Barefoot Sailing Club meeting.
Barefoot Sailing Club’s new commodore is looking for boaters and people who like to socialize with boaters.
“My goal this year is to increase membership by offering more activities both on and off the water,” said Bill Anchors, who will lead the club for 2025. “We’re creating more events for members and opening some of our activities to non-members, what we call ‘open’ in the sailing world. This is a great way for people to get to know our club and its members.”
Founded in 1971, Barefoot offers a variety of social, educational and on-the-water activities, sailing cruising events, lake-wide sailing regattas plus club racing and a women’s skippers regatta named for the late Joan Holcomb, former commodore of the organization.
“One of our most popular activities is our ‘Learn to Sail’ educational series each spring,” he said. “With two weeknight classroom sessions and a Saturday on-the-water hands-on class, we often introduce people interested in sailing to the sport. And best of all, this annual spring event is offered at no charge. It’s designed to teach boating safety and boat handling.”
The club’s first Saturday sails begin at 11 a.m. at the Sunrise Cove clubhouse. “Newcomers are welcome as a way to try us out,” he said. “If you show up, we’ll do our best to put you on a boat. Signing up on the website will ensure we have enough boats available.”
Monthly socials/membership meetings take place at Brimstone Tavern in Alpharetta, typically on the fourth Sunday at 6 p.m. Occasionally the date moves to accommodate holidays or other club events. Program topics have included a meteorologist speaking about weather, boat riggers, a review of skills combined with a sailing trivia game, knot tying and stories from members’ offshore cruises.
New officers are Commodore Bill Anchors, Vice Commodore Laura Clarke, Past Commodore Lisa Schoer, Bosun Chris Harding, Cruising Captain Bill Bond, Membership Captain Jacqueline Steadman, Purser David Steadman, Race Captain Jeff Elam, Social Captain Debbie South, Yeoman Angela Williams and Adviser Erin Schroder who is also website editor.
First-year membership is $55 per year and $30 for college students. Renewals are $75 annually. All memberships include everyone who is living in the member’s household.
“As far as boating clubs goes, we’re one of the best values on the lake,” Anchors said. “We encourage people to join us for an event or two. You’ll find we’re a welcoming group who want to share our love of sailing and being on the water.”
For more information about Barefoot, its events and activities, visit barefootsailingclub.org.
Photo: by BSC
