Commodore's Message
Finishing Strong
In reflecting back, I would have to say 2024 was an outstanding year for the South Whidbey Yacht Club and we finished it strong. We experienced robust growth throughout the year, our interest groups were very active, engaged and energized and all of our annual events were successful and fun. We even added a new one with our first Aquapalooza back in May. On top of that we enjoyed presentations by some excellent speakers at our monthly Club meetings. We wrapped up the year with a wonderful Commodore’s Bash, a really festive Windward Wonderland Holiday Party and an amazing night time outing by the kayakers on Deer Lake dubbed “Kayaks, Kazoos and Carols”. Our new member applications typically tail off at the end of the year but this year we added a number of excellent new members through the 4th Quarter. The growth in membership helped the Club to end the year in good financial stead as well. We did finish strong!
In summary we just had a lot of good stuff going and we are well positioned for another great year in 2025. Thanks to all the Club leaders, volunteers and members who helped to make this possible.
Like we did last year, our plan for the January Club meeting is to do a more detailed report out and summary of the 2024 programs and the plans for 2025 by each of the interest groups. Please consider joining us either in person or on line as we kick off the New Year.
Commodore Dan
Festive Windward Wonderland Holiday Party by Katy Shaner
COME ONE, COME ALL! AND THEY DID!
The Windward Women of the SWYC hosted the holiday party this year. It was a fun, festive and full evening!
More photos from the party ….
Kayaking by Co-Fleet Captains Nina Fitts and Diane Lagerstedt
Kayak Christmas Boat Parade
Our kayak fleet didn’t hang up our paddles for the winter quite yet!
We enjoyed a festive paddle on Dec. 9th around Deer Lake – the boats twinkling with lights! 14 boats and 17 hardy paddlers turned out.
We did our best to carry a tune and caroled our way around the lake accompanied by everyone’s favorite instrument, kazoos. We were rewarded with cookies at several of the neighbors’ docks. Maybe they thought we would shut up with our mouths full? Kudos to Glen and Tina Quinton for turning their double kayak into a lighted sailboat. Shout out to Dana Melick for leading the kayak choir. He even brought lyric sheets. Big warm thank you to Dale and Ann Christensen for welcoming us to their home for hot chocolate and a chance to get toasty by the fire. And special gratitude to Barb Grimlund for organizing the event. The weather cooperated and it’s been officially decided that this will be an annual event.
Upcoming Events
Now is your chance to help map out the best kayak season plan yet! Join us on January 6th from 6:00-8:00 pm at Diane Lagerstedt’s home in Freeland to dream up our 2025 events. Bring your ideas, your paddle goals and your enthusiasm and let’s make it happen. Plus, Diane is keeping the cocoa bar open. Hosted by Kayak Co-Captains Nina Fitts and Diane Lagerstedt we will be going over what’s already in the works, looking to fill in the calendar with other paddles organized by volunteers from the group and enlisting the help of other members to do the some of the tasks that keep this group growing and vibrant. For instance, who wants to help welcome new members? Who will plan a paddle? Who is good with tide and weather apps and willing to teach a class? The Kayak Fleet is hosting the Crab Feed this year…. we need some volunteers! Also looking for someone (or two) from the West Beach Orcas group to act as a leader for this popular paddle trip. Please RSVP for the January 6th meeting via Group Me app. Questions about how to use the group me app reach out to Nina Fitts or Diane Lagerstedt. Sorry, no Zoom option for this event. Already on the calendar in June Fort Flagler Camping and Paddle trip Coming up in late September Orcas Island! Sailing / Racing
Laser and Pelican racing are on winter hiatus. Planning continues behind the scenes as our racing leads start to think about 2025. If you have ideas or wish to participate in the planning, reach out to Zak Malbin or Carol Dean for Lasers or Bill Brown for Pelicans
Cruising
If anyone is interested in any off-season cruising, reach out to our Group Me Cruising Group to find fellow cruisers. Questions about Cruising? Contact Jim and Kathy Rogers.
Watch for 2025 Cruise Planning meetings in early 2025.
Coming Events
2025 Membership Renewals
Your email inbox will soon have a reminder to renew your membership for 2025.
2025 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
Gwen Coughenour
Gwen has lived on the island for many years, giving her much opportunity to explore the region. But she also has a taste for far-ranging exploration. She recently kayaked the Douro river in Portugal with Judy Dixon. And she is a very active downhill skiing.
According to Gwen, “I am interested mostly in the kayak portion of your club. I have a Pygmy kayak and have kayaked in Puget Sound, Whidbey waters, San Juans and Canada. We just sold our 50’ Ocean Alexander after 25 years of boating in the SanJuan and Canadian waters.”
Sponsors: Ann and Dale Christianson
Judy Dixon
Having heard about the club from Ann Christensen, Judy is very eager to hang out with our kayakers. Over the last thirty years, she has kayaked in this area, and up in Canada. Judy really enjoys finding new places to explore. Just recently, she completed an eight day kayak adventure in Portugal.
Sponsors: Ann and Dale Christianson
Anna and Erik Nordstrom
Anna and Erik moved to Whidbey almost two years ago. They noticed some signs advertising the club at a couple of different events.
“We are fairly beginner boaters but love being on the water. We have two adults and two kids in our family, our oldest has taken a sailing class using 1-2 person boats and absolutely loved it. Our youngest took a parent and child class with me using Hobie cats, and also loved it. I am a former rower and am very comfortable on the water. I have also taken sailing classes in the past and used to race a 14 foot Thistle with two friends. My husband is a newbie.”
Sponsor: Mark Conover
Marc Simmel
Marc grew up overseas (Japan, Hong Kong). His father was a journalist with United Press International. As a youth, Marc spent much time at the yacht club in Hong Kong. After recently retiring from the mechanical / manufacturing engineering profession, Marc designed his own house here on Whidbey.
“I first learned how to sail as a teenager and quickly progressed to racing dinghies and keelboats, including at off-shore and international events. I moved to Whidbey Island about six months ago to finish the details on my post-retirement home. My current ‘ride’ is a Wētā trimaran and I am building my own Angus row/sail/cruiser to explore the Sound and beyond.”
Sponsor: Mark Conover
Elin Stebbins Waldal & Jimmy Waldal
Elin and Jimmy are enthusiastic about becoming members — they have already attended some club events. Elin is the Director of Healing Circles in Langley. Jimmy is a financial advisor. His family has kept a cabin on the island for many years.
They have a Cutwater C-248 Coupe and enjoy multiple ways of being on the water. Jimmy loves to fish, shrimp, crab, and camp. Elin enjoys harbor hopping and exploring the areas where they dock. They learned about SWYC through Lynnaea Lumbard and Rick Paine and look forward to meeting new people and being part of the SWYC community.
Sponsor: Lynnaea Lumbard and Rick Paine
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
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Greenbank, WA 98253