Well today's the day I have been waiting for for about 6 months. Im about as prepared as I can be with the help of extremely wise parents and a few experienced sailors. The boat weighs probably 500 pounds more than she should but with a week and a half's worth of food, a thousand different safety items, and a few personal effects, 500 pounds aint bad. None the less, we're good to go!
I want to take the opportunity to thank everyone who has followed me thus far. My parents especially for being so supportive and actually letting me set sail for 4, 5, 6, even could be 7 days straight. The boys at the Prince Edward Yacht Club who helped turn Jackknife from a day sailor to a reliable long distance vessel. Kim Lander, Matt Jeffs and everyone else from the Bay of Quinte Yacht Club who not only organized the most successful fundraising dinner I have ever been to, but also for lending me a few sails and parts for Jackknife. Linda Austin, Bev Gorsline and everyone else who helped organize the Pancake breakfast! And last but certainly not least, all of the people who have donated to the Canadian Cancer Society!
Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought that Sail for a Cure would be this big. To date Sail for a Cure has raised nearly $13 000 for the Hastings and Prince Edward branch of the Canadian Cancer Society! My original goal was $4500 so to feel that we almost tripled my goal, even before I sail, is an incredible feeling. I hope through Sail for a Cure I have inspired people to start an interesting fundraiser for the Cancer Society. You can walk, run, have a dinner, even Sail to support the Canadian Cancer Society! There possibilities are endless and all you have to do is imagine!
While I'm sailing, you can track me through the "GPS tracking" tab on this blog. The tracker updates about every ten minutes or so but if it's taking a little longer, please don't call the coast guard and tell them I have sank, rest assured, ill be fine :)
I will be reachable on the boat through 2 means of communication: VHF radio, for boat to boat communication, and my cell phone. Feel free to text me or even call me! My number on the boat is 16138482696.
Hope to see everyone at the Pancake Breakfast!
I'm off to Sail for a Cure!
Fair winds,
Sandy
Saturday 25 August 2012
Wednesday 15 August 2012
Departure Event
Please join me at the Prince Edward Yacht Club on August 25! There will be a pancake breakfast as well as coffee and juices available with all proceeds going to the Canadian Cancer Society!
Spectators will also get a chance to go out on a yacht and follow me for the first few miles!
See you there!
Friday 10 August 2012
Its all coming together!
I'd like to apologize for my recent inactivity on the blog. Constantly updating social media is proving to be harder than I thought it would. Nevertheless, IM BACK! :)
I suppose the last few weeks have been crazy to say the least. Two weekends ago I participated in a race from Picton to Prinyers Cove. (Single handed of course) and came 2nd out of 7 boats! The wind was light which made the sailing frustrating but good training for the unpredictable winds of Lake Ontario. I realized after the race that I could be in the same light conditions for 4, 5 or 10 days on the Lake which made me remind myself to pack more food and water ;) The boats stayed over night and then raced back the next day. Even lighter winds made for a hot day on the water and I finished the regatta 4th overall.
Last weekend I had the opportunity to race aboard Woodjchuck. A J24 (same as Jacknife), from Belleville owned by my good friend Matt Jeffs. Lake Yacht Racing Association (LYRA) was a three day event in Oswego, NY. The three days of course racing showcased all aspects of Lake Ontario sailing from almost no wind to 45 knots the last day.
We finished the weekend with a 7th out of 12 which wasn't too bad considering this is our first season on the J24's. Sailing in Oswego made me think of how in just over 2 short weeks I will be sailing right by Oswego when I go around the lake. I shared Sail for a Cure with lots of people from Oswego and some said they might even come out and greet me on the water as I sail by! Later on in September Matt will be taking Woodjchuck to the J24 World Championship which is being held in Rochester, NY, of which I hope to be a crew.
Racing aside, Jacknife is coming together. I have an auto pilot which will steer for me when I'm sleeping, several solar panels to power my batteries! A good friend of mine has generously manufactured a solar panel mount which will hold my biggest solar panel off the back of my boat. Thanks to RAI in Trenton for donating the materials!!! This weekend will be spent drilling holes and wiring everything on the boat so I know its ready for the lake.
Sail for a Cure t-shirts are now for sale! For a $20 donation to the Cancer Society, we will give you a lovely Sail for a Cure branded t-shirt. Please contact me through email at macpherson.s@hotmail.com if you are interested :)
Above is me wearing the t-shirt with local Canadian Cancer Society chief fundraiser, Sue Rollins.
Until next time...
Fair winds,
Sandy
I suppose the last few weeks have been crazy to say the least. Two weekends ago I participated in a race from Picton to Prinyers Cove. (Single handed of course) and came 2nd out of 7 boats! The wind was light which made the sailing frustrating but good training for the unpredictable winds of Lake Ontario. I realized after the race that I could be in the same light conditions for 4, 5 or 10 days on the Lake which made me remind myself to pack more food and water ;) The boats stayed over night and then raced back the next day. Even lighter winds made for a hot day on the water and I finished the regatta 4th overall.
Last weekend I had the opportunity to race aboard Woodjchuck. A J24 (same as Jacknife), from Belleville owned by my good friend Matt Jeffs. Lake Yacht Racing Association (LYRA) was a three day event in Oswego, NY. The three days of course racing showcased all aspects of Lake Ontario sailing from almost no wind to 45 knots the last day.
We finished the weekend with a 7th out of 12 which wasn't too bad considering this is our first season on the J24's. Sailing in Oswego made me think of how in just over 2 short weeks I will be sailing right by Oswego when I go around the lake. I shared Sail for a Cure with lots of people from Oswego and some said they might even come out and greet me on the water as I sail by! Later on in September Matt will be taking Woodjchuck to the J24 World Championship which is being held in Rochester, NY, of which I hope to be a crew.
Racing aside, Jacknife is coming together. I have an auto pilot which will steer for me when I'm sleeping, several solar panels to power my batteries! A good friend of mine has generously manufactured a solar panel mount which will hold my biggest solar panel off the back of my boat. Thanks to RAI in Trenton for donating the materials!!! This weekend will be spent drilling holes and wiring everything on the boat so I know its ready for the lake.
Sail for a Cure t-shirts are now for sale! For a $20 donation to the Cancer Society, we will give you a lovely Sail for a Cure branded t-shirt. Please contact me through email at macpherson.s@hotmail.com if you are interested :)
Above is me wearing the t-shirt with local Canadian Cancer Society chief fundraiser, Sue Rollins.
Until next time...
Fair winds,
Sandy
Saturday 21 July 2012
Tonight's the night!
Tonight will be a big night for Sail for a Cure and the Canadian Cancer Society. Sail For a Cure's first benefit dinner will take place at the beautiful Bay of Quinte Yacht Club. I will be arriving on Jacknife around 6 pm. Please come say hi and check out the boat! Dinner will be served at 730 and the amazing Lloyd family band is going on at 9! Thank you to the Lloyd family for donating their talent and time.
Thank you to everyone involved especially Kim Lander and Matt Jeffs! Tonight will go down in Sail for a Cure history. Please come say hi to me so I can thank everyone for coming and supporting the Canadian Cancer Society. I will be the one on the dance floor bringing dance moves back from the 90's so i shouldn't be to hard to find :)
Even if you cannot be there tonight we are accepting bids for the live auction item via text 613-922-7245 OR e-mail kimlander@bell.blackberry.net.
One week (any week except Christmas) in a one bedroom, ocean front condo on Grand Cayman's beautiful East End. Sleeps 4. Full kitchen with dishwasher. 3 pools, restaurant, bar, spa, diving, deepsea fishing charters ON SITE. Also includes rental car (Honda Civic or similar) from Avis and $2,000 spending money.
What is your bid?
Fair winds,
Sandy
Thank you to everyone involved especially Kim Lander and Matt Jeffs! Tonight will go down in Sail for a Cure history. Please come say hi to me so I can thank everyone for coming and supporting the Canadian Cancer Society. I will be the one on the dance floor bringing dance moves back from the 90's so i shouldn't be to hard to find :)
Even if you cannot be there tonight we are accepting bids for the live auction item via text 613-922-7245 OR e-mail kimlander@bell.blackberry.net.
One week (any week except Christmas) in a one bedroom, ocean front condo on Grand Cayman's beautiful East End. Sleeps 4. Full kitchen with dishwasher. 3 pools, restaurant, bar, spa, diving, deepsea fishing charters ON SITE. Also includes rental car (Honda Civic or similar) from Avis and $2,000 spending money.
What is your bid?
Fair winds,
Sandy
Sunday 15 July 2012
Eastern Yachting Circuit 2012
Yesterday I had the pleasure of racing in the Eastern Yachting Circuit Regatta 2012 hosted by the Collins Bay Yacht Club in Kingston. With winds around 15 knots it was a beautiful day on the water! I was racing aboard Highball, a 24 foot boat from Picton and owned by a long time friend and fellow sailor Muren Pickering. A very shifty wind tested the race committee's ability to make a fair and challenging course but after 4 hours, Muren and I had finished the two races third and first place respectively. With a very competitive 7 boat fleet we were happy with our results!
After racing the fleet came back to the marina and were treated to an amazing pig roast! While wandering around with my skipper I finally met the amazing couple behind Sail for a Cure's first benefit dinner this Saturday! Kim Lander and Matt Jeffs then introduced me to what seemed like a million people who had already heard about Sail for a Cure and wished me good luck on my trip! It was an amazing experience and I can't thank Kim and Matt enough!
During the award ceremony, at which my skipper took home two massive trophies, I also had the absolute pleasure of being introduced by Kim to say a few words about Sail for a Cure to the hundred plus racers. Thank you to Collins Bay Marina for the opportunity to both speak and sail at an amazing regatta!
With one event successfully finished, tickets for this Saturday's Dine for a Cure are selling fast! With 30 plus auction items and an amazing band playing it should be a night to remember. Tickets are still available through Kim Lander at 613 - 922 7245.
Fair winds,
Sandy
Friday 6 July 2012
There's no place like HOME
A prime example of just how generous the local businesses of Prince Edward County are has come from Adam Busscher at our local Home Hardware. Adam generously donated four solar panels that will charge my large marine battery over the course of the 450 mile trip. ($210 value!) The battery will power my autopilot, which steers the boat when I am sleeping; the radio, which will be used for coast guard check in's and communication with other vessels; my cabin lights, and so many other things on board.
(Apologies for the squinting)
Many thanks to Adam and be sure to stop in to Home Hardware and take a look at all of their equipment like this and so much more!
Many thanks to Adam and be sure to stop in to Home Hardware and take a look at all of their equipment like this and so much more!
Saturday 30 June 2012
Dine and Dance for a Cure
What better way to kick off the summer than a dining and dancing at our local yacht club in Belleville!
On July 21st, Sail for a Cure's first benefit dinner will be taking place in the main hall of the beautiful Bay of Quinte Yacht Club.
Cocktails @ 6:00 pm
Dinner @ 7:30 pm
Dance @ 9:00 pm
Silent and live auction!
Tax receiptable cash donations graciously accepted
Tickets are $40 per person +HST
Tickets and further information can be obtained through Kim Lander at
613-922-7245 or
kimlander@bell.blackberry.net
Many thanks to Kim Lander, the Commodore of BQYC for organizing the event!
Friday 22 June 2012
Waupoos Wabbit Wace
With the big departure date just over two months away it feels like more and more people are catching wind of Sail for a Cure! (Pun intended) The various questions I'm asked like, "Aren't you sailing around the world or something?" or, "I heard you were swimming across Lake Ontario!" are all very pleasing in the fact that many people semi-know what Sail for a Cure is. Despite the fact that i'm not a very good swimmer, and my, "First Lake Ontario, THEN THE WORLD!!!" attitude is slowly taking over, my trip will be limited within the constraints of Lake Ontario, and if all goes well, no part of me will be completely immersed in water. Nevertheless, there is nothing more satisfying then the approving nod or handshake I get after fully explaining Sail for a Cure.
My first long distance training sail will be this saturday in conjunction with the Prince Edward Yacht Club's annual, "Waupoos Wabbit Wace". The 27 nautical mile race course begins in Picton just outside the harbour limits, travels past the Glenora Ferry, around Cressy Point, Southwest towards South Bay, around the Western side of Waupoos Island, and finishes just off the Waupoos Marina docks. Winds are looking to be a fresh 10 knots which means the race won't be too strenuous on the newly commissioned Sail for a Cure boat. With an estimated 8-12 boats on the start line, this should prove to be a great start to my training season!
Last minute preparations are being made tonight which includes none other than a bowl of mum's finest spaghetti, tons of food and water being packed on the boat, and a good night's rest.
The race is scheduled to start around 10:15 Saturday morning so if you're in the area please feel free to snap a picture of the little white and red boat flying the Canadian Cancer Society flag!
Wish me luck!
Fair winds,
- Sandy
My first long distance training sail will be this saturday in conjunction with the Prince Edward Yacht Club's annual, "Waupoos Wabbit Wace". The 27 nautical mile race course begins in Picton just outside the harbour limits, travels past the Glenora Ferry, around Cressy Point, Southwest towards South Bay, around the Western side of Waupoos Island, and finishes just off the Waupoos Marina docks. Winds are looking to be a fresh 10 knots which means the race won't be too strenuous on the newly commissioned Sail for a Cure boat. With an estimated 8-12 boats on the start line, this should prove to be a great start to my training season!
Last minute preparations are being made tonight which includes none other than a bowl of mum's finest spaghetti, tons of food and water being packed on the boat, and a good night's rest.
The race is scheduled to start around 10:15 Saturday morning so if you're in the area please feel free to snap a picture of the little white and red boat flying the Canadian Cancer Society flag!
Wish me luck!
Fair winds,
- Sandy
Thursday 14 June 2012
Launch the boat: Check!
Since I touched down at the inconveniently congested Pearson airport in Toronto three weeks ago tomorrow, I have been eating, sleeping, and breathing Sail for a Cure. (Literally and figuratively).
The first thing on the to-do list was simple: make a list. If you know me personally, you may know that my organizational skills are lacking. Climbing Mount Everest would be easier than locating a specific page in my high school english binder, and if my Sail for a Cure "to-do's" weren't written down and memorized, they would end up like my shakespeare notes.
Now to the point... the boat I will be using for Sail for a Cure has unfortunately been out of the water sitting on a trailer for a year and a half. No problem, I like a challenge! After clearing all the dead leaves, bees nests, pebbles, and a brave chipmunks off of the boat, a soon to be seaworthy vessel was uncovered. The first order of business was to sand all of the old paint off the hull and then put a fresh coat on. After what felt like an eternity of sanding and inhaling about a kilogram of paint dust, the hull was ready for a facelift. A trip to Pride Marine in Kingston, four hours of solid painting and whammo! Some minor cosmetic work to make her shiny and she was ready for launch.
She was launched in Waupoos due to water level concerns at the Picton boat launch which meant she needed to be sailed around to Picton that night in order to avoid the dockage fees. Im a student... anything to save a buck right? Nevertheless, myself and two crew members sailed her to Picton in minimal winds but what proved to be a successful voyage.
The boat now resides on a floating mooring in Picton Harbour almost directly across from the boat launch. Next step is to raise the Canadian Cancer Society flags and get training! My first long distance solo training run will be on June 23rd. More info to come.
Fair winds,
Sandy
The first thing on the to-do list was simple: make a list. If you know me personally, you may know that my organizational skills are lacking. Climbing Mount Everest would be easier than locating a specific page in my high school english binder, and if my Sail for a Cure "to-do's" weren't written down and memorized, they would end up like my shakespeare notes.
Now to the point... the boat I will be using for Sail for a Cure has unfortunately been out of the water sitting on a trailer for a year and a half. No problem, I like a challenge! After clearing all the dead leaves, bees nests, pebbles, and a brave chipmunks off of the boat, a soon to be seaworthy vessel was uncovered. The first order of business was to sand all of the old paint off the hull and then put a fresh coat on. After what felt like an eternity of sanding and inhaling about a kilogram of paint dust, the hull was ready for a facelift. A trip to Pride Marine in Kingston, four hours of solid painting and whammo! Some minor cosmetic work to make her shiny and she was ready for launch.
She was launched in Waupoos due to water level concerns at the Picton boat launch which meant she needed to be sailed around to Picton that night in order to avoid the dockage fees. Im a student... anything to save a buck right? Nevertheless, myself and two crew members sailed her to Picton in minimal winds but what proved to be a successful voyage.
The boat now resides on a floating mooring in Picton Harbour almost directly across from the boat launch. Next step is to raise the Canadian Cancer Society flags and get training! My first long distance solo training run will be on June 23rd. More info to come.
Fair winds,
Sandy
Sunday 3 June 2012
Welcome!
Welcome to the digital home of Sail for a Cure!
I am an avid sailor who has seen too many people affected by cancer. It is our duty to put an end to the leading cause of pre-mature deaths in Canada.
My goal is simple: to raise at least $4500 for the Hasting and Prince Edward branch of the Canadian Cancer Society. The challenge I have created titled "Sail for a Cure" will be a summer long project ending with the longest non-stop single handed sailing voyage I have ever done.
This is where you will find updates to video logs, training information, and fund-raising events for Sail for a Cure.
Please come back and follow my adventure as together we can make Cancer history.
Fair winds,
- Sandy
I am an avid sailor who has seen too many people affected by cancer. It is our duty to put an end to the leading cause of pre-mature deaths in Canada.
My goal is simple: to raise at least $4500 for the Hasting and Prince Edward branch of the Canadian Cancer Society. The challenge I have created titled "Sail for a Cure" will be a summer long project ending with the longest non-stop single handed sailing voyage I have ever done.
This is where you will find updates to video logs, training information, and fund-raising events for Sail for a Cure.
Please come back and follow my adventure as together we can make Cancer history.
Fair winds,
- Sandy
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