Thorwback Thursday: Sailing in the 70s with Rob Kugler

This TBT is a little different than what you're probably used to seeing! For this week, we have a great story from a Camp Foley alum from the 70s. If you're a Foley sailor, then this TBT is definitely for you! 

Name: Rob Kugler

From: Hastings, MN
Years at Camp: 1974-78
Family that has attended Camp Foley: Father (Joe) in the 40s and two children (Logan and Taylor) in the Mid-Late 2000s. 
Camp Memories: Canoe trips on the Pine River, early morning waterskiing with breakfast on the beach, sailing as a crew-member on the Checkmate, Capture the Flag, tetherball battles and Bob Schmid's (Marie's father) fun gentleness.

Rob Kugler, opening the trophy in 2012.

We heard from Rob Kugler's family in 2012 about tracking down an old Sailing Regatta Trophy that Rob won some time in the 70s (they wanted to surprise him with it for his birthday). We were able to track down the actual trophy that Rob and his friend, Alberto, received for a Regatta they participated in on Whitefish Lake. As Sailing is one of Camp Foley's most popular activities, we thought we'd have Rob recall the memory for us..

The regatta was a Whitefish Chain event that brought in sailors from all over the chain of lakes (Upper and Lower Whitefish, Cross and Rush).  I am not sure but I believe Camp Foley was the only camp that participated.  We had two entries, both in the small boat class.  Within that class there were 20-30 entrants, there was also a large boat class but I do not remember much about that category or who raced or prevailed.

Sailing at Camp Foley in the 70s.

I was assigned the “Johnson X” which at that point had a few years on her, was sturdy and a bit on the heavy side.  It was a great boat in a heavy wind.  Unfortunately the day dawned and it was a perfect Northern Minnesota summer day - soft blue sky, warm sun and virtually no breeze.  Perfect day for waterskiing but not sailing!  I hoped that as the day warmed a breeze would pick up but as it stood in the morning it was clear that I could only bring one of my two crewmembers.  I cannot remember how we decided (maybe a coin flip?) but Ted Kronschnabel was left on the shore and I ventured out with my remaining crewmember Alberto.  

I was very pessimistic as I reviewed our competition – tiny boats (Sunfish, Razor’s), light speedy boats (M-16’s) and a variety of boats from cabins around the lake all of which were smaller and lighter than the Johnson X.  At the start we managed to hit the line at the horn but that was our last sniff of the lead.  As we strategized our tacks and executed our turns, we were passed by many of the smaller and lighter boats (many of whom seem to mock us as they went by).  I still recall the frustration of doing everything we could to squeeze a little more speed from the old gal but still losing ground to the other boats.  Finally, we crossed the finish line, not in last but certainly far back in the pack.  

A bit disheartened, we pulled up on the beach that served as race headquarters and got out of the Johnson X.  It was at this point that Tom Schmid (my counselor, sailing instructor and race sensei) came up to us in a very excited state.  I supposed that he or another camp boat had done well.  Tom explained that despite where we had finished we had done very well and that the race employed a handicapping system that accounted for wind speed and boat weights to level the playing field regardless of the weather.  This was news to us!  He said we would need to wait around for the final race results announcement to see but he thought we might have snuck in with a “place” which would have made us very happy.  

Finally, the results were tabulated and the lead Regatta committee member began to read the small boat class results.  He started with the third place finisher and to our disappointment it was not the Johnson X.  Disappointed we shrugged at each other but we felt better knowing that Tom had thought we had done well.  The Second Place was announced and then came the first place announcement.  When the name the “Johnson X” was announced I remember being stunned for a few seconds then jumping and embracing with Alberto and then being told that I had to go accept the First Place trophy which I gladly did in front of a group of our competing sailors, family members and friends.  

The trophy: 1st Place, Rob Kugler, 1976.

I will never forget that moment, the sun, the lake, the sand, and the good natured applause from everyone on the beach.  That evening when we got back to Camp we had dinner under the pines outside the Dining Room and I was asked to get up and make and say a few words on the big victory for our Camp and the Johnson X.  When I was done everyone clapped and cheered again – another very big moment!

Over the years I have thought about that day many times and what it meant to a seventh grade kid to have success like that!  My family has heard this story many times – although I am not sure they believed it until they saw the Trophy!   I believe moments like that and the lessons learned from those moments help build a foundation that in some small way help direct a life.   This is just one of the many reasons that I sent my son Logan and my daughter Taylor to Camp Foley.

Do you, or does anyone you know, have any stories from camp that you'd like to share for Throwback Thursday? We'd love to hear from you! Just send an email to Fun@CampFoley.com. For other fun memories from the 70s, check out the old newsletters on the Foley website.

Thanks to Rob Kugler for sharing such an awesome memory with the Foley community!

 

Sail into Happiness!

One of Camp Foley's JYs.

Who doesn't love a good sail around Whitefish Lake on a wam Minnesota summer afternoon? As one of Foley's oldest activities, and certainly most popular, we decided to dig a little deeper into the sport of Sailing and what it's all about.

Sailing has been a very important part in the development of civilization. It allowed people to travel over water for trade, transport and warfare. Advances in technology and intellect in the Middle Ages helped develop better sails, masts, rigging and navigation equipment. From the 15th century onward, European ships took a serious interest in exploration and ships went further and stayed out longer in the hopes of finding new lands. We all know what happened in 1492 when Columbus sailed the ocean blue, and the rest, as they say, is history!

US Sailing was originally organized under the North American Yacht Racing Union in the late 1800s. According to US Sailing's website, "The organization's original purpose was to encourage and promote yacht racing and to unify the racing and rating rules in the United States and Canada throughout the yachting world." (Foley has been running its program after US Sailing since 1996!) In 1900 Sailing made its debut at the the Olympic Games in Paris, and, besides St. Louis in 1904, has been featured in every Summer Olympics since. There are two types of races held at the Olympics: Fleet Races - three or more competitors racing against each other and Match Races - two competitors racing head-to-head.

Foleysailboats through the years.

 So, when exactly did Sailing come to Foley? The exact year is unknown, but the earliest boats we have on record were purchased in 1946. Over the years, many different kinds of boats have sailed at the Foley Marina including: X boats, C Scows, E Scows,Catamarans, 470s, Sunfish, 420s, Optis, Mangos Catalinas and JYs. Sail Racing has always been the primary focus of Foley's Sailing program, but Sailing "just for fun," Sail Rides and beginner Sailing classes have also been offered. Currently Sailing is offered to everyone, even those who haven't passed the swim test.

There are three Sailing awards offered at Camp Foley, the Seaman, Mate and Skipper. For those of you that are unfamiliar with Foley's Sailing program, the three awards test the same skills but at a different wind speed: Seaman - 5-9 MPH, Mate - 10-15 MPH and Skipper - 16+ MPH.

Foley sailors on Whitefish Lake.

The Skipper is one of Foley's most prestigious activity awards, not only because of the physical skill necessary for completing the sailing portions, but also because of the knowledge a camper must have of the sport itself. A camper must be able to tie required knots as well as pass a written test. In the past five years Camp Foley has only handed out 15 Skippers. 2012: Jack Cunningham, Regina Flores, Sarah Kruemplestaedter. 2011: Melissa Ferrie, Sarah Gibbs, Jack Munkeby. 2010: Claire Castaneda, Emily Sciortino. 2009: Stephen Davis, Courtney Kronschnabel, Madeleine Loosbrock, Cole Spencer. 2008: Kylie Beltz, Tali Driessen, Coco Fritzlen.

Have you ever tried Sailing at Camp Foley? What's your favorite part about Sailing? Share your comments below! Do you have a suggestion for the next featured activity? Let us know at Fun@CampFoley.com.