August Newsletter
Commodore's Message
End of an Era
The YSA Board gathered Friday, July 26th to honor Bob Rodgers and say a fond farewell as he retires from the head of YSA. Bob served as YSA Commodore for an incredible 15 years! Bob and Bill Brown began work on a youth sailing program as early as 2007. According to Bob, the first two years were basically trial classes consisting of grandchildren and neighbor’s kids. Their first class based on the current program was in 2009. Since then, with Bob’s steady hand on the tiller, they have expanded to include an intermediate course for kids and adult classes. Bob’s passion, expertise, and patience have significantly contributed to an entire generation of South Whidbey youth gaining the confidence and skills necessary to embark on a life-long embrace of this incredible sport.
Welcome our Newest YSA Director
Please join me in welcoming our new YSA Director, Liz Owen-Williams. Liz has volunteered to take on this very challenging role upon the retirement of Bob Rodgers.
New Lasers Available to our Laser Fleet
Thanks to the dedicated efforts of Zak Malbin and Clyde Jenkins, the club has secured the donation of four race-rigged lasers that will soon be available to our laser fleet.
Nominating Committee
Our Nominating Committee is beginning the work of nominating candidates for the Board of Directors for 2025. If you are interested in getting involved in Club Leadership, please contact Bill Brown or Katy Shaner.
It’s not too late to Go Boating this summer!
Commodore Bruce
Board of Directors Candidates Sought
The Nominating Committee is seeking interested candidates willing to serve in Club leadership positions during 2025. While all positions are eligible for consideration, current Board members have agreed to stand for many 2025 seats. For next year, we are particularly looking for a Vice Commodore, a Secretary and up to three Board Members at Large. Interested Club members should contact any of the Nominating Committee (Bill Brown, Katy Shaner and Peter Grimlund) by August 31st.
Vice Commodore: Assists the Commodore in keeping the organization in ship-shape condition. Serves as a stand in should the Commodore be unavailable.
Secretary: Records and posts to the SWYC website all minutes from the Board of Directors monthly meetings.
Board Members at Large: Attends board meetings and provides their input and votes on various items requiring official approval.
Crab Fest 2024
Melody and Jim Carney orchestrated another perfect Crab Fest. Thank you to all our volunteers, especially you intrepid crabbers!
YSA’s hugely popular sailing classes have completed. Another batch of young people have become nascent sailers. YSA meets throughout the year. The organization is always grateful for new folks to participate in this Whidbey Island tradition.
Youth Sailing Association
Kayaking by Fleet Captain Barb Grimlund
The SWYC kayakers had two recent enjoyable group paddles. The first was a Monday morning paddle in Coupeville, through the mussel beds observing the mussel farm operations and several seals and eagles, followed by a lunch on the Coupeville dock. Then on Saturday, August 3, a group of eleven kayakers took a gray misty morning paddle through the Possession Point Kelp Beds. SWYC member Gayle Austin shared her knowledge of kelp, kelp critters and other wildlife with the group. Lunch at Bailey’s Corner followed the event. In addition to our planned events, members met up for more spontaneous outings during the month as well. That’s the benefit of having a large community of kayakers within SWYC. You can usually find someone with similar interest and ability to paddle with.
A collage of photos from the Kelp Bed Paddle
Upcoming Paddling Events
- August 7-9 – Kayak Camping to Sinclair Island (We’ll report on this trip next month)
- August 11 – Coupeville Arts and Crafts Festival Paddle
- August 28 – Oak Harbor Estuary Paddle with OHYC Paddlers, plus BBQ at the OHYC
- September 7 – Larrabee State Park to Chuckanut Island Paddle
- September 19-22 – Orcas Island – West Beach Resort Trip (All SWYC members are welcome!)
- October 4 – Kayaking End of Season Potluck Dinner
SWYC Orcas Island West Beach Trip
September 19 - 22
We’re making our final plans now for the SWYC Orcas Island kayaking and club trip Thursday – Sunday, September 19 -22, or whichever days you can join us. All SWYC members are welcome to join in. Although most of us will be kayaking, there are ample opportunities for entertainment on Orcas. Shopping, dining, exploring, hiking, boating, communal dinners and entertainment to name a few. Cruisers, we’d love to have you join in as well. Contact West Beach Resort to make your moorage reservation.
We now have one room with a queen bed available in The Farmhouse. It’s more economical and you would be sharing the house with three other SWYC members. Let Barb Grimlund know as soon as possible if you’d like to reserve this room.
Let Barb Grimlund know if you are joining the event so that you can be added to our communications list. Or if you have questions. Also, be sure to make your ferry reservations.
Windward Women by Fleet Captain Katy Shaner
Slow down summer. August is here. Oh my. July and early August were full to overflowing with a book discussion, socials, hikes and even a tour!
On Tuesday, July 16, six of us Windwards shared sips and dips as we gathered to discuss Bijaboji, North to Alaska by Oar by Betty Lowman Carey. Betty grew up in Anacortes and at the age of 22 in 1937 she rowed in a 13-foot 10-inch Alaska native dugout from Guemes Island to Ketchican, AK arriving 66 days later. It was a fascinating read of perseverance, exploration and a lot of guts!
The following week on Thursday, July 25, four of us gals ventured up to Anacortes to see Bijaboji on display at the Anacortes maritime Heritage Center. Betty named her boat for her four brothers Bill, Jack, Bob and Jim. A guide welcomed us and shared more stories of Betty’s adventures, her growing up in Anacortes and her life the years after her challenging but successful row to Alaska.
Following the tour of the Maritime Heritage Center, we tour the P.T Preston, located right next to the Center. The P.T. Preston is a retired steamboat. It was the last of the sternwheelers to work in Puget Sound as a snag boat to clear the rivers of navigational hazards. Fascinating. Visit Anacortes and treat yourselves to the Maritime Heritage Center and the P.T. Preston!
The Windward Women rounded out the month of July and early August with three hikes and two socials. On Friday, July 19, Patty Linehan led eight of us on a hike of Ebey’s landing followed on the beach with a picnic. Ebey’s Landing continues to be a special hike for the gals. A climb up, a hike along the bluff, a descent to the beach and a rest upon logs overlooking the waves crashing on the shore. This hike rates really close to a perfect day and a perfect hike!
The hike on Friday, July 26 at Whidbey Institute almost got canceled but two Windwards, Kim Craig and Leslie Flohr explored the woods and labyrinth of the Institute and all the natural treasures it has to offer.
The third hike was Saturday August 10 at the WCLT property – Keystone Farm and Forest Preserve. Six of us joined a WCLT tour offered to its members. This property is not yet open to the public, but the spring of 2025 is the goal WCLT has for making it available.
“It is a 216-acre preserve which encompasses one of Whidbey Island’s oldest farms, surrounded by 165 acres of forest, and 2/3 of a mile of natural shoreline. The Land Trust purchased this property in April 2022. This ambitious emergency acquisition was the most expensive in the Land Trust’s history at $9.1 million. Keystone Preserve will be a place for conservation, partnerships, and learning.”
Windward Women’s socials were at WICA’s Happy Hour Under the Tent. They provided Windwards with a chance to get together and hear local musicians. On Saturday, July 27, Windwards heard the Women Jazz Showcase and on Saturday, August 10, the Fiddle Chix. Happy Hour Under the Tent features concerts and a sense of community June through the end of August.
WW will have socials, hikes and tours with guest speakers, through September! Check out the SWYC website https://swyachtclub.org/windward-women/#!event-list and click on the event in which you would like to participate.
All women of the SWYC are invited to participate. Questions? Suggestions? Interests? Contact Katy Shaner.
Racing
Pelicans
We had 5 Pelicans at Monroe Landing on July 31. But only 3 raced. Results and standings to date are now posted to Sailwave and at the Club website.
The highlight of the evening was the post-race party hosted by Anita Mires across the road from the boat launch. Thank you Anita. Hope we can do it again.
The next SWYC Pelican races are scheduled for August 14th, again at Monroe Landing. Several regular racers will not able to be there that day, so racing may be cancelled. Please confirm your 8/14 race participation by this Sunday 8/11. If I don’t get at least 3 confirmed racers, 8/14 will be cancelled. – Bill
Lasers
The SWYC Laser fleet completed their Summer I series, full results here: https://www.sailwave.com/results/southwhidbey/SWYC2024LaserSeries1.htm
What a great season! Summer II series is already underway and we are enjoying the nice warm water and afternoon breeze. Come watch or sail every Tuesday, first horn 4:30 pm at Holmes Harbor.
Additionally, we’ve had a generous donation of 4 race-ready lasers that will be used towards the advancement and growth of the SWYC laser racing fleet, and to help lower the bar for people to get out racing. If you might be interested, please reach out!
Cruising
August Cruise – Leaders: Jim & Melody Carney
August Cruise – Leaders: Jim & Melody Carney
- Port Townsend
- Victoria
- Sooke
- Port Susan
- Barkley Sound
- Tofino
- Bamfield
- Neah Bay
- Clallam Bay
- Port Angeles
- Sequim Bay
- Port Townsend
First Annual Late-Summer Hood Canal Cruise – Leaders Jill & Bill Brown
Ahoy, Cruisers!
Please join us for a late summer trip down Hood Canal. If you haven’t cruised Hood Canal, you’re in for a treat. The Hood canal starts at Foulweather Bluff and ends at Lynch Cove approximately 65 miles later. The Hood Canal Bridge is the third longest floating bridge in the world.
Itinerary:
- September 11th: Port Ludlow Marina, which offers golf, a restaurant, a store and a picnic areas. It’s a lovely spot.
- September 12th: Pleasant Harbor Marina, offers a pool and hot tub, a picnic area, Bistro and Cafe. It’s one of our favorite marinas.
- September 13th and 14th: Alderbrook Marina, is a first visit for us. The photos on their website are beautiful. It offers a pool, three restaurants, kayaking, hiking and (wait for it) a full-service spa.
- September 15th: Pleasant Harbor Marina again
- September 16th: Home
Reservations: Please make your own reservations, and then let us (Jill & Bill) know which marinas & dates, boat name, mobile phone, and email. Port Ludlow Marina and Pleasant Harbor Marina accept Dockwa. The reservation form for each marina is available on-line and there is a place to specify the South Whidbey Yacht Club cruise. Alderbrook Marina does not accept Dockwa. There is a Moorage Inquiry form that can be filled out on-line and a place to specify the SWYC Cruise (https://www.alderbrookresort.com/waterfront/moorage-inquiry-form). I’ve spoken to all the marinas and they are expecting us.
Safety Matters #14 by Clay Canfield
I watch Coast Guard Alaska, Coast Guard Cape Disappointment and Coast Guard Florida on a regular basis. My wife is a nurse and EMT and I was a helicopter pilot in the military, so those videos are a great fit for us, especially since it replaces a lot of political programs!
What stands out among the rescues in all these geographical locations is the level of preparedness of the survivor and their limitations. In the great majority of cases the survivor was not prepared for what they encountered and they exceeded their limitations, whether that be the inability to prepare, incapable of swimming, poor navigation skills, poor ability to read weather reports, or any number of other limitations.
In Alaska it is normally a significant change in the weather that catches the survivor off guard, but most of them are well prepared for emergencies. In the Cape Disappointment sector, again a lot of the cases occurred because of a weather change, but it’s fairly common to see a rescue of someone who was unprepared for the conditions or whose vessel was not up to the task of crossing the Columbia bar. In Florida weather changes are also a significant factor, but in this region a great majority of survivors attempted to do something that they were not actually prepared for, so had to be rescued by the Coast Guard.
Personally, I have a checklist for most every major activity I/we engage in such as camping, cruising, motorcycling. The list includes the regular stuff, but also contains items like “no alcohol for previous eight hours.” That’s one limitation I do not want to have! We all have some level of navigational skill, piloting skill, planning skill, etc., etc., but hopefully we are astute enough to realize our own limitations in those areas and do our best to avoid exceeding them. There is an expression called the “nine P’s” which goes “Proper Prior Planning, Preparation and Practice Prevents Pretty Poor Performance.” It’s worth taking seriously! Doing that identifies limitations in order to address them or avoid them.
Without limitation, I am wishing you a safe boating season,
Clay Canfield
Coming Events
August Social - Wednesday August 21
4:30 Happy Hour
Double Bluff Brewing Company
An evening of relaxing with friends over a brew or beverage of your choice. Food truck will be available for food purchases or bring your own munchies.
Let’s hang out, visit and share our summer boating stories. Guests are welcome.
More Information here.
All SWYC members are invited to participate in the Orcas Island trip September 19 -22, or whichever days you can join us. Although most of us will be kayaking, there are ample opportunities for entertainment on Orcas. Shopping, dining, exploring, hiking, boating, communal dinners and entertainment to name a few. Even if West Beach Resort accommodations aren’t available, you can stay at one of the other properties on Orcas and join the group for activities.
Let Barb Grimlund know if you are joining the event or if you have questions. Also, be sure to make you ferry reservations.
2024 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!
Member Items For Sale
19' West Wight Potter with new outboard engine and extra unused sail.
Best Reasonable Offer
Contact Susie Gibson at 360-969-5975 or susiegibson@outlook.com
Video of the Wight Potter (but not this particular boat)
Video of the Wight Potter (but not this particular boat).
Seeking moorage for 990 foot ship.
“Susan Gibbs needs to find a new parking spot, fast. And not just any parking spot will do. It needs to be big enough for an ocean liner.”
Without a doubt, some of our members have found themselves buying a vessel that was maybe a little larger than they were planning for.
Learn more about Ms. Gibbs and her ocean liner here.
Why do seagulls fly over the sea?
Because if they flew over the bay, they'd be bagels!
Looking for SWYC clothing, hats or gifts for the summer? Head to our Land’s End SWYC store for a wide selection of apparel and accessories. 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.
Copyright © 2024 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