2007 Hats-off award nominees

No Rolex watch to give out, but I've been thinking lately about how great some of the catsailors I know are as people - humans with humanity. I thought a good thread (and frankly a needed diversion with positive overtones) would be nominations for the "Hats-off" Award.

My nominee: Bob Klein

I was in Galveston for the F18 event. I had kinda a crappy week that worked me over a bit, mentally. One bright spot came when I was feeling particularly low. The wind had lightened and turned offshore, but the surf was still healthy. Tina and I were headed in at the end of a long day on the water. The static in my head distracted me and I let us get sideways in the shore break - by the time I collected myself and got through it, I realized that both daggers had slid off the tramp and were nowehere to be seen. We got the boat beached and began walking the surf line, looking for what I was sure would be a pretty beat up pair of boards.

Bob had ridden to the event with another sailor just to hang out for a day, hear some stories and make the party. We'd never met until that morning, though we'd corresponded a few times on other issues. I found him to be an earnest fellow with a good handshake.

As Tina and I were pulling up, Bob was there to lend a hand. When I told him we'd lost our boards in the surf, he rolled up his pants and started looking with us. We looked for quite a while, the three of us spread out and staring hard at the churned up water until we all started seeing things that weren't there.

Already feeling low, I'd just about given up, resigning myself to packing up the boat and heading home early with my tail between my legs. As I trudged along in waist-deep water, I wasn't seeing the great sunset, hearing sailors laughing, or feeling the fitful breeze in my hair. I was trying to imagine how I would explain to my wife that I needed to order a new pair of boards.

Eventually, Tina came across some tell-tale drag-marks in the sand that led to this old fisherman. There were our boards in nearly perfect condition - one little nick was all. Fella said it was the strangest thing he'd ever hauled in.

Finding those daggers let me pick up my head just enough to realize that Bob, who I'd only just met and for whom I'd never done a good turn, had hung with us the whole time we'd been searching. He'd eschewed the camaraderie of the fleet to wander up and down the beach listening to me berate my diminished intellect - couldn't have been fun for him. But he stuck around for an inordinately long time trying to help someone he barely knew.

Thanks, Bob - my hat's off to you. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Great idea JW!

Wilder Robles and Terry Back. In the early going I had a terrible time getting up to speed on the Blade. Pun intended. They stuck with me the whole time, offering encouragement and advice.

I might add the whole crew at GYC. What a great bunch of folks.

I will have to nominate Jamie Livingston. There are a few others that come to mind but he rises above . When we landed at Daytona during the Tybee this year, we had a badly damaged bow from the "T" Bone job we did to Team Pirates. The bow was split down the seam and we had a gash on the side. Jamie ground into it and feathered in the resin to keep us going. He did all this while the tide was rising and getting us wet even with the boat up against the seawall. He had to clean out and re-apply the resin once during this since a big wave splashed the repair area before it could set up. THEN after finishing the resin aplication, some homeless guy walks up and puts his finger in it while Jamie had just thrown out the remainder of the resin in the trash can down the beach. We screamed at him to come quickly. I'm sure he couldn't hear what we were saying but when he looked back at us and saw who was standing next to the boat with us, he knew what happened. He reached back in the trash and dug out the resin and got it re-applied before it set fully. The whole time he had a smile on his face. He was there in my time of need. And thanks to Jake Kohl for the beer.

Lee Wicklund
www.teamchums.com

Homeless? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

<img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />Ok, he wasn't homeless. He must have been really bored though. He had cold beer, so he wasn't all bad. I still laugh my a$$ off thinking about it because I know he felt terrible about it and it was nothing more than a simple mistake.

Lee

John:

Yea I remember that. Bob came down with me. Gave me a ride when I didn't have a way down and allowed me to take the great pics I posted of you guys from Wed. I second the vote. Was nice meeting you and Tina.

Doug

Thanks John! I'm just glad you found the boards! Try explaining that loss to your wife.

FYI; I sent you a PM.

Cheers
Bob Klein

Hands down..In loving memory of Joe "wild thing" Manganello
Joe taught hundreds if not thousands to sail over the last 15 years dedicating his life to running a sailing program for the town of Madison in CT and even longer just sharing his love of Hobie sailing teaching such people as Mike and Greg Ferrara, myself, and etc.
I'd like to nominate him for an official award if anyone has any ideas.

No Brainer:

Hobie Class Carlton Tucker Sportsmanship Award

Mike

I have quite a few, but I'll start with two: Rick Bliss, for helping so many of my friends over the years. Like on the way to the final Fleet 28 Buzzard event, when Ray blew his truck engine on route 140 with boat in tow. Rick saw the cat, stopped, and took the trailer and boat on to the event. I picked Ray up at the garage where he had the truck towed, drove to the beach, got the boat rigged and had a great sail. My next honoree is John Smith. Ever since I met him back at the '95 Island Hop, he's been giving me invaluable advice, and doing great projects to help me get back on the water. Things like getting my hitch on my car in a matter of minutes when I was stumped...This season he put a new luff track on Hubba Hubba's comp tip. Then there are all the events and parties... Great times! Thanks guys!

I will have to cast another nomination for Rick Bliss as well. At the Tybee, he was there to help the whole time! One of our road crew was a 10 year old named David. He was such a hard worker that Rick took notice and at the end of the race Rick gave him a brand new Kokatat PFD that David had been "eyeballing" in Rick's support truck. I thought it was outstanding that Rick showed him the rewards of hard work and dependability by giving him that.

Lee

John and Carla Schiefer of Miami and Bob and Carol Webbon of Seabrook, TX for starting out with an idea to have a winter A-Class vacation regatta at Rick's Place in 2001 starting with 12 boats and then carrying the idea and spirit to 2007 organizing and hosting one of the best A-Class World Championships ever held with 98 boats at the Islander Resort in Islamorada (getting major sponsors like RONSTAN, CORUM, and WEST MARINE on board).

Awesome job guys!

Bob Hodges
USACA President

A couple of groups - all those involved in keeping events like the Tybee, Great Texas, Statue, Tradewinds, etc. going! Great events, great people, great for the sport.

All those involved in my home base that keep interest going in the WRCRA and in continuing to build the cat influence in the WRSC - awesome jobs, keep it up!

Also, Rick and Mary for being great influences and keeping this site and the magazine going!

And, last but not least. Although not as passionate for the sport as I am, my wife! For her efforts (and physical pain) in adding to our family and my future crew list! newbie on the left...

Congrats. Looks like someone is working on the "AAAAHHHHH that boat is going to hit us" look.

I will have to second the nomination for Jamie Livingston. Just this last weekend, he helped us put a patch on our boat so we could keep going. He planned on doing some work to his boat, but ended up spending the whole evening working with us. All around a tremendous guy. Again, totally smiling the whole time.

Also gotta give props to my local Galesville folks who keep things happening on the bay!

You just can't beat the friendliness and helpfulness of catsailors.

Thanks to Jake for reminding me of this e-mail. I've got to take my hat off to Lionel, the bar tender at the Key Largo Sheraton who gave my crew and I drinks, food, and the keys to his car without ever asking for ID, money, a credit card or anything when we were stuck there during the steeplechase. When I finally got my truck and trailer back to the Sheraton, Lionel got a big fat tip on our bar tab. It's nice to know that there are still folks out there who feel they can trust a couple of total strangers, and are willing to lend a hand to those who need it.

I'll put in another one for Jamie... he's been great to me ever since meeting him at the 2002 Youth Multihull champs in Ohio. He's letting me leave my boats at his house at the moment until I get back to FL in 10 days.

Another person i'd like to mention is Jay Sonneklar... I'd only met Jay once before this year's steeplechase. He was the first person to come over and say hi to my crew and I... while rigging next to us I mentioned that our spinnaker was in poor shape, he offered up one of his spares for us to use asking if it was in better shape then ours. He then offered for us to break in his brand new mainsheet for the weekend. But I am most grateful for him and his wife providing us (without us asking) lunch both days! Part of the lunch was Jolly Ranchers and on the bag he had wrriten "there's always time to close the gap"... he told my crew every time we passed a boat he was supposed to give me a candy. I was really appreciative of Jay for going out of his way to help out two broke college students.

Jamie.

Lee Wicklund <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />
Last January Lee foolishly agreed to be my Roadie. He single-handedly delivered my tornado some 3000 miles from left to right coasts so that I could race in the OCR & North Americans. He had the pleasure to drive through one of the worst ice storms to hit Texas in recent memory, dealing with blown electrical fuses, ice build up on the rig and had to dodge road closures and Texas rangers.In Florida he got to sleep among giant Floridian **** & millipeds. Trip back we dodged hail & real Tornado's in the middle of the night leaving Florida.

Lee: A Big Hat's Off from me!

Thanks Mike. That was a fun trip from hell. Almost landed me in jail but it all makes for a great story! I'd do it again without any hesitation.
Lee

"When the eyes of the ranger are upon you..."

Chuck Norris? Anyone? Anyone? ANYONE?

Another vote for Lee Wicklund. I haven't posted on this board for 2 years, but when I saw the title of this thread, I decided better late than never. For practice trips for nationals, Lee let us camp in his home for weekends on end, even if he didn't have room. He slaved away over Matt-Man's Tiger without complaint. He never asked for anything. He can't stand the sight of blood, but when needed, he glued body parts back together so you can barely see the scars. Thanks Lee!

I don't even know Lee but I'll vote for him!

Lee, at Steeplechase I am sure that we got some pics of you, we were on the Searay 24 with a nice camera. What boat were you on?

And Jamie, consumate pro, always positive, great teacher and promoter.

Welcome back Dennis.

I'll vote for Lee also! He was very gracious after we messed up his bow with our hull! He never really got mad at us!

joking, joking... Lee's a great guy, one of the best!

Thanks for the Kudos guys. Eric, I was on the Flesh Rocket of Larry Ferber (man that didn't sound right at all). And to set the record straight, I don't mind the sight of blood. I just cringed a little when I glued my thumb to Dennis's ear. I would like to see a pic of the scar to see how it came out.

Lee

Ahhh yes, the Flesh Rocket....

You guys took the high road when we offered the toe (sp) through J Fish Creek.

Are you coming back for Tradewinds?

Nominate our local Hobie Team, Jerry Valeske and Laura Sullivan. They do it all, run races, teach Hobie 101 and 102, support, plan, and conduct all Hobie activities, support all youth programs and Sail Sand Point. Just returned from a road trip to the Hobie Cat Factory in California to bring back five new (fiberglass) Hobie's. They do it all.

Caleb Tarleton

I wont make Tradewinds. I would like to see the photos of Steeplechase if you have em up anyplace. Also, what do the stars mean under peoples names. I see a "newbie" with 5 stars under his name. Did he save someones life or something?

Lee

what like this? You are in the rare 5 star club...it's a user rating made by other users. I think one sub-5 star vote and 5 stars are pretty much gone forever for you.

click on the username you wish to rank.

You mean more than the pictures that are with the story? Rick does have a lot more pictures, but he doesn't have time to put them somewhere accessible. I have time, but I don't know how to do it, and Rick doesn't have time to show me. Sorry.

About the stars under people's names. Those are based upon ratings that person has been given by other people on the forum. If you hold your mouse arrow over the stars, it will tell you how many ratings that person has gotten. Often, when somebody has five stars (the maximum), it means they have only been rated once, as in your own case. The more ratings someone has been given, the more likely that they will have fewer stars, because not everybody will give you a five-star rating, and the ratings will be averaged -- just like on a store site where people rate their satisfaction with a product.

WOW! I wasn't asking for stars but THANKS! I was just curious what they stood for. Can we get de-merits as well...like if we misbehave here? I promise to be good.
Thanks again, Mary, for waiting up till midnight for us to register! That was very nice. I have heard many great things about you and it was nice to finally meet you in person.

Lee

Yes, and I can change my rating of you anytime I wish - so remember that. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I will accept the stars in trade for your fingerprints which are forever embedded in the bow of my boat. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
I wish I could have got you to sign it as well.

Lee

I know where I can buy some more resin!

I'll be doing a bottom job on it shortly and the scars from Tybee will get burried as well. I could use some gelcoat tips. I'm going to have a place match the color with a laser eye and do the work myself.

Lee

Tips? Lee, you want tips? Here are two:

1) Fasten the boat to the trailer when stored
2) Don't land on the beach like a lawn dart

My vote for Lee as well and I'm glad that the story about the ear is finally hitting the forum. He spontaneously became a sew-up doctor, well glue-up anyway, and made a broken guy whole enough again that made the difference between having to go to the hospital and being able to get back on the water in the Tiger Nationals.

I am also looking forward to seeing scar pictures of this part time plastic surgeon's work.

Lee's got a contagious sense of humor that breaks the tension and turns nervous moments to good times. He's a gleaming example of the generous fellows you find in this sport.

GARY

Can ya? Mary and I think not.

GARY

SSSshhhhhhhh! Darnit Gary.

aaaarrg, I'm a 3 star. Some one confiscate my weapons before I end it all, I just don't think I ca take it if I a m not a "5"...

Nice knowing you all, .....rrr..gggg..gurgle..hhhhh.

I helped you out Arbo, but then...holy cow....someone murdered my stars!

I'll star you..

I've done a little of the star ranking, and was surprised to watch your stars diminish! I think there is someone out there that doesn't believe in 5 star ratings! Mary's lost hers as well! Let's hope Lee's stay! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

It's probably Wouter.

Sabotage!

Somebody is not in the Christmas Spirit....

Ok....so who's the poopy head? Now, even Lee has dropped to 4.

I knew it! Just like when I was in school, sittin' here mindin' my own business and BAM! I'm in trouble. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

I just high 5'd you..

Hmmmm, is this anything like Star Wars?

It's a bloody conspiracy I tell ya!

I always was kind of a back-row 3 star student anyway. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />