Record rainfall amounts and record cold temperatures this winter, I’m the 2010 GYA Commodore and the Saints are going to the Super Bowl. Wow! For those of you who don’t know me, I’m David Bolyard the Commodore of the Gulf Yachting Association for 2010. I’ve had my own business in Mandeville, Louisiana since 1981. I have one son, David Bolyard, Jr. who attends the University of Louisiana Lafayette and my beautiful wife Julie works with me. I’m a member of the three different GYA clubs and one club in San Diego. I am a two term Past Commodore of Pontchartrain Yacht Club. I grew up sailing out of Pensacola Yacht Club, where my dad, Bill Bolyard, is a Past Commodore.

I’m a believer in giving back to the sport, whether it’s coaching, race committee, board member, regatta sponsor, ticket seller, etc. There are so many ways to give back. That’s what brought me to the GYA Executive Committee. When Jim O’Neal called me on a Sunday night back in 2007 and asked me on behalf of the GYA nominating committee to be on the board for 2008 I was thrilled. What an honor. I want to take this opportunity to thank the people who came before me on the GYA board for all the help and guidance they have given me and believing in me to allow me this opportunity.

I’ll be at as many regattas as I can possibly attend this year. As you know the GYA calendar is packed this year and I, along with you guys, will have to make choices when it comes to attending multi scheduled regatta weekends. Most of the regattas I’ll be attending I will be sailing in. Feel free to come up and talk to me whenever you see me. For that matter, whenever you see any of the GYA Executive Committee Members (Vice Commodore John Matthews, Rear Commodore Pete O’Neil, Past Commodore Judy Reeves and Secretary-Treasurer Jane Eshleman) or any of the GYA Standing Committee members (too many to list but can be found in the GYA Directory) feel free to give us feedback- good and bad. The GYA wouldn’t be where we are without the help and participation of fellow sailors. It’s all about giving back.

Check the Official GYA Schedule on www.gya.org for the list of this year’s scheduled regattas. The next two months are especially busy with Mardi Gras Regatta at NOYC, US Sailing Sea at Safety Seminar at P’cola YC, J-22 Mid-Winters at SYC, Hobie 33 Nationals at PontYC, Flying Scot Mid-Winter Warm up at NOYC and Flying Scot Mid-Winters at SYC. Remember to join the Flying Scot Sailing Association if you plan on sailing the Mid-Winters. Also as a reminder, please get your NOR’s out in a timely fashion and if you send Cathy Cromartie, cmcromartie@bellsouth.net, a copy of your club’s NOR Cathy will get it or a link on the www.gya.org site.

This is going to be a great year.

David Bolyard