Commodore's Message
Ahoy Mates!
The most rewarding benefit of boating with one of our fleets is the lasting relationships we build with our fellow boaters. This club provides countless opportunities in many different venues to meet other boaters and develop new friendships. Whether you are cruising, kayaking, sailing or just joining the Windward Women, you will be rewarded with rich social benefits. And nothing compares to a party on the dock with Orcas cavorting in the Sound!
Nominating Committee
Our Nominating Committee is still seeking a candidate for Vice-Commodore for 2025. If you are interested in getting involved in Club Leadership, please contact Bill Brown or Katy Shaner.
It is Fall, but there are still boating activities on our calendar. Go Boating with Friends!
Commodore Bruce
Kayaking by Fleet Captain Barb Grimlund
In August and early September, the SWYC kayakers adventured a bit further away from south Whidbey. Earlier in August, ten kayakers paddled from Jones Park on Guemes Island over to Sinclair Island for 3 days kayaking/2 nights of camping. We paddled around Sinclair and over to Cypress Island where several in the group climbed up to Eagle Cliff for an expansive view of the San Juans. Shared beach dinners and sunsets were highlights of the trip.
Later in August, nine SWYC kayakers paddled the Oak Harbor estuary and around the Oak Harbor spit in a joint paddle with several of the OHYC paddlers. The OHYC graciously hosted us to an after-paddle barbeque at their clubhouse. The weather, water, dinner and company could not have been better. A delightful evening.
On September 8, ten paddlers traveled north to Larrabee State Park for a mid-day paddle up the wave carved rocky coastline. After three miles and a quick beach stop at Chuckanut Island Bird Sanctuary, part of the group continued north to Teddy Bear Cove, a popular Bellingham beach destination. Everyone enjoyed dinner and drinks afterwards at the Old Edison Inn.
Upcoming Paddling Events
Our planned summer season is quickly wrapping up, but be sure to check out the Kayaking Page of our website for any planned trips during the cooler season. Also keep checking the Group Me feed for any last-minute pick-up paddles. ORCAS ISLAND: If anyone else wants to join us this next weekend at West Beach Resort on Orcas Island, be sure to let Barb Grimlund know so that we get you included on all of our communications.
- September 19-22 – Orcas Island – West Beach Resort Trip (All SWYC members are welcome!)
- October 4 – Kayaking End of Season Potluck Dinner
Windward Women by Fleet Captain Katy Shaner
Goodbye August. Hello September. Let there be more summer-like days to come!
During the month of August, the WW had a guided tour and a social. The guided tour was of WCLT’s protected property Keystone Farm and Forest Preserve on Saturday, August 10 and the social was that evening at Wica’s Happy Under the tent with the Fiddle Chix.
Guided Tour – At Keystone Farm and Forest Preserve, six of us joined a guided tour offered to members of the Land Trust. This property is not yet open to the public, but the spring of 2025 is the goal WCLT has for making it available. It is an incredible place and such a treasure for the WCLT to have saved. The views are spectacular and the trails and fields inviting.
“Keystone Farm and Forest Preserve is a 216-acre preserve which encompasses one of Whidbey Island’s oldest farms, surrounded by 165 acres of forest, and 2/3 of a mile of natural shoreline. The Land Trust purchased this property in April 2022. This ambitious emergency acquisition was the most expensive in the Land Trust’s history at $9.1 million. Keystone Preserve will be a place for conservation, partnerships, and learning.”
Social – WICA’s Happy Hour Under the Tent provided Windwards with a chance to get together and hear local musicians. On Saturday, August 10 we were playfully entertained by a string base, a fiddle, a Mandolin and a guitar as well as singing while the Fiddle Chix played away.
The “Fiddle Chix” came into being in the fall of 2021, and this talented group is now performing at several venues on Whidbey. The musicians in Fiddle Chix are: Susan Hanzelka – Fiddle, Bev Heising – Fiddle and Mandolin, Penny Livingston – Guitar, Bob Aldrich – String Bass. They offer an eclectic mix of music including Bluegrass, Old Time, Renaissance, classical and other genres of Folk and Traditional music.
September will end the planned WW activities for the season. We had a tour of Haller House on Wednesday, September 4 and at the end of the month, WW will take a hike of Trillium Woods on Sunday, September 29.
Guided Tour – Seven of us WW met our guide Lynn Hyde, executive director for the nonprofit Historic Whidbey, at the start of the Coupeville Wharf where she started our tour with an overview of the history of Coupeville. Captain Haller and his wife Henrietta had an impact on the early development of Coupeville. Upon completion, Haller House will offer an educational view to both the history and early architecture of Whidbey.
“An unrecognized treasure in the heart of Coupeville and Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve is the home of Col. Granville O. Haller, located on the corner of Front and Main Streets. Built on the original land claim of Capt. Thomas Coupe, Haller’s two-story Georgian house was joined by its builder to an earlier dwelling, the 1859 Raphael Brunn House. This smaller house was likely moved from elsewhere on the site to form an ell to the Haller’s newer primary house. The construction history of the house provides a chronicle of the evolution of building technology in the Pacific Northwest, providing examples of three distinct eras of construction.”
Upcoming Windward Women Activities
Hike – Sunday, September 29, 10:00: Trillium Community Woods. Lunch at Flower House Café.
“Hiking the quiet, meandering trails lined with ferns and soaring stands of Douglas Fir trees, you wouldn’t know that this 721-acre forest was once slated for dense development. But in 2010, against all odds, Whidbey Camano Land Trust raised enough money to purchase the initial 654 acres of what is now a thriving community forest. Together, we are restoring habitat and wildlife corridors, protecting the headwaters of three watersheds and creating a network of peaceful and accessible hiking and riding trails that everyone can enjoy.”
All women of the SWYC are invited to participate. Questions? Suggestions? Interests? Contact Katy Shaner.
Racing
Pelicans
The SWYC Pelican summer racing series finished up on August 28th at Monroe landing. We held 17 races for score plus a few practice races. A total of ten different boats came to the starting line at least once. At the top of the podium was Bob Rodgers and friends followed by Starke Scott and friends, (frequently Randy Weers) in second and Bill Brown and friends in third. Complete standings and individual race details can be viewed at: Sailwave .
Thanks to all who sailed and otherwise supported the program.
For those of you wanting more Pelican action, Pelican Viking Fleet 3 is about to start their racing season. See details of their fall schedule below. This will be followed by a winter/spring series and a fleet championship regatta in May. For more on Fleet 3 membership and activities, contact me or Terry Gos
Pelican Viking Fleet 3 Fall 2024 Racing Schedule
- 21-Sep Big Lake, Terry Goss (at Steve Ruhl’s)
- 5-Oct Monroe Landing, Ken Albright
- 19-Oct Lake Ballinger, Terry Goss
- 2-Nov Angle Lake, Michelle McPeek
- 16-Nov Lake Washington (Rainier Beach), Kevin Haag
Lasers
The SWYC laser fleet have had an amazing year with many new sailors of all experience levels joining us. Some to sail, some to volunteer on Race Committee and Safety Boat. We also have had a generous donation to our fleet of 4 race ready lasers which will pave the road for new laser sailors to join us! For those of you who are interested, but didn’t quite make it out this year, we look forward to seeing you next spring! Don’t hesitate to reach out and join our email list to hear the latest Race Results, to hear of fun volunteer opportunities, or just hang out and learn the race rules in casual meetings over the winter at Brad’s greenhouse.
Our Final Race was Sept 10, stay tuned for the series and grand overall results. Or join us at the award dinner in September.
Safety Matters #16 ⁃⁃ “Sierra Alpha” by Clay Canfield
Pilots use the international phonetic alphabet, and therefore understand immediately the meaning of the term “Sierra Alpha.” It is code for “SA”, which is the acronym for “Situational Awareness.” Responsible boaters with several years of experience normally understand the concept, but not necessarily the terminology. The individuals most acutely sensitive to situational awareness are fighter pilots because of the speed at which the situation can change.
The description of situational awareness can be characterized as follows: 1) perception of elements, 2) significance of each element, and 3) using that understanding to predict a future situation.
What is Situational Awareness:
Situational awareness refers to the degree of accuracy by which one’s perception of his current environment mirrors reality and how it will affect future events.
Perception Versus Reality:
- View of Situation
- Incoming Information
- Personal Biases
- Incoming Information versus Expectations
Processing Information
- What information is most important in the current situation?
- What is the current situation likely to look like in ________ amount of time?
Factors that Reduce Situational Awareness
- Insufficient Communication
- Fatigue/Stress
- Task Overload
- Task Underload
- Group Mindset
- “Press on Regardless” Philosophy
- Degraded Operating Conditions
- Alcohol and/or drugs
Clearly in the boating environment, the situation changes more slowly than it does in the aviation environment. But the concept still applies. In this case incoming information would include weather predictions, tides, shipping, crew capabilities, and a number of other variables that would affect piloting, anchoring, or mooring a boat. It can also be said that situational awareness applies to life in general, including your financial situation, your health, and your living situation among others.
Clay Canfield
Coming Events
2024 started a new decade for the SWYC and it’s time for a fresh take on the traditional Commodore’s Ball! Be sure to mark your calendar for Saturday evening, November 9. Watch for more details and your invitation to RSVP in October. It’ll be a night to honor past traditions, launch new ones and PARTY!
2024 Calendar of Events
Check out our Calendar for the dates of all of our Annual Events. And be sure to get them on YOUR calendar!
Fishing in a Wetsuit (while fending off sharks)
“The wave comes, throat-high and hungry. The last thing I see before it sweeps me off the rock and into the ocean is a man in a wetsuit leaning his shoulder into a wall of water. When we swam out here around 2 a.m. and hoisted ourselves onto the algae-slick face of a boulder, he had warned me: “If you go in here, it won’t be fun.” And he was right. I manage to keep hold of my fishing rod, and I’m reeling in lost line and treading water and trying to forget all the stories I’ve heard about sharks as a second large wave begins sucking me up its face. By the time the third crashes over me, I’ve abandoned any pretense of swimming back to our original perch. Sputtering and coughing, I make my way toward another rock closer to shore. A last wave pushes me onto it, and I get my feet under me.”
Read the whole story in The Atlantic.
Member Inquiries
"Anyone like to go together on or off a boat? It's my goal to learn how to fish for them this year."
You can find Maryann's contact info in our online membership directory.
Looking for SWYC clothing, hats or gifts for the autumn? Head to our Land’s End SWYC store for a wide selection of apparel and accessories. Two different SWYC logos plus Windward Women logos to choose from. Make your customized selection and order on line.
Click here: Land’s End Store
Or, you can choose a local on-island option.
Savage Screen Printing & Embroidery in Clinton now has our burgee logo on file (Only the burgee. Not our other logos). SWYC members can stop in to Savage and have the logo applied to their own personal item, or select a hat from Savage’s selection. Stop by next time you’re in Clinton to better understand this alternative to Land’s End.
Land’s End still offers the greater variety of merchandise, more logo configurations and the ease of shopping from your home, but it’s nice to have a local alternative as well.
Visors from Savage Screen Printing and Embroidery
These are examples of some of the products that Savage Screen Printing and Embroidery, in Clinton, is able to create for you locally.
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