‘Spinnakers Up’

This Afternoon I created a new display for my Gallery Window.
It is Sweetly nostalgic as tomorrow would be the annual, enthusiastically attended ‘Sailing Race Around Salt Spring Island’.

This year sadly it is postponed. For decades The Salt Spring Island Sailing Club has organized this prestigious race that brought thrilled boaters from home and afar to challenge their skill on our beautiful waters. Our family fondly anticipated and participated in this race for almost 30 years.

We thrilled for the ‘start’ in Ganges Harbour especially when hundreds of boats with spinnakers up ‘round the mark’ began what could be anywhere from 10-20hours racing tide, currents, each other with wind or without. Rain, sun, freezing, frying every crew member finished with a fabulous story to tell.
For years our family hosted before and after parties at our home and gave overnight space for exhausted sailors. For years Duart made scones for the Saturday Breakfast at The Sailing Club. For years I donated a painting the prize for ‘first place’ plus goodies for the Skippers Bag. Our contribution was a fraction of the hard work and dedication

The Salt Spring Island Sailing Club awesome Volunteers gave! I Salute each and everyone one who gave their support to sport and hospitality as in the process they each epitomized what it is to be community, an islander. Strong, resourceful, caring, creative.

We, our family have been so very honoured and blessed to have experienced the backbone of resilience that ‘Sailing Race Around Salt Spring Island’ represented.
For 30 years I have been blessed to have abundant resource for my paintings as I document my love and enthusiasm for our coast and boating in all forms on our wonderful West Coast.

‘Spinnakers Up’ in my new display in the Gallery window is inspired from a view over Deadman Island in Ganges Harbour. The racing Spinnakers are full it’s a glorious sight. Also hanging beside it is a race flag, red and white striped, it means ‘Race Postponed’