Tag Archives: Portage MI

News, Series Racing

Summer Series Week #3 – July 22, 2025

Hi All!

So is this the week we actually race?  I’m thinking we will, with SE winds forecasted at 5-10 mph. (woo-hoo!)  Jeff Daane is Race Chair on his beautiful pontoon.  Please sail by the committee boat to check in before the race.  See the SSI (Standard Sailing Instructions), especially for you newbies, and these are great to review for all of us.  Next, if the race committee abandons a race with no more racing for the night (in other words, “hit the beach”) you will see an additional flag flown below the Abandon Flag.  Dave S. sent the photo below in reply to one of our cancellations emails recently.  This “A” flag is also used with the Postponement flag to signify no more racing for today.  

Abandon Racing Flags

As a reminder, Fleet 126 is having a single day regatta at Washington Beach in Michigan City this coming Saturday, July 26th.  Michael Kucharski can elaborate on the details, and note the time difference, as they are 1 hour behind us.  

And lastly, see below for the RC sign up for Summer Series. We need a race chair and a committee boat for the first two Tuesdays in August.  If this gap is not filled, we will be canceled. 

See you on the water – or at Main St. on Westnedge after sailing for results.

Kathy – ALCA Secretary 

News, Series Racing

Summer Series Week #2 -July 15, 2025

Hi Folks!

Let’s try this again!  Tuesday’s forecast is for sunny skies, a high of 90 with winds out of the SSW at 5-10 becoming light into the evening.  Once again, Dave Stiemsma is your RC with Gail on their pontoon.  Please sail by committee boat to check in so that they could mark you as on the water on the attendance sheet.  Also, see the SSI (Standard Sailing Instructions, for you newbies), which are great to review for all of us.  Also, if the race committee abandons a race with no more racing for the night (in other words, “hit the beach”) you will see an additional flag flown below the Abandon Flag.  Dave sent this photo in reply to our cancellation email last week.  I’ve copied it below.  This “A” flag is also used with the Postponement flag to signify no more racing for today. 

We will meet at Main St. on Westnedge after sailing for results.

Also, a reminder to RSVP to Julie or myself for the float party on Sunday the 20th.  PLease see the email that was sent last week for details.

Kathy Rubino – ALCA Secretary 

Update: Racing Cancelled Due to Low/Variable Winds 5:45 PM

Abandon Racing Flags
News

ALCA Pontoon Float Party – July 20, 2025

Happy Summer!

It’s back: the ALCA Float Party, having been a success in years past (pre COVID, I believe) is once again happening!  We plan to meet on our (or our friends’) respective pontoons at the “deep spot” on Austin Lake at 2pm on Sunday July 20th.  We will raft together, share beverages (adult, of course!) and share snacks.  Swimming will be a good option, so wear your suits!

Afterwards, Julie and Andy Lenczycki will be our hosts for a dinner party on land.  Please bring a snack to share on the water and a dish to pass for dinner.  Also, BYOB.  Dishes to pass should be brought to their house before meeting on the lake.  Julie and Andy’s address is 9833 Woodlawn Dr. Portage. They have offered their pontoon as a “host boat” for those who don’t live on the lake – if you wish to board their boat, be at their place no later than 1:45 pm that Sunday.  

This is a great time for any non-members to join as social members for $10 to help the fleet with the cost of this event and any future events for the year.  Otherwise, a $5 donation is greatly appreciated. 

Please RSVP to this email or to Julie, crew480@yahoo.com if you are attending and, for lake members, if you will be out on your pontoon.  For off the lake members, RSVP if you will be joining us and need a ride on the Lenczycki boat.  

We look forward to seeing you! Kathy 

Update:

Hey gang,

Reminder to drop off your dish to pass for dinner before floating, I plan to make baked beans as my dish so our oven will be turned on and to keep your dish warm.  FYI – we decided to get the flavored chicken brats & beef hot dogs from H+B Market to grill once we get off the water, I will have a tin packet of peppers & onions to grill for additional toppings.  The weather is looking good for a hot & sticky day on Sunday…don’t forget your sunscreen and lake floaties!!!

Also, if you have not RSVP’d please do by Friday, so I know how many brats/hot dogs to purchase.

Thanks!

Julie Lenczycki

News, Series Racing

Summer Series Week #1 – July 8, 2025

Happy Summer!

Hope everyone had a nice 4th of July and survived the heat!  Tuesday’s forecast is for sunny skies, temps in the mid 80s and SW winds 5-10 mph, decreasing to less than 5 mph in the evening.  Dave Stiemsma is our race chair with Gail on the Race Committee.  Please remember to sail past the committee boat to check in.  After racing we go to Main St Pub on Westnedge. 

Our Standard Sailing Instructions (SSI) are located HERE… new sailors should familiarize themselves with them. 

An additional email will go out soon for the ALCA FLOAT Party on July 20th – please watch for it. 

– Kathy ALCA Secretary

Update: Racing Cancelled Due to Low/Variable Winds

Abandon Racing Flags
News, Series Racing

Spring Series Week #8 – June 24, 2025

Happy Summer!

Yes, it’s now summer and absolutely sweltering out there!  For sailing this Tuesday we are looking at yet another hot day, with a heat advisory and temperatures in the low 90’s and a 30% chance of thunderstorms.  Winds will be 7mph west winds decreasing a bit, shifting to the northwest (according to SailFlow) and then back to the west.  Good times!  Nick Harmer is RC on the Lenczycki pontoon boat. 

Also – take note that Austin Lake is once again being treated for weeds Monday and Tuesday of this week – see diagram.  There has been a “no swimming” instruction for these treatments, and in the past, we had learned that this was more of a precautionary measure to not disturb the treatments.  See diagram for areas that are to be treated.  It is up to each sailor’s discretion of whether they choose to sail or not.  See map below.

ALCA Weed Treatment Map 2025
ALCA Weed Treatment Map 2025

Last week was challenging, as the winds decreased and we had to abandon the second race because of lightning and thunder in the area.  The Race Committee raised the N or abandon race flag to abandon the race and send boats off the water, however there was some confusion with raising this flag alone, which instructs sailors to return to the starting area.  The intent to send everyone off the water did not match with what is on the flag stickers and what was flown from committee boat.  There will be a quick discussion of this and about what direction the fleet wants to go for clarification.  The officers are suggesting to comply with the rules ( and flag stickers) and purchase the “A” flag, to be flown with either the N or the AP (postponement) flag.  You can view the Standard Sailing Instructions here SSI. If you have anything to add, please  come to Main St on Westnedge after sailing.  ⛵️

As always, see our SSI.

Kathy – ALCA Secretary

UPDATE

Due to persistent storms in the area, light wind and weed treatment and harvesting, our RC has canceled racing for tonight.  That’s a wrap on the Spring Series!  We do not race next Tuesday – Summer Series starts Tuesday July 8th.  Some of us are still planning to go to Main Street at 6:30.

– Kathy 

News, Series Racing

Spring Series Week #7 – June 17, 2025

Hello!

Wowie is it great out there today!  Tuesday promises to be warmer and even more of the same, with a high of 88 degrees, and southwest winds 5-10 mph.  However, there is a 30% of storms, some being of the “pop-up” variety, so keep your eyes to the sky, or better yet, your radar and lightning weather apps on your phones!  Nick Harmer is the Race Chair on the Lenczycki pontoon boat.  Additionally, the officers would like to emphasize to the new sailors, and remind the fleet as a whole, of our SSI (Standard Sailing Instructions).  You will find these on our webpage.  Remember, a boat could be DSQ-ed by the RC for not sailing the correct course (which includes going around the marks or through the gates incorrectly) or going through the start finish line except when starting or finishing.  

Also the Race Chairman sign-up where you will see that there is one slot of two weeks open (8/5 and 8/12).  We will meet at Main St. Grill, 7509 S. Westnedge in Portage.  Watch your emails and Facebook for any cancellations and going to Main St. early.  

Kathy Rubino – ALCA Secretary 

News, Series Racing

Spring Series Week #6 – June 10, 2025

Hi everyone!

Wow – last week was crazy!  Kudos to all of you who ventured out in those conditions!  Thanks to Wally for helping out when Faith flipped and also to the Race Committee to see that everyone who had gone over were back on two hulls at the end of the evening. 

Conditions for this Tuesday seem a bit more tame, with 13 mph westerly winds to start, decreasing to below 10 mph before the night is over.  Gusts “only” to 20mph.   Our Race Chair is John Koryto this week again – nice job last week!  

Afterwards we will meet at Main St, Grill on Westnedge.  

– Kathy Rubino ALCA Secretary 

Events, News, Series Racing, Spring Series

Spring Series Week #5 – June 3, 2025

Well Folks…….

Here it is:  a hot sunny day with lots of wind!  Forecast for Tuesday is sunny, with a high of 86 degrees and SSW winds at 10-20 mph gusting to 30.  Make sure you are comfortable with these conditions and that you have a righting line if you go out on the water.  Race Chairman is John Koryto on his gorgeous Viaggio pontoon boat and as always, make sure you check in at the committee boat so they can note your sail # and if you have a crew or are flying solo 😳.  

We meet at Main St Pub on Westnedge after sailing, and if you aren’t sailing, please rsvp to this email if you will be joining us.  I will see you at the bar if I don’t have  to show up for jury duty Wednesday morning.  

Kathy  – ALCA Secretary  

News, Series Racing

Spring Series Week #4 – May 27, 2025

Hope everyone had a great weekend!  Temperatures are finally warming up, with Tuesday’s high being  in the low 70s, with mostly cloudy skies and 10-15 mph winds out of the east.  Yours truly is the race chair with Dave Dunlap assisting on Jeff Daane’s pontoon.  1st race start sequence will be at 6:30 pm sharp!  Hope to see many of you on the water – please remember to sail by the committee boat as soon as we are on station to check in.  Also, attached are the membership form and the race chair sign up sheet.  We are almost full for race chairs for the season, thanks to all who have signed up and/or provided their pontoon boats!  

After racing we go to Main St. Pub on Westnedge, if you do not race but still are coming out, please let us know that you are coming so that we get sufficient seating for everyone.  

Kathy Rubino – ALCA Secretary 

Events, News, Series Racing, Spring Series

Spring Series Week #3 – May 20, 2025

Hi All!

Mother Nature just won’t give us a break!  Tuesday we’re looking at a cloudy day with a high of 58 degrees and breezy conditions of 10-20 mph ENE winds and an 80% chance of rain, even into the evening.  I am the Race Chair (🥶❄️❄️) with Dave Dunlap assisting on Jeff Daane’s pontoon boat.  We typically do not cancel until after 5 because we all know how the weather can change from the original forecast. After sailing we will go to Main Street Pub on Westnedge.

Last Tuesday there was a discussion about mid summer social activities, and how much fun our float parties used to be.  So, the ALCA FLOAT PARTY IS BACK this year!  Save the date for Sunday July 20th.  Paid members will receive details on upcoming details for this event.  In the meantime, let me know if you are on the lake and will be joining us via pontoon.  We need at least 5 boats to accommodate the non-lake members who will be attending.  

Just a reminder, if you have a question or comment – just reply to this email (to me), not the entire mailing list (as in reply to all),  unless you really want the whole fleet to receive your comment!

– Kathy 

ALCA Secretary