May Newsletter
Commodore's Message
Opening Day marks the “official” beginning of boating season and the kick off of our Club’s summer events and festivities. I want to thank everyone who helped to make this year’s Opening Day so fun and special including Clay Canfield and the YSA for organizing and hosting the event, all the interest groups who competed in the delicious chili cook-off and John Porter for taking on the Commodore’s duties in my absence.
The next event coming up is the Ya Gotta Regatta (formerly known as Aquapalooza) which will be held at the Langley Marina this year on June 28 & 29 hosted by the Cruisers. We are expecting strong participation by the lasers and kayakers as well but everyone invited and encouraged to attend. The Club’s reciprocal moorage slip at the Langley Marina is now available for our use so the Ya Gotta Regatta also will be a great opportunity to check it out. See the article in this newsletter for more details on both the Ya Gotta Regatta and the reciprocal slip.
Don’t forget our upcoming May Club meeting will be held at the Freeland Hall. Please join us to learn more about the history and upcoming improvements planned for the Hall as well as a presentation on the programs and classes offered by Whidbey Island Kayaking. This summer’s Crab Fest will also be held at the Freeland Hall on July 13..
So with the boating season now officially open there are lots of great opportunities to participate in Club activities. The Club newsletter and the calendar on our web site are the best places to learn more!
Vice Commodore's Report
Thank you to the wonderful members who worked to make Opening Day 2025 a roaring success!
Clay Canfield and crew were out early and stayed late to placate King Triton and protect our mariners as we venture out to new adventures. It was a wonderful time. Numerous boats, great chili, and awesome conversation.
Also had a fun Laser clinic with gusty winds and great sailing on Lone Lake. New member Ariel Piedmont did his best Viking impression! When did you bleed on a kayak or trawler?
I’ll be helping with parking at our Freeland Hall meeting. Remember to follow the marshaller into your parking spot. This is your chance to be an airline pilot! Look forward to seeing everyone at the meeting!
– Vice Commodore John Porter
Opening Day Pics
Clay Canfield marshaled the energy of a dozen volunteers to make this year’s Opening Day a big success. Special thanks to Vice Commodore John Porter for presiding over the occasion.
Below, please enjoy selected photos from Yasmine Rafii, an accomplished professional photographer who has recently joined the club, along with her partner, Bob McGrath. Learn more about Yasmine’s photography on her website.
Reciprocity Update
Benefits for all Members
by Commodore Emeritus Bruce Morris
Did you know that you don’t need to be a cruiser to take advantage of our expansive reciprocity program? Wherever your travels take you in the Northwest, look for one of our reciprocal clubs nearby. Many of them have clubhouses with excellent restaurants. You will find that these aren’t the typical dining experience – you will be welcomed by fellow boaters who will instantly make you feel at home! Some great clubs to visit: San Juan Island YC in Friday Harbor, Juneau YC, and Portland YC. To find detailed facility information for each of our reciprocal clubs, go to our website’s Reciprocal page and search the reciprocal listing. For each club listing, you will see a series of icons to the right of the club name. Each of the first three icons will provide all the details of the reciprocal moorage and club facilities.
South Whidbey Harbor is now taking reservations for our new reciprocal slip in Langley. We encourage all of our members to use this slip. You can even park your crabbing boat there for two days of crabbing. Just pull up our reciprocity page for slip information and reservation procedures.
The most exciting reciprocity news is our list of new reciprocal clubs: Mukilteo Yacht Club, Poulsbo Yacht Club, Eagle Harbor Yacht Club (Bainbridge Island), Eagle Harbor Yacht Club (Vancouver B.C.), and Quartermaster Yacht Club (Vashon Island). We are adding new clubs every month so as you plan your summer boating travels, go to our Reciprocity page to see the latest updates.
Reciprocal questions? Looking for more insights? Contact Bruce Morris & Barbara Bergmann
Kayaking by Co-Fleet Captains Nina Fitts and Diane Lagerstedt
Greetings Kayakers!
Below is information about our next scheduled events. Please be sure to click on the full invitation on Group Me to RSVP. We have added several new members to our kayak email roster. If you are not yet set up on Group Me, let’s get you added to the group. Please send us an email.
Kayaking Presentation at May Meeting
We are encouraging the kayak fleet to have a good showing at the monthly meeting along with all other fleets because A) it’s a new venue that SWYC is trying out for their monthly meetings, B) it’s the new venue for the SWYC annual Crab Fest being hosted by the kayak fleet on July 13 AND C) a representative from Whidbey Island Kayaking will be speaking to members about the services they offer that may be of interest to us. If you are a new member….the monthly meetings are a potluck dinner and you bring your own beverage of choice, and re-usable plates, cups and utensils. It’s fun!
Self Rescue Training Session, Saturday, May 31, 2025, 3-5pm @ Deer Lake Public Boat Ramp, Clinton, WA
If you missed out on the swimming pool kayak rescue session earlier this year, then don’t miss this opportunity to practice your kayak rescue! We will paddle from Deer Lake public boat ramp to the lake front of Dale and Ann Christensen’s house where we will self capsize. Jack and Ann Holton are graciously volunteering again to teach rescue techniques and Dale and Ann are kindly hosting us in order to change out of wet clothes and share a beer/drink and snacks before we paddle back to the Deer Lake public launch. Launching from Deer Lake public boat ramp at 3pm. Come by 2-2:30pm to get your boat in the water. Wear clothing for getting wet and bring a dry set of clothes/towel in a dry bag for transporting to Dale and Ann’s house
Details and RSVP for the May monthly meeting and the self-rescue training at Deer Lake can be found on the Group Me invitations located in the Group Me Calendar for the SWYC Kayak Group and plans are in the works for an early June paddle and a group paddle during Ya Gotta Regatta on June 27. Stay tuned!
Group Me Tutorial
To find the above invitation and other invitations you can click on the image for SWYC Kayaking Group (Yellow kayak with beautiful green water) in Group Me. The page it takes you to is a list where you will see Members, Gallery, Calendar, Polls, Highlights and Settings. Click on CALENDAR and you will be transported to Upcoming and Past Invitations. There are currently 6 invitations listed for May through September in “Upcoming”. If you click on the image for each invitation you will be able to locate all of the relevant details for the listed events plus the RSVP buttons. Hope this helps and if you have any questions about how to locate important information on the Group Me app, Diane and I are happy to walk you through it.
– Nina/Diane, Kayak Fleet Co-Captains
More Upcoming Events
- Fort Flagler Camping Trip June 22-24
- Sinclair Island Camping July 29-31
- Possession Point Kelp Beds August 8th
Windward Women by Fleet Captain Katy Shaner
Hike Report: Ridge Loop Trail @ South Whidbey State Park
by Leslie Flohr
Three of us enjoyed a lovely hike through some of the last remaining old growth forest on Whidbey Island at the South Whidbey State Park. We decided to take the longer Upper Ridge Trail which has a nice little bit of elevation to get those legs moving.
On the way back, we followed the Fern Gully trail and the old campground back to the cars. We were so fortunate to run into Vivian’s Audubon friend who showed us the nesting place of a Great Horned Owl. The cutest baby fledgling popped up his head to take a gander of these two-legged creatures. So fun!
Windward Women Scheduled Hikes
Other events/activities are being planned. See the hikes already scheduled. Remember, you can always go on the SWYC website for the calendar of WW activities.
Tuesday, May 20, 11:00 Whidbey Institute led by Stacy Taylor. Picnic in covered shelter.
Wednesday, June 4, 11:00 at Sharpe Park on Fidalgo led by Julie Demaree. Lunch in Anacortes.
Tuesday, June 10, 10:30 Pacific Rim Institute led by Jann Ledbetter with guest guide from the Pacific Rim Institute. Lunch afterwards at Goldie’s and the Roost in Coupeville.
Tuesday, August 12, 9:00 Ebey’s Bluff Trail with Patty Linehan and Pat Mathews. Discover Pass required. Picnic afterwards
Saturday, August 23, 1:00 – 3:00 Price Sculpture Forest, “WANDER/WONDER: a sculptured dance happening”. Lunch prior at Beaver Tales Café, Coupeville Wharf, 11:30 – 12:00
Windward Women Scheduled Socials
Thursday, June 12, 4:00 – 6:00 at the home of Leslie Flohr. Enjoy Happy Hour with Leslie Flohr in a waterfront bluff home overlooking Admiralty Inlet. Let’s have something to drink and potluck appetizers while we watch the eagles soar and look for Orcas playing below. Bring ‘sips and dips’ to share.
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’.
Windward Women Book Discussion
Tuesday, July 8, 2:00 – 4:00 at the home of Ann Christensen. Join Ann as she hosts this year’s Windward Women book discussion at her home overlooking Deer Lake. The WW will be discussing The Ghosts of Whidbey Island, by local author Victoria Ventris Shea. The Windwards will have a chance to meet Victoria Ventris Shea the week after the book discussion.
Tuesday, July 15, 10:00 – 11:00 Coupeville Library Meeting Room. Meet Author Victoria Ventris Shea.
Tuesday, July 15, 11:30 – 12:30 Tour Island County Historical Museum. Lunch at Front Street Grill or Toby’s Tavern.
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. Contact Fleet Captain Katy Shaner.
Sailing / Racing
Pelican Fleet
Pelican Racing in Jeopardy
Only one boat showed up for the Pelican practice racing at Lone Lake on May 14th. Perhaps the era of these wonderful little boats at SWYC has run its course. Next races are scheduled for Wednesday, May 28th again at Lone Lake with first race to kick off at 4:30. If participation does not pick up substantially, we may cancel the summer series. Send comments and suggestions to Bill Brown.
| 5/28/2025 | Summer Series 1 | Lone Lake |
| 6/11/2025 | Summer Series 2 | Lone Lake |
| 6/25/2025 | Summer Series 3 | Lone Lake |
| 6/27/2025 – 6/28/2025 | Ya Gotta Regatta | Langley Harbor |
| 7/9/2025 | Summer Series 4 | Venue TBD |
| 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
2025 is off to a great start. People have been getting out on the water practicing a ton prior to the racing season starting!
Sailors enjoyed a great laser clinic on Lone Lake in late April.
We had an awesome first night of laser racing on May 13 on Holmes Harbor! Surprisingly breezy from the SE, shifty and puffy with a nice short start line. Very close finishes and lots of capsizes! Four new people joined our fleet, and all four laser fleet club boats were full! There were 13 boats on the line- a new record for most boats out first night racing for the year! Thanks to the awesome Race Committee of Starke and Remy. Great way to start the year!
– Zak Malbin
Cruising by Fleet Captains Jim and Kathy Rogers
Recent Activities
Shakedown Cruise
We had a very successful Shakedown Cruise over Mother’s Day weekend, hosted by Bruce Morris and Barbara Bergmann. We were excited to welcome new cruising members Lynn Swanson and Julie Demaree. Six boat crews enjoyed exceptional spring weather with sun and light winds at Coronet Bay State Park, La Conner Marina, and Cap Sante Marina in Anacortes. Several members took advantage of the easy road access to join us for dock parties and dinners. Everyone is looking forward to the next cruise to the San Juan & Gulf Islands in July.
Upcoming Events
Ya Gotta Regatta, Friday June 27 – Saturday June 28 at South Whidbey Harbor (see separate article, farther down)
For the cruisers who are participating, plan to arrive Friday afternoon and depart Sunday. Please contact Phil Simon with your boat’s name, length, beam, and draft. He will then get that information to the Langley Harbormaster. We will have sips and dips on the dock both Friday and Saturday afternoons. Dinner plans for the cruisers will be “on your own”, either in Langley or aboard your boats. Plans for Saturday include kayaking and sailing events organized by those interest groups as well as socializing and games on the dock planned by Kat and George Bivoino. There are no specific plans for Sunday.
Ahoy Cruisers! Crank the August cruise dates into your summer schedule.
| When | Where | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Monday Aug 11 | Edmonds Marina | Muster the troops. Listen to the trains coming through. Other activities TBD |
| Tuesday Aug 12 | Seattle, Bell Harbor Marina | Party on the dock. Dinner in town. |
| Wednesday Aug 13 | Seattle, Bell Harbor Marina | Unscheduled day on the town. Visit Pike Place Market. Explore, shop, eat, drink |
| Thursday Aug 14 | Bainbridge Island, Winslow City Dock | Walk to town. Get groceries at Town and Country Market. Pot luck on the pier. |
| Friday Aug 15 | Poulsbo Marina | Dinner venue TBD. Sulys Bakery for Saturday breakfast. Longship Marine for new, used and consignment marine items |
| Saturday Aug 16 | Homeward bound |
Bill & Jill Brown, Cruise Captains. Contact us with questions and suggestions.
Youth Sailing Association
Sailing class registration is now open.
See: South Whidbey Parks & Recreation Registration.
Adult Sailing Lessons
Status: Some spots are still open as of May 15.
May 31 and June 1, June 7 and 8 Lone Lake
Introduction to sailing at Lone Lake. Two students and an experienced instructor sail in a San Francisco Pelican. There will be slots available for 8-10 students
Introduction to Laser sailing at Lone Lake. Students must have taken our lessons in Pelicans or bring a suitable sailing resume. 4-6 students. You will learn to rig, launch, sail, land and unrig a Laser dinghy. Wetsuit or drysuit required.
Come join us for some great fun on Lone Lake learning to move these little boats around with just the wind. Learn new skills and get to know a great group of teachers and students.
Kids Sailing Lessons
Status: All classes are now full. Volunteers are needed.
July 14-18, July 21-25 July 28 – August 1 Deer Lake
Beginners sail in the 8 foot El Toro, one for each kid. We have slots for 10 students who must be at least 10 years old or have permission from the lead instructor. We have a couple of El Toros that need some serious repairs. We did purchase a very nice El Toro that we can use to replace one of the unrepaired sicker boats for lessons this year.
Intermediate sailors must be 12 years old or have permission from the head instructor. They should also have taken at least one of the beginner courses. Beginners will be accepted. They sail in Lasers, now known as ILCA Dinghies. Space is available for 8 kids.
The YSA has had some very welcome new help from John Porter, David Millar, and Pete Grimlund. John and David have been active with Laser racing and are bringing that expertise to our group of volunteers.
The YSA welcomes anyone who:
- likes to teach kids
- likes to teach adults
- wants to work on small boats
- can sit in a lawn chair for a few hours and be available as a responsible adult if a child needs to come ashore during lessons.
You will be welcome with whatever time, skills, and interest you can bring. Contact Clay Canfield for more info. Or just show up at one of our meetings. We get together at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesdays at a couple of different meeting places. Check the SWYC calendar for exact dates, times and places.
YSA meets every Wednesday at 9:00 am. Check the club calendar for meeting locations.
Safety Matters #22: PFD's: by Clay Canfield, Safety Officer
As you may know, our physical response to cold water is a critical factor in survival in Puget Sound waters. Safety is like layers of an onion. The first layer is your clothing. The second layer is your PFD. Suffice it to say your PFD, its care, and presence on your body when in the water are vital to your survival. This is a fairly broad subject, so rather than go into much detail regarding PFD’s, I recommend everyone go to the following Coast Guard web page to see what is required for their specific activity.
https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/chapter-I/subchapter-S/part-175/subpart-B
Of particular importance is maintenance of your PFD. A friend of mine fell out of his hunting boat wearing an auto-inflatable PFD, assuming it would inflate and float him to the surface. WRONG! He had not even checked its useful life, and since it had deteriorated from years of use and UV, it burst when the bottle tried to inflate it. Fortunately he was in shallow water and was able to stand on the bottom to crawl back into his boat, but it could have been a hard lesson to learn had he been in deeper water!
My Mustang PFD is warranteed for two years, after which the manufacturer says it has reached its Practical Product Lifetime. I think a good rule of thumb is to check your PFD annually prior to boating season while referencing its owner’s manual. Condition of the bladder and functionality of inflation are key. Another good rule of thumb might be to completely replace the PFD every five years. My personal rule of thumb regarding when to wear a PFD is any time I am not in an enclosed space on a boat. In other words any time I am on deck or in the cockpit.
Remember: PFD’s are like parachutes; they are only useful when you are wearing them!
Clay Canfield
Safety Officer
New Members
This week, our Board of Directors had a large slate of applicants to review and approve. Please welcome the following new members:
Manfred and Karen Bartz
Both Manfred and Karen have cruised the San Juan Islands as well as other sailing adventures. No longer having a cruiser, they are avid kayaker’s. They do have a runabout they use for fishing and crabbing.
Both attended opening day activities and connected with many kayakers
This week, our Board of Directors had a large slate of member applicants to review and approve. Please welcome the following new members:
Brian Kahrs
Brian loves sailing and being on the water. He has a 1980 C&C 40 in Oak Harbor. Avid laser sailor and excited for dinghy sailing.
Julie and Richard Lary
Julie and husband are both bare boat certified and have sailed BVI, Puget Sound, Chesapeake, etc. Julie is a kayaker and would like to join the Windward Women groups.
Robert McGrath and Yasmine Rafii
Own a 19-foot Flying Scot daysailer. Interested in kayaking.
Attended opening day activities and connected with Kayakers.
Ariel Piedmont and Kristin Klassen
2004 Coast Guard Academy graduate, 200-ton masters, own 25 Nimble Nomad outboard powered trawler. Interested in Laser racing.
Marcos and Cristina Plata
Marcos and Cristina, and started sailing 40-50 ft. boats in 2015. They really enjoyed the sailing community but moved a lot while finishing up careers in the US Navy.
Marcos was a “swimmer” for the Navy, stationed in San Diego and his wife Cristina was a nurse in the Navy- both now retired.
Rooted in Oak Harbor, they want to reconnect with the community on a more consistent basis and volunteer for events that help spread interest and mentorship for the sailing community. Marcos is interested in Laser sailing and Cristina in Kayaking.
Sara Stawarz
Sara grew up in Michigan on boats every weekend in the summer. It is a long-standing goal to learn to sail and eventually work towards a captain license.
Sara connected with Mark Conover when he came into her print shop (Washington Design Co.) to ask about embroidered hats and was sold on the organization and has signed up for Sailing Lessons through the Parks & Rec program and is very excited to start!
Coming Events
General Meeting
Wednesday, May 21st
6:30 pm
!! Change of Location !! : Freeland Hall
1515 Shoreview Drive, Freeland
Freeland Hall Presentation:
History and Present
This hundred-year-old institution will be the site of our next meeting, featuring a presentation by a Freeland Hall representative on the history and use options of Freeland Hall Learn more about Freeland Hall.
Whidbey Island Kayaking
Krista Loercher will make a presentation on what Whidbey Island Kayaking is all about.
Click here for more information about Whidbey Island Kayaking
Ya Gotta Regatta
Friday June 27 – Saturday June 28
Langley Marina
Come join fellow SWYC members for a weekend of play on the water at Langley Marina. Bring your cruising boats, dinghy sailboats, kayaks, paddle boards, and smaller power boats to enjoy activities on the waters around Langley. Interest groups can plan activities for their own groups and activities to share with other groups and members.
Free sails, kayak paddles, ad hoc races, happy hour on the dock. A wonderful opportunity to enjoy and learn more about the various types of boating.
Friday: Start arriving in the afternoon. Sips and Dips will start about 5pm on the main float about 5pm. Bring a dip to share, your own sips, and a folding chair if you can.
Saturday: Several cruisers will be available throughout the day for short open-water trips around Saratoga Passage for non-cruisers interested in an on-water experience outside their normal SWYC activities. Hopefully sailers and maybe even kayakers can take some along for a new experience as well.
Saturday afternoon will include sailing and kayaking activities and of course at 5pm, Sips and Dips on the dock will commence!
Plan on sharing different ways to enjoy our local waters with club members!
Fort Flagler Camping and Kayaking – All Members Welcome!
Camping & Kayaking at Fort Flagler State Park on Marrowstone Island
Sunday, June 22 – Tuesday, June 24, 2025
It’s not too late to sign up! Come join the SWYC kayakers for 2 nights and 3 days of kayaking and playing at Fort Flagler State Park. All SWYC members are invited, whether you are a kayaker or not. If you’re not a kayaker or if conditions aren’t great to be kayaking on the water, there is sailing, trails to hike, bike paths to ride, beaches to walk, and cideries, eateries, galleries and shopping to explore in nearby Chimicum and Port Townsend. If you are a boater, there is a boat launch and limited moorage. We’ll all share group dinners and camaraderie telling sea tales by the campfire. Something for everyone!
The Wagon Wheel group campsite has been reserved and has plenty of sites for our SWYC group, with a 25-vehicle limit. There’s a large covered picnic shelter, two BBQ’s, multiple fire rings, two vault toilets and potable water access. Campers and trailers are welcome, but there are no electric hook-ups. The group site is private and apart from the general campground. It’s ~3/4 mile from the boat launch, but we also have a single campsite site reserved near the boat launch where we can store our kayaks overnight, if preferred. We’ll split the cost of the campsites once we know how many are coming.
If you prefer a single campsite in the general campground, and then just joining the group for activities, be sure to make your campsite reservations now. The sites are reserving fast. If you’re just not a camper and want to participate, you can rent an Air BnB’s or hotel room near the park. We’d love to have you along.
Also, make your reservations for the Coupeville to Port Townsend ferry.
Ready for some fun and adventure? Let Barb Grimlund know if you are interested in this trip to ensure you are on all future communications for this outing.
Crab Feast
Sponsored this year by SWYC Kayaking Fleet
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!
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
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