Posted November 15, 2017

 

The beauty of sailing is it uses all types of textile products, and weaving machine manufacturer Picanol of America made sure that was highlighted during the recent Regattas on Lake Hartwell event in South Carolina.

 

The Greenville, S.C.-based company, the U.S. arm of Belgium-based Picanol Group, sponsored the event and had a boat compete in the distance race.

 

Every year since 2000, the Western Carolina Sailing Club (WCSC) of Anderson, S.C., organizes the weekend event with the aim of raising money for Hospice of the Upstate. This event is part of the National Hospice Regatta Alliance (NHRA), an organization that puts together similar events throughout the USA and Canada. Since 1982, NHRA has raised more than $27 million to help 24 local hospices.

 

Many of the products used in sailing are produced in the USA, including sail cloth, of course, but also sail covers, upholstery, cordages, as well as technical fabrics to make the clothing, and many other applications such as the hull itself.

 

Crewed by Cyril Guerin, president of Picanol of America, and his family, the boat finished fifth in its fleet, but as Guerin said after the race, “We are cruisers, not racers, and this was a super exciting weekend despite the light wind conditions. If anything, it allowed us to take out our big sails made of some very light fabrics. Our Spinnaker fabric weighs only 0.5 ounces – quite amazing when you consider that our main sail is made of Dacron and weighs 6.4 ounces.”

 

The fundraiser presented the opportunity to rally friends behind a good cause, he said. Together, Picanol employees raised $2,405 in the campaign that raised a total of $26,655. “Let’s Grow Together” is not only Picanol’s commercial motto since ITMA 2015, it is also a way to be a good corporate citizen, Guerin said.

 

Picanol has been serving the USA for more than 50 years, and Picanol of America was first incorporated in Greenville in 1971.

 

“We are not just a foreign company doing business here – we are part of the community and we want our employees and their families to grow, we want our customer to grow, we want our business partners to grow,” Guerin said. “Together, we can be an active member of South Carolina life.”

 

After two days of tough competition, the 350 people who attended the event and sailed the 95 sailboats registered (some of which came as far as Connecticut), raised a grand total of $80,600 to benefit the Hospice of the Upstate.

 

“Co-chairmen Ronnie Ashmore and John Kreidler had set the objective at $75,000, so to surpass that level was just a very emotional moment for all of us,” Guerin said. “We all know someone who was cared for by Hospice of the Upstate and knowing that we are helping them continue their mission is just enough to put a big smile on everybody’s face!”

 

During the weekend, a club member smoked 277 pounds of pork one day and 300 pieces of chicken the next day.

 

“Children played on the playground, volunteers got busy in the kitchen, while the silent auction attracted people with amazing items,” Guerin said. “It was all about being together, as a community, helping each other and watching wonderful pieces of made-in-America textiles chase each other on the beautiful waters of Lake Hartwell.” 

 

In 2018, WCSC will host the Hospice Regatta next year on October 13 and 14 on Lake Hartwell.

 

Source: Picanol of America