Ekins' Echo, February 2022
Thunderbird Yacht Club's Official Newsletter
Message from the Commodore
To the Members, Board and Friends; 2022 and what a year it will be as we start off celebrating our Club’s 50th anniversary! We have an exciting year ahead of us and hopefully you will enjoy all the activities planned. I am extremely honored and privileged to be your Commodore for the coming year. Since joining back in 2010, the Club has provided Janet, Rebekah and I a lot of fond memories enjoying what this wonderful Club has to offer. And now, I get to be your Commodore for the year as we kick off its 50 years celebration.
It is interesting to note that our legacy starts sometime in the 1950’s with 4 gentlemen who liked to cruise together and called themselves the “Thunderbird Yacht Club”. Then in 1971, the idea of formalizing the dream into an official club was born with the formation of the Club in June 1972. We’ve come long way baby and we are just getting going!
We have gone through so much over the last two years with Covid-19 and who knows if we are done with it. However, it is great to know that all of you are still enjoying Ekins and our other outstations to the extent possible. Through these difficult times, this is what brings us all together.
We do have an aggressive work agenda for Ekins this year, starting with the hazard removal on the Squamish dock. In addition, our long-range planning committee will be seeking your input for the future of Ekins and what projects we should tackle first and when. In the mean time I would encourage as many of you as possible to get out and partake in the work parties as it is a great way to meet other members and contribute to the wellbeing of your Club.
I want to personally thank Mark Smith and his lovely wife Shelley as well as the Board for their direction and enthusiasm they exhibited for the 2021 year. There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes that they need to be commended for. For that I thank you for a job well done.
To our new members and members in waiting, I know that you have made the right decision to become part of this Club and I sincerely hope that you enjoy the features as much as we have. I look forward to meeting you in person in the near future. To those who have moved on, I would like to thank you for past patronage and wish you good seas wherever the future takes you.
Cheers,
Joe Schretlen, Commodore TBYC 2022
TBYC 50th Anniversary
2022 marks the Club’s 50th Anniversary. From the start in 1972, our Club has been very special, and we plan to celebrate this momentous occasion all year long with Club Regalia, a 50th Anniversary edition Roster, exceptional Club Events and more! Look for lots more information as we start 2022.
Want to learn more about our history? Check out the Club’s website under the tab “Our Story” where the Club’s complete history can be found. For more sweet nostalgia, watch this short 3 minute video created by Past Commodore, Jim Ptycia, with photos collected from the early years. Music by Nearly Neil.
Sweet Thunderbird - The Early Years
2022 Fire Pit Survey Results
Ekins fire pit structure and beach area, 2021
Executive Summary
The Club’s 2022 Fire Pit Survey was issued to all Members in early January and allowed for a two-week response time. A reminder email was sent towards the end of the timeline to encourage responses. The survey was sent to 177 Member emails with 126 responding for a very high 71% response rate. This shows a very high rate of interest and provides the Board of Directors with substantial results to guide overall decision making and next steps.
After reviewing the survey results and membership comments in detail, the Board of Directors agreed that:
As there is very strong consensus amongst the membership and high rate of importance to rebuild the Fire Pit, this project should proceed.
All efforts should be made to reduce the overall project cost.
We should move forward with a similar design to the current layout with some modifications that complement and coordinate with the Longhouse and look and feel of Ekins overall.
If you would like to view the full results, please click here. Many thanks to all of our Members who took the time to complete this survey!
Outstation Updates
Silva Bay Marina Outstation
Construction is now underway of the new restaurant and marina upgrade project. This construction will last for about 18 months and members are advised that going from the outstation dock to the road will be by a small narrow cat walk. Please note the following while you are there;
The new waterproof dock box at Silva Bay will now be locked.
In the locked dock box will be the sign in book and keys to the marina security gate.
Lock box combination code is 2016.
Please use keys accordingly and be sure to return them to the dock box and relock it.
Car parking is available on the main road only in case members have visitors arriving by car.
No washrooms, showers or garbage drop will be available
New pilings have also been installed on the TBYC dock
Gibsons Marina, Sunshine Coast
The piling repairs have been complete and all three slips are back in use, B7, 8 & 9
Snug Cove, Bowen Island
We currently have all 4 40' slips available - B25, 27, 29 & 31 as well as the 95' slip B5/7 available through the winter.
Although we thought we had a tenant for B31 for the winter period, that fell through so we still are looking to sublet this 40’ slip from now until March 31, 2022. If you or a friend are looking for winter moorage, please contact the Outstation Chair, Dave Short at dave@intwebexpress.com.
Pender Harbour Marina, Pender Harbour
We have one 50’ slip, #76, available for any members who head north this winter
The 100’ side tie slip and one 50’ slip are sublet and not available until April 2022
All Pender Harbour slips will be fully available to the membership as of April 2nd, 2022.
New!!
Thunderbird Yacht Club is working towards a QR code sign in system for all outstations. Simply, this QR code when scanned by your smart phone, will take you to the TBYC web site where you can register your Name, arrival date, departure date and boat name. QR codes will be in all dock boxes at all out stations by the end of March.
More information on this will follow in the next few months. You can sign in as you have in the past via paper copy or use the web form, if you prefer.
2022 Roster -If you have not yet verified your personal information on the Membership Listing for the 2022 Roster, please do so as soon as possible. Any changes to your contact info should be sent to Diana Lyons at dianalyons1@gmail.com. Changes after March 31st will not be reflected in this year's roster.
Volunteer Hours Log - Don't forget to log any and all of your volunteer hours electronically on our website. Members must record a minimum of 12 hours each year to avoid a $400 penalty. You can find the formunder the Ekins Point tab.
Outstation Use Log - Members must log each stay at any of our Outstations throughout the year. There are log books located on the docks at each of the locations, but in an effort to go paperless, there is an e-form on the website under the Outstations tab for your use. We have also created a QR code to get you to the form quicker. Look for the QR code inside the box which will take you to the form on our site. (Remember, this is password protected). This is a new initiative to assist members with sign in as we make our way past the paper log books.
Up-coming Events - Save the Dates!
April 8 - 9, 2022 - Spring Work Party
Join us for one or both days. There are many projects that are slated for completion this spring, including the fire-it construction.
May 21- 23, 2022 - Spring Cruise/Sail Past Weekend, Ekins
May 21st – 50’s theme party
This is the kick-off to our 50th Anniversary Celebrations. stay tuned for more details
May 22nd – Sail Past, Sail Past Reception, Sail Past Dinner
July 1st - 3rd , 2022 - Commodore’s Cruise, Ekins
July 1st – Canada Day party/Martini making contest on the Annex dock
July 2nd – James Bond theme party in the Longhouse
September 3-5th Fall Cruise, Ekins
October 1-2nd Fall Work Party Weekend, Ekins
December 6th 50th Annual General Meeting
Thunderbird Yacht Club
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