December Newsletter
Commodore's Message
Julia and I were out of town and not able to attend this year’s “Winter Waterland” Holiday Party but from everything I’ve heard and seen it was a blast and a great way to celebrate the Holiday Season and wrap up our Club’s events for the year. It was also the first of what we hope to be many Holiday Parties to be held at Freeland Hall. A special thanks to out to Gayle Austin for chairing the organizing committee and all those who helped to make it such a delightful evening.
I am pleased to share the attached heartfelt note from our 2025 “adopted” non-profit the Whidbey Veteran’s Resource Center expressing their appreciation for approximately $2300 in donations raised by the SWYC. Thanks to all who donated and helped to fund raise for this very worthy cause.
As you may recall from last month’s message, our 2026 non-profit partner is South Whidbey at Home. We plan to host them at our February meeting to kick off our fundraising efforts on their behalf. Let’s meet or beat what we raised in 2025!
Please plan on joining us for the January Club meeting at Freeland Hall on Wednesday January 21st. We are planning a little different format to solicit feedback and input from members as we begin the new year. We’ll be starting at 6:00 to allow more time for the interactive format. Hope to see you there!
Holiday Party
We had a great turnout for this year’s holiday party. The Freeland Hall was a terrific venue. The club offers its gratitude to the organizers and volunteers for bringing it all together. Principal organizer Gayle Austin would like to express thanks to:
- Diane, for her wonderful decorative creativity and Nina for helping her build and hang the decorations. Katy, Vivian, and Mary Stewart for helping make the wreaths. Such fun for us!
- Pete and Barb, Nina, and Judy Kaplan for mc-ing, music, introductions and fun activities.
- Dave and Barb, Lance and Vivian, Bob Kuehn, Mary Stewart and Dean, Ann and Dale, and Harry for setting up, taking down, cleaning…and encouragement!
We offer special thanks to all the members who donated to the club’s selected charity, Whidbey Veterans Resource Center, for this past year. Over $2000 was raised in support of that organization’s important mission.
See WVRC Board President Chris Hudec’s letter of gratitude here.
Kayaking by Co-Fleet Captains Nina Fitts and Diane Lagerstedt
Happy Holidays to our merry members! December kicked off with a spectacular Kayaks, Carols and Kazoos paddle on Deer Lake. We exercised great patience and were rewarded with a stunning break in the rainy weather for a lovely paddle. Our kayakers brought out their best creativity in lighting up their kayaks. Special thanks to Dale and Ann Christensen who opened up their home to us for a post paddle soup supper.
The January SWYC monthly meeting will include a planning round table session for all SWYC interest groups to gather and discuss the 2026 season. We are asking our kayakers to please come to the January monthly meeting and bring your ideas or a plan for paddles and dates you can assist us in making happen for the group. We are an all volunteer community led group and need everybody’s participation to put events on our calendar. Let’s make it a great season on the water for all.
January 31 we are planning a Kayak self-rescue and assisted rescue class at the Oak Harbor swimming pool. Instruction to be provided by Whidbey Island Kayaking. Details to be posted very soon in the SWYC Kayaking Group calendar on Group Me. There will be room for 8 kayakers to bring their kayaks to the pool and unlimited space for members to come watch the demonstrations from the side of the pool. Nothing beats practicing yourself but you can learn a lot from watching others.
Lastly, after two years serving as Kayak Fleet Co-captains, Diane and Nina will be stepping down from the position in 2027. As such, we are eager to begin the search now for our replacements. Please reach out to either one of us if you might be interested. We’d love to talk to you about the role and would be happy to have trainees this year to help the next set of Fleet Captains ease into the transition. Rest assured that even though we are seeking future kayak captains, we are also super excited for the 2026 kayak season and have a lot of fun paddles to put on our calendar. We have three exciting trips already on the calendar. The first one is to Ocean Shores in May, Sun Lake/Dry Falls in June and West Beach Orcas Island in September. Check out details in this newsletter or reach out to either Nina Fitts or Diane Lagerstedt for more information. All SWYC members are invited to join us on these trips.
Save the Date!
SWYC Camping / Kayaking Trip
June 2026
Windward Women by Fleet Captain Katy Shaner
Now that Katy Shaner has passed the baton of leadership to Ann Christensen, Gayle Austin and Mary Stewart, we’ll be hearing from them in the new year about what is in store for 2026.
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 Racing Series completed last summer. In the new year, check our racing page for details about the 2026 races.
Laser Fleet
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
Youth Sailing Association
Planning is already underway for next year’s activities. 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 is currently meeting every other Wednesday at 10:00 am. Check the club calendar for meeting locations.
New Members
Last week, our Board of Directors approved one application. Welcome Chris and Lynda!
Chris and Lynda White
Chris and Lynda are based on Orcas Island, where Chris has an optometry practice. Chris is itching to do some Pelican sailing with our club.
Sponsor: Clyde Jenkins
In the News
A Voyage Into the Art of Finding One’s Way at Sea
Scientists and Indigenous sailors in the Marshall Islands are studying seafaring and the human brain. NYTimes (no paywall)
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
Holiday Shopping?
Why Not SWYC Branded Clothing & Merchandise?
Looking for holiday gifts? Getting outfitted for winter boating season? Don’t forget about warm 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 from the Lands End Business site.
Land’s End Online Store
Alternatively, right here on Whidbey Island, Washington Design Company located in Clinton offers a broad range of SWYC branded apparel and a relatively quick turnaround.
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.
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