| Commodore’s Message |
Welcome to the start of our new year, which happens to be the 20th Anniversary of our club’s founding in 2003. For those of you who were able to attend our January general meeting, I hope you found the stroll down memory lane with Founding Member Pat Sasson and Bob Rodgers as fascinating as I did. Thank you, Pat and Bob for pulling together the presentation. And thank you to Derek & Pat Pritchard, Bill Brown, Russ & Janet Harvey, Deb Richardson and Jean Maesner for additional commentary. I look forward to learning more in the coming months.
January and February appear to be a quiet time of the year for boaters. We ventured out to Roche Harbor with some out-of-town guests a few weeks ago. Not much was happening. The marina was half full with most of the boats slumbering in their slips.
This isn’t to say that nothing is going on. Some of the yachts at Roche had people working on them, just as members of the SWYC are busy getting their watercraft shipshape for the coming year. SWYC interest groups are starting to gather to plan out activities for the coming season. If you have not already responded to the volunteer interest survey, please take a moment to do so. We have addressed the problems people had trying to access it earlier so this link should take you directly to it. Here is the link:
SWYC 2023 Volunteer Survey (google.com).
Lastly, thank you to all who have renewed their membership or who have let us know of their decision otherwise. Whatever your decision is, please know I truly appreciate hearing from you about how we are doing delivering programs or offering activities that motivate you to participate and enjoy our club.
Calm seas, fair winds and clear skies to you,
Pete Grimlund
Commodore
South Whidbey Yacht Club
| Vice Commodore’s Message Notes from the Flying Bridge |
Reciprocity
Your Board is very happy to announce that all SWYC members now have reciprocal privileges with other yacht clubs. 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.
We have rented a slip at at Brandt’s Landing Marina on north Orcas Island. That slip will be a SWYC outstation for use by our members and also as a reciprocal slip for other yacht clubs. In addition to the slip we have there it is a great location for kayakers.
We will soon have reciprocal information on our webpage, and in the next few months I will talk for a few minutes at each general meeting about access and use of reciprocity. In the meantime, feel free to spread the word to all your boating friends about this new SWYC benefit!
February Membership MeetingWednesday, February 15Greenbank Progressive Club & Zoom
Guest Speaker – Kristina Kasper, Eric Brooks and Bruce Morris *Remember to bring your own plates, silverware and glassware as part of SWYC’s goal to a cleaner environment by reducing waste. |
Tsunamis and Other Natural Hazards Related to Boating
Kristina Kasper
Emergency Management Coordinator
Public Works, Island County
Eric Brooks
Emergency Management Director
Public Works, Island County
Eric and Kristina will be joining us to present what to do with your boat if you are expecting a tsunami or if you are at sea when a tsunami is coming — and other potential natural hazards related to boating.
Eric Brooks has been the Director of Emergency Management in Island County for 11 years. Prior to joining the County, he worked bomb disposal in the Navy for 22 years. Eric attended graduate school at the University of Washington. Eric has helped manage the county’s response to several emergencies and disasters including winter storms, landslides, a pandemic, and many more.
Kristi Kasper has been the Emergency Management Coordinator in Island County for 2 years. She received her bachelor’s degree from Campbell University. Kristi is working to keep the residents of Island County informed about the hazards we face through community outreach. Kristi enjoys living in Oak Harbor with her husband and 2 small children.
Reciprocity
Bruce Morris
Vice Commodore
Bruce will be explaining our new reciprocity club benefit. What it means for our boating members, how it works and share some of the best slips in our Northwest Waters to consider while cruising.
Greenbank Progressive Club In-Person or
Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87691603620?pwd=Yk4rbzBiWGkzYi8wUnBTRG9hZjRyZz09
Meeting ID: 876 9160 3620
Passcode: 456839
For future SWYC monthly programs, see the event calendar on the SWYC website. 2023 is being planned now. Got ideas for a speaker? Get them to Rear Commodore Dan Mooney.
| Youth and Adult Sailing Classes |
Thinking of learning to sail? Or do you know of kids or grandkids interested in the sailing classes offered by SWYC in July?
Our Youth Sailing Association has confirmed dates for our adult sailing classes and for youth sailing classes for the summer of 2023. Enrollment is through the South Whidbey Parks and Rec Department. Registration won’t be available until mid-April. In the meantime, mark your calendars, talk to the kids and start dreaming of summer sailing.
The dates of the 2023 classes can be found here:
Also, our YSA team will need SWYC members to help with a number of activities related to our classes. Shuttling boats to class location, helping with on shore support and just coming out to see how fun these classes are for our kids and adults students. Start thinking about how you might help out. More information to come in the spring.
 |
 |
| Kayaking News |
KAYAKING IN 2023
All SWYC kayakers unite! Welcome one and all to this coming year of kayaking with the club. We have gotten off to a good start with planned off island overnight trips as well as paddles from the shores of Whidbey. Plus, a planning session for kayakers interested in volunteering to organize and lead additional paddles.
KAYAKING PLANNING HAPPY HOUR
Friday, February 24, 5:00 Barb Grimlund’s home, 2350 Discovery Pl. Bring an appetizer or dessert and ideas of where you’d like to paddle this year and how you can help to lead one of our paddles. Let Katy Shaner, or bilgerat@swyachtclub.org know if you can join us.
Reminder – 2023 Planned Kayaking Trips
WHIDBEY ISLAND PADDLES (So far. More to come.)
- Saturday, April 15, 10:00 – Paddle to Skagit Island. Paddle Leaders: Joel Shrut and Mary Knighton
- Friday, May 5, 4:45 – Robinson Beach on Mutiny Bay. Paddle followed by sunset appetizers and beverages on the beach. Leader: Barb Grimlund
- Saturday, May 13, noonish – Ya Gotta Regatta. Lone Lake.
- Thursday, August 24, 9:30 – Saratoga Beach over to Baby Island. Paddle Leaders: Patty Linehan and Pat Mathews
- August (Date TBT) Glendale to Kelp beds at Possession Point. Paddle Leaders: Gayle Austin and Bob Kuehn
- September (Date TBT) – Bush Point towards Lagoon point. Paddle Leader: Diane Lagerstedt
BAKER LAKE SWIFT CREEK CAMPGROUND
Sunday, June 25 – Tuesday, June 27. 3 days paddling, 2 nights camping. 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. There are still a few sites available in the group campground with other SWYC members. Contact Barb at bilgerat@swyachtclub.org
WEST BEACH RESORT ORCAS ISLAND
Thursday, September 21 – Sunday, September 24. Open for all SWYC members to participate. Besides kayaking directly from West Beach Resort, there are multiple put-in areas both at Island marinas and on inland lakes. Orcas Island offers hiking, good restaurants and coffee/cafes, plus a range of shops selling locally made items.West Beach Resort has a variety of accommodations. If you are interested in taking this trip, the cabins do reserve quickly. Contact West Beach Resort directly westbeachresort.com Let Katy Shaner know you are taking this trip.
Email bilgerat@swyachtclub.org. if you’d like to reserve a room in the Farmhouse.
All Kayaking Events can be found here: SWYC Kayaking
~~~~~~~
Baker Lake
West Beach Resort – Orcas Island
The Farmhouse –
where our group gatherings take place. 3 bedrooms. 2 1/2 bath. Two bedrooms are still available for a shared experience (and economical shared cost). Let Katy Shaner know of your interest.
| Cruising 2023 |
Cruisers Planning Session on Zoom
Monday, February 20
7:00 pm
Join us to discuss cruise locations and develop a spring and summer cruising schedule.
Be prepared to give us your suggestions for:
- Possible destinations and length of cruises
- Preference for anchoring out or being on the dock
- Getting in touch with other members of the cruise group to invite them to join a “spur of the moment” weekend
- Volunteers to plan/coordinate each cruise
Join Zoom Meeting at 7:00 pm:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87659774375?pwd=K2ErN1FNTHF4NnJmOVBNd1Z2Y281UT09
Meeting ID: 876 5977 4375
Passcode: 756739
 |
 |
| 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, April 6. 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 |
You might want to get these on your 2023 calendar. Please let Mark Conover, membership@swyachtclub.org, know if you will volunteer to help with any of these events. It’s a great way to meet other members – and you get to plan the party!
Boating Opening Day – Saturday, May 6
Gotta Regatta – Saturday, May 13
Crab Fest ’23 – Sunday, July 23
August Social – Wednesday, August 16
Commodore’s Ball – Saturday, November 11
SWYC Holiday Party – Wednesday, December 13
Keep track of all the club events and updates at:
https://swyachtclub.org/events/#!calendar
| Members’ Tips and Training |
Website Tip for February
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 –How Do I Find Another Member’s Contact Information?
You want to call another member or you want to send another member some information. How do you do that quickly without a paper directory?
Once in the directory, the members’ ‘cards’ are listed alphabetically by the first name of the primary member. OR you can key in the last name of the member you are seeking in the ‘Search’ box.
Once you’ve found the member you’re looking for, click on their card. Voila. The information you are seeking is listed right there. Easy peasy. Most of us carry our phones around with us so you always have a member directory at your fingertips – as long as you have access to the internet.
Now, it’s possible that the person you are trying to reach hasn’t updated their membership information with current email, phone, address, partner name & information. Or they’ve chosen not to have the information accessible to fellow members. If you can’t find the information in the directory, next time you see your friend, encourage them to enter or update their information so that it is current and easier to find.
It’s a lot easier than carrying a phone book around. 😁
Feel free to reach me, Barb, @bilgerat@swyachtclub.org if you have questions or just want to practice this with a friend.
| *** 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. *** |
Thinking about the upcoming boating season? Need a vest, hat, shirt or other SWYC item to look spiffy out on the water or at our gatherings? Check out the new items at:Click here: Land’s End Store |
Copyright © 2023 South Whidbey Yacht Club, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website.
Our mailing address is:
South Whidbey Yacht Club
PO Box 316
Greenbank, WA 98253