Showing posts with label Sarasota. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sarasota. Show all posts
Thursday, December 1, 2016
The definitive guide to Sarasota Polo
For starters, get that image of Julia Roberts at the polo match out of your head right now. Polo is not as hoity toity as you would think, although there is a definite caste system in play. The other thing about polo is the field is big. I mean really big. Enormous enough to fit 9 NFL football fields into it. Beyond the field you could easily put another twenty football fields or more.
There are two ways for the masses to attend a polo match and there are two very different sides of the field. One is the fancy pants side, and it's not a bad gig, sort of.
I suspect they are a little picky about what cars they will allow in on this side, and I don't think my pickup truck would make the cut.
It just seems to me, and it's only a casual observation since I have never watched a match from the clubhouse side, that many people there really don't seem to be experiencing the exuberance, and joy de vivre while attending the event.
Enough of the Pasha side of the field, let's take a look at the other side where most people get to see the game. Despite the fact the non-flushing restrooms consist of gray boxes that are only vaguely reminiscent of Dr. Who's Tardis you get more room and flexibility in your set up.
So tip one about attending a polo match in Sarasota is to get your butts there early and stake out your turf. I'm part of a large group seven cars wide with several more behind.
Early is defined as 10:00 am when the gate opens. When you set up be aware you can't pass across the white line while a match is in play. So don't back your vehicle right up to the line if you want anyplace to sit.
Early is defined as 10:00 am when the gate opens. When you set up be aware you can't pass across the white line while a match is in play. So don't back your vehicle right up to the line if you want anyplace to sit.
The match actually starts at 1:00 but by 11:00 all of the good tailgate places are all long gone. Being late may require some ingenuity to watch the match, but in most cases you will end up sitting on a blanket well past the end of the field.
This makes the other goal post three football fields away leaving you squinting. There are also bleachers about midfield, but if you want to sit there, bring a cushion. So what do you do to while away the three hours till the match?
Tip two, bring plenty of toys to play with. The field is huge and offers many possibilities for outside play. Bocce ball, croquet, or anything else that is good for a largely sedentary crowd. No Jarts!
One of my favorites since the area is so massive are air toys, and in particular some of my boomerangs. There aren't very many places that are large enough to toss potentially decapitating devices. These are a very ancient hunting tool, and toy dating back nearly 30,000 years.
The one on the top is my prized Rusty Harding Concept 90 #104 circa 1982 signed by Rusty. Just learning how to throw these teaches you about both aerodynamics, and precession. Thrown well they are huge fun, Done badly, duck and scuttle away real fast.
The one on the top is my prized Rusty Harding Concept 90 #104 circa 1982 signed by Rusty. Just learning how to throw these teaches you about both aerodynamics, and precession. Thrown well they are huge fun, Done badly, duck and scuttle away real fast.
Food is tip three. You need it, and generally a lot of. You're going to end up being there for about six hours.
Plan on early munchies, and then sashay into something more substantial for lunch. You can use a grill, but most don't bother, and the smoke that comes from charring porcine products may bother others around you.
If you're cooking challenged there is an assortment of food trucks, and a Budweiser barley pop dispensary about midfield.
Plan on early munchies, and then sashay into something more substantial for lunch. You can use a grill, but most don't bother, and the smoke that comes from charring porcine products may bother others around you.
If you're cooking challenged there is an assortment of food trucks, and a Budweiser barley pop dispensary about midfield.
They fourth tip is don't forget beverages, especially water and lots of ice. Adult beverages go well with this event, and I can assure you that isn't a Pink Squirrel in that goblet. Bloody Mary's and doughnut holes make a nutritious breakfast.
It can get hot, and there is zero shade. So bring your own starting with a broad brimmed hat, brolly or one of those square tentesque things. That takes care of tip five.
You probably have seen warnings in ads for some medication's anal seepage side effects. This is similar, but on a much grander, and far more visual way. That's what you really have to look out for. By the way STOMP is the acronym for Stepping Tentatively On Manure Piles.
Like sailboat racing there are an assortment of inscrutable right-of-way rules, that are often broken. This results in penalty shots. There are between four and up to eight periods in a match. A period is called a chukker, and is 7.5 minutes long. Don't ask, I don't know the word origin.
This is the oldest team sport in the world, and can be dated back to BC times. The equipment basics are several hay burners, a helmet with a chinstrap, a cane mallet, and a 3 1/4" hard plastic ball. The pace is vicious, and often the hay burners are changed out after each chukker.
The women who attend seem to enjoy it more than men. My theory is that the sight of a strong handsome Argentinian man named something like Heracio pounding past on a heaving horse with his long hair streaming behind him evokes some primal mating urge. That's just a guess, but I've heard enough sighs to know they are paying attention.
In the end it makes for a fun day. The match, games, food, beverages and good company makes the day go past quickly. The crowds make for great people watching, and almost every match has some sort of a theme attached to it. At $12.00 a head it makes for good entertainment and some fresh air. Follow these tips and you will have a good time.
I think this is where Clydesdale's go when they get their pink slips from Budweiser. No cute puppy friends, no TV commercials, just working for the man doing the grind for minimum oats on a farm.
The Sarasota Polo Club Website.
Monday, November 7, 2016
West Marine grand opening fun in Sarasota
The grand opening of the new West Marine Flagship store a couple weeks ago in Sarasota was quite the production number, and is close as we will have to a real boat show this upcoming year. Their large parking lot was overflowing with boats of all types. This included Boston Whalers, Andros Boatworks, "Panga" style center console fishing boats, Searays, and many others.
The Team Donzi Yellowfin was impossible to miss, and as you might imagine, it is a poster child for Simrad's full product line. Simrad also had a table top display in the store with sales staff to chat with.
Raymarine, and Mastervolt brought in their mobile showrooms, with a full complement of staff. Garmin, Standard Horizon, and many other electronics, and product vendors had staff present also.
Since I grumble occasionally about fishing boats that never seem to be up to the tasks they are sold to do, I was tickled to see this Andros Boatworks vessel, that had enough rod holders to satisfy even the most demanding fishermen. I started to count them, and gave up after 60. If you put a rod into each one, this boat would look like a sea urchin.
I couldn't resist putting in this picture of the new Power Pole shallow water anchoring system. It's so cyborg, and sci-fi looking. I could imagine adding another degree of freedom to each side, throw in some simple controls, and having it walk you across the flats. I think it's a novel idea. You just can't take the robot perspective out of me.
Because I can, I am giving this salty little vessel, a Ranger Tugs R21 the "Best in Show" award. A two foot draft, huge aft cockpit, and enough amenities to spend the night out. I don't think I would want to take this little vessel on a Great Loop trip, but for local excursions, and day trips in SW Florida, its perfect. I would however take their R29 on a Great Loop trip in a heartbeat. Good quality construction, efficient layout, and a diesel engine that just sips fuel. They are built in Kent Washington, and the company has been around since 1958. You can learn more about Ranger Tugs here. The Sarasota area dealer is Gulf Island Sails.
And now to the highlight of the whole grand opening event. West Marine sponsored a "Casting for a Cause" charity benefit, and this was huge fun. Tickets were ten dollars, and included adult beverages, and lots of excellent food. There was live music, silent auctions, raffles, many marine equipment technical representatives, and lots of other activities. The event answered that question that has been pondered by many a sage, and that is "How many people can you fit into a West Marine flagship store?", and the answer is well over a thousand. To be honest, it was a thousand over a three hour period, but the store was seriously packed.
And now to the highlight of the whole grand opening event. West Marine sponsored a "Casting for a Cause" charity benefit, and this was huge fun. Tickets were ten dollars, and included adult beverages, and lots of excellent food. There was live music, silent auctions, raffles, many marine equipment technical representatives, and lots of other activities. The event answered that question that has been pondered by many a sage, and that is "How many people can you fit into a West Marine flagship store?", and the answer is well over a thousand. To be honest, it was a thousand over a three hour period, but the store was seriously packed.
West Marine's CEO Geoff Eisenberg, and Port Supply's Jim Bandy were personally greeting guests at the front door. Geoff is indeed a very gracious, and pleasant person to talk to. You too Jim, but I see you regularly.
Gecko's Grill and Pub provided the catering, and below are Lia Santos, and Byron Diamond tending to the adult beverages. Gecko's is my favorite local watering hole, and at two blocks from my house, it is geographically very attractive, and has been for over 16 years.
Hors d'oeuvre stations were set up at various locations throughout the store, including a seared tuna carving station, my personal favorite.
In the picture below, you can see the infamous "Deadliest Installer" in the center. On my left is Travis Lofland, deck hand on the Wizard, and on my right is Edgar Hansen, deck boss, and engineer on the Northwestern. Both of these "Deadliest Catchers" had to stand in a long line to get their picture taken with me, because hundreds of attractive women heard I was there. Ha, I wish. I wouldn't survive one day doing their job on a cold Bering Sea day, but I don't think they would like mine on a stinking hot August day in Florida either.
Prior to the grand opening, there was a large store staff meeting, to get everybody pumped up, to meet the grand opening sales goals. As you might expect, some employee wanted to know what he would get if the store made its goal, and then apparently someone else suggested that management should shave their heads, if they made goal. As you can see the goal was made, and fortunately a compromise was negotiated. I have it on good fashion authority, that "Pink" is the new "Black", and any scuffed up, boat shoe wearing marine installer knows this. From left to right are assistant managers Lydia Diaz, and David Plank, followed by district manager Bobby Greenwell, and general manager Wayne Seel, all temporarily pretty in pink.
So the store empties, and captain Bob Nichols is seen with a dust mop, cleaning up after all of the reverie is over. I liked the picture. It reminds of the the little guy that used a broom to sweep up after Fractured Fairy Tales was over, on the Bullwinkle and Rocky cartoons.
The real purpose of the event was to help our local charities out, and it was a great success. Over $18,000 was raised in the three hour event, and the majority went to supporting youth sailing, and children's needs programs in the community. Nothing is better than having fun while you're helping others.
Below are the links to the charities, and thanks for making it possible West Marine.
Below are the links to the charities, and thanks for making it possible West Marine.
Sarasota Youth Sailing Program
Englewood Youth Sailing Program
Mote Marine Laboratory
Suncoast Charities for Children
Sarasota Yacht Club Charitable Foundation
The Snook Foundation
Sarasota Bay Watch
Sarasota Power Squadron
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