September Newsletter

Sharing a beautiful sunset and accompanying moonrise with friends and family is the best time to savor the day’s highlights.

Similarly, as the last days of summer pass by, with club activities transitioning into fall, I reflect on how well the year has turned out.  I am thankful for all of the hard work early in the year by those group leaders laying the groundwork for cruises, kayaking, lessons and sailing adventures plus the monthly meetings and social events.  When you see these leaders, please let them know how much you have appreciated their efforts.  I certainly do.

In September we return to our monthly meetings held at the Progressive Club of Greenbank.  Rear Commodore Dan Mooney has pulled together another great program. Dan will be leading the September meeting while Barb and I travel to the East coast and Midwest to visit family and friends.  Barb might even get a paddle or two in while in Maine.

It has been especially gratifying to meet all of the new members who have joined the club over the last two years.  Twenty-one in 2021 plus another twenty this year.  With in-person meetings now happening along with our social events (Opening Day, Crabfest and the August Social at the Penn Cove Brewery) it feels like we are back to living the life we paused in 2020, renewing old friendships and making new ones.

As we transition into fall activities, please give some thought to how you might want to engage with the club in the coming year.  Planning for all of our spring and summer activities begins in earnest come January.  Consider stepping up to plan and lead an outing whether it’s a cruise, paddle, Windward Women meetup, lessons, racing or whatever.

Board Elections

Speaking of stepping up, Board Elections are just around the corner.  For the SWYC to remain fresh and vital, we need new faces to join the board as seasoned veterans make way for new leaders with fresh perspectives.  You do not need to be a seasoned member to serve nor have prior board experience.  Several of us joined the board within months of becoming members and just learned along the way.  Barb and I joined the SWYC after Crabfest 2019.  Barb joined the board that fall with me following shortly thereafter. So, whether you are a freshman club member or more senior, all talent is welcome,
Contact me, Commodore Pete Grimlund, commodore@swyachtclub.org, if you are interested in learning more.   If a member from our nominating committee contacts you, please listen and give it serious consideration.

Calm seas, fair winds and clear skies to you,
Pete Grimlund
Commodore
South Whidbey Yacht Club

Please welcome this month’s newest members to the yacht club.  We look forward to meeting them at our upcoming events.

Glenn Jones

I guess I feel uncomfortable being too far away from salt water, and, excepting college, have never moved from Puget Sound, to which my Swedish ancestors came (Port Townsend) in  the year of statehood. They, like most, abandoned that city for Seattle in 1900 or so, and I lived there until it ceased to exist (for me) 30-odd years ago and came to Whidbey with the “second wave”, and with 5 children, now grown.  As there was empty space on my rural property, boats began to appear and settle in, and of course housing had to be built for them.  I can’t say I love sanding, epoxy, and certainly not varnish, but when they are running and I am in them, I am happy.  I understand they also come sans motors, (sans oars I fully understand), but the bits-of-cloth variety I have yet to learn to operate, and hope you all will teach me

Marilyn Jones

I like to kayak and would love to learn pelican and other sailing. Live at Holmes Harbor. Looking forward to meeting more of the group and doing some outings with you

Robert & Brooke Lindsley

Hi there, we are Rob and Brooke Lindsley! We moved full time to Whidbey in May and have been trying to find a more regular way to get on the water and improve our boating skills with likeminded people. We are so glad to learn about the South Whidbey Yacht Club and can’t wait to be a part of this community! A bit about us: Rob is a psychologist with an international humanitarian organization and Brooke is a physical therapist in private practice who specializes in dizziness, balance, and concussion. We are avid open water swimmers and have experience on small crafts and larger cruising vessels. Our goal is to eventually grow in capability such that we will be able to charter a liveaboard and cruise Desolation Sound. We are in no rush, though, and look forward to learning and having fun on all types of boats along the way.

Seth Muir has been the Executive Director of Sail Sand Point since 2019.  Prior to serving in this role, Seth was the Executive Director of Salish Sea Expeditions which is a non-profit sailing and marine science organization based in Puget Sound.

Sail Sand Point is a non-profit located on the North Shore of Magnuson Park with the mission of bringing the joy and life-enhancing benefits of sailing and small boats to people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. Sail Sand Point achieves its mission through a wide range of youth camps, adult classes, adaptive water sports clinics, a robust community outreach program, and a fully integrated scholarship program. With 1,051 outreach participants, 458 hours of adaptive sailing, and $38,405 awarded in scholarships last year, Sail Sand Point continues its strides in making sailing and paddling accessible for all.

Seth will speak to us about the various boating programs and activities of Sail Sand Point and the work done in support of the organization’s mission which has much in common with SWYC and our YSA programs.

Zoom Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85172590208?pwd=Y52kVI0DWmqe3ymWvUsaVWW33Dc3XN.1

Meeting ID: 851 7259 0208
Passcode: 757832

In October, Daniel Evans, Harbormaster for the Northwest Maritime Center Wooden Boat Festival and Race Boss for the Race to Alaska (R2AK), will provide a recap off this year’s R2AK and the Wooden Boat Festival.  He’ll also include an update of plans for the future.

For future programs, see the event calendar on the SWYC
https://swyachtclub.org/meetings/#!event-list

The BIG fish!

Dancing to “Outta Control” playing high energy rock and pop covers. 🎶

NEEDED – Someone to handle the decorations for the ball.  It’s really as simple as some centerpieces and working with our theme title/linen colors.  And we have plenty of decorations we’ve used in prior years in our storage.  Contact Lee McGuire or bilgerat@swyachtclub.org if you can help us! Release that creative flare!

2023 Sailing Classes 

We continue to receive inquiries about youth and adult sailing classes and lessons.  The 2022 schedule was completed in July.  Watch our SWYC website for notice of 2023 classes in mid-April next year.  Both the schedule and how to register for classes will be available at that time.

https://swyachtclub.org/learn-to-sail/

A MESSAGE FROM BOB RODGERS, YSA PRESIDENT AND PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR:  

This year felt almost normal. In fact, better than normal.  Covid has had an impact on our program and we’re still feeling the effect.  Judging by our wait list of students (20), our program has the attention of a lot of area families, some of who were disappointed that we couldn’t get their kid onto the water this year.

We put 46 kids through our Youth Learn to Sail program this season.  Watching these youngsters on day one is one of my favorite times.  This is the last time the kids are quiet and pay some attention.  The looks on their faces range from fear and apprehension to confidence and eagerness to get started.  Within a couple of hours, they are in their own boat sailing, or at least trying to.  A gust of wind will come by and happen to match their sail configuration and their boat moves!  The rest of the week is guiding and letting them explore.  At the end of the week, their faces show their new confidence.  Some find a life directing activity in sailing, others find their own course.  In all cases they each have learned a little more about themselves and how to sail a small boat.

Another highlight for me is taking kids from our program who are now 14 to 18 years old and putting them into positions of leadership.  They run the teaching program.  They interact directly with the students, provide one on one coaching and do the standup teaching, drawing pictures and explaining to the students what they need to know to sail a boat using just the wind and the boat they’re in.  Youth teaching youth is often better than grandpa sharing his wisdom.

As club members and generally older community members, we know these programs don’t just happen.  The serious work to put on a production like this happens backstage months before, after and during the lessons.  The current cadre of YSA managers took on this YSA project as recently-retired 60-somethings more than a decade ago.  We’re now fast approaching our 80’s.  We all wish we were younger of course, but it’s getting close to other phases of our retirements.  There are many younger and retired, or about to be ​retired, club members, who have joined the club in the last few years.  Maybe it’s your time to enrich your retirement by actively participating in the YSA.  You too can see and enjoy  these young faces learning new life long skills and just  plain having fun on the water.  Please think about it.

Let’s not let these boats go empty next year. Please volunteer to help.

Kayaking with the SWYC

Ah, Fall is fast upon us but there is still time and good weather to kayak!

Our next paddle will be Saturday, September 17, 10:00 AM.  
Dave Davis and Barb Hardman are leading this paddle. It starts at the Sandy Hook boat launch (same as last year) and heads west (we went east last year) around Scatchet Head point continuing along the shoreline, and then turning around and returning to Sandy Hook boat launch. Trip out of 1 hour, return 1 hours (2 hours total).  There are no restrooms at the turn around, though the beach is accessible. There is a restroom at the start and stop. Start time is 10:00 AM. Bring a sack lunch, we’ll eat on our deck overlooking Cultus Bay, 8281 Sandy Hook Dr., after the paddle. Reply to Dave Davis or Barb Hardman if you’re interested in joining.

Our paddle Friday, August 5, which was to be a put in at the Langley Marina, was changed to Glendale Beach off Humphrey Rd. The winds were high at the Marina and with the choice to change location, we experienced a manageable less windy paddle. Four of us put in, experienced a bit of rolling waves and some wind, but had an exhilarating paddle.

Our first September paddle was scheduled for yesterday, September 3, at Mueller Park in Penn Cove with a paddle through the mussel beds and lunch in Coupeville.  Reports on both of the September events will be in the next newsletter.

Want to join this paddle? Contact Katy Shaner by accessing her email address online through the SWYC membership directory.

If you are interested in and are not yet on the SWYC kayaking list, please contact Katy Shaner and she will add you to the list.

Save the Dates! All Members Welcome!
Sunday, June 25 – Tuesday, June 27
3 days / 2 nights
Swift Creek Campground
Baker Lake

Camping, kayaking, boating, floaties, paddle boarding, jet skis or just playing on the beach.  All club members and their families who enjoy water activities with more ‘rustic’ natural accommodations are welcome.   

More information to come in the spring of 2023, but you might want to save the dates now.  We have a group site reserved already.  The group site will accommodate  ~ 6 camping parties (tents, trailers). If you want to reserve an individual more-private campsites at Swift Creek Campground, individual sites will be available for reservation 6 months prior to our dates, so in late December.  They fill up quickly.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/mbs/recarea/?recid=74986

Contact Barb Grimlund for more information or to indicate your interest in staying in the group campsite.

The Next Windward Women Gathering is in October

Thursday, October 6
9:30 AM

Ebey’s Landing Lower Lot

Followed by Libations at Ciao in Coupeville
Hosted by Patty Linehan and Pat Matthews

The next Windward Women gathering will be Thursday, Oct 6 at 9:30 am. We will be meeting at Ebey’s Landing, the lower parking lot.   Some can hike and some can beach comb followed by a social enjoyed by all. We will go to Ciao in Coupeville for libations!

A Discovery Pass is needed for parking.  Bring your pass or a daily pass can be purchased on site.

Join Us!
https://swyachtclub.org/windward-women/#!event/2022/9/6/windward-women-meeting

The Windward Women gather bi-monthly.  Mark your calendars for October 6, December 1, 2022 and February 2, April 6, June , August 3 and October 5 in 2023.

The Windward Women gather bi-monthly, the first Tuesday of the month.  Email Bilgerat@swyachtclub.org to get on the mailing list!

Ahoy Cruisers

August South Sound Cruise
SWYC cruisers are now returned from a successful cruise to the South Sound. The route approximated that taken by members of Phil Simon’s family back in the 1920’s. Phil guided us to Longbranch where we stayed at the Longbranch Improvement Club’s private marina. Phil was able to visit some of his family gravesites using his electrically assisted bicycle. On the way down, we made stops at Kingston, Seattle and Tacoma. We returned via Gig Harbor, and Phil also stopped in Bremerton.

Here we are having happy hour on the dock at Bell Harbor Marina in Seattle before hiking up to Cutters Crabhouse for dinner. Gordon Collins and Rhonda Salerno were able to join us by car there. Cutters comped us all to free desserts after they ran out of keylime pie, which they had been promoting heavily during the meal. Everyone was stuffed.

At Tacoma, we had “G” dock pretty much to ourselves. Jim and Melody Carney stayed a second day to spend some time at the Museum of Glass and the LeMay Car Museum. They rejoined us at Gig harbor

Pelican Racing

The SWYC Pelican summer series was concluded last Wednesday at Oak Harbor. Four boats contended with patchy winds, swirling currents and mass quantities of marine vegetation to complete three races. Bill Brown with Clay Canfield as crew managed to hang on to his first place season standing and the Gordon Collins  Rhonda Salerno team cemented their second place position. Bob Rodgers was out cruising but retained third place as other competitors also missed at least one race day. The series final results can be found on the Sailwave website

 https://www.sailwave.com/results/southwhidbey/SWYC2022SummerSeriesPelicans.htm.

We are looking at possibilities for some more Pelican activities during in what’s left of 2022 and next spring. Contact Bill Brown to be on the mailing list for updates on these events.

Laser Racing

There’s one more night of Laser races scheduled on September 7.  C’mon out for the final night!
https://www.sailwave.com/results/southwhidbey/SWYC2022SummerSeriesLasers.htm

Thanks to all those who show up, volunteers who perform Race Committee duties, and any other club members who support our small racing fleet.  It’s been a great year on the water!

https://swyachtclub.org/racing-calendar/#!event-list

Save the Dates!

Commodore’s Ball– Saturday, November 12

Holiday Party – Tuesday, December 13

Keep track of all the club events and updates at:
https://swyachtclub.org/events/#!calendar

Website Tip for September

The SWYC website https://swyachtclub.org is an ever-changing but very important tool to our club.  We need your help in keeping it current and useful to each one of us and to those outside of the club.

Tip –Award Nominations, Board Member Elections and Commodore’s Ball RSVP/Payment

We have a number of communications coming up in addition to our standard newsletter and meeting reminder notices.  Here’s a head’s up on what’s coming and where to look for them.

Founder’s Award

The South Whidbey Yacht Club Founder’s Award was established by the Board of Directors with the intention of honoring Club members who strive to fulfill the Vision & Mission of the SWYC, as directed by the Club Bylaws.  The award will be announced at the Commodore’s Ball in November.

The primary member, as indicated on your membership profile, will receive an email in mid-October asking for nominations to be sent to Katy Shaner, last year’s recipient.  Katy will be chairing the selection committee comprised of the three previous years’ recipients.
Read more about the award and the recipients from previous years here:

https://swyachtclub.org/club-awards/

Board Member Elections

Each year, as described in our Bylaws, SWYC holds elections for our Board of Directors positions.  In October, each primary member, as indicated in your membership profile, will receive an email with a link to the ballot with the slate of candidates for 2023.  Each membership, whether a Family or Individual membership, will receive one vote.  There will be more specific instructions in that ballot email.

Meet the 2022 Board here:
https://swyachtclub.org/about/meet-the-board-of-directors/

Commodore’s Ball

In mid-October, each primary member, as indicated in your membership profile, will receive the electronic invitation for the Commodore’s Ball to be held at Useless Bay Country Club on November 12.  In keeping with our environmental position, we will not be sending paper invitations.  Primary members will be able to RSVP, select their dinner choices and pay directly on our website.  There will also be an address for those who prefer to write a check.

https://swyachtclub.org/events/#!event/2022/11/12/commodore-apos-s-ball-more-information-to-come

More information for all three of these events will be available in October. Please watch for it so that you can continue to fully participate in club governance and fall events.  

If you have ANY questions about any of these, please email bilgerat@swyachtclub.org. (That’s me – Barb).  I’m happy to help you.  It’s important that you are able to access the information you need easily.

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South Whidbey Yacht Club

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Greenbank, WA 98253