The Harbor Report: Hoping to see her at the Olympics

Eliza Moody and Madeline Bubb (Photos by Joysailing)

By Len Bose

June 27, 2013 | 5:16 p.m.

Friday is Madeline Bubb's 14th birthday, and over this past week she has been competing in the U.S. Junior Women's Doublehanded Championship out of the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club.

Madeline only started sailing two years ago, and last year she made the Newport Harbor High School sailing team. Now to say that this girl impressed me is an understatement; she amazed me. Her passion for our sport gave me new enthusiasm, left a huge smile on my face and left a small tear of gratification in my heart.

This week, Madeline is sailing with one of her high school teammates, Eliza Moody. The two girls are taking advantage of the on-the-water training and clinics offered by US Sailing at this event.

When I asked her what her goals for this event were, she let out a type of positive laughter that I have never heard before. "Not to finish last," she explained to me, with a smile from ear to ear. "I am going to learn how to get better starts, how to stay positive, steer though the chop and see how it goes."

I asked what type of future goals she has in sailing. She told me she plans on making the varsity sailing team by her senior year at NHHS, become part of the first all-girl team to qualify for the Governor's Cup, sail in college and work her way toward an Olympic campaign someday.

Like I said before, this young lady has it going on, and if I were a betting man I would not bet against her. I inquired more on this event and what it has done for her. "I have met some fantastic people this week," she said. "I met Victoria Oldham from San Francisco last night, and today she helped me rig my boat to make it go faster. I also met Elizabeth Pemberton from Massachusetts last night. It was her birthday, and we all sat at the same table and sang 'Happy Birthday' to her."

I had Rebecca McElvain and Mercedes McPhee from San Diego staying with us at our home, and when I explained to them that I had interviewed Madeline, they both praised her passion for the sport of sailing.

As we finished the second day of racing, Madeline and Eliza had already reached one of their goals by winning the start of the second race and giving it their best effort. From my vantage point of watching the races from the leeward end of the starting line, this team will not be finishing last by any means, no matter what the results say.

This event was a shot in the arm for me and has given me a renewed appreciation for our sport of sailing, pride in my yacht club and has increased my efforts in improving my sailing skills and helping other sailors improve theirs.

I also have to give a big shout-out to Mary Bacon for doing an outstanding job chairing this event and to all the BCYC members who stepped up and volunteered to make this one of the best sailing events in our harbor this year. If you have never volunteered for a junior event before, I strongly recommend it. The feeling of accomplishment is overwhelming, and it leaves you with a sense of pride in your efforts.

If you have not been on the harbor this week, it's been busy with all of our harbor's junior programs in full swing. While in the Back Bay, I noticed the Newport Aquatic Center kids paddle by in one of the larger canoes. All the first-time sailing parents at BCYC struggle with not helping their eight-year-olds rig their sabots. I truly enjoy summers in Newport Beach and on our harbor.

I am off this weekend to sail the J/109 Linstar at the Long Beach Race Week event — wish us luck.

Sea ya.

LEN BOSE is an experienced boater, yacht broker and boating columnist.

The Harbor Report: Cheer on our female sailors

By Len Bose

June 21, 2013 | 4:04 p.m.

I took another bay cruise this week and checked in with more of my friends from around the harbor.

The main event this week is being held at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club, which is hosting this year's U.S. Junior Women's Doublehanded Championship, which involve club 420 sailboats. Thirty-nine teams from around the country will be arriving at BCYC this Saturday afternoon, then participating in sailing clinics and practicing Sunday and Monday.

The racing starts Tuesday and goes through Thursday and will be sailed in the vicinity of the Balboa Pier. This is a big event with most of our country's top junior sailors competing for the US Sailings Ida Lewis Trophy.

The call for "all hands on deck" has been answered by most BCYC members. They are volunteering for housing, race committee, fundraising, boat launching and support boats. My good friend Mary Bacon is the event chair, and when she told me about this event over a year ago, I knew I had better step up and do my part.

One of the first calls for volunteering was for housing. I placed my family's home on the list, and after passing all the US Sailing security checks, it appears we will have a team from San Diego staying at our home this week. In a little side note, this Saturday is my son Andrew's 14th birthday, and when he asked me what I was getting him for his birthday, I told him about our guests. His face turned three shades of red. His reaction was priceless. And for one of the first times in his life, I made him speechless. I've also volunteered for boat launching and race committee duties and will be at the club for most of the week.

Next, I checked in with Amy Elliott, at the Balboa Angling Club, and she told me about the Adopt-A-Fish Program to fund the white seabass grow-out pens in Newport Beach. The pens had received a number of generous donations over the past few years and those funds have nearly been depleted. In an effort to keep this very successful program running, the club is asking for you to adopt a fish.

According to the club's news release, "Each fish has a chip inserted into its cheek so that when the stock is released, they can be tracked through the collection of fish heads caught by fishermen and returned to Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute's Mission Bay facility in San Diego."

This could be kind of a fun bet to participate in with your friends from around the harbor. Go join the Balboa Angling Club's Adopt-A-Fish and then start a type of pool based on whose fish lives the longest or the shortest. All money would go directly into the fund, and remember, your donation is 100% tax deductible.

I then stopped by this week's Tidelands Management Committee meeting and learned about a number of interesting tidbits. Applications for the Citizens Advisory Panel will be accepted in the very near future to assist the committee in accomplishing its purpose and responsibilities. This is a nonvoting advisor who serves at the pleasure of the committee.

While reviewing the Tidelands Capital Plan, replacing the city's vessel waste pump stations was discussed. The city has replaced five of the pump-out stations, and they have been reported to work so well that users are pleasantly surprised to see how quickly that job got done.

The bulkhead, pierhead and project lines were also discussed at this meeting. I prefer not to bore you with the details. The bottom line is that the Harbor Commission will be looking into our harbor's boat overhang policy.

One last note before I go this week: Mandy McDonnell has been hired to replace Joyce Ibbetson as the new UC Irvine boating director. I would just like to give Mandy a shout out of congratulations and look forward to working with her in making our harbor a better place.

Sea ya.

LEN BOSE is an experienced boater, yacht broker and boating columnist.

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The Harbor Report: After 34 years on the harbor, an ode to Joyce

UCI Boating Director Joyce Ibbetson

By Len Bose

June 13, 2013 | 3:56 p.m.

I talked to another of my favorite people from the harbor this week. Joyce Ibbetson, who has been the boating program director for UC Irvine for the past 34 years, took some time to answer a few of my questions.

I first met Joyce when I was a student at Orange Coast College and participated on the sailing team in 1982. At that time, she was involved in coaching the UCI sailing team, and both schools sailed out of the OCC rowing and sailing facility here in town.

Joyce grew up in Los Angeles and started sailing at the California Yacht Club's junior program in Marina del Rey. She attended UCLA and also was on the sailing team. After completing graduate school at USC, she returned to UCLA to coach sailing. She then was recruited by UCI to head the boating program in 1979 and has been there ever since. Over the past 34 years she has been in charge of the sailing, rowing and kayaking programs for UCI as well as the city of Newport Beach's sailing programs.

When I asked what her fondest memory as the boating director is, she replied, "It has to have been giving students access to the harbor and watching boating become a big part in their lives. We also founded the Anteater Regatta, which is a high school sailing regatta, and we founded the sailing team coaches' conferences that US Sailing is now running." During her tenure, she has replaced the 30-foot Shields sailboats with new J/22's and has started kayaking and stand-up paddle board lessons.

I then asked her what has been her biggest challenge. "Working with the ongoing budget restrictions has been difficult and will be overcome with time," she said. "We are also facing the problem of finding a new location to run our sailing programs from. Our lease with Orange Coast College will expire in two years, and we have been working with the city to find a new home."

Some time within the next couple of months, Joyce will be retiring, so I asked what the future has in store for her. "I plan on heading to Idaho and Europe this fall and doing some bike riding," she said with excitement in her voice. "Then I am going to see what types of doors open up and spend time with my friends, family and spend more time sailing again."

When asked to list three bullet points for the new boating director to make him or her effective, she replied, "Balance the past with the new, understand the old and make your own mark going forward. Don't sweat the small stuff and make sure you make time to go out on the water and sail. It's always good to look from the outside in."

Joyce has been on the harbor for some time now, so I had to ask her to comment on the state of our harbor. "It has gotten more crowded, which is good and bad," she said. "It's going to take more coordination with the harbor users to make sure events are planned. We need to keep educating people on water safety to avoid accidents when people are not knowledgeable. It's a good and bad challenge."

After racing in last Tuesday night's Taco Tuesdays out of Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club, a large group of J/22 sailors came down to the club for the awards presentation. The interaction between the UCI sailing club members, other harbor sailors and club members is priceless. The amount of access to the harbor the UCI boating programs provides is unmeasurable and, from my point of view, another one of our harbor's most valuable tools. If anyone from the nautical museum reads my column, I hope you will consider adding Joyce Ibbetson to our harbor's Extraordinary People Gallery. The service she has provided the community has set the bar at a new height and should be reflected upon by others who love the harbor as much as she does. We will miss you, Joyce, although something tells me we will still be seeing you on the water and making our harbor a better place.

Sea ya.

LEN BOSE is an experienced boater, yacht broker and boating columnist.

The Harbor Report: In the summertime, when the water is high

Dan Rosen and Len Bose sailing on BCYC Taco Tuesdays photo fron Joysailing

By Len Bose

June 6, 2013 | 12:49 p.m.

It's summertime in Newport Harbor, and I had promised earlier this year that I would check in with everyone.

My first stop was with one of my favorite people, Mandy McDonnell. Mandy is the founder of Paddle for Privates and, in my mind, the person you go to to find out what's going on in the paddleboard world. This season, Mandy is working for UC Irvine coaching their kayaking, stand-up paddleboards (SUP) and sailing classes. These classes are open to UCI students, faculty, staff and alumni of all UC schools. Lessons are available in 15-foot Capris and J/22 sailboats located at the Orange Coast College sailing base. Kayaking and SUPs are at the UCI crew base in the Back Bay; lessons are available along with sunset and full-moon paddles. UCI is also contracted with the city to run its sailing and paddling program. Mandy is one of the best instructors in the harbor and a fun person to be around. Great value here; just search "UCI sailing" and "SUP" for more information.

Mandy also referred me to Pirate Coast Paddle Company, located in the Back Bay. When referring Pirate Coast to me, Mandy explained that this group goes the extra mile to ensure your safety by offering you proper lessons before just pushing you into the harbor and wishing you luck. I was referred to contact Tim Lukei about the group's lessons, kids' camp and group events. The event that grabbed my attention was the SUP glow night tours. This group came up with the idea of placing lights under the boards that place a large phosphorescent glow around the boards at night. You might have seen these lights under some of the larger power boats over the years. This sounds like "too much fun" and you can reach Tim at Pirate Coast Paddle Company at (949) 278-0011.

My next stop was with Billy Whitford at the Newport Aquatic Center. If you want to take your paddling experience to the next level, you have to check out the NAC. This is where it all started in our harbor and, without a doubt, it offers some of the best coaching in the country. NAC offers a Kids Paddle Camp and Novice Rowing Camp. You can contact the NAC at (949) 646-7725.

Summer sailing in the harbor is under way with the American Legion Yacht Club's Sundowner Series on Monday nights, with 50 boats entered. In Harbor A fleet, it appears that Jim Kerrigan in "A Salt & Battery" has a small lead. In Harbor B fleet, Judy Weightman aboard "Amazing Grace" is in the lead at this time. In PHRF A, Roger Gooding aboard "Rhythm" is starting to stretch out into the lead. In PHRF B, the gorgeous "Whisper," Bob Dodds' boat, is in control, and in PHRF C, Dustin Arnold's "Tranquility" and Leo Vortouni's "Lydie" are in a neck-and-neck battle for the lead. In PHRF D, Mike Inmon's "Sleeping Beauty" and Geoffrey Girvin's "Mystery" are tied for first. The Sundowner Series is the first to start and the last summer series to finish in the harbor, so it still is anyone's race.

On Tuesday nights, it's the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club's "Taco Tuesdays," with 52 boats entered. The awards for this event are given out after each night's race, so you will need to check the BCYC website for results. It's good to see the UCI J/22 and all the different PHRF boats out racing. I have been sailing in the Harbor 20 A fleet, where Bob Yates, aboard "Jubilee," has been sailing the most consistently over the last four weeks. In the Harbor 20 B fleet, Mark Hurwitz, aboard his boat "Miss Shell," has been finishing at the top of the fleet.

I then checked in with Amy Elliott at the Balboa Angling Club. She informed me that the yellow tail, white sea bass and halibut are running and most fishermen are doing well south of Newport. Last April, the winners of the Lily Call Tournament were Rob Meinhardt with a 1.98-pound bass and Kenny Knight finding a 3.89-pound corbina. Friday starts the YSH (Yellowtail, Seabass & Halibut) Tournament, which is one of the larger events of the year.

This weekend, the Newport Harbor Yacht Club is running the Star North American Championship with 42 entries. Star boats always catch my eye, and the bay has been active with the boats sailing out to practice each day this week. This event will attract the world's best, so make sure you find a boat to go watch this weekend. Thursday was the start of NHYC twilights, which always has a good turnout.

I will be sailing in the BCYC Ocean Series this Saturday aboard the J/109 Linstar — wish me luck. Last time you wished me luck, we finished second in class around Catalina.

Sea ya.

LEN BOSE is an experienced boater, yacht broker and boating columnist.

FLASH BACK 2010 NAC – Best Kept Secret In Town

By Len Bose

Billy Whitford, exective director of the Newport Aquatic Center

This past Wednesday, I went down to the Newport Aquatic Center (NAC) to meet with Billy Whitford, the executive director of the NAC, to talk about our harbor's best kept secret. We talked about the center's public use to elite rowing teams and everything in between, including the impact on the harbor, boating safety and rules of the road.

The first thing I noticed when I met Whitford is this guy loves what he does, and he is passionate about yachting. I asked him what the NAC has to offer the public and he was off and running. I'm just glad I brought my tape recorder; I'll try to highlight some of the points of interest I learned from my 30-minute interview. You should also check out the NAC's Web site at www.newportaquaticcenter.com/index.html for everything I am about to miss.

The aquatic center is open to the public, and offers double and single kayaking rentals. It doesn't offer any stand up board paddling rentals yet, although you can take a board paddling class to find out if you like it or not. Visiting the center and signing up for beginning lessons is also the perfect introduction to this part of the boating world.

There is something for everyone at the aquatic center – from the person that wants to join the Canoe Club to the Junior Rowing Team, private rowing lessons and kids' paddle camp. To the patient out there that read my column, there are more than a hundred different schools that offer full scholarships in rowing. The center also offers other activities such as team building, birthday parties, Back Bay environmental expeditions ... and all of this information is available on their Web site.

I wanted to find out information for my readers that was not available on the NAC's Web site. The first thing I noticed, is there is no better person for its executive director than Whitford. He knows more than I do on what’s going on in this harbor, and his first concern is the impact his vessels have on the harbor. “The harbor is a privilege and without this privilege there is no aquatic center,” said Whitford, who's gone great lengths to communicate with the charter captains, sailing teams and yacht clubs. He informs his coaches when the charter boats will be most active and when the Beercans will be starting. I wish my yacht club was as conscientious as he is.

We talked a little about water safety. There are many similarities between sailors and rowers. The beginners are wearing life jackets and taking all the proper precautions, while the advanced crew members have developed bad habits. For example, why do I wear my life jacket when I am racing my Lido 14 in the harbor, but when I race outside on keel boats no one wears one? Anytime a vessel goes outside the harbor, it's in one's best interest to always have a life jacket on, and make sure you have some type of communication via VHF radio, cell phone or even better – EPRIB [Emergency Position Indicating Radiobeacon].

The last thing I wanted to talk about is who really has the Right of Way when we are all on the bay together. Now I asked a number of different people and did not get the same answer. Whitford said the aquatic center's policy is that they never have right of way. I'm still not clear about this even after reviewing my navigation rules. First, avoid collision at all costs; a man-powered boat is a vessel with limited maneuverability. An overtaking vessel shall keep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken. I'm not clear what the rules are in crossing situations, and who has the right of way between a man-powered boat and a sailboat. My guess is that the vessel with the most maneuverability keeps clear. What I think we should all do is keep out of each other's way when we're racing. If I'm out for practice or on a day sail and I see a canoe making its way to the finish line on a race from Catalina, I'm going to keep clear. If the people in the canoe are out for a workout and they notice we're racing. they'll keep clear of us. We both must keep our heads out of our boats and do what’s fair and always avoid collisions at all costs.

Talking about keeping heads out of your boats! Something doesn't feel right to me regarding the weather. If you're going to Catalina this weekend, keep a heads up! I'll be out there this weekend and will be racing around Catalina. I'll be easy to spot, as I'll be the one with a life jacket on!

The Newport Aquatic Center is located at 1 Whitecliffs Drive, Newport Beach. (949) 646-7725.

Sea ya'

Len Bose

Len Bose is a contributing writer to the Newport Beach Independent and owner ofLen Bose Yacht Sales.