| Commodore’s Message |
Happy Holidays! Wherever you may be, we hope you find time to relax and enjoy family and friends. I look forward to seeing you at the Holiday Party and in the new year.
I wish to congratulate and welcome to the SWYC board Bob Boehm – Secretary, Mark Conover – Membership and Myra Gustafson – Member at Large. I look forward to working with them and to hearing their ideas for how we can improve the SWYC as we evolve to meet the ever-changing needs of our membership.
Check out the board member bios here:
This month marks one year since I was elected Commodore. I have learned so much over the past year with the help of SWYC veterans and newbies alike, without whose guidance and assistance, this past year would not have been a success. Thanks again for all you do for the club.
After several years of having our activities restricted, the board was determined to make 2022 a festive, coming-out-of-our-pandemic-isolation year a year to remember. Starting with May’s Opening Day, through all of the season’s sponsored events and culminating in a rockin’ Commodores Ball, I believe that goal was met.
We owe much to all of our volunteers – from those serving on your board to all of the program leaders and dedicated members who supported each program. 2022 would not have been a success without their creativity and hours spent making things happen.
I must call out one very special board member who has been a bright, guiding light for me personally. She avoids the limelight but has been there in the background helping wherever she can. You may know her as Bilgerat. I know her as Barb, my spouse. Thank you for all your support and for the energy you have invested in the SWYC this past year.
2023
Our challenge for 2023 is to build on 2022’s programming momentum to deliver even more meaningful, fun and educational events that appeal to both our younger members with families and those seasoned club veterans.
We celebrate SWYC’s 20th anniversary in 2023. We hope to weave some of our history into 2023’s programs and events. Look for announcements in the coming months about how you can learn more or become involved as we celebrate this occasion.
We encourage each of the interest group leaders (Cruising, Kayaking, Racing/Sailing, Windward Women) to develop a 2023 activities schedule that can be published on the SWYC website in the January/February timeframe for all to view and incorporate into their individual 2023 plans. Watch for communications from your interest group leaders of upcoming planning get togethers.
Calm seas, fair winds and clear skies to you,
Pete Grimlund
Commodore
South Whidbey Yacht Club
A big Thank You to Kathy Rodgers and Patty Maxfield for their years of service to SWYC on the Board.
| Vice Commodore’s Message Notes from the Flying Bridge |
NEW SWYC BENEFIT!
Your Board is very happy to announce that we are finalizing a plan to provide all SWYC members reciprocal privileges with other yacht clubs. There are many yacht clubs throughout the West Coast, including Canada, that allow members of reciprocal clubs access to their facilities for a limited time (usually one or two days). Some yacht clubs provide free reciprocal moorage, but most clubs charge a small nominal fee to cover the cost of moorage services such as power and wifi. Reciprocal privileges are a significant benefit for yacht club members because they not only provide very low-cost moorage, but also a wonderful opportunity to socialize with boaters from other yacht clubs.
SWYC is finalizing the renting of a slip at a marina on north Orcas Island. That slip will be a SWYC outstation for use by our members and also as a reciprocal slip for members from other yacht clubs. Stay tuned for all the details once this arrangement is confirmed.
We plan to have this reciprocal program online by January 2023. At that point we will have reciprocal information on our SWYC webpage. Early next year we will devote a general meeting program to providing full information on access and use of reciprocity. In the meantime, feel free to spread the word to all your boating friends about this new SWYC benefit!
Vice Commodore Bruce Morris
| Welcome New Members!! |
Please welcome this month’s newest members to the yacht club. We look forward to meeting them at our upcoming events.
Ann Bowen and Brian Strange
We recently moved from San Diego to Possession Beach Walk (San Diego got too crowded for us). Other than kayaks, we have virtually no boat driving experience but are looking forward to learning safe boating. We are currently shopping for a used 20’ sport/fish boat we can keep in our boat house and plan to acquire a small Ranger Tug for island hopping once we know what we are doing. We dabble in real estate and spend most of our time looking through binoculars at the abundance of sea traffic and marine life in the Puget Sound. Having had only perfect sunny days all our lives we are truly enjoying our new adventure living in the PNW.
No General Meeting in DecemberThe Holiday Party on Tuesday, December 13 takes the place of the December meeting. The next general meeting is on Wednesday, January 18. |
For future SWYC monthly programs, see the event calendar on the SWYC website. 2023 is being planned now. Got ideas for speakers? Get them to Rear Commodore Dan Mooney.
https://swyachtclub.org/meetings/#!event-list
| Annual Holiday Party |
Annual SWYC Holiday Party
Tuesday, December 13
(Note the change of day to Tuesday)
6:30 pm
Greenbank Progressive Club
In Person Only – No Zoom
*Pot Luck Dinner*
*Speaker – Kathy McLean and Gwendine Norton from Kids First- Island County*
*Holiday Jollies and Giggles*
Come join in the fun as we share the holiday spirit. Put on those holiday sweaters or other festive attire as we laugh and enjoy the evening.
This is a full dinner pot luck, not just the usual light sips ‘n dips, so please bring a heartier dish to share with 25-40+ fellow members. Main dishes, sides, salads, and desserts are all welcome. Plus any beverages for yourself or to share.
As always, remember to bring your own plates, glasses and utensils to cut down on waste.
For more information click on these links:
Holiday Party Information
Kids First Information
Jingle Jingle!! Happy Winter!!
| Commodore’s Ball |
The Commodore’s Ball was a night of friendship and frolicking as we were able to come together again in person to celebrate this SWYC tradition. Congratulations to Perry Lovelace who was this year’s recipient of the Founders Award and Bob Shepard who received the McArthur Award.
Thank you to Lee McGuire, Jill Brown, Karen LaBuhn, Barb Grimlund and the Useless Bay Staff for the planning and preparation of this successful event!
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| Kayaking News |
2023 Planned Kayaking Trips
All Members Welcome to Join!
For those of you who are interested in participating in overnight trips with other members of the SWYC, the kayaking group has planned two trips for the 2023 summer season. All members of the club are welcome to join, not only the kayakers.
Baker Lake
The first trip is a kayaking camping overnight to Baker Lake Sunday, June 25 – Tuesday, June 27. This trip is 3 days paddling, 2 nights camping in Swift Creek Campground on beautiful blue Baker Lake. Or extend your stay on either side. Or just come when you can. Shared dinners, activities and fun! Open for all SWYC members to participate. Bring your small trailered or inflatable watercraft: power boats, sail boats, paddle boards, jet skis, canoes, floaties – in addition to or instead of kayaks.
We still have room in our reserved group campsite for more camping parties. Let Barb at bilgerat@swyachtclub.org know if you are planning on coming and especially if you want to save a spot in the group campsite with other SWYC campers.
If you and your party prefer a more private individual campsite, those reservations will open soon. They will fill quickly so plan ahead.
Individual Campsite Reservations
More details to come in the spring. Let Barb know of your interest so that we will be sure to keep you on that mailing list.
Baker Lake Trip Information
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West Beach Resort – Orcas Island
The second of the trips is to West Beach Resort on Orcas Island, Thursday, September 21 – Sunday, September 24. This trip will be the third time that the SWYC has stayed at West Beach Resort. In past years, our kayakers were joined by club boaters and members who just wanted an outing to explore Orcas Island.
West Beach Resort has a variety of accommodations; waterfront cabins, water view cabins and studio cabins that are ‘garden view’. There are glamping tents and campsites available. Also, boat moorage is available for those who want to sleep on your boat or just have it there for day boating. Plus the possibility of sharing The Farmhouse with fellow SWYC members.
If you are interested in taking this trip, the cabins do reserve quickly. Contact West Beach Resort directly to see their availability westbeachresort.com Suggestion – Read the WBR deposit and cancellation policy.
If you decide to take this trip, contact Katy Shaner or bilgerat@swyachtclub.org to get on that mailing list. Activities and group dinners/happy hours are planned for everyone participating in the trip.
West Beach Resort Kayak Trip Information
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2023 Kayaking with the SWYC
In addition to these two overnight trips, the kayakers have already started planning for day paddling trips for April – October 2023 and kayaking socials/speakers. Reach out to Katy Shaner to be on the kayaking email list and to participate in the planning of these events.
| Windward Women |
Windward, and ‘Wayward’, Women gather every other month, usually on the first Thursday of the month. This is a change from the previous first Tuesday of each month. The next get together is Thursday, February 2. Email bilgerat@swyachtclub.org to get on the Windward Women mailing list and to receive notice with details of each of our outings.
| Upcoming Social Events |
Holiday Party – TUESDAY, December 13
Keep track of all the club events and updates at:
https://swyachtclub.org/events/#!calendar
| Members’ Tips and Training |
Website Tip for December
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 –Get ready for your club renewal notice!
January is SWYC renewal time! In early January, you will be receiving your club renewal notice. To ensure you receive the reminder notification and that you have no issues renewing your membership online, make sure your member profile is accurate. That includes checking your email address, your phone number, home address and membership type (individual or family) for accuracy. Click on this link to manage your account:
https://swyachtclub.org/sign-in-to-manage-my-account/#myaccount
| *** 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. *** |
Looking for gift ideas for the holidays? How about some 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