Commodore's Message
The SWYC summer events are off and running. The kayak group had a fun and very well attended (over 25 campers) camping trip at Fort Flagler and paddle along Marrowstone Island, the cruiser’s hosted the first You Gotta Regatta to be held at Langley Marina and our first Crab Fest at the Freeland Hall will be behind us. All of these events take lots of planning and preparation and I want to thank everyone who helped make them so fun and successful as well as all who attended.
A couple of significant activities and events we are still looking forward to include the YSA’s youth sailing program on Deer Lake and our August Social at the Organic Farm School on August 20th. The YSA team has everything ready to go but they could still use a few more people to help with shore support for the third week of classes. This year’s August Social should be especially fun and informative. The Organic Farm School will be serving us oven fired pizza and providing a garden tour. The cost to cover the venue and pizza is a very reasonable $15 per person. We would like to have as many people as possible to sign up and pay in advance. Please see the August Social article in this newsletter for more information and the link to purchase tickets. Hope to see you there!
Finally the Board has started to consider whether or not we should continue the hybrid (i.e. in-person and virtual) format of our monthly meetings. Although it was pretty much a necessity following Covid we typically now only have a handful of members participating virtually via Zoom. It does provide a great way for people who are away or otherwise not able attend in person to participate and allows for speakers to present remotely but the set-up and operation of the system and presentation material can be challenging and frustrating. We plan to stick with the hybrid format for the rest of this year but will be seeking your thoughts and recommendations on what to do next year. We will not make the decision lightly so please do let us know what you think.
Vice-Commodore's Report
Thanks to the entire crew that made YaGotta Regatta a reality! George and Kat, Jim and Kathy et all. Thanks to Sean, Mark, and Marc who got out on the water to sail. Great to see the different groups on the dock! And Phil and I found out we worked for Standard Service Tire in Renton and Seattle, small world! Also a big thanks to Al and Dan who came out to pressure wash Freeland Hall so our CrabFest will be a solid and clean success!
Youth sailing starts this week. A huge thanks to each sailor who donates their time and effort for the kids of South Whidbey. I’ve seen firsthand the amount of work accomplished by YSA, it is truly superhuman. It also introduces them to the joy we all find on the water. Hope you all enjoy the CrabFest 2025, it’s going to be an epic year!
Kapitan J
SWYC Online Photo Albums
Barb Grimlund has been serving as the club’s photo archivist for the last several years. Thanks to her efforts, we have a set of photo albums accessible from our web site. Access is restricted to SWYC members, so you will need to sign in first. We don’t have a way for members to upload their photos directly to these online albums. So please send them to Barb, whose email address is available in our online membership directory.
To view the images, either select the “SWYC Photo Albums” menu item in the “Current Members” menu, or navigate to the web page of a particular special interest group. For example, the Kayaking section of the web site now includes a link to the Kayaking photo album.
Kayaking by Co-Fleet Captains Nina Fitts and Diane Lagerstedt
Fort Flagler – Camping, Kayaking, Biking and Adventure
Trip Report
June 22 – 24th saw the Kayak group board the Coupeville ferry and road trip to Marrowstone Island, Ft. Flagler State Park.
Overall, we had 29 participants. Twenty people stayed in the group campsite and one camper in an individual site, and a few non campers booked accommodations close by. Three members, including club Commodore Dan Mooney, joined us for one day. Group dinners were yummy and well organized. Campfire visiting fun. .
Letty Curvers, Marilyn Jones, Mary Stewart and Dean Enell all found the biking around the park to be enjoyable.
Marc Simmel brought his sailboat and sailed as our kayakers paddled down the bay. He joined right in with all our activities.
Paddlers went out for a perfect evening paddle on night one, but the big adventure was on day 2. We paddled from Ft Flagler to Mystery Bay for lunch. Tide was with us and it made for a quick paddle. Some in the group continued on through the new channel that connects Marrowstone and Indian Islands. About 6 – 7 mile paddle total and the last 1/4 mile was a workout against currents in the new channel. Many of the non-paddlers in the group showed up to help ferry the boats up the stairs from the beach and the kayakers back to their cars. Grateful for the help!
We are grateful to Barb Grimlund for leading this trip and enlisting the help of a terrific group of co-leaders, Vivian Stembridge, Lance Porter, Joel Shrut and Mary Knighton. Trips like this would not be possible without the help of volunteers! Thanks for your commitment to the SWYC Kayak Fleet!
Upcoming Events
- July 13: Kayak Fleet teams up to host the beloved, annual SWYC Crab Feast with a fundraising silent Dessert Auction. Bring some extra cash to bid on one of the fabulous desserts. All for the support of Whidbey Veterans Resource Center. 3-5pm at the Freeland Community Hall. Look out for special flyers with all the details in the newsletter.
- July 17: Paddle and Pints- One way 4-mile paddle from Bells Beach to Langley followed by Double Bluff Brewery pints and lunch. Launch at 10:00 am. See group me app for more details. Consider carpool or parking in Langley after dropping off your boat as parking is limited at the launch site.
- July 29 – 31: Kayak camping trip to Sinclair Island (this trip is fully booked).
- August 8: Possession Point Kelp Beds led by Gayle Austin. Launch at 9:00 am.
Details and RSVP for the upcoming kayak paddles and events can be found on the Group Me invitations located in the Group Me Calendar for the SWYC Kayak Group. Not on Group Me for the Kayak Fleet? Contact Nina Fitts or Diane Lagerstedt to get you set up.
Windward Women by Fleet Captain Katy Shaner
July is here and that means sum, sum, summertime on Whidbey Island for the Windward Women.
On Wednesday, July 2, a new member of the club, Linda Johnson and Katy Shaner hiked the South Whidbey Community Park. This park, easily accessible off Maxwelton, is near South Whidbey High School, Castle Park and the sports field. The trails are well marked and shady and we wandered them as we talked about a variety of topics, the SWYC leading the list. Afterwards we met Linda’s husband at Spoiled Dog for a wine flight and appetizers. It was a beautiful day and a relaxing enjoyable hike!
On Tuesday, July 8, eight Windward Women gathered at the home of Ann Christensen for a book discussion. The book we read was written by a local author, Victoria Ventris Shea -The Ghosts of Whidbey Island.
Taking place during the mid-1800s, it tells the tale of the Native Americans, who inhabited the island, Snetlum, a leader of the oldest village, and the settlement of Whidbey Island by the pioneers, who claimed the land and built their homesteads, Isaac Ebey being the first permanent settler,.
“Life on the island seems harmonious until Ebey must balance his time between his farm, the demands of a new territory, his wife’s failing health, the aggressive actions of the first governor of Washington Territory and threats from northern Indians. This historical novel is presented within a ghostly wrapper. After all, it is history that creates ghosts.” https://victoriaventrisshea.com/the-ghosts-of-whidbey-island
The WW had a lively discussion and came up with a list of questions to ask the author when the WW meet Victoria in person on Tuesday, July 15.
Meet the Author
Meet the Author – Victoria Ventris Shea The Ghosts of Whidbey Island, Pioneer plot Sunnyside Cemetery, Tuesday, July 15 10:00 – 11:00.
Windward Women Scheduled Hikes
Long Point to Captain Coupe’s, Happy Hour Goldie’s – Monday, July 14 2:00 – 5:00, Led by Katy Shaner
Ebey’s Bluff Trail, Picnic – Tuesday August 12, 9:00, led by Patty Linehan and Pat Matthews
Saturday August 23, 1:00-3:00 “WANDER/WONDER: a sculptured dance happening”
Price Sculpture Forest 678 Parker Rd Coupeville Suggested donation: $20 or pay-what-you-can. https://sculptureforest.org/dance/ Lunch prior at Beaver Tales Café, Coupeville Wharf, 11:30 – 12:30
Windward Women Scheduled Socials
Friday, August 1, 3:00 – 5:00 at the Happy Hour at the home of Gwen Coughenour and a walk to Deer Lagoon to see Pelicans (birds, not the sailing dinghys). Gwen will provide ‘sips and dips’.
WICA Summer Nights Series 5:00 -7:00 p.m.
- Saturday, August 9 – Salish Moon — Luke Pauley, Julie Radmilla, Jing Jing Tsong, Michael McInerney.
- Saturday, August 16 – Northern Storm — Bob Aldrich, Russell Clepper, Michael McInerney, Bev Heising.
- Saturday, August 23 – Fiddle Chix — Brigitte Tennis (violin), Bev Heising (mandolin/fiddle), Susan Hanzelka (fiddle), Penny Livingston (guitar), Jing Jing Tsong (double bass).
Remember, you can always go on the SWYC website for the calendar of WW activities.
All women of the SWYC are invited to participate in Windward Women activities.
Sailing / Racing
Pelican Fleet
The 2025 Pelican race series is underway. Scoring details are posted on Sailwave.
| 7/14/2025 | 8/1/2025 | Break during youth sailing classes |
| 8/6/2025 | Summer Series 6 | Monroe Landing |
| 8/20/2025 | August Social | Ashore |
| 9/3/2025 | Summer Series 7 (Final Races) | Monroe Landing |
Laser Fleet
The SWYC Laser Fleet has completed 32 races so far this season! We have had really fun windy conditions most of the summer so far, resulting in lots of good wave surfing downwind and capsize practice (myself included after a spectacular pitchpole /death-roll last night)! The close racing is really helping the overall skill level of the fleet improve, and of special note our newer sailors are zipping up the steep learning curve really sailing exceptionally. The Race Committee team of Randy, Remy, and Starke have done a great job managing the conditions and keeping everyone safe. I have also heard that Mike Scott occasionally offers play by play breakdowns from the dock for anyone watching the fun! Check out the results at Sailwave.
– Zak Malbin
Cruising by Fleet Captains Jim and Kathy Rogers
Upcoming Events
Gulf Island Cruise – Tuesday July 15 – Tuesday July 22 hosted by George & Kat Bivoino
| When | Where | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday July 15 | Anacortes Marina | George and Kat host sips and dips. Afterwards we all go to Nonna Luisa Ristorante. This is a great Italian restaurant 360-293-0694, VHF 66 |
| Wednesday July 16 | Roche Harbor | Enjoy a relaxing time at the pool, Kayak around the bay area or to Garrison Bay and back depending on the tides. Early evening one of our boaters hosts sips and dip followed by dinner at the restaurant. 360-378-9816, VHF 78 |
| Thursday, Friday July 17 – 18 | Poets Cove on Pender Island | Poets Cove Resort & Spa – Luxury Resort on Pender Island, BC 250-629-2111, VHF 66 |
Day 1: Check in at customs right next door to Poets Cove in Bedwell. Kayak the beautiful bay, or relax at the pool; they allow you to bring your own drinks and food. Lite Sips and dips hosted by another boat. Dinner at Poets Cove or Port Browning. Day 2: Everyone is on their own for breakfast. Daytime options; jump on one of the boats and cruise to Port Browning and hike into town for lunch; spend the afternoon at the pool or kayak, lite sips and dips hosted by one of the boats then dinner at the resort. | ||
| Saturday July 19 | Sidney / Victoria | Breakfast on your own. Then off to Sydney for one night. Take a walk to Shaw Centre, BC’s Aquarium, Learning Centre, and Salish Sea Store. Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea. Early evening lite sips and dips on the dock. Dinner at Jack’s. 250-655-3711, VHF 66 |
| Sunday, Monday July 20 – 21 | Oak Bay Marina | Go south to Oak Bay marina in east Victoria for two nights. VHF 66 |
Day 1: Lunch on your own after arriving (there is a nice café on site) Walk into town and enjoy the shops. Sips and dips then have dinner in town. Day 2: Breakfast on your own, then we take the bus to Victoria for the day. It is a 15-minute walk to the bus stop, and a short 10-minute ride to Warf Street in Victoria. Walk around the Warf area and have lunch. Return to Oak Bay marina sips and dips then dinner. | ||
| Tuesday July 22 | Friday Harbor | Go to Friday harbor to check in with Customs and spend the night there |
Youth Sailing Association
The YSA needs volunteers to be shore support during the kids’ sailing classes. The kids need an adult to be on shore just in case they capsize an El Toro, they get a sliver in their finger, or they need reassurance that, despite the perceived danger, sailing on Deer Lake is pretty safe and the worst that can happen is they go for an accidental swim. Classes are on the weekdays of July 14-18, July 21-25, July 28-August 1 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Shore support volunteers typically take either a morning or an afternoon watch, roughly 3 hours. Please contact Sarah Dore at sdore@whidbey.net or 360-331-5594 or 425-418-7431. Let her know what day you would like and whether you prefer morning or afternoon or ask her what time slots are available. It’s OK if two or more volunteers sign up for the same slot; you’ll have someone to talk to. It’s truly a very pleasant way to spend a few hours because the site is a shady island on the shore of a scenic lake.
– Clyde Jenkins
YSA meets every Wednesday at 9:00 am. Check the club calendar for meeting locations.
New Members
This week, our Board of Directors had one applicant to review and approve. Please welcome the following new member:
Fredrik Winsnes
“I am on year 3 of adult sailing classes and have observed the camaraderie and friendship among the yacht club members. While I live in Tacoma, I have family on the island and plan to relocate to Whidbey in a few years. I am interested in boating, hiking, kayaking, and making good friends.”
Sponsor: Michael Mroz
Occasional Literary Section
"A Marriage at Sea: A True Story of Love, Obsession, and Shipwreck"
by Sophie Elmhirst
Capsized by a whale, now adrift in a dinghy, a married couple contemplates their survival. Seems like a metaphor …
Writer, adventurer and dog-sledder Blair Braverman reviews the book:
“In ‘A Marriage at Sea,’ the journalist Sophie Elmhirst’s elegant and propulsive nonfiction debut about a married couple cast adrift for months on a raft, this tension is on full display. Maurice and Maralyn Bailey took to the seas from 1970s England, selling their suburban home to buy a boat and sail to New Zealand. Nine months into the trip, a sperm whale breached under their boat — called the Auralyn, a combination of their names — and it sank into the Pacific, leaving them stranded on a crude raft with an assortment of salvaged items, luckily including water, canned food, a camera — and a biography of King Richard III.” Read the complete review in the New York Times. Listen to a podcast interview with the author.
Or read about the book on the Good Reads website.
Coming Events
August Social
Sponsored this year by SWYC Windward Women
Come one, come all to the August Social! The Windward Women will be hosting this fun event at the Organic Farm School, at 6390 Maxwelton Rd.
Mark your calendars for Wednesday, August 20th from 6:30 – 8:30.
This venue at the OFS has both a covered area where the wood fired oven and tables are located and an outdoor picnic table area for eating. The WW have been in communication with the manager of the OFS, Adam Skaardal, who will be preparing and providing homemade pizzas for the evening. Plus, OFS will provide all the compostable plates, utensils, and cups. So, there is no need to bring your own.
The WW will be preparing salads from produce purchased at the OFS. Those attending will be asked to bring side orders, desserts and their beverages of choice.
For both the venue and the pizzas, there will be a shared expense of $15 per person for those attending this event. Because of that and to better plan for the number of pizzas to bake, the club is asking for a RSVP and payment in advance through the club’s website (see link, below).
During the evening, OFS is offering a guided tour of the gardens. As August is the height of the growing season, you will have an opportunity to see much and learn even more!
Again, come one, come all to the August Social!
Purchase Tickets
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!
All Annual Events
SWYC Branded Clothing & Merchandise
Looking for snazzy SWYC apparel for the upcoming summer boating season? Or maybe hats, canvas tote bags, aprons, towels or throws for the boat or home? Two different SWYC logos plus Windward Women logos to choose from. Make your customized selection and order on line.
Land’s End Online Store
Alternatively, Washington Design Company, here on Whidbey Island, offers a broad range of SWYC branded apparel. Shop online, then either ship to your address, or pick up at their shop in Ken’s Corner.
Washington Design Co. Online Store
Copyright © 2025 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