In my new role as Past Commodore, I have the pleasure of organizing and presenting awards to our deserving members. This is a task that I have very much enjoyed. I learned more about the Bluewater Cruising Association’s history through familiarizing myself with the past recipients and some of our new awardees. However, most importantly, I was filled with a greater motivation to get offshore with Trina and our Salt.
I would like to stress how important it is to ensure that the accomplishments of our members are recognized. Public recognition is not just a tool for honouring those who are Doners and in many cases Doers. It is a motivator for Dreamers. It stops time for a moment and highlights what we can do. It emphasizes that our dreams are within reach, and that there are many fellow members to draw support from.
Cruising Awards
In 2025 we saw a few boats carry their captains and crew to the realization of their dreams. It was exciting to present BCA members with the following cruising awards:
Offshore Crew Award – Michael Terides
Offshore crew award: Micheal Terides
For members who complete an offshore passage outside Canadian territorial waters while actively engaged in the ongoing operation of the vessel as unpaid crew, where the shortest straight-line charted distance between the starting and ending port is a minimum of 999 nautical miles without putting into port prior to completion of the 999 miles.
Michael’s voyage commenced on August 18th and concluded on August 30th, approximately 2,700 nautical miles from Honolulu to Victoria aboard Mach II, an Andrews 77 that had participated in the TransPac from LA to Honolulu.
(Owner’s) Offshore Award
Offshore award recipients 2025: Heather & Alex Kao, Rob & Sharlene Cormack, Tara Donley & Owen Popplestone.
For members who complete an offshore passage outside Canadian territorial waters on their own non-commercial vessel, where the shortest straight-line charted distance between the starting and ending port is a minimum of 999 nautical miles without putting into port prior to completion of the 999 miles. The member will also be recognized with a Bluewater membership status and receive a Doner badge.
To find out more about these members’ cruising achievements, check out their blogs: Cambria, Inscrutable, and Solstice Tide.
Peterson Cup Award – Shannon and Doran Jones
Shannon & Doran Jones
Peterson Cup Award honours former Commodore Lex Peterson, once a worthy competitor, awarded to the winner of BCA’s annual Peterson Cup Cruising Rally. A list of award recipients can be found here.
Shannon and Doran were awarded the Peterson Cup over this past summer in recognition of their solid participation in all events throughout the rally. The couple were up to all challenges presented and consistently demonstrated the true spirit of the Peterson Cup in supporting other participants through struggles and equipment failures.
Hill-Padwick Award (aka Bent Mast) – John Green
John & Marg Green
Hill-Padwick Award is awarded by popular vote during Awards Night, as determined by the most raucous applause from the raconteur’s nomination. A list of award recipients can be found here.
Here is John’s story:
The next nice trip going south was around Brooks Peninsula. We started again in light air with Weather Canada talking about increased wind in the early afternoon south of the Peninsula. It was lovely. Screecher and main in a straight line again to the top of Brooks. I assumed south of Brooks Peninsula meant maybe 20 or 30 miles south. We weren’t 100 meters past the turn when the wind picked up. Marg rolled in the screecher planning to go to jib, but before we could the wind picked up to 20, then 30. Then a bit more. We had no chance to douse the main so were caught going almost dead downwind with a full main. This is definitely not a good thing to do in a multihull. It is an overpowered main that can trip you. There was so much weather helm (pressure on the tiller to keep the boat from rounding up) that I was worried it would break. But the guy who built it did a good job, and it held up (PS: I built it!). The problem was that without turning right we would hit land in a couple of miles. We had no option but to gybe. I told Marg to hang on, as this could be messy. When I headed more downwind, and the boom came across, there was an almighty BANG! I looked up and the sail had a terrible shape to it. I asked Marg, “What the hell happened?” She had a look and said “John, you don’t have a clew.” She was right, the clew of the mainsail had exploded, and the two loose reef lines were all that was keeping it attached badly to the boom. But we missed the landfall which would have wrecked us. Once we got into the lee of the Peninsula the wind dropped and we were able to take the main down and limp into a safe anchorage.
Service Awards
Rudi Seifert, Keeper of the Light – Stephen Carlman
Nancy Carlman accepting Keeper of the Light award for Stephen
Rudi Seifert Keeper of the Light Award recognizes significant contributions to BCA that reflect and support the spirit, vision and/or values of the Association. A list of award recipients can be found here.
Stephen was recognized for his significant contributions to the Vancouver Watch and to BCA as a whole. Not only did he shine in leadership roles he was very active in support roles, providing guidance, mentorship, and many hours of hard work ensuring that BCA met our many financial and legal obligations. Stephen was awarded the Keeper of the Light posthumously, with his wife Nancy Carlman accepting on his behalf. He will be remembered.
Ted Long Award – Muriel and Heinz Cienciala
Heinz & Muriel Cienciala
Ted Long Award for outstanding personal contributions to BCA. Recipients of this award are granted Lifetime Membership in BCA. A list of award recipients can be found here.
Muriel and Heinz are long, long-time members of BCA. In fact, they are part of the original crew that created the Vancouver Island Chapter. Their efforts in those early days were monumental. As there was no established chapter or watch, they arranged speakers, venues, did the advertising that eventually led to what we now appreciate as an extremely active and valued chapter of the BCA.
Congratulations to all BCA 2025 Awards Recipients!!
It truly has been an honour to present the 2025 recipients with their awards! These sailors’ excitement shone as they spoke of their journeys, and that pride and joy shows the importance and value of following your dreams. I look forward to hearing about many more adventures. Please let your successes be known – they fuel the fire in every Dreamer’s heart, build camaraderie among Doers, and remind Doners of their own triumphs.
The BCA website contains full descriptions of the awards and their criteria. Have a browse and nominate a fellow member or yourself. There is no need to wait until our AGM and Awards Ceremony. I am happy to receive nominations at any time throughout the year. Nominations can be sent to me here.
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