As of mid-June, Vandermeer was investigating the possibility that the club might use Lake Arcadia in Belchertown. Senior Jeffrey Earl, who along with junior Heather Boussey started the club, says coming to landlocked Amherst from the North Shore was a major adjustment. Using boats borrowed from their competitors, they've raced for two years in regional regattas against well established clubs as Tufts and BU and MIT and the University of Rhode Island. In May of 1996 they managed to place second in a seven-school event at the University of New Hampshire. One distinction they believe makes them pretty unique is having mostly women as officers.
Sailing has traditionally been a male-dominated sport, they all say.
Senior Suzanne Barry, who hails from Freeport, LI, will take over as president next year. Kelcey Montage, who'll be a sophomore, is stepping into those shoes. She's Drowne's chief advocate, and one of her star pupils. Bombard is one of the few club regulars who did not start sailing as a child. Drowne taught her.