Commodore's Message
Farewell to Boating Season
We had an extremely successful Boating Season this year. A lot of credit goes to our Fleet Captains who plan and organize an amazing number of activities. Just think about these numbers: 49 Laser races, 17 Pelican races, 24 Kayaking Activities, 18 Windward Women Activities, and 4 Cruises which totaled 28 days! Please join me in thanking all of our Fleet Captains and Cruise Hosts for the effort and inspiration that goes into making these programs an resounding success. Finally, whichever fleets you are involved in, please offer unqualified support to your Fleet Captain.
Fleet Captains Retiring
Our Pelican Fleet Captain, Bill Brown, is ready to retire, along with our Kayaking Fleet Captain, Barb Grimlund. If you are interested in either of these positions please contact one of them to discuss what is involved in being a Fleet Captain.
Fair winds and following seas… It is nearly winter but don’t despair! We have a number fun-filled social activities coming up in the next few months – read all about them below!
Commodore Bruce
Are you missing Dishes / Utensils or Sunglasses?
We had a large number of items left behind at the Crabfest and a few Membership meetings. These pictures are just a sample of the items. If you lost items at any of our functions this last year, please look for them at our October Membership meeting.
Founders Award Nominations
What a year we’ve had at SWYC and YSA! 2024 has seen a new rush of members and every interest group has had a full season of well-attended activities. Kayakers, Cruisers, Racers, Windward Women, YSA and club social events have all experienced great adventure, fun and conviviality. Our YSA Beginners and Intermediates programs were all full. Laser racing had a full season with more than 10 boats each week. Kayakers and Windward Women had events all summer long and the Pelicans continued their races. We added new all-club events and repeated those events we’ve all enjoyed year after year. All in all, a bumper year of volunteers helping our community thrive.
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 you have been impressed with their dedication? In reading the monthly newsletter or attended 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 why you are nominating this person to Pete and Barb Grimlund. bjgrimlund@gmail.com. Feel free to let them know if you have any questions. The deadline for nominations is Monday, October 28th. *****
Description of the Founders Award
The South Whidbey Yacht Club Founders 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 community, as directed by the Club Bylaws.
Criteria for the Award:
All members of the SWYC are eligible for the Founders Award. The recipient will be determined by the Founders Award Committee, based solely on nominations from members in good standing. Candidates must have demonstrated outstanding dedication to the core values of the Club and must have consistently excelled in furthering the Founders’ goals of education, community outreach and conviviality.”
Nominations:
Candidates for the Award are sought and considered annually. Members are asked to read the Vision & Mission statements and consider their choices carefully. If a Club member meets the Award criteria, please submit your nomination to the Chairman of the Founders Award Committee by email, outlining your reasons for proposing a particular candidate. Sponsors must be willing to meet with the Award Committee and speak in support of their recommendations if so requested by the Committee. The Committee will consider all nominations and make a unanimous decision, which will remain confidential to the Committee. The name of the recipient will be announced at the Commodore’s Ball in November. Past recipients are eligible for the Award after a period of three years.
Past Award Recipients
- 2023 – Pete and Barb Grimlund
- 2022 – Perry Lovelace
- 2021 – Katy Shaner
- 2020 – Debra Richardson
- 2019 – Kathy Rodgers
- 2018 – Lisa Irwin
- 2017 – Michael Scott
- 2016 – Pat Sasson
- 2015 – Bob Boehm
- 2014 – Russ Ernest
- 2013 – Don McArthur
- 2012 – Tom Stinson
- 2011 – Derek Pritchard
- 2010 – Bob Rodgers
- 2009 – Emily McArthur
- 2008 – Ed Halloran
- 2007 – Bill Brown
Award Committee (Last three year’s award recipients):
- Pete and Barb Grimlund (bjgrimlund@gmail.com)
- Perry Lovelace
- Katy Shaner
Kayaking by Fleet Captain Barb Grimlund
Orcas Island Trip
The SWYC Kayakers wrapped up the summer season in style with our 4-day/3-night Orcas Island trip and our End-of-Season Potluck and Planning Event on October 4.
This year we had 23 participants for our Orcas Island trip. The paddling conditions could not have been more perfect for any of our Orcas Island paddling destinations! Our members were able to find partners within the group to paddle to island destinations that were inviting and that they felt comfortable doing. These included paddling the shores of Orcas Island, Cascade Lake, Mountain Lake, Deer Harbor area and Jones Island and a crossing to Sucia Island for an exploration of the shoreline, lunch and return crossing. In addition, we had Turtleback Mountain hikers, Sucia Island hikers who were ferried across in Dave Davis’s and Barb Hardman’s boat, and island shoppers and explorers. We made good use of our club reciprocal moorage at Brandt’s Landing as a launching location. In the evenings we gathered for pot luck dinners and campfires plus a group dinner in town. Captain Pete Grimlund also brought his boat out, so we knew we had a safety boat, if needed. No luck with his fishing this year, but just being on the water was worth it.
We’ve already reserved several cabins at West Beach Resort for September 18-21, 2025. This is open to all SWYC members, not just kayakers. If you’d like to join the fun, you might want to make your lodging reservations soon at West Beach Resort, Beach Haven Resort or other Orcas locations.
End of Year Potluck & Planning Social
Our End of the Year Potluck and Planning Social was held Oct 4 with 18 members attending. We reminisced about our 2024 adventures and started dreaming about 2025. It was a fun way to wrap up the year’s planned events. Of course, paddling can continue all winter long, so we hope to see some of you on the water throughout the next months. Maybe a caroling and holiday lights kayak event?
Next Year’s Paddling Events
Our 2-night/3-day kayak camping event venue has moved to Fort Flagler State Park next June 22-24. Mark your calendars now. We’ve reserved the group site with plenty of room for interested SWYC campers. Hiking, boating, kayaking, biking and exploring the peninsula. More information is coming soon.
For more information on kayaking or to be added to our SWYC Kayaking mailing list, contact Barb Grimlund.
Windward Women by Fleet Captain Katy Shaner
Trillium Community Forest Hike
October is here and Fall is upon us. And after a summer full of hikes, socials, tours and even a book discussion, the activities of the Windwards are coming to a close.
Our last hike of the season, was on September 29th at the 721-acre Trillium Community Forest. The sun was out, the temperature was comfortable. It was a perfect day to hike the quiet, meandering trails of Trillium. Six of us Windwards met at the Smuggler’s Cove Trailhead and walked approximately an hour and half to the Bounty Loop trailhead.
Seeing one of the features of the forest as we walked, was the difference between a densely spaced tree canopy where there was no healthy undergrowth, to the healthily spaced trees where WCLT was practicing forest management with thinning the numbers of trees to allow for vegetation to grow beneath. Good management of Trillium.
After our hike, we had lunch at the Flower House Café.
End of Year Social
With the season ending for the Windward Women, we gathered for our last social on Saturday, October 12th. at the home of Debra Richardson. We shared our thoughts of this past season and ideas for the new year in 2025.
It was a full summer of hikes, socials, tours and even a book discussion. In all we had 7 hikes, some guided by volunteers from the Whidbey Camano Land Trust. We had 7 socials, some hosted by our Windward Women and others at WICA’s Happy Hour Under the Tent. We took 4 different tours that varied from Nichols Brothers Boat Builders to the renovation of the Captain Haller house in Coupeville. Our book discussion was of the book Bijaboji – North to Alaska by Oar written by Betty Lowman Carey.
In total, 35 Windwards participated in the variety of activities. We got a chance to get to know each other and get out and about on Whidbey and even to Anacortes.
Plans are already in the works for the coming year with thoughts of not only staying on Whidbey Island but also going beyond to Port Townsend, Skagit Valley, and museums in Seattle via ferry, bus and light rail. Adventures abound!
All women of the SWYC are invited to participate. Questions? Suggestions? Interests? Contact Katy Shaner.
New Member Orientation & Social
We had a terrific turnout for our orientation and social on October 6th. Thanks again to Barb and Pete Grimlund for being perfect hosts.
Coming Events
Topic: Living on the Annabelle Ferry
Come listen to Kat and Dennis Redmon tell their story of the Annabelle ferry, how their family transformed this old ferry into a unique home for over thirty years. Oh, the tales they can tell! Plus, the Annabelle is currently for sale. Maybe this home is in the future for one of our members?
Here’s a great story about the ferry and the Redmons.
Wednesday, October 16 @ 6:30 pm at the Greenbank Progressive Club (and Zoom)
Saturday, November 9 at 5:30 PM
Useless Bay Golf & Country Club
Attire: See-Worthy!
Watch for your Invitation!
Coming directly to your email inbox Monday, October 14
Cruise Itinerary
5:30 – Set Sail! Mix-Mingle, Appetizers from our ports of call, Cash Bar. Raft up with old friends and new for boarding photos in the nautical photo booth.
6:30 – Dinner Experience the international cuisine from our three ports of call, served buffet style:
- Port of Marseille, France – Chicken Marseilles
- Port of Barcelona, Spain – Canelones Rossini (beef)
- Port of Bangkok, Thailand – Soft shell crab curry (mild) and Vegetable Pad Thai as a vegetarian option
All entrees will include sides and desserts representing each of our ports.
7:30 – Program Change of Watch, Introduction of the 2025 SWYC Board and Awards
8:00 – Back to the good old USA Port of Langley for some classic rock ‘n roll. Don those deck shoes and dance with our live PNW cover band – The Walrus.
Remember to watch for your invitation on Monday. RSVPs due by October 31. We hope to see you on deck!
In the News
Cautionary Tale of a Kayaker Tempted into Crime
(or maybe she just really likes turtles)
Woman pleads guilty to trying to smuggle 29 turtles across a Vermont lake into Canada by kayak
AP News Article
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!
New Members
Michael Mertens
Michael spent part of the summer hanging out with the Laser folk, helping out with the Safety Committee. He was impressed with the people he was meeting; so, decided to join the club.
Until recently, Michael and his spouse lived and worked in the Bay Area. Visits with In-laws living on the island gave them a chance to fall in love with Whidbey. They just completed building a house. Michael expects to take the adult sailing class next spring. And he definitely wants to get involved with our kayakers.
Sponsor: Carol Dean
Amy & Cameron Stillion
“I was raised in Marblehead, MA, an East coast sailing and fishing town, and grew up in a family of avid recreational and competitive sailors. Several generations of my family, including my youngest son have been Pleon Yacht Club members (a sailing club run by kids) and while I love the East coast, my heart is in the west coast.
I live in Freeland and Redmond and am interested in continuing my youngest son’s sailing education/experiences and starting my grandchildren when they’re a bit older. I came across the club while researching and have since been referred to it by several residents.”
Sponsor: Mark Conover
Lynn Swanson
Lynn and her husband own and operate the Glendale Shepherds sheep dairy, selling milk and cheese at Seattle-area farmers markets. Her family has been on the island for many decades. Lots of dairying in their history, including of the bovine variety. Only recently did Lynn decide to get into boating. She has a Rosborough 246. She’s already navigated through Deception Pass up to Crane Island where her son owns a cabin. It was his idea for Lynn to look for a local yacht club. A little googling led her to us.
Lynn attended our recent orientation meeting. She is gracious and broadly curious about boats.
Visit Glendale Sherperds web site.
Sponsor: Mark Conover
Larry Winton
“I sailed Hobie Cats in Texas many years ago, now as I near retirement I want to sail again. I’m the new owner of a 15 foot Norwegian faering Myst, lug rigged, an Ian Oughtred Elf design. The meeting today, 9/18, was so encouraging that I met and talked with several avid boaters. The speaker was fabulous. SWYC impressed me as a good group.”
Sponsor: Mark Conover
Looking for holiday gifts? Getting outfitted for the winter boating season? Looking for SWYC clothing, hats or gifts? 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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South Whidbey Yacht Club
PO Box 316
Greenbank, WA 98253