Annual Shake 'N Break Kicks Off
Lake Murray's Boating Season

The boating season got underway for members of America's Boating Club of Lake Murray with our annual Shake 'N Break at Flotilla Island on 6 April 2019. What a glorious day to celebrate being on the water.

It not only was the season's first cruise, but we started the day with a Nautical Trunk Sale as members brought everything from batteries to "bumpers" to a ship's wheel clock. Our own version of a garage sale flowed right into an educational opportunity with P/C Tony Dodson presenting a Trailer Bearing Demonstration. Here members learned how to maintain and repack trailer bearings.

One of the highlights of the day was the Member Appreciation lunch featuring burgers and hot dogs. But before we got to the good eats, Cdr Fred Ruinen held a brief meeting at which he announced several awards, taking the opportunity to present P/C Mike Kirk with his Life Membership Award. Then, following the announcement that Lake Murray had won the 2018 District 26 Membership Growth Award for Division 1, Cdr Fred swore in Lake Murray's newest members.

Following lunch everyone gathered for the Blessing of the Fleet, performed by Lake Murray's Chaplain Mike Charles (a Methodist minister and retired military chaplain), with the assistance of LMPS member Tommy Clawson and Layne Waters, a Sub-Deacon at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd. It was a lengthy ceremony as the 77 members in attendance brought out 19 boats for our day on the lake that included Vessel Safety  Checks. After receiving their blessing, the fleet cruised around the lake, with a small contingency finding a quiet cove for the year's first raft up. Dark drove us back to our home on the lake with excited expectations for our next water adventure.

Click on the first thumbnail below, to open a slide show to see what a great time was had by all ─ those traveling by dinghy, pontoon, center console, cruiser or sailboat, even those who came by car and had to catch a boat ride with a friend.