About the Sailing Adventure Club

How it all Started

In the summer of 1987, a couple of single ladies bought a sailboat to cavort on Lake Pleasant, but didn’t know exactly how to sail. They advertised in a local newspaper asking for single people to join and teach them. They received lots of replies from a number of interested and interesting people. After a few lessons, parties, picnics and such, they decided to call themselves the “Single Sailors” Club. The two girls were the Commodore and First mate and a small “Board” of assistants. This group had sailing and being single in common, and they charged a small annual fee to belong.

Within a couple years, others took over responsibility of the club and the total number of members rose to 50, with most having boats on local lakes. They sailed Bartlett Lake, Roosevelt Lake and Lake Pleasant as well as Rock Point, Mexico. Over time the group decided they needed to incorporate. In 1995, Single Sailors was incorporated with bylaws, rules and waivers and formal membership.

Over time as members married and didn’t want to leave the club, married folks or couples wanted to join, the club opened to both single and married members. A contest to find a new name resulted in the “Sailing Adventure Club” name in 1997. To date, 10 couples have met and married within the club. So beware . . .

Club Organization and Membership

Membership is open to adults, single or married, over age 21. Sailing experience is not necessary. The membership year is September 1 through August 31. Dues are $35 per year. Membership is required for out of town sailing events. Members and non-members are welcome at all other events. Membership is required to receive the newsletter and membership list. Temporary memberships for $15 are available for a single-trip activity.

Officers and a Board of Directors manage the club consistent with the Constitution and Bylaws. Election of officers and board members is held annually at the January meeting. Officers include the Commodore, Vice-Commodore (and membership director), Secretary, Treasurer, Website Director, Newsletter Editor/Director, Blue Water Director (out of town sail events), Freshwater Director (local sail events), Social Director, Publicity Director and the Real Commodore. International Trips are coordinated by a separate volunteer coordinator as trip planning and coordination does not match the term of office for officers and directors.

Club Activities

The first international trip to the British Virgin Islands in 1994 had about 50 participants, with follow up trips there in 1998 and 2006. Other international trips have included Greece in 1996, Tahiti in 1999, Belize in 2002 and 2008, France in 2004 and Italy in 2007.

Several sailing trips in California are held annually in San Diego, San Francisco Bay and to Catalina Island. Other US trips have included the San Juan Islands in 2000, Chesapeake Bay in 2003, and the Florida Keys in 2005. Future trips on the drawing board include Croatia in 2009 and maybe Tahiti again in 2010.

Besides sailing, various activities over the years have included participation in the Electric Light Parade with a pirate ship or Noah’s Ark float in downtown Phoenix, day sails at local lakes, campouts at local lakes or on the Rim, the Double D Regatta at Lake Pleasant, trips to Rock Point, hikes, bike rides, horseback rides, movie nights, culinary dinners, theater events, Oktoberfest celebration, museum events, Las Vegas weekends, Shows at local casinos, holiday parties and New Year’s celebrations.

Meetings

Regular monthly meetings are held the first Tuesday of the month at Pete’s 19^th Tee Restaurant at Rolling Hills Golf Course at 7 PM. Join us at 6 to 6:30 for dinner and drinks. Rolling Hills is at 1405 North Mill Avenue, Tempe, just east of where Van Buren Street becomes Mill Avenue. There are no monthly meetings in December or July most years, and board meetings are held just prior to the general meetings at 5:30.

Check the links for info on what to bring and provisioning ideas.