Summer is upon us; longer days and warmer nights call for more time on the water. May’s OTW Hawaiian Luau event was very well attended. I had the pleasure of being aboard ‘Watts of Fun’, and it was just that, thanks to Lisa and Colleen!
The Farmer’s Almanac is predicting ‘a scorcher of a summer.’ Perfect time to participate in our annual Summer Sailstice OTW. Candy Shop, my Coronado ’35, will be in this year’s fleet once again. Welcome Aboard, WSA-OC Members.
I am proud of our Women’s Sailing Association of Orange County members who participated in the 77th Annual 2025 Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race. Our Jr. Staff Commodore, Debra Osborne, continues her leadership as a NOSA Director and Starting Line Chair. She had several WSA-OC members on her crew.
From Marina Park, I wished Sr. Staff Commodore Tammy Rones and Jim Coleman good luck on Sapphire, Barbara Kelley, and Darlene Smith on Bonnie Doon. From the Balboa Pier, along with a robust WSA-OC contingent, I cheered on the Et Voila crew, Regine Smet, Colleen Clay, Karen Cooper, Debby Platt, Theresa Stoller, and Estela Tejidor. Cherie Faulds got 1st Place in Spin with Finesse. Barbara Highley and Linda Kiernan also raced. Well done, ladies and gentlemen.
May the seas lie smooth before you.
What an achievement! The annual Newport to Ensenada Race has taken place, and numerous members have participated, some for the first time.
The ever-changing weather hasn’t stopped us from enjoying time out on the water!
Last month, 34 members had the privilege of cruising around Newport Harbor in 4 Duffys, savoring charcuterie platters in our vibrant Hawaiian attire.
We are pleased to announce our return to a sailing OTW event this month. On Sunday, June 22nd, from 11:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., we will participate in Summer SAILstice, an annual global celebration of sailing founded in 2001, held on the weekend nearest the summer solstice. Worldwide, sailors will unite
to celebrate and share their passion for sailing, and we can’t wait to join the fun. To date, we have four. Sailboats registered to participate, but we welcome additional participants; the more the merrier! So wear your favorite WSA-OC/sailing attire and get ready to enjoy a beautiful day of sailing with your sea-sters!
Mark your calendars for June 8th, when the signup will be emailed to all members in good standing. We look forward to seeing you at our next meeting and next OTW event!
Upcoming Events:
Sunday, June 22- Summer SAILstice Thursday-Sunday, July 24-27 - Catalina Extravaganza (Two Harbors) Saturday, August 9 - Full Moon Sail Sunday, September 21 - Pirate Party Saturday, October 4 - Air Show Sunday, October 26 - Witchy Woman pop-up event Saturday, November 22 - Friendsgiving Duffy event (Newport Harbor) Saturday, December 13 - End of the Year Sail
Please note: OTW dates and locations are subject to change, based on boat availability and weather.
vicecommodore@wsaoc.org
June 11- WSA-OC General Meeting at BCYC 7:00
June 15 - Father's Day
June 19 - Juneteenth
Please join us on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, for our WSA-OC May General Meeting.
We’re excited to welcome Captain James Lee. With over two decades of experience in aerospace engineering, naval service, and executive management, he excels at teaching and instructing teams through complex challenges. As 2025 Commodore of King Harbor Yacht Club, President & CEO of HF Group, Inc., and a former U.S. Naval Academy instructor, he blends strategic vision with hands-on leadership. Captain Lee has also served as a Principal Race Officer since 2023 and won the Pacific Singlehanded Sailing Association Dan Byrne Trophy in 2023. He owns an Excess 11 Catamaran – LA MER and a Wauquiez Centurion 40S – MARE’ZIA.
We look forward to hearing from Captain Lee about “Crossing the Atlantic on a Brand-New Excess 14 Catamaran.”
Date: June 11, 2025 Time: 6:30 pm Happy Hour, 7:00 pm Meeting Location: Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club (BCYC) 1601 Bayside Drive Newport Beach, CA Dinner Reservations: You must make reservations if you want to eat dinner at BCYC before the meeting.
For Dinner Reservations text: KT Reiter @ 1stm8k8@outlook.com by Sunday, June 8, 2025!
*Non-members are welcome and encouraged to attend the General Membership Meetings. Guests may attend up to two meetings to evaluate the club and decide if they would like to join. If you’re not a current member and would like to join, you can do so here: http://www.wsa-oc.org
If you have questions, please contact Debby Platt, Rear Commodore, at:
Rearcommodore@wsaoc.org
Ahoy, mates!
The AdventureSail gift registry is now open for business on Amazon.com, where WSA-OC members can donate items for girls attending the August 9 AdventureSail event.
To donate, go to Amazon's Registry tab, type in Women in Sailing or AdventureSail, select your gift, and check out as usual. Items will be shipped to the Philanthropy Director, who will organize them into daypacks provided by the National organization, Women's Sailing Foundation.
AdventureSail is an event scheduled nationally for August 9. Girls are invited to experience the fun of boating with members of women's sailing clubs. For many girls, it is their first time aboard a boat.
For the past few years, WSA-OC has partnered with the Boys & Girls Club of San Clemente to invite up to a dozen 'tween and teen girls for a picnic lunch and an on-the-water excursion from Dana Point Harbor.
WSA-OC members offer their boats for this annual event. Members are volunteering to set up the tent and picnic tables, greet the girls, serve sandwiches and hand out daypacks. The daypacks stuffed with the gifted goodies are a big hit with the girls!
Next on the Philanthropy calendar will be the Women in the Wind sailing event, scheduled for September27, with our non-profit partner, Soroptimists International Huntington Beach. Up to a dozen women will be guests aboard boats owned by WSA-OC members, leaving from Newport Beach Harbor.
Watch for updates with volunteer opportunities in WSA-OC communication outlets, including social media, members-only Facebook group, and The Whistle.
philanthropy@wsaoc.org
Please join us in welcoming our new members:
Elna Anderson
Bailey Kruse
Happy Birthday to the following members:
Estela Tejidor June 3rd
Robbie Smith June 4th
Melissa Chong June 7th
Christine McIlwain June 9th
Jennifer Bopp June 10th
Amanda Barth June 17th
Lori Romano June 18th
Lidia Grasso June 24th
Sonya Gaskell June 25th
Linda Kiernan, June 27th
Gym Greenwald June “?”
Women's Sailing Association OC has some great upcoming on-water events. Let’s all be safe out there.
membership@wsaoc.org
I hope you have enjoyed this month’s edition of The Whistle.
As the year progresses and our Board of Directors plans events and meetings, you can keep up with the events by visiting our website or Facebook account.
Our website includes our calendar of events and meetings, which I update regularly when event/meeting organizers solidify details.
WSA-OC Mission Statement Women's Sailing Association-Orange County is dedicated to enriching the lives of women through expanded access to sailing-related activities and educational opportunities. WSA-OC is committed to preserving and protecting our oceans and contributing to our local community through on-the-water philanthropic activities. WSA-OC is committed to providing reasonable accommodation in its programs and activities for individuals with disabilities. Those who require a reasonable accommodation should contact commodore@wsaoc.org at least one week in advance, where possible, to make a request
Women's Sailing Association - Orange County, PO Box 11041, Costa Mesa, CA 92627, United States
