Saratoga News Saratogan named boater of year By Shari Kaplan A. Currie Munce, a longtime Saratogan, just added another feather to his skipper's cap. During the U.S. Power Squadrons District 25 Fall Conference on Oct. 24 in Novato, a representative of the California Department of Boating and Waterways gave Munce an award recognizing him as Boater of the Year for 1998. A member of the Santa Clara County branch of the U.S. Power Squadrons for the past 38 years, Munce has held positions at squadron, district and national levels and has been active in the organization's educational efforts as an instructor and course developer. He also participates in on-the-water programs. Most recently, Munce helped develop an Advanced Piloting course and a new Boat Smart course. The USPS, founded in 1914, is a nonprofit, national organization dedicated to safe boating through education. The California Department of Boating and Waterways established its Boater of the Year program in 1980 to recognize volunteer organizations, such as the USPS, which teach and promote safety. The USPS offers classes for the public as well as for members. Among its goals, Munce says, is to teach boating rules, regulations and safety; boat handling; how to use navigation aids and charts; and how to use and maintain life jackets and preservers. "Currie has played a major role encouraging, teaching and mentoring others to pursue boating education," says his wife, Caroline. "He always has time to talk about the merits of being an educated and safe boater." For most of the years of his USPS membership, Munce has been an avid boater. For the past five years, his 36-foot sailboat Fumé Blanc has marked the starting point for Opening Day on San Francisco Bay. The event, a 100-year-old tradition on the last Sunday in April, is run by the Pacific Interclub Yacht Association. As various watercraft sail, paddle or motor in a parade of sorts from Chrissy Field to Pier 39, members of the clergy on Coast Guard or Navy ships bless the vessels for a productive year. [ Back to Contents Page | Saratoga News Home Page | Archives ] This article appeared in the Saratoga News, November 18, 1998. ©1998 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.