February 2026 Newsletter
Commodore's Message
Julia and I had the opportunity to participate in the recent pool rescue class with the SWYC Kayak Group in the North Whidbey indoor pool. The experience reinforced for me the premium our Club places on the safety of its members. The training was provided by instructors from Whidbey Island Kayaking with in the water assistance by several of the Kayak Group’s more experienced paddlers. Members also had the option of observing from the pool sideline because in the water training was limited by pool space for kayaks. Everyone jumped in to help with the job of unloading and loading the kayaks and gear.
The program provided a great opportunity to learn and practice both self and assisted rescue techniques in preparation for the upcoming paddling season. Our Kayak Group highly encourages and in most cases requires all those who participate in our Club’s paddles to have taken this type of training. Julia and I have taken self rescue training several times in the past but this class was a great and much needed refresher. Thanks to our Kayak Group Fleet Captains and all who helped to organize and conduct the training. Whidbey Island Kayaking even had a nice recognition of SWYC and the event in their recent newsletter.
Please consider joining us at Freeland Hall or on line for this month’s Club meeting. Alyce Henry, Oak Harbor Marina Harbormaster will be giving us an update on the future plans for the marina. As the only substantial long term public moorage facility on the Island the Oak Harbor Marina is a very important asset for our boating community. We will also be hearing from Beth Herrild the Executive Director of our non-profit partner for the year South Whidbey at Home.
As expected, we have been enjoying the use of Freeland Hall by our Club for the past couple of months. The set-up for our Club meetings does take a bit more work however and we could use a few more hands to help. If you are able to pitch in with setting up the tables and chairs please come about 30 early to help.
On a final note, please remember to renew your membership for the year if you have not already done so. It is easy to do on-line on the Club’s website. Annual dues are the primary sources of revenue for supporting our Club’s events and activities.
Kayaking by Co-Fleet Captains Nina Fitts and Diane Lagerstedt
As Commodore Dan stated in this month’s message, the Kayak Self-Rescue session in January was a big success. Thank you to Whidbey Island Kayaking for the outstanding training.
We have awesome trips already on the calendar and listed on Group Me for the New Year! Check out the SWYC kayak page on the website to read about our trips to Oyhut/Ocean Shores May 28-31, Sun Lakes/Dry Falls June 22-25 and West Beach Orcas Island September 17-20. Plus, two camping trips to Sinclair Island in July and August hosted on the property of members Barb and Pete Grimlund. 2026 is already shaping up to be a fun time out on our beautiful PNW waters.
Windward Women by Fleet Captains Ann Christensen, Gayle Austin and Mary Stewart
Hello Windward Women,
We are fine-tuning our 2026 calendar of events and are very excited to share the plan for socials, hikes, book club and local tours in store for us! All your responses to our survey and your offers to lead activities are greatly appreciated and make our job a joy!
In February, our first book club read is “Alone in the Great Unknown” by Caroll Simpson which is an inspiring story of how a recently widowed woman came to own and operate a fishing lodge in remote British Columbia. This is a heartfelt memoir of a woman from Washington state who also becomes an environmental activist in her unlikely adventure in the wilderness. Katy Shaner will lead the book discussion on March 25th from 10:00 to 12:00 at Freeland Hall. Copies of the book can be found at Sno-isle library, Amazon and used book stores.
Stay tuned for much more to come! The GroupMe app is the best place for more information on events and provides a place to sign up for them. Please let us know if you need help getting signed up for or navigating the WW GroupMe. Information can also be found on the SWYC website.
Saturday, February 28th from 1 pm – 3:30 pm
Barb Grimlund has arranged a Washi paper egg making class taught by a local crafter, Sandra Thomas. The class is popular and there is a maximum of 10 students so sign up soon on the WW GroupMe app. Additional information on the GroupMe app and the SWYC website. There will be a $15 material fee for this class. The location is Ann Christensen’s home.
Tuesday, March 10th from 10am to 1pm
We will sail back in time at the Coupeville Historical Museum with a self-guided tour. Lunch to follow at Toby’s Tavern down the street. .
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 2026 Pelican racing season is being planned. Check back to our racing page for details about the 2026 races.
Laser Fleet
Planning for this year’s Laser racing season is happening now. Watch the SWYC calendar and the Racing Page for updated information. Race results for 2025 are available at Sailwave: Series I & Series II.
Cruising by Fleet Captains Jim and Kathy Rogers
2026 Cruise Planning is Underway
Check the club calendar for updates as 2026 cruises are being planned.
View the Cruising Photo Album
Safety Matters #29 - Youth Protection
Safety Officer Clayton Canfield
In 1995 Judy and I moved from Colorado to Everett. Being a low-time sailor I wanted to learn more so I joined the Milltown Sailing Association. I was interested in working with youth, so volunteered to help out with their Friday night sails on Silver Lake. One Friday I found myself alone in charge. At one point two girls probably aged 12 – 14 capsized, were rescued and brought to shore by the safety boat operator. I now had two early female teen agers wearing only jeans and wet tee shirts that needed to at least get warm, but also needed to get into dry clothes. This flat-out scared me, as I did not want to be in the boathouse alone with two under age girls. Fortunately I spotted a family having a picnic near the dock and the woman was a Milltown member. She agreed to take the girls to the boathouse and get them warm and dry clothes. I was relieved and felt extremely lucky!
That was the last time I participated in that program, as I felt it was patently unsafe for a male adult to be alone in the company of under age girls and even boys. I investigated other organizations, and joined the Sea Scout Ship in Edmonds. Sea Scouts has a Youth Protection Program which is very well designed to protect youth, but also protects adults if properly managed. As you can imagine, if a male adult is even accused of impropriety with an under aged youth, it essentially means he has to leave the town, if not the state!
As a result of the USA Gymnastics scandal in the 1990’s, the Michigan State University scandal, and the United States Olympic Committee scandals, an organization called Safesport was started to educate people working with youth, especially coaches, and hopefully prevent the abuse of youth athletes in organizations that subscribe to it. US Sailing is one of those organizations. At this time, in order to be a current US Sailing certified instructor, a current Safesport certificate is required along with current CPR and First Aid certificates. The Participant Protection Program described in the SWYC Safety Protocol, Appendix G, delineates the basic principles of both Safesport and the Sea Scout Youth Protection Program.
These programs are essentially intended to protect youth. However they also will protect adults involved, if the program is followed properly. To paraphrase the program, I am listing the most important primary guidelines:
- Two-deep leadership, e.g. at least two adult leaders present at all times.
- No “One 0n One” situations between adults and youth. This includes in-person, phone calls, and even emails or social media contacts. Including the youth’s parent alleviates this situation. Situations that are observable and interruptable are acceptable.
- Male and Female adults at all co-ed activities.
- At least two youth and two adults present at all times for all activities.
- No physical punishment is acceptable and all discipline will be monitored.
I encourage everyone reading this article to go the SWYC Safety Protocol and read the entire Participant Protection Program, including Appendix G. For background it would be helpful to go to Safesport.com to see the origins of our program. If everyone in SWYC who works with youth will adhere to this program, the club and each individual should be well protected in the event there is a lawsuit filed as a result of someone claiming child or youth abuse.
Remember: Situational Awareness is Life, good boating skill is Life Insurance, and proper equipment and clothing is premium Life Insurance!
Youth Sailing Association
Come to one of our meetings to learn what we do, and about the great young people whose lives we change for the better.
YSA meets every Wednesday at 10:00 am. Check the club calendar for meeting locations.
New Members
This week, our Board of Directors had a new family application to review and approve. Please welcome the following new members:
Denise and Michael Barker
The Barkers I have been coming to Whidbey for over 10 years and have finally moved here permanently. They love the natural beauty of PNW and its stunning vistas of mountain and Salish Sea. Both are so excited to explore both land and sea. They do not currently own a boat, but plan to remedy that soon! The Barkers are from Langley, WA
Sponsors: Jim and Kathy Rogers
In the News
When It’s Finally Cold Enough to Race Ice Yachts
On the Navesink River, a long and frigid winter has allowed a 135-year-old rivalry to be renewed.
Article in NY Times (no paywall)
Coming Events
General Meeting
Alyce Henry, Harbormaster of the Oak Harbor Marina
Freeland Hall Community Center (and Zoom)
6:30 – Sips ‘n Dips, Socializing
7:00 – 9:00 – Meeting and Speaker
Alyce Henry will be providing an update on the new plan for transitioning the marina to the Port of Oak Harbor.
In addition, Beth Herrild, Executive Director of the South Whidbey at Home nonprofit, will talk about her organization. SW@Home is the nonprofit that SWYC will be supporting in 2026. South Whidbey at Home is a membership-based nonprofit dedicated to helping older South Whidbey residents remain in their homes and active in the community they love. They provide access to a variety of volunteer assistance, empowering educational opportunities and social activities for members and volunteers.
Please remember to bring an appetizer or dessert to share, your beverage of choice and your own plate and eating utensils (to minimize waste).
2026 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 Merchandise
Land’s End Online Store
There are three ways to shop at Washington Design Co:
- You can stop in at their store and see the apparel and hat assortments in store, choose an item and have the SWYC logo applied, or in some cases, even order the item in a different color or size.
- You can bring in your own personal apparel or item and have the logo applied to it, or
- You can visit their website, choose your item, then either have it shipped to your address, or pick it up at their shop across from Ken’s Corner. lternatively, 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 across from Ken’s Corner.
or at: 11247 WA-525 Clinton, WA 98236
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South Whidbey Yacht Club
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