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The inagural Club La Costa Yacht Club newsletter
Ahoy members,
This is our first edition of the CLC Yacht Club Newsletter. In it we will keep you informed of new developments within the CLC Yacht Club and hopefully entertain you a little as well. Who knows, you might even learn something you didn’t know about sailing to boot.
Primarily the newsletter will be written by me, Meg but you will notice sections within where we invite member participation. This gives you an opportunity to write in and share some of your holiday stories and photos with other members.
So without further ado, let’s begin…
New Destinations; Where to Next?
The Red Sea is our new 2008 destination which has been so popular we will be returning for the winter in 2009. Everyone has been blown away by how stunning it is. Check out all the amazing photos on our website www.clublacostayachtclub.com to discover what you’ve been missing out on! Then make sure you book for next season so you don’t miss all the fun!
Big news! Your yachting holiday options just keep growing with our new 2009 destination - Turkey. This will be the feature in our next newsletter. Turkey 2009 is open for booking now so contact the Reservations Department.
And of course we still have limited availability for our old favourite Mallorca in 2008.
Be aware that the earlier you book, the better it is for all concerned. We keep cabins reserved exclusively for our members until six months prior to the charter. Once we reach this cut off date, bookings then become open. This is necessary to ensure we fill our boats.
You will find more information on all of our destinations at www.clublacostayachtclub.com
Discovering the Red Sea
Some of you will have already experienced the wonder and realised that there is no better way to explore The Red Sea and its world renowned coral reefs than by yacht. For those of you who haven’t yet, there’s always next season.
Being the world’s most northern tropical sea, The Red Sea is enriched with an abundance of unique marine life, including rare black corals and huge Gorgonian sea fans. The captivating desert landscape invites you to experience the simple pleasures of Bedouin life and view shimmering night skies. Winter climate offers more than comfortable air temperatures (87ºF/30ºC), warm water and very little rain.
Food around the Red Sea is prepared using aromatic spices that produce those tantalising Middle Eastern flavours. On board you eat the best of regional cuisine, prepared using fresh produce from the local markets, from Bedouin style lamb to shwarma you are spoilt. Picture yourself enjoying cocktails and mezze platters in the cockpit whilst anchored in a secluded bay, watching the last rays of light play on the romantic Arabian Desert backdrop as the setting sun transforms the pleasure filled day into an exotic evening.
Meet Our 2 New Crews
We have two fantastic new crews Kate and Rob, Brian and Bev, who have started with us this season. If you haven’t met them already, you’d better start planning your next yachting holiday so you can have the pleasure.
The sailing idiom everyone needs to understand: In the Offing
Every issue I will explain the meaning of one idiom related to sailing (and believe me there are a lot).
So we’re all up to speed, we’ll start with the name of the newsletter. The offing refers to the part of the sea furthest from shore that is still visible. Therefore a ship that has just appeared on the horizon is considered to be in the offing. So in general use it refers to something that looks like it will happen soon for example you might say ‘my lifelong dream of a trip to Turkey is in the offing’.
Now I challenge you to go and use it in a sentence today.
How to make Shakshuka (pronounced Shack-shoo-ka)
serves 4
This is a very popular breakfast or brunch dish around the Red Sea.
8 eggs
4 finely chopped tomatoes
1 brown onion diced
2 de-seeded green peppers diced (approx. 1cm)
1 de-seeded yellow or red pepper diced (approx. 1cm)
1 red chilli pepper finely chopped with seeds removed (unless you like it hot, then you can leave some in!) or you can use ½ tsp of chilli powder or flakes
1 clove garlic finely chopped
3 tbl tomato paste
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp olive oil
1. Saute onions and garlic in the olive oil in a large fry-pan.
2. Add peppers and fry until soft (about 5-8 mins). Add all spices, stir and cook for another minute. Add tomatoes and tomato paste and lightly simmer for 10 mins, stirring occasionally.
3. Break eggs over top, sprinkle with a little salt and pepper and cover with lid. Cook eggs to your preference (2 mins soft or 5 mins hard yolk).
4. Serve with thick bread or toast.
Winning Photo of the Quarter
This is the first spot where we will encourage member participation. Please email us your favourite yachting holiday snap with your name and where you’re from and we will put the best ones in the newsletter.
As we don’t have one for this quarter, here’s one of Leor’s which we have to admit is pretty good. Thanks to Cathy for the use of her camera (he can’t take all the credit!).
Send us your Articles
And this is the second spot.
We’d love you to send us tales of your adventures or any sailing related article of interest and we will print them here. Try to restrict them to 400 words or less and again provide us your name and location (or you may use a nom de plume).
As we don’t have one for this time, I wrote a little piece I thought might be of interest entitled;
‘Sailors Superstitions’
We’re a funny lot us sailors. Most sailors, especially in bygone days, were very superstitious. The list of items considered to be bad luck to have on board a boat would be pages long. Some of them are very unusual, for example did you know it’s bad luck to have bananas on board?
Superstitions are irrational fears based on a belief in the supernatural. Most derive from a time in history where ignorance about the natural processes of the earth prevailed. People didn’t have the knowledge to explain why a particular incident occurred.
In the modern world most of us look for rational reasons as to why certain events unfold the way they do. Yet most of us are not willing to discredit these superstitious beliefs entirely. How many of us today will still avoid walking under a ladder, just in case there is something to it all? (Or is that just in case it falls on our heads?)
I suspect many of these sailors superstitions may have come about because early mariners were trying to find reasons why some boats sank and others didn’t. If a boat filled with a cargo of bananas came to grief in a storm, rather than try to comprehend what causes storms in particular areas, people found it more acceptable to blame the bananas as bringers of ill fortune. Sailors wanted some reassurance that so long as their ship wasn’t carrying any of the cargo listed as a bad luck item, they were in less peril. As more boats with varied cargos sank, more items had to be added to the list which includes flowers, pillows and mattresses.
Fortunately in these days of scientific enlightenment, we know a lot more about why ships sink and how to avoid it. If this were not the case, I’m afraid ladies, that you and I probably would not be welcome on most boats. Yes it was also considered poor providence to have women on board. And think how much less fun that would be!
Read the interview with the commodore below to find out what he’s superstitious about!
An interview with The Commodore: Leor Revivo
Firstly, what does the term Commodore mean?
The head of a yacht club. It’s the highest non-officer rank.
How did you think up the concept of this sailing club?
I wanted to bring this unique and fabulous way of holidaying into the grasp of everybody, to enable them to do things they would never have dreamt of.
Why did you choose Catamarans rather than monohulls?
Aside from the extra space both on deck and inside, they offer greater stability and comfort which is especially important for those fairly new to boating. More importantly, you can still drink your cup of tea whilst sailing.
Why is sailing better than power?
Sailing is quieter and therefore more relaxed yet at the same time exhilarating to be moving only by the force of the wind. When you sail you become one with the sea and the elements (how very Zen of you Leor)and it’s more ecologically friendly.
Power boating is all about the destination and how fast you can get there. On a sailing boat you’re already there, exactly where you want to be. It’s all about the journey.
How long have you been sailing?
I began my love affair with the sea, sailing on it and diving under it 17 years ago. We’re still happily married.
What is so unique about cruising on a yacht as opposed to a ship?
You can get in to beaches and coves you can’t get to on a big ship so it’s more private. It’s a much more personal environment so you really get to know and make friends with your crew and travelling companions. Being closer to the water you feel more connected to the sea and have the ultimate freedom to do as you please. You can jump off for a snorkel whenever you feel like it. There are endless opportunities for the various activities.
What do you do on your holidays?
Surfing, sailing, diving, wakeboarding… (Hmm, that sounds like what you do for work Leor).
Future plans for the yacht club?
Expand the member base and the destinations throughout the globe. I plan to conquer the world!!! Though not literally. We’d need a different type of boat for that…
Are you superstitious? If so, about what?
In life no, but in sailing yes. I never whistle at sea.
Why, what does that do?
It upsets Neptune.
Written and compiled by Meg McDowell.
Please email any photos, jokes or stories to Meg: Meaghan.McDowell@clublacosta.com