October Newsletter

I am penning this month’s message on our return trip from New England, where I had a few days to explore the region’s rich history of shipbuilding and sailing.  While most of the wooden vessels that plied Atlantic coastal waters have long since vanished, a few remain to remind us of our seafaring heritage.  It was amazing to see all of the different designs of sailing vessels from small skiffs to six-masted bulk carriers.

West Coast heritage is different, having come into its own close to the dawn of powered vessels.  That’s my experience – cruising and fishing in the Puget Sound and in the lakes of the upper Midwest.  For those of you who do not have a boat – remember – Boat Not Required – you can still participate in and learn the finer points of boating whether propelled by wind or engine.  With our cruising, racing, and sailing seasons coming to a close, we move into planning for the coming year.  This is your chance to get involved early on so that in 2023 you are ready to hit the water.

Not to be deterred by fall or even PNW winter weather, our Kayaking group are a hardy bunch and find opportunities all year round to go for a paddle, weather permitting.

Just a reminder of some important events coming in November.

Elections for the SWYC Board take place in October.  Thank you to Jill Brown, Bill Brown, Rick Paine, Tina Quinton, John Gibson and Dan Mooney for administering this annual process.  Look for the ballots in your email this month.

The new board will be announced at the Commodore’s Ball – a gala event on the 12th of November.  Thank you to Lee McGuire, Jill Brown, Karen Labuhn, and Barb Grimlund for organizing this special event.

Signing off from somewhere around the Great Lakes.

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.

Tom Sante
A former member of Meydenbauer Yacht Club, I sailed and raced in Bellingham Bay and Seatle for 2 years. I’ve owned several sail, ski, and power boats over the past 50 years. I love the water and currently own a Hobie Adventure Island Kayak. I was recommended by Dan Mooney, who I now share my kayak with. I retired from commercial real estate after 50 years at the end of 2019 and now do a little consulting work.

Gayle Austin & Bob Kuehn

We are primarily interested in kayaking with a group and getting to know other paddlers. We have both paddled for decades and were involved in the founding of WISK. We have especially enjoyed camping trips as a couple and with friends. However, over the years the group has shrunk due to moves and the deaths of elders. We miss those gatherings and hope for a new group of paddling friends.

Jim Soules

I moved to Langley in Summer ’21, and just bought an Orca 325, which is an 11-foot inflatable sailboat from the Netherlands. I crewed and sailed in ’80s and ’90s. I’m a small home developer (www.soulescompany.com). From 1996-2004, I worked in Langley, built Third Street Cottages, and am now building three small homes in Langley.  I’m interested in a community sailing center in Langley marina..

Jesse Wiegel

Race Marshal for the Northwest Maritime Center in Port Townsend, responsible for organizing the Race to Alaska (R2AK), SEVENTY48, and the small-boat cruise Salish 100 

Jesse will speak about the challenges and triumphs of putting together these well-known maritime events,and tell a few stories about this past year’s races. He will also share some information on the mission of the Northwest Maritime Center, and its efforts to encourage diverse on-water experiences.

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

Meeting ID: 851 7259 0208
Passcode: 757832

There will not be a regular members’ meeting in November.  The Commodore’s Ball on November 12 takes the place of our monthly meeting.

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

  2022 has been a full and active year for the SWYC as it transitioned from the restrictions placed on it by Covid to in-person meetings, gatherings, and activities that have been the foundation of the club. Being back to a form of new normal gives all of us a chance to reconnect, grow friendships, and together support the SWYC in so many ways.

Each year at the Commodore’s Ball, we honor an individual who we recognize has gone well beyond his/her contribution to the Club with time, energy, expertise, and encouragement.

To recognize this individual, we come to you for your nominations. Someone you feel should be recognized for outstanding work throughout the past year. Have you been volunteering next to someone who has impressed you with their dedication? In reading the monthly newsletter or attending a social or a meeting, did you get to know someone who contributes much to the club?

Please take a moment to send your nominations for this year’s Founders Award and a brief description of why you are nominating this person to Katy Shaner. Feel free to let her know if you have any questions. The deadline for nominations is Friday, Oct. 21st.

Click here to see more info about the award, including past recipients.

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SWYC Youth Sailing Association

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/

 

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Kayaking News

Kayaking with the SWYC

Fall is here. And that means a closing of the kayaking season with the SWYC. From April through September, kayakers Dave Davis, Barb Hardman, Dan Mooney, Barb Grimlund, and Katy Shaner volunteered to schedule paddles for each of those months. The kayakers paddled from Bowman Bay, Mueller Park, Robinson Beach, Sandy Hook, Glendale Beach, and Mutiny Bay.

At the beginning of the 2022 summer season, the club worked with Whidbey Island Kayaker to offer a safety refresher class. Many new SWYC members are interested in kayaking, and so our numbers grow. September had two paddles that were organized by the club. The first was Saturday, September 3, led by Katy Shaner, and was a 10:00 put-in at Mueller Park. Six kayakers met at the Park and chose to paddle to Coupeville passing by Captain Whidbey Inn, through the mussel beds, and on and around the historical Coupeville pier. The currents/tides were good, the wind gentle and the sun shone throughout the paddle.

Saturday, September 17, a hardy group of 9 paddlers, led by Dave Davis and Barb Hardman, put in at 10:30 to join the Cultus Bay to Scachet Head trip. Weather, currents, and great conversation were enjoyed by all. An after-paddle social brown bag lunch on Barb and Dave’s deck continued the conversation and anticipation of next year’s trips and many hoped spontaneous trips would continue throughout the year, weather permitting. It was a great day.

Contact Katy Shaner if you are interested in being a part of the SWYC kayaking group by accessing her email address online through the SWYC membership list.

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SWYC Mountain Lake Camping & Kayaking Baker Lake Save the 2023 Date!

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 membersand 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.

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Windward Women

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!

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Upcoming Social Events

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

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Members’ Tips and Training

Website Tip for October

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 –Board Meeting Minutes

All Board of Directors meetings are open to all SYWC members. Log in to the Board Meeting Minutes page website to browse minutes from past meetings and keep up-to-date with what is going on.

If reading through piques your interest in joining the board, or you have questions about who we are or what we do, please email bilgerat@swyachtclub.org and we will be happy to help you.

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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*** If you know of any club member who is not receiving these newsletters or other club communications, please email bilgerat@swyachtclub.org.  We’ll help them get connected. ***

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Looking for SWYC clothing, hats or gifts? Click here: Land’s End Store

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South Whidbey Yacht Club

PO Box 316

Greenbank, WA 98253