On The Bay: May 16, 2012

The boatyards are busy places this time of year. And if you happen to stroll along the waterfront on the beautiful walkway in Port Washington North, you will see boats of all kinds populating Manhasset Bay. Warm weather sailing and racing is upon us. Bay racing on the weekends has already started and Thirsty Thursday evening racing will begin tonight. So boat owners are happy, their boats are happy doing what they do best, and landlubbers have the increases waterscape of beautiful sail coming and going out to Long Island Sound. And don’t forget the kayakers who love to explore the nooks and crannies of the bay. This is just the beginning of yet another great season.

Open Tryouts For Port Washington Soccer Club

The Port Washington Soccer Club will be conducting open tryouts for rising U-10 teams (current third graders) on Friday, May 18 at the Harbor Links field #3, located at One Fairway Drive in Port Washington. The boys will try out from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and the girls will try out from 4 to 5:30 p.m. May 22 will be the rain date if the scheduled tryout is canceled due to weather.

On The Bay: May 9, 2012

A great story has been made available from our friends at Scuttlebutt, the daily online sailing newsletter. It is about a wounded veteran of the Iraq war. And while readers may wonder what this has to do with sailing, read on to see what one individual is doing to help other veterans.

American Ronnie Simpson is a wounded veteran of the Iraq war. The 27-year old was wounded in combat in 2004 and eventually medically retired. Now, an aspiring solo ocean racer, he’s completed one Single Handed Transpac, and this summer he’s doing the race again - on his Moore 24. Simpson claims that sailing has pretty much saved his life, a life that at 19 years of age he wasn’t sure he wanted after returning severely injured from Iraq.

North Shore Kayak Club Kicks Off New Season

The North Shore Kayak Club has scheduled its first meeting of the year for Tuesday, May 15. It will be held at the Port Washington Public Library at 7:30 p.m. The group will meet in the Hagedorn Room, located on the library’s top floor.

Now in its seventh year, the club (formerly named the Twin Pines Kayak Club) is comprised of adults who are recreational, flat-water paddlers, not white-water paddlers. Kayakers of all skill levels are welcome. The club members share an enthusiastic appreciation of beautiful, local waters, fresh air and the camaraderie of paddling together. Approximately one-half of the club’s trips originate in either Manhasset Bay or Hempstead Harbor, with the other half launching from other points on Long Island and other waterways around the New York metropolitan area.

BU-11 Rockets Soccer Team Places Second In Their Division

The Port Washington BU-11 Rockets placed second in their division in the fall 2011 season with a record of eight wins and only one loss. This earned them a promotion to the next division in their age group. This spring, the team has successfully made it through to the third round of the Long Island Cup, having beaten the Northport Cow Harbor Renegades and the Hauppauge Raptors on the way. On Sunday, May 6 the Rockets will face the Wantagh Seaford Lightning in the next round where the winning team will compete in the semi-finals of the Long Island Cup.

BU-12 Torpedoes Enjoy Successful Season

This season, the Port Washington BU-12 Torpedoes are 3-0 in league play and have successfully made it through to the third round of the Long Island Cup. They will face the Valley Stream Warriors on Sunday, May 6 where the winner will proceed to the semi-finals of the cup.

On The Bay: April 24, 2012

Nautical Center’s ‘Come Play on Manhasset Bay’ On April 26

Ever thought of kayaking, fishing, sailing, rowing, swimming, motor boating or just walking around Manhasset Bay and wondered how to do it? The Nautical Council of the Port Washington Library is holding an informational meeting to answer the question of how to have more fun on Manhasset Bay.

Fifteen local organizations will be joining forces to answer all of your questions about Manhasset Bay and where and how to play on Manhasset Bay. Expected participants are Atlantic Outfitters, Port Sailing, North Shore Kayak Club, Rowing Club, Mill Pond Yacht Club and their remote-controlled sailboats, Power Squadron, Manorhaven Park, Marine Police, Manhasset Bay Protection Committee, Bay Walk, Port Water Taxi, North Shore Yacht Club, Manhasset Bay Yacht Club, Port Washington Yacht Club, the Frostbite Club, and more. You can see by this list that no matter what your sport, hobby or exercise there will be someone at the Lapham Meeting Room on April 26 from 7 – 9 p.m. to help you have more fun.

Schreiber Sports – “Around the Fields”

Well, you saw an incredible week of play as our teams made some significant strides in the season as we wind down the spring.

The boys lacrosse team had an impressive 12-8 win over defending state champion Farmingdale. This was the first time in 20 years a boys lacrosse team has defeated the Dalers. The team played a tough game against perennial top team Hicksville and lost in double overtime in a game that was filmed by MSG Varsity. The team next plays at home on May 1 against Syosset.

On The Bay: April 17, 2012

As you walk or drive along Shore Road, you will start seeing sailboats and motorboats out on the bay. Shipyards are busy this time of year, as are boat owners, who have waited patiently all winter long, dreaming of warm weather sailing. Well, the time to get the boat ready is here, and what a fun time it is. If you happen to stop by a boatyard on a weekend, you will be greeted with happy boat owners preparing their boats, catching up with other boat owners, and eager to get their boats launched. Yes, this is a very busy time down at the waterfront and it won’t even hit its peak until May. But, in the meantime, skippers and crew need to prepare not only their boats but their crew. Emergencies occur even to well-prepared crews. What if a picture-perfect sail at one moment turns into an emergency the next? Are you ready?

Schreiber Sports: ‘Around the Fields’

One of the most selfless acts of sports camaraderie took place last week when the girls varsity lacrosse teams from Port and Massapequa held a special KeiraStrong day in honor of coach Enright’s daughter who is battling leukemia. The teams wore KeiraStrong shirts as their game jerseys and played before a packed crowd at Burns Park in Massapequa. Though the Lady Vikings were overmatched in this game, the final outcome was about the outpouring of support for the Enright family. Thanks to all who attended the game and those who bought shirts for the fundraising cause. The loss to Massapequa is the only loss for the girls lacrosse team this year as they are 5-1 on the season.