2016

Hatteras Calling – Still a Few Spaces Available!

by Coby Leyden
BABA Hatteras Trip Coordinator

email me!

Fellow Windsurfers,

We still have openings available for our May 7-14 Hatteras Spring Trip.
That’s a bit unusual, as we often fill up by now.

Perhaps it’s the change in dates from April to May.

I know, I know:
it takes a while to adjust the idea of being warm instead of cold,
of having longer days for more time on the water,
of having an even better chance of perfect SW breezes that keep you sailing into the sunset.

But may I suggest to anyone holding out (and You know Who you Are…) that your reticence is misplaced.
This is going to be a fantastic trip, and you don’t want to miss out.

by beckman12 - January 8, 2014

ABK Clinic/November 7-10, 2013

by Tom Beckman

After hearing all the scoop on ABK clinics, I finally did one at Bird Island Basin, North Padre Island, 10 miles south of Corpus Christi. It was a bit chilly, 60’s and falling in the water even with a 3mil wetsuit made me gasp. I have to say the clinic experience was no less than FANTASTIC! There were many great things about the clinic, but what stands out for me is the instructors standing in the water watching me(and the other 27 people) work on skills and giving immediate, to-the-point feedback. My goals were to get into the straps comfortably, going “scary fast”(which I accomplished), do a carve jibe, and light wind “trick jibes.”

ed note – I’m oh so tardy in posting this article – please don’t let that inhibit any writers from sending articles for the blog. I promise to do better!

Activities:

Sponsored by:

Onsite Registration:

Weather Cancellations

Directions