Go the the SYC Racing Page to see the race results!  A spectacular race from TI around Alcatraz down to Redwood Creek.

What do rubber ducks, athletic shoes, messages in bottles, plastic bags and 6-pack plastic rings have in common? These are some of the items that float around in our oceans today. In Flotsametrics, writer and oceanographer Curtis Ebbesmeyer discusses how gyres move flotsam around the world.

We chose this book as our next Sequoia Reads selection in honor of Earth Day 2009. Join us in reading Flotsametrics by Curtis Ebbesmeyer. Tod Klingler will lead a discussion about the science of flotsam in May.

Where can you get a copy of the book? Aside from the various book sellers, Santa Clara County Library and San Mateo County Library each have 3 copies in their catalog, and Palo Alto Public Library has 2.

In the meantime, you can listen to an archive of Curtis Ebbesmeyer on Science Friday with Ira Flatow on April 10th.

And next time you are out on the bay, pick up that flotsam and rid our waters of some garbage.

Trivia: Do you know the difference between flotsam and jetsam? Leave your answers in the comments.

Sequoia Yacht Club is hosting the first annual Westpoint Marina Regatta on Saturday, April 18, 2009.

The Race will start off the NE end of Yerba Buena Island, take Alcatraz to port, and then finish at the Redwood Creek entry buoys #3 and #4; for a total distance of 25 nm.  What, you can have a long distance race in San Francisco Bay?  We should have our spring wind which means you will have a great run down the bay.  Unfortunately, you just can't sail anywhere, the South Bay has a number of very shallow shoals- so check your 'up to date' charts and make sure your depth finder works well!

Once you finish the course, you will find the South Bay hospitality at its best! There will be free berthing at the beautifully new Westpoint Marina.  Once you are tied up, there will be transportation provided to Sequoia Yacht Club.  SYC will be putting on its famous 'Tri-tip steak dinner’ for $20 per person.  Also, SYC will provide breakfast at 8:30am on Sunday.

To enter the race, please fill out the Skipper's Entry form that can be found on the Sequoia Yacht Club’s website ( www.sequoiayc.org/node/137 ) .  Besides your signature, we need your PHRF rating, and whether you will be Spinnaker or Non-Spinnaker division.  Please send your signed entry form and the $20 entry fee to Sequoia Yacht Club.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Sequoia Yacht Club.

The Standing Sailing Instructions for this regatta are attached below.  The key times to keep in mind are-

1.      Friday, April-17, 15:00; final SSI posted to this website.