the 14th Annual International Wayfarer Rally
Hermit Island, Maine * August 9-16, 2008
Rally Musings: Dick Harrington looks back on the 2008 Rally
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----- Original Message -----
Sent: Sunday, September 07, 2008 4:27 PM
Subject: Musing about the RALLY


Dear Wayfarer friends:
 
Jane and I were negotiating our way out of that tricky cove on far out Sequin Island on that gorgeous sparkling day, when a crew member on one of the several anchored cruising boat hailed us.  "Wow, you guys are fantastic!", he said.  "What class boat is that?"  "We are the Wayfarer class," we replied.  Then we were beyond earshot.  Viewing the multitude of beautiful rally pictures posted on the web, and reading about our experiences this year as well as in the past,  how can one not imagine anyone saying  Wow, you guys are fantastic!  Yes, we all should be proud to be part of the Wayfarer class.
 
It was in an exchange of e-mails, not long after the Friesland Rally in 2006, in which Ton Jaspers wondered aloud...."I've heard these great stories about cruising in America; do you think it would be possible to sponsor an International Rally over there?"  Of course, the Canadians had already hosted outstanding International Rallies at Killbear Park on Georgian Bay in 1995 and 2004.  But the USWA had never sponsored this event.  I knew exactly where it should take place ... in Maine!  I shared my thoughts and enthusiasm with Tom Graefe whose judgment on matters such as this is often more acute than mime.  There were lots of obstacles to overcome, as well as many unknowns.  So in the beginning, there was a great deal of speculation, along with more than a little trepidation on our part.  Yet we had faith that others whom we trusted would be able step forward and help out.  That trust proved to be well founded.
 
Our European friends have been conducting rallies for many years.  However, here in the US we didn't get started until 2000.  The first gatherings were only long weekend get-togethers, with Lake Champlain being the favorite destination. Lake Champlain, nestled between the high peaks of New York's Adirondacks and Vermont's Green Mountains is an impressive body of water that enjoys a marvelously beautiful setting.  It offers terrific sailing opportunities.  However, after a couple of years, it became clear we needed to seek new locations.  By this time, Tom and I were a team and we started to think about the prospect of expanding the rally to a week long event.  The first week-long rally was the Killbear International Rally in 2004. 
 
From the beginning, the US cruising rallies had been blessed with strong Canadian participation.  However, Killbear would be the first Canadian destination and a long drive for many US participants.  So we weren't sure what kind of a US turn-out we would have.  We needn't have worried because the turn-out from both sides of the border was phenomenal.  From this experience, we learned that by going to a lengthier format, participants would be encouraged to travel longer distances; and although rally participation had been steadily increasing, once we went to a longer event, participation increased more dramatically.  Each succeeding year we not only enjoyed seeing old familiar faces, but have had the opportunity to meet many new acquaintances.  The interest level and participation at Hermit Island, this 2008, easily outshone all previous rallies.  Tom and I are truly grateful to all of you for such a rewarding experience.
 
We thank everyone for all their support and help, without which a successful experience would be impossible.  We offer special thanks to Kit & Patsy Wallace; Alan & Mary Asselstine; Bill & Margie Harkins; Tom & Nel Graefe; Gary & Stephanie Hirsch who volunteered to be "buddies" to overseas visitors.

Also we thank Frank Pedersen for loaning his Wayfarer to the overseas participants and driving it down to the rally.  We thank all the overseas participants for taking a chance and coming over to the "American Rally". Hopefully, you've had the opportunity to make some new and lasting American and Canadian friends; and the sailing experience has given you a feel for why we love Maine so much.  Finally, thank you, Ton Jaspers, for so eloquently delivering an inspiring message from Poul Ammentorp, the WIC International Secretary.
 
Sincerely....................DICK HARRINGTON             

(Al's note: Special thanks to Dick Harrington whose enthusiasm and meticulous preparation make these Rallies the success that they are each year. He and Tom Graefe are truly an example for anyone who does volunteer work to emulate! Thanks a million, Dick and Tom! See you at the 2009 North American Rally - wherever it may be.)
Supplement taken from the final instalment of Dick's
Countdown to Hermit Island
(inserted by Uncle Al who likes to have these things on record)

Activities.
Saturday is arrival and set-up day.  There are no planned activities.  You may want to check on the tide times in order to launch your boat near high water if possible.  Jane and I will be arriving Thursday and will already be set up.  If someone in the overseas group wishes to arrive early, we'll have room on our site to accommodate them.
Sunday morning will be the first skippers' meeting and include introductions.  Check with me or Tom Graefe for location and time when you arrive. 
Day trips during the week will have favorable tides for morning (ebb) departures and afternoon (flood) returns.  The times will be early at first, then gradually becoming later as the week progresses.
Lunch stops and breaks from sailing will include the restaurant in Cundy Harbor, picnicking on Elm Island and other places of that nature.
A night out for dinner will be planned once we are together.  Remind us to cover this at the Sunday skippers' meeting.
Friday's Lobster & Clam Bake - a request has been made and granted that this be declared a Black Tie affair.  It's a small price to pay for a little fun offered by the renowned Bruise Sisters....so now you've been warned.  (Ladies, there may be some recruiting taking place.)  We will meet on the beach early, so get those boats hauled out promptly.  We will only do a short sail.  The cost of the lobster dinner will be around $30 ea. 
 
Participants:
Asselstine, Alan & Mary - site ETW 4 - Ottawa, ON
Beehler, Lori - site ETW 6 - Ottawa, ON
Bruneau, Gilles, Jill & William - site Br 10 - Palaiseau (near Paris), France
Douma, Andy - site ETW 6 - Beachburg, ON
Erickson, Tom & Diane - site ETW 3 - Gardner, MA
Girard, André & Monique - site Hr. Gr. 2 - Ottawa, ON
Graefe, Tom & Nel - site Br 12 - Norwell, MA
Haill, Andrew - site ETW 6 - Thunder Bay, ON
Harkins, Bill & Margie - site Br 14 - Arlington, VA
Harrington, Dick & Jane Korver - site Br 7 - Euclid/Geneva, OH
Heffernan, Jim & Linda - site Br 3 - Chapple Hill, NC
Hirsch, Gary & Stephanie - site Br 4 - St. Joseph, MI
Jaspers, Ton & Conny - site Br 6 - Sint Michielsgestel, North Brabant, Netherlands
Kell, Anne - site ETW 4 - Copdock, Ipswich, Suffolk, UK
Krauss, Tony & Mary - site ETW 5 - North East, MD
Nelson, David, Lisa, Josh & Krystal - Sidney, Maine
Pedersen**, Frank & Sue - (none) Chestertown, MD (Brooklin, ME)
Roberts, Ralph - site Br 4 - Surlingham, Norwich, UK
Schonborn, Al - site Br 5 - Oakville, ON
Scragg, Ray & Jill - site Br 8 - Wareham, Dorset, UK
Wallace, Kit & Patsy - site Br 9 - Toronto, ON
** Limited participation
 
Overseas Participant Camping.  Following is the pairing arrangements has been established between NA buddies and European participants. 
Dick Harrington (Br. #7) with Ton & Conny Jaspers (Br. #6)
Kit & Patsy Wallace (Br. #9) with Ray & Jill Scragg (Br. #8)
Tom & Nel Graefe (Br. #12) and Bill & Margie Harkins (Br. #14) with Gilles, Jill & William Bruneau (Br. #10)
Gary & Stephanie Hirsch (Br. #4) with Ralph Roberts (Br. #4) 
Alan & Mary Asselstine (ETW #4) with Anne Kell (ETW #4)