The Third Annual Holland Society Branch Sailing Challenge

Beautiful weather, light wind, and smooth seas greeted the contestants of the Third Annual Branch Sailing Challenge on Friday, June 13, 2008 at the historic Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club.

The final results were:
1st place / Executive Branch / President John B. VanDerbeek,
Skipper Peter Rapelje, Ken Demarest
2nd place / Rocky Mountain Branch / Robert Brower
3rd place / Pacific Northwest / Ed Outwater III

There were 10 boats that participated in three hotly contested races held in moderate 8 - 10 knot breeze from the southeast. The boat of choice was a 26 ' Sonar, which has a main, jib and spinnaker (for those of you without sailing experience, this means that the boat has three sails.)

The competition was close, with the standings varying from race to race under the watchful eye of the yacht club race committee. Ultimately, at the end of the day the Executive Branch consisting of Skipper Peter Rapelje, Ken Demarest and our president John VanDerbeek came out on top by winning the last third and final race.

Seventy five people attended the awards ceremony and the scenic New England "Dinner on the Lawn" consisting of delicious lobster and steak following the sailing. Special guests included Mary Park, the recently elected Directress General of the Society of the Daughters of Holland Dames together with her Husband, Lee. The setting could not have been more beautiful than the clubhouse grounds of the Seawanhaka Yacht Club in Oyster Bay, Long Island. Our hats are off for all the help and support of Vice Commodore William Denslow, Past Commodore and Race Chairman Park Benjamin, and the staff at the Seawanhaka Yacht Club for making this day so much fun.

On Saturday, June 13, a few dozen folks took a private tour and had a picnic lunch at the historic Wyckoff House in Brooklyn. This magnificent piece of history was fantastic to see up close, and would be highly recommended to anyone who has never made the trip. The Pieter Claesen Wyckoff House is the oldest structure in New York City, is a National Historic Landmark, and is the ancestral homestead of the Wyckoff family in America. The barn was moved to the site to serve as an educational and administrative facility, and the tour included an explanation by Maryann Feeney, Executive Director, of the plans for the reconstruction of the historic barn. We enjoyed a box lunch during our visit. Thanks to Naj Wyckoff and to Charlotte VanHorne Squarcy member of the Society of Daughters of Holland Dames and the Board of Trustees of the Wyckoff House and everyone who helped in this effort.

This weekend was organized and coordinated by Jersey Shore Branch President Stuart Van Winkle and Gail, who were part of the winning team in 2007. Special thanks to Adrian Bogart, Diane VanDerbeek and to Bill Snedeker who assisted us with arrangements for this wonderful weekend. Previously organized by Diane and John VanDerbeek, it appears that the 2009 weekend will again by organized by the VanDerbeeks as the winners are always responsible for the organization of next year's event. The 2008 long distance award goes this year to Ed Outwater and Crew from the Pacific Northwest Branch. Hope to see you back next year. This is a must attend event if you have never been, and the date for 2009 is already tentatively scheduled for June 12, 2009. Please note that this exciting event is held the day following the joint meeting of the Board of Trustees and Branch Presidents of the Holland Society of New York, and makes a wonderful weekend event for families. Sailing experience is not required, there are power boats to observe from, or spend the afternoon on the lawn of the yacht club. So plan ahead and put the 2009 date on your calendar now! There will be many exciting 2009 events to attend and be sure to plan on the Sailing Challenge for your family.