Seamanship and Sportsmanship Awards
1) Michael Baran Memorial Seamanship Award (1987)
The Seamanship Award was renamed in 1987 in memory of Michael Baran, who devoted himself to improving the education and seamanship program of the Sea Shells. It is awarded annually to the winner of a special event called the Seamanship Contest, designed as a continuing education and training program of the Association. This contest includes rigging, knot tying, actual sailing skills and a written test on sailing rules and parts of the boat. The skipper, regardless of class, with the highest total points is the winner. This year trophies are being awarded to the top winner in each class.
2) Crawford Jr. Sportsmanship Trophy
This trophy was presented to the Santa Barbara Yacht Club by Tom and Betty Crawford. Several years prior they had presented a Sportsmanship Trophy to the Yacht Club and believed that a similar trophy should be provided for junior sailors. The Yacht Club immediately earmarked the trophy to be awarded to Sea Shell skippers, acknowledging an act of genuine sportsmanship. This trophy can be awarded any time, not necessarily annually.
Most Improved and Most Promising
3) Warner Downs Trophy (1998)
This trophy was presented to the Association in 1998 by the Warner Downs family. It is to be awarded annually to the Class “C” Sea Shell or Sabot girl skipper who, although not winning another series or regatta perpetual trophy has been an active and enthusiastic participant, demonstrated good sportsmanship and persevered through on or off the water challenges.
4) Mayor’s Proclamation Trophy (1998)
This proclamation was presented by the Mayor of Santa Barbara in 1998 in recognition of the 50th Anniversary of the Santa Barbara Sea Shell Association. The trophy is to be awarded annually to the Class “C” Sea Shell or Sabot boy skipper who, although not winning another series or regatta perpetual trophy has been an active and enthusiastic participant, demonstrated good sportsmanship and persevered through on or off the water challenges.
5) The Howe-Davies Trophy (1974/2010)
In October, 1974 the Howe Trophy was presented to the Association by Don and Reta Howe. The Howe trophy is to be awarded annually to the most improved first year “C” class girl skipper who has not won another series or regatta perpetual trophy.
Unfortunately the original trophy, a painting of Sea Shell beach, was misplaced. In 2010 the Davies family re-commissioned a new portrait from Karyn Walsh and donated it to the club. The new portrait is watercolor rendering of Sabots racing at Sea Shell Beach.
6) The Jones Trophy (1980)
This trophy was donated to Association in 1980 by the Bill and Beth Jones family. It is to be awarded annual to the most improved “C” class Boy Skipper who has not won another series or regatta perpetual trophy. He must have sailed in the minimum of 30 races, excluding the Warm-up Series and the Champions Cup Series.
7) Mrs. Henry Sherman Boutell Trophy (1954)
This trophy was presented to the Association in 1954 by Mrs. Boutell. During her lifetime she had been interested in yachting and the young people who participated in the sport. Mrs. Boutell was greatly pleased when it was decided by the Association that the trophy would be awarded annually to a girl skipper who would be determined to be the Most Improved Girl Skipper, who has not received another series or regatta perpetual trophy.
8) Founder’s Trophy (1970)
This trophy was presented to the Association in 1970 by Mr. J. R. Kieding. It is awarded annually to a boy skipper who would be determined to be the Most Improved Boy Skipper, regardless of class, who has not won another series or regatta perpetual trophy. This trophy can only be won once.
9) Skipper Award (1985)
This award was donated to the Association in 1985 by Vince, Judy, Andy and Mike Mrstik just after they left Santa Barbara to live in the South Pacific. This trophy is to be awarded to the promising skipper, regardless of class, who, although not winning another series or regatta perpetual trophy, had distinguished himself or herself by consistently demonstrating enthusiasm, good sportsmanship and superior sailing skills in the true Sea Shell tradition.
Racing Achievement Awards
10) Catalina Sabot Trophy (1991)
This trophy was presented by the Catalina Yacht Company to the Association in 1991, the first year U.S. Sabots were included in SBSSA. It is awarded annually to the season overall winner in the Sabot fleet in any class who has not won another series or regatta perpetual trophy. The award is based on the least number of points using the reverse scoring system regardless of class in certain designated series races. The series of races so designated are: Memorial Day, 1st Summer, 2nd Summer and Labor Day. The series consist of thirty races, of which scoring allows for the worst eight throw-outs.
11) Commodore’s Trophy (1971)
This trophy was presented to the Association in 1971 by Mel and Betty Gilmour to encourage more girls to race with the Sea Shell Fleet and also to recognize the 20th year of Sea Shells in Santa Barbara. It is awarded annually to the Top Girl Skipper regardless of class not winning another series or regatta perpetual trophy.
12) Simon Family Trophy (2000)
The Simon Family Trophy was presented to the Santa Barbara Sea Shell Association in 2000 by Colleen, Bob, Jeff and Katie Simon. This trophy recognizes the top boy skipper for his perseverance and achievements in the fine art of sailing. The trophy is awarded annually to the top boy skipper, regardless of class, attaining the least number of points using the reverse scoring system in certain designated series races. The series races so designated are: Memorial Day, 1st Summer Series, 2nd Summer Series, and Labor Day. The series designated consist of thirty races, of which scoring allows for the worst seven throw-outs.
13) Special Event Award (1973)
In 1973 the Special Events Award was presented to the Association by Gordon and Dorothy Gay. Eligibility for this trophy is open to all current Sea Shell skippers regardless of class. To qualify for this trophy the winning skipper must meet the following requirements:
- Sail in a minimum of twelve races from the following events: Semana Nautica, Mission Bay, Lake Lopez or any other out of town racing series established by the SBSSA Board.
- Scoring for the winner should be done by using the point system presently used by the Association. Out of a possible twenty-one races, only the best twelve shall count with the other races being eliminated.
- Has not received another series or regatta perpetual trophy.
14) Sea Shell Racer’s Award (1985)
This scale model Sea Shell was donated to the Association in 1985 by Mrs. Margaret Shanholzer in memory of her husband, Robert, an Association Honorary Member. In 1986 the SBSSA Board of Directors turned the model into the Sea Shell Racer’s Award, to be awarded annually to the skipper who races the most races over the entire season, from Memorial Day through the Dog Watch Series, without winning another racing perpetual trophy.
15) Kaska Millenium Voyager Award (2000)
Presented by the Kaska family in 2000, this award is given in the Corinthian spirit of sailing to the Class A Sabot Skipper not winning another series or regatta perpetual trophy who has sailed the most SBSSA races during the entire season from Warm-ups through the Dog Watch Series, with a minimum of 30 races. If there is not a qualifying “A” skipper then the award will go next to a qualifying “B” skipper, and if none qualify then to a qualifying “C” skipper.
16) Sailor’s Cup (2001)
Created in 2001, the Sailor’s Cup recognizes the participation of every sailor and the contribution each family has made to the benefit of all, win or lose, novice, C, B, A or Feva.
Series and Regatta Awards
17) Ray Kieding Memorial Trophy (1996)
This trophy was presented to the Association in 1996 by the Chandlery in memory of Ray Kieding, one of the founders of the club. It is to be awarded annually to the skipper who actively participates in the instruction series for new skippers and scores the least number of points during the Warm-Up Series.
18) Gary Matthew Memorial Trophy (1968)
The Gary Matthew Memorial Trophy was presented to the Association in 1968 by Friends of Gary Matthew, a former Sea Shell Skipper. It is awarded annually to the skipper who scores the least number of points, regardless of class, during the Memorial Day Series.
19) Zimmerman Fourth of July Trophy (1980)
Presented by the James Zimmerman family to the Association in 1980, the trophy is awarded for the Semana Nautica Regatta to the Sabot skipper, regardless of class, obtaining the least number of points using the scoring system of the Association. In the case of a tie, award goes to A, then B, then C class skipper.
20) Walorinta Mission Bay (1980)
This trophy was presented by the Roger Walorinta family to the Association in 1980. It is to be awarded to the winner, regardless of class, of the Mission Bay Series using the scoring system of the Association.
21) Lake Lopez Regatta Trophy (1976)
In 1976 the Lake Lopez Regatta Trophy was presented to the Association by the James V. Schneider family. This trophy is awarded to the winner of the Lake Lopez Regatta, regardless of class, using the scoring system presently used by the Association.
21A) Mirbod Labor Day Trophy (2017)
This trophy was presented to the Association in 2017 by the Mirbod family. It is awarded to the top Class A, Class B and Class C skippers attaining the least number of points during the Labor Day Series. It is provisionally assigned to this event and may be reassigned.
22) Alexander Dog Watch Series Trophy (1958)
This trophy was presented to the Association in 1958 by Beverly and Roz Alexander. Awarded for each fleet in the last series of the season it was appropriately called the “Dog Watch Series”. Depending on the weather, the series may consist of anywhere between two and not more than eight races, with a maximum of two races on any Sunday. The event is scored on a low point scoring system with no throw-outs. In 2014, the RS Feva fleet was added to the Trophy recognition.
Dog watch, in naval terminology this is the twilight watch period between 4pm and 8pm for ship activities.
23) Helmet Dash Trophy (1955)
The Helmet Dash Trophy was presented to the Association by Hamilton P. Greenough, who was Commodore of the Association in 1955. The trophy is a German Army Helmet of World War I vintage. In recent years it has been awarded to the winner of a novelty race as part of the Dinghy Jamboree. A skipper of any class is eligible to win this trophy. Doing so does not affect the skipper’s eligibility to win another perpetual trophy.
Fleet Awards
25) Rosario Curletti Trophy(1952)
This trophy was presented to the Association in 1952 by Rosario Curletti, a well-known artist and long time local resident. It is awarded annually to the top Class “C” skipper attaining the least number of points using the reverse scoring system in certain designated races. The series of races so designated are: Memorial Day, 1st Summer, 2nd Summer and Labor Day. The series consist of thirty races, of which scoring allows for the worst eight throw-outs.
26) R. B. Forbes Trophy (1951)
This trophy was presented to the Association in 1951 by Mrs. M. Russell Perkins in memory of her grandfather, Captain R. B. Forbes, who was the skipper of one of the historically famous China Clippers. The trophy is awarded annually to the top Class “B” skipper with the fewest points using the reverse scoring system in certain designated races. The series of races so designated are: Memorial Day, 1st Summer, 2nd Summer and Labor Day. The series consist of thirty races, of which scoring allows for the worst eight throw-outs.
27) Sea Shell Trophy (1950)
This trophy, the first of the Association, was presented by the members themselves in 1950 and awarded to the season overall winner. As the number of boats increased, skippers were divided into Class “A”, Class “B”, and Class “C” and the Sea Shell Trophy was designated to be awarded to the top Class “A” skipper with the fewest points using the reverse scoring system in certain designated races. The series of races so designated are: Memorial Day, 1st Summer, 2nd Summer and Labor Day. The series consist of thirty races, of which scoring allows for the worst eight throw-outs.
27A) Joy of Sailing Award (2015)
This trophy was presented to the Association in 2015 by the Hirsch Family, to commemorate the enrichment and delight of SBSSA. It celebrates a life-long love of the sea, as exemplified by the joyful dolphin leaping in front of the SBSSA logo. The trophy is awarded to the season overall winner in the 2-person sailing class (RS FEVA).
Champions Cup Awards
29) Rowland Family Champion’s Cup (1993)
This trophy was presented to the Association in 1993 by the Rowland Family. The trophy is awarded annually to the skipper in the Sabot Fleet attaining the least number of points, using the reverse scoring system in a special series with no throw-outs. This series is scheduled as one race on each of the four regular racing days following the Labor Day Series, but exclusive of any schedules out-of-town event. In order to compete for the Champion’s Cup a skipper must have:
- Placed within the first five places in his or her class in any of the following series: Memorial Day, 1st Summer, 2nd Summer or Labor Day.
- Sailed in a minimum of twelve of the thirty regularly scheduled races in any of the series mentioned above.
- Participated in the instructional series and
- Completed the seamanship tests
29A) Cadet Cup (2013)
The Cadet Cup races take place at the same time as the Champ Cup races, and are scored in the same manner. This trophy was presented to the Association in 2013 by Catherine Gloster (Commodore 2014).
The races take place within the harbor and all skippers are eligible to take part.
Adult Racing Awards
29B) Declan Gloster Memorial Mother’s Day Trophy (2013)
The Mothers’ Day race has been a long tradition of SBBSA. This trophy was originally presented to the Association in 2013 by the Gloster family. The trophy was rededicated in 2016 as the “Declan Gloster Memorial Mother’s Day Trophy” in tribute to Declan (2003-2015) who loved sailing his US Sabot #8432 and the RS Feva with SBSSA every Sea Shell Sunday from 2009 to 2015. Declan Abú.
The winner need not be a SBSSA mother, but must be an adult female who fully participates in SBSSA activities.
29C) Declan Gloster Memorial Father’s Day Trophy (2013)
As with the Mothers’ Day race, the Fathers’ Day race has been a long tradition of SBBSA. This trophy was originally presented to the Association in 2013 by Paul Gloster (Commodore 2013). The trophy was rededicated in 2016 as the “Declan Gloster Memorial Mother’s Day Trophy” in tribute to Declan (2003-2015) who loved sailing his US Sabot #8432 and the RS Feva with SBSSA every Sea Shell Sunday from 2009 to 2015. Declan Abú.
The winner need not be a SBSSA father, but must be an adult male who fully participates in SBSSA activities.
30) Sailing Mother’s Perpetual Trophy (1968)
This trophy was presented to the Association in 1968 by Charles A. Eldridge and is awarded annually to the mother of a SBSSA skipper who has actively sailed during the racing season. The winner of the Sailing Mother’s Trophy is determined among those mothers attaining the least number of points using the reverse scoring system in a total of thirteen designated races with the three worst throw-outs.
31) Sea Shell Father’s Champion Trophy (1969)
This trophy was donated to the Association in 1969 by the Santa Barbara Sailing club and is awarded annually to the father of a Sea Shell skipper who has actively sailed during the racing season. The winner of this trophy is determined among those fathers attaining the least number of points using the reverse scoring system in a total of thirteen races with the three worst throw-outs.
32) All Women’s Bell Trophy (1971)
The All Women’s Bell Trophy was presented to the Association in 1971 by Mel and Betty Gilmour. This trophy is awarded on the beach to the winner of a special women’s race, held most recently during the Labor Day Series. The winner need not be a mother but must be at least sixteen years old and a current Association member.
33) All Men’s Lemp Cup (1996)
The All Men’s Lemp Cup was inaugurated in 1996 in recognition of the contribution that the Lemp family had made to the Sea Shell Association over the previous nine years. The trophy is to be awarded for one men’s race held during the Labor Day Series. The winner need not necessarily be a father of a Sea Shell skipper but must be older than sixteen years and a current member of Sea Shells.
Sea Shell Fun Awards
34) Anchor Dragger Award (2006)
The original Anchor Dragger trophy was retired, perhaps because it was lost. In 2006, a new trophy was built and re-instated. As a participation trophy, it is awarded to the parent with the highest score (in a low-point scoring system) in 13 races, with a minimum of 9 races. This trophy is awarded to recognize a high level of participation in adult races.
35) Eloise Lannan Dunker’s Award (1956)
This award was started in 1956 by Mrs. Eloise Lannan. She felt it would be most appropriate to reward those skippers who gallantly sailed their boats around the harbor only to find themselves capsized somewhere along the way. Originally, towels were hand embroidered by Mrs. Lannan with the name of the skipper. She continued doing them for several years. Several other innovations were used until 1969 when Mrs. Betty Eldridge designed the stencil depicting the capsizing boat. It has become the custom to award stenciled towels or t-shirts to those skippers and adults who have capsized their yacht during the course of a regularly scheduled race.
36) Soggy Sea Shell (1980)
This award was presented to the Association in 1980 by longtime Sea Shell parents Lou and Dolores Watts. It is to be given annually to the skipper, boy or girl, who is determined to be the wettest, but not necessarily by capsizing. All current Sea Shell skippers, regardless of class, are eligible.
37) Golden Goose (1973)
This award was donated by Gordon Gay. It recognizes one of the Sea Shell adults for his or her contribution to entertaining us during the year. It is awarded to the individual who has committed, or otherwise been involved with, the most laughable or embarrassing act of the year.
38) Golden Prop Award (1996)
In 1996 the Board of Directors determined that the operation (or transportation) of the Safety Boat constituted a number of Golden Goose nominations. It was decided that a separate award be given for these specific Safety Boat laughable (or embarrassing) incidents.
Service Awards**
39) J. E. “Ed” Lannan Perpetual Trophy (1964)
This trophy was awarded for the first time in December, 1964 by the Association to Ed Lannan for his interest in, and assistance to, the many young skippers who have progressed through the Association in their enjoyment of sailing. The basis for this trophy and the manner in which it is to be awarded are as follows:
- The trophy is to be presented to a member of the Association who has performed outstanding service far beyond that expected of the individual as a member or officer of the Association.
- Any member of the Association may suggest a candidate for the Lannan Trophy to the Association officers for their consideration.
- The Association has subsequently adopted the policy that the winner of the trophy is made an Honorary Life Member of the Sea Shells.
40) Sea Shell Family Trophy (1982)
This trophy was presented to the Association by the Tim Sullivan family in 1982. The Sea Shell Family Trophy is awarded to the family who, in addition to full family participation in sailing, has provided strong interest, enthusiasm, and support to the Sea Shell Association and its activities.
41) Kieding Award (1985)
In 1985 Mrs. Margaret Shanholzer donated this scale model Sea Shell to the Association in memory of her husband, and Honorary Member, Robert. The Board of Directors named this the Kieding Award in 1986 in recognition of the role that the Kieding family has played in Sea Shell history. This trophy is awarded annually to a person or organization, not necessarily a member of Sea Shells, who has performed outstanding service to the organization.