In mid-1975, Paul Larmon, inspired and encouraged by "Doc" Phil Nippert (owner of Dixie Sailing Ships, the Atlanta Venture sailboat dealership), mailed a flyer to Venture owners proposing formation of the "Venture Sailing Club". Paul Larmon set the initial philosophy of the club in membership literature and the initial newsletters with the following statement."The purpose of this organization is to have more fun with our boats by developing interesting activities in which everyone can participate."

Specifically, this meant a family-oriented club that had a wide variety of boating activities in addition to racing. Activities included frequent picnics, saltwater cruises, group purchasing discounts, a "trailer pool" for sharing trailers, information about modifying and improving Venture sailboats, children's activities, and sailing classes on various topics.

As for racing, the first issue of the club newsletter, Joint Venture in January 1976 stated: "far to often racing turns into bloody competition and ends up with those more experienced (or who are willing to spend a lot on fancy equipment) winning all the time. Therefore, the club racing began with spinnakers prohibited, no formal protest committee and an attempt to have the finish coordinated with some other social function of the club, such as a picnic. Rather than ribbons for winners, small boating items were awarded as prizes. Club membership was restricted to Venture owners. The primary reason stated for this was so that racing could be done without handicapping. The first few races saw Venture 21s, 22s, 23s, 24s and 25s all running together without handicaps. Of course it became apparent very quickly that this wouldn't work, so a rather arbitrary handicap system, modified from time to time for each skipper's racing results, was instituted. Rather than all boats starting at the same time, a pursuit start was used. With the pursuit start, each boat's handicap was reflected in its start time so that whoever crossed the finish line first was the winner, without the need for the race committee to make calculations.

During mid-1976, the Venture owners only rule was re-evaluated. The first Commodore, Paul Larmon, remembers, "we wanted an organization, which had the basic theme of SAILING at its center - . . so it really didn't matter what kind of boat you had." The restriction was lifted and membership opened to anyone with an interest in sailing, including persons with no boat at all.

Obviously, the name Venture sailing Club, was no longer appropriate and the name Southern Sailing Club officially was adopted on September 30, 1976. The 1977 roster listed a membership of 118 from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

Wayland Moore, internationally famous sports artist, designed our SSC logo and burgee. Today, the principles of the club remain unchanged. Membership now stands at over 100 - - though all are from within a 100 mile radius of Atlanta. Club dues have grow from the initial $10.00 per year to a modest $50.00 per year (the lowest on Lake Lanier).

Our yearly social activities begin with our-black-tie-optional Commodore's Ball followed later in the year by the chili cook-off, beach parties, a club auction, moonlight cruises, the lobster bake. Since the club owns no real estate or clubhouse, we hold club meetings at various restaurants in the area.

Our racing program has matured and we have some of the finest racing skippers on the lake. US Sailing standard Performance Handicap Racing Fleet (PHRF) is now used as a baseline handicap for our racers but we allow an extra handicap for inexperienced skippers. The same pursuit start we used in the beginning is still used. The pursuit start also has the added benefits of exciting finishes and of tending to get all participants to the after-race raft-up at nearly the same time for club-furnished libations. We still do not have a protest committee. Our racers are encouraged to work out their differences in a sportsmanlike manner. This has worked very well for over 30 years.

SSC initially raced only non-spinnaker boats. As more SSC skippers participated in other club's open events where spinnakers were used the need within the club for a spinnaker boats was recognized. At that time two racing fleets were established; the Racer-Cruiser Fleet for non-spinnaker boats and the High-Performance Fleet for spinnaker boats. This, of course, dictated the need for another set of trophies for each of the "series" races and the other single regattas. The original trophies are awarded to the Racer-Cruiser Fleet and a new set of trophies was established for the High-Performance Fleet.

NIPPERT SERIES

The Nippert Series is named for Dr. Phil Nippert who was the inspiration for the Southern Sailing Club. This six-race series is sailed in Atlanta's beautiful spring months when the winds are warm and breezy. The Nippert Trophy was SSC's first perpetual trophy and its first recipient in 1977 was Dwight Totten, SSC's first Vice Commodore. Dr. Nippert donated the attractive bronze sailboat mounted on a wood base.

FROSTBITE SERIES

Club members decided in 1978 that they wanted another opportunity to enjoy the winds of Lake Lanier so they added the Frostbite Series to their agenda. This series is sailed in the fall, a glorious time of the year with the fall colors contrasting with the blue waters of Lake Lanier. Joe Stevens of Boats for Sail donated initial perpetual trophy. It has been "retired" because of damage and replaced with another beautiful trophy.

ICEBREAKER SERIES

The Icebreaker Series, originated in 1979, is sailed during the winter months. SSC sailors generally face their stiffest challenges at this of the year with the onset of heavy winds and brisk temperature. But the inconveniences of weather are rewarded in the freedom of being able to sail around the lake without the usual armada of motor boats and jetskis. A bronze winch mounted on a walnut based carved to' represent the coaming on a sailboat commemorates this series. Tom Lathrop used his woodworking skills to carve the base. Bill NcNew of Outside America donated this exceptional trophy.

SOLO SERIES

One of each of the four-race Solo Series is sailed in each quarter of the year to provide the solo skippers with a complete variety of wind and weather conditions. The Solo Series was instituted by then Racing Commodore Mo Metcalf in 1999.

LORMAND CUP

The Lormand Cup Singlehander Regatta is named in honor of Ed Lormand, who sailed his Yankee 28 single-handed from Fernandina Beach, Florida to England in 1977. The first regatta held on November 21, 1982, and open to all sailors, had 30 boats participating. This popular race continues to draw large numbers. Another first for SSC is the fact that this was the first time the club opened a race to outside participants.

The Lormand Cup itself is a beautiful silver bucket mounted on an apple wood base carved in the shape of a breaking ocean wave. Tom Lathrop, the Regatta's first chairman, created this trophy for the club. Ed Lormand declared that the bucket was an appropriate trophy for this event as it was the singlehander's best friend, serving many crucial and supportive needs!

FIREFLY RACE

The Firefly Race is SSC's only scheduled nighttime race. The race is usually a long-distance race that starts in the early evening and (for some skippers) doesn't finish until the wee hours of the morning.

COUPLES RACE

The Couples Race is open to one man and one woman; either can be skipper. It usually is sailed in late spring or early fall when the winds are most agreeable and the temperature is just right.

RAFT-UP REGATTA

The Raft-Up Regatta initially was established as a two-day race; one race on Saturday and one race on Sunday. It initially was scheduled for the Labor Day weekend but because of the many-fold increase in powerboat activity over the Labor Day weekend it is sometime scheduled a week or two before or after Labor Day. After the first day's race, the racers raft up together in a protected area and party.

HOLIDAY REGATTA

The Holiday Regatta was instituted to fill the gap between the end of the Frostbite Series and the start of the Icebreaker Series. It is open to all sailors and usually is scheduled within a week of year's end.

HANG THOUGH AWARD

The Hang Tough Award is presented each year to that skipper who, while not finishing in the top of the fleet, keeps coming back again and again and showing improvement.

SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR TROPHY

The Sportsman of the Year Trophy is awarded to that skipper who exhibits the most outstanding sportsmanship both on and off the racecourse.

BELDEN CUP

The Belden Cup is SSC's premier trophy. It was established in 1981 in honor of Ed Belden. Ed joined SSC in 1977, shortly after learning that he had cancer. To many he symbolized what SSC is all about--he loved sailing his boat and he loved the club. Ed always had a smile and was always there willing to help, even though he was sick a lot of the time. When he received the Cup at the 1982 Commodore's Ball, he said, "I have more fun than any of you!" And he did. Ed Belden died March 10, 1982. The Belden Cup is annually awarded to that adult member of the Club who, in the opinion of a secret selection committee, has exhibited outstanding qualities of seamanship, sportsmanship, service, and dedication to the ideals of the Southern Sailing Club. The Cup is a beautiful silver-plated champagne cooler donated by Bill Skillas and his company, Webb-Skillas & Associates. In addition to enjoying the trophy for a year, the recipient is given a permanent award.