The First Hundred Years: Clearwater Yacht Club, 1911-2011

Women of CYC aboard Al and Linda Humphers’ Dyna in the club’s first entry in the Bikini Cup, 1999. Bow Chasers’ Archives.

boat Chances R with Tim’s wife Terri and daughter Stacey as crew. Chances R received the Robert Word Memorial Award for Racing Participation in both 2005 and 2007. In 2009 Nancy Poladian did the women of the club proud when she received the Robert Word Memorial Award for Racing Participation for her outstanding record as captain of Octofoil. In 1987, a group of women at CYC decided it was time to form an organized small boat sailing program at the club. The March 1987 issue of the Compass contained this announcement:

Women’s sailing at CYC? Yes, that’s right! Our club will soon have an instructional and competitive women’s sailing program. Under the direction of Commodore Pete Stirling, a women’s sailing committee consisting of Carol Brown, Em Harris and myself (Susan Bankston) was appointed to study and recommend a sailing program for the women of the Club...The purpose of the women’s sailing organization will be to provide the women of CYC sailing instruction, race committee training, competitive racing, day cruises, continuing education in seamanship, racing rules and tactics and to create a feeling of camaraderie and enthusiasm for the sport of sailing.

First group of Bow Chasers getting ready to set sail in 1987. Bow Chasers’ Archives.

56 The First Hundred Years: Clearwater Yacht Club, 1911-2011 These words, and the club’s purchase of ten brand new Optimist Prams, launched the CYC Bow Chasers with Carol Brown as captain and Em Harris