2016 Message from the Commodore

     As we start the new year, I am struck by how far we have come as both a as group and an organization. We have faced challenges (becoming a fully compliant 501(c)3 charitable organization) to having a burgeoning membership and all the "growing pains" that come with it.
    We are are the embodiment of the dream those core members who began SMSA had in mind for us. Of that, I am proud of each and everyone of you for answering the call when called upon for help, expertise and advice. I believe that 2016 has the potential to be the best year yet for SMSA,  and as we take a moment look ahead  SMSA has a lot to look forward to in the coming year.

     We will again be offering free "Basics of Sailing" lessons during the Spring/Summer months at Corliss Pond. And thanks to the new website we launched last year, we now have a fairly full schedule already! ( we always find a way to get those who want to learn the opportunity to do so )
    Our SVL Sail Days continue to be very popular with membership and we will continue to offer the fellowship that comes with sailing with friends and colleagues. This year, we are looking forward to including a couple of day long trips with a "pot luck" lunch as we explore even more of the lake.
    We look to some "Shop Days" as Bob Richards looks to complete some restoration projects this Winter- He will post the times and dates as he can on FB.
(Please "Like" and "Share" SMSA posts with other members to keep our notifications active in your FB feed)
    We've come to realize that some of our larger boats haven't been as popular as we thought they might be with our members, and as we continue to remain focused on the group as a whole; we are planning on "thinning the fleet" of them- more details later as they become available.
We have made great progress in building our "fleet" of 17' and under boats.
( The club will have a least 6 Sunfish ready to sail this year )
One of the things that was mentioned at our last business meeting was a desire to go to other lakes and sail different venues. I personally look forward to this as we have top notch lakes very close by that promise to be as fun and enjoyable as SVL.
Some of those that were mentioned are, Cave Run in KY, Tygart Lake in WV and Deep Creek Lake in Maryland.
    We are looking forward to a special event that we've been trying to put together for a while now- A Sailboat Racing Clinic. Details to come, but we have the boats, we have a willing champion instructor and a location- we just have to finalize the plans before going completely public with it. ( So watch your emails.....)
    All this would not be possible without your support of SMSA. Through membership, donations and volunteer spirit - The Sewell Mountain Sailing Association continues to grow and to thrive. This says a lot about the organization, but more importantly; It says a lot about you, it's members.

 Thank you for your continued support and I look forward to greeting all that 2016 has to offer!

Clayton Spangler
Commodore/ SMSA-WV