As we welcome March, there’s a sense of momentum in the air. The days are getting longer, and our calendar is filling up with opportunities to connect and enjoy time together on and off the water. As we get invited to go on more boats, I think it’s a good time to review how to be a great boat guest.
Start with good manners, follow tradition, and ask permission to come aboard.
Don’t be late. Arrive in good health, ideally hydrated and well-rested.
Use the restroom before you board. Bring a small, soft, light duffle with the essentials: a billed hat (with keeper), sunglasses (polarized are best for glare), sensible non-marring, non-skid shoes, layered clothing, SPF, seasickness preparedness, and water.
I recommend that each WSA-OC member bring their own PFD (personal floatation device).
A good guest brings food and drinks to share. A good rule to follow is “pack in and pack out”.
A PERFECT boat guest would not use water or the head, be self-sufficient, take up little space, and leave no trash. We can’t always be perfect, but we can follow the boat’s rules and try our best! Offer to help and offer to clean up.
Follow the Captain’s orders and be silent while docking.
Have a great time, have a great attitude, and be grateful.
Debby (DJ) Platt, your Vice Commodore, is organizing On-the-Water Events and will provide information before each event, and is available to answer boat etiquette questions. vicecommodore@wsaoc.org
Have fun and be safe! I look forward to seeing you soon.
Our February Galentine’s Day OTW event was a great success, with three boats and 20 members and boat owners taking to the sea from Alamitos Bay in Long Beach, CA.
Next month, we will embark on a journey down south, departing from Dana Point Marina. So far, we have confirmed the participation of three boats for our annual St. Paddy’s Day OTW event.
REMEMBER: 1. Sign-up will be announced approximately 2 weeks before the event 2. Sign-up is sent to emails as well as placed on the WSA-OC Members Only Facebook page 3. The events sell out quickly 4. PLEASE sign up for the Wait List, as we can regularly find additional boats and get members onto a boat 5. Arrive on time for photos before boat launch 6. Cancellations within 48 hours of the event will not be refunded
Please mark your calendars for these upcoming 2026 OTW events:
** Dates, locations, and times are subject to change based on boat availability and weather.
March 15th – St. Patrick’s Day – Dana Point April 11th – Spring Fling May 31st – Full Moon Sail June 20th – Summer SAILstice July 16 – 19th – Annual Trip to Catalina – Two Harbors August 15th – Tropical Luau September 20th – Pirate Party October 3rd– Huntington Beach Air Show November 21st – Friendsgiving Duffy event
We extend our sincere and deep appreciation to our incredibly dedicated boat owner members who selflessly share their cherished boats and valuable time, thereby transforming OTW events into the most anticipated experiences with WSA-OC.
I’m looking forward to seeing everyone on the water!!
Please join us for an exciting evening at the WSA-OC March General Meeting onWednesday, March 11, 2026.
We’re thrilled to welcome Ron Havis - Board Member - Skipper, who will be speaking on the Sailing Fascination Foundation
Ron is no stranger to Newport Harbor. He has sailed in Newport Harbor most of his life, beginning in 1970 with a small sailboat and continuing at Orange Coast College, where he took multiple sailboat training classes. In 1990, he acquired a Catalina 30 sailboat, which he sailed for 20 years. Ron joined Oasis Sailing Club in 2015 and is now a skipper at the club. He began volunteering for Sailing Fascination 2017 as a skipper and is currently Vice President of Operations, handling scheduling and training.
For many years, there has been an informal relationship between Sailing Fascination and Oasis Sailing Club. Many members of Oasis Sailing Club volunteer as skippers for Sailing Fascination, and Ron is a big part of what keeps that informal connection going. Ron believes that teaching the disabled to sail, along with the experience and joys of the sea, is very rewarding to both student & skipper.
Meeting Details Date: March 11, 2026 Time: 6:30 PM Happy Half Hour | 7:00 PM Meeting Location: American Legion Yacht Club- The Hut
215 15th Street
Newport Beach, CA 92663
(949) 673-5002 - Yacht Club Office
Metered street parking is free after 6 pm
Come early to socialize and grab a bite to eat.
Free parking is available.
No reservations are necessary.
*Non-members are welcome and encouraged to attend the March 11 General Membership Meeting. Guests may attend up to two meetings to evaluate the club and decide whether to join. If you’re not a current member and would like to join, you can do so here: https://wsaoc.org/membership
If you have questions, don't hesitate to get in touch with Linda Kiernan, Rear Commodore, at Rearcommodore@wsaoc.org - Cell 949-201-9336
Happy March, Ladies,
We’re excited to share that WSA-OC will be hosting a booth this Saturday, March 7th, at the Festival of the Whales!
This is a wonderful opportunity for us to connect with the community, recruit new members, and increase awareness of our organization and mission. The event draws a large and diverse crowd, making it the perfect setting to showcase who we are, what we do, and how others can get involved.
If you’re attending the festival, we’d love for you to stop by our booth, say hello, and show your support. If you’re interested in volunteering at the booth, please let us know. We’d be thrilled to have you join us!
You can reach me, Jeanette Jordan, by email at membership@wsaoc.org or by cell phone at
562-631-1439
Wishing Happy Birthdays to the following members:
Maureen Vild March 3rd
Heather McKelvey March 7th
Dee Ketner March 12th
Karen Cooper March 12th
Karie Davis March 18th
Abby Hedlund March 22nd
Gabby Beltran March 24th
Julie Bini March 26th
Robin Nielson March 29th
Ahoy, mates!
Philanthropy is happy to announce our support for several organizations this month, thanks to all of YOU for your generous fundraising efforts! Here’s what’s coming up:
Festival of Whales – March 7
WSA-OC volunteers will host a booth at Dana Point’s Annual Festival of Whales.
Keep an eye out for our logo on a cardboard dinghy ($165 sponsorship fee).
Want to volunteer at our booth? Contact Membership Director Jeanette Jordan at membership@wsaoc.org– guaranteed fun!
General Membership Meeting – March 11
We’ll donate $100 to the Sailing Fascination Foundation, which helps people with disabilities enjoy sailing.
Hats for Sailors – March 19
We’re making wool beanies for “Hats for Sailors”, a charity supporting US Navy and US Coast Guard sailors.
Most of our 16 volunteers will use looms, but knitting or crocheting is welcome.
WSA-OC has purchased supplies ($300 value) to get us started.
Scholarship Award
One WSA-OC member will attend the NWSA/SCYA Conference in Long Beach (March 20-22) with a $500 scholarship.
New Partnership: Girl Scouts Mariners Group
Nine members are excited to help at the “Gathering All Mariners” event in Newport (May 1-3).
Interested in joining? Sign up for our organizational meeting (date TBD).
Get Involved! To participate in any of these activities, bring your smile and positive energy! Contact philanthropy@wsaoc.org or text Greta at 336-706-5046.
March 6 - 8 – 55th Annual Dana Point Festival of Whales March 7 – WSA-OC Booth at Westwind Sailing Cardboard Classic Dinghy Dash March 8 – Stand Up to Trash – Yoga - Beach Cleanup Day (Dana Point) March 8 – International Women’s Day March 11 – WSA-OC General Meeting Location: The Hut – American Legion Yacht Club 215 15 th St, Newport Beach, CA Time: 7:00 pm (Happy Hour 6:30 pm) March 15 – St Paddy’s Day OTW event (Dana Point, CA) March 17 – St Patrick’s Day March 20 – Spring Begins
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
