Fall is here, and I have to say, it’s hard to believe how quickly this year is flying by!
I’m very happy to welcome Bailey Kruse as our newMembership Director. Bailey is taking on an important role at a great time for WSA-OC, as we continue focusing on growing and strengthening our membership.
Our summer membership contest brought us 9 new members, which was fantastic! Let’s keep that momentum going this fall. If you have a friend, neighbor, co-worker or sailing buddy who might enjoy WSA-OC, invite her to a meeting and introduce her to the club. You never know when one invitation might turn into a new friendship, or a new sailor!
We’re also looking ahead to next year’s Board, and we still need nominations for Secretary and Communications Director. If you’ve ever thought about getting more involved, this is a great opportunity. You don’t need to have all the answers or be an expert. What matters most is being willing to participate, share your ideas, and help make WSA-OC the best club it can be.
One of my favorite things about WSA-OC is that we really make this club what it is. It takes members willing to step up, volunteer, welcome someone new, and occasionally say, “Sure, I can help with that!”
Thank you to everyone who has volunteered, attended an event, brought a friend, joined the Board, helped behind the scenes, or simply showed up and supported WSA-OC this year. It all matters, and it’s what keeps our club strong.
Let’s finish the year strong and keep growing together!
What a day to be a pirate! On Sept. 20th, under sunny skies and perfect weather, our crew set out from Dana Point aboard three fine sailboats and one trusty powerboat for our Pirate/Wenches On-the-Water event! We had a swashbuckling adventure and were reminded of why we love to sail these waters.
The fun didn’t end there; our after-party at Aventura kept the merriment going with food, drinks, and plenty more laughter. A rousing cheer and heartfelt thank-you to our boat owners-without your generosity, this event wouldn’t have happened- and a hearty thanks to all who came out and joined the adventure!
Upcoming Pop-up Event Opportunity: Next month, we will not host our usual OTW event; instead, Westwind Sailing will host a pop-up event that members can join. They will hold an annual Halloween Witches Paddle at Baby Beach on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at 9:00 am (Arrive early to pick up a reserved kayak or stand-up paddleboard and make parking easier!) You’ll dress up in witch costumes and join others on either kayaks or paddleboards. (If you don’t have one, you can plan to rent one when you sign up online.)
Please register at: Westwindsailing.com.
Sign up quickly, as spaces and rental equipment are rented on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note: This event is not organized or hosted by WSA-OC. Other groups will be there as well. Be sure to take lots of photos and share them with me. Happy Halloween!!🎃👻
Next WSA-OC On the Water Event: Our next and last On-The-Water event this calendar year will be a Friendsgiving Duffy boat event in Newport Beach on November 21, 2026. Be sure to sign up approximately 2 weeks before the event.
REMEMBER for Future OTW events: 1. Sign-up will be announced approx. 2 weeks before the event, except for Catalina, which will be just over a month in advance. 2. Sign-up is sent to emails as well as posted on the WSA-OC Members Only Facebook page 3. 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 note: OTW dates and locations are subject to change, based on boat availability and weather.
I’m looking forward to seeing everyone on the water!!
As the days grow shorter, I hope you are enjoying the cooler weather and, of course, some fabulous sunsets on the water!
It was great seeing so many of you at our September meeting. We’re looking forward to another wonderful evening in October.
Our guest speaker will be Vicki Patterson, who will be sharing an inspiring presentation on “Stewardship Starts with Connection.” Join us as we explore the importance of connecting with our waterways and the role we can all play in caring for the places we love to sail.
Meeting Details:
Date: October 14, 2026
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Come early and enjoy the happy hour menu, 4- 6 p.m
Location:
Dana Point Yacht Club
24399 Dana Point Drive
Dana Point, CA 92629
Free parking available
Upcoming meeting:
October 14, 2026
Dana Point Yacht Club
November 11, 2026
Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club
Mark your calendars
Holiday Party
December 9, 2026
Dana Point Yacht Club
Come join your fellow sailors, catch up with friends, and welcome our newest members. We look forward to seeing you there!
If you have questions, don't hesitate to get in touch with Linda Kiernan, Rear Commodore, at Rearcommodore@wsaoc.org - Cell 949-201-9336
Wishing a Happy Birthday to the following members:
Mary Coleman 10/1
Kathy Dimeo 10/1
DJ Platt 10/3
Laurie Jacques 10/4
Jill Ellis 10/5
Lisa Woods 10/5
Penny Scholey 10/6
Christy Kaufman 10/7
Kris Flaig 10/7
Julie Erickson 10/11
Victoria Winters 10/13
Debra Osborne 10/16
Esperanza Canter 10/17
Matthew Hurlimann 10/20
Tammy Erb 10/20
Theresa Stoller 10/24
Shelley Furse 10/26
Erica Anderson 10/28
Jim Coleman 10/28
Anita Wang 10/29
Martha Gurwitz 10/30
Tom Rafferty 10/30
Cynthia Priddy 10/31
The excitement is still building!
Our friendly competition with WSA-SMB runs through November 1st, which means there’s still time for WSA-OC to surge ahead.
Please keep inviting your friends, family, and fellow sailors to join our club. Every new member helps strengthen our community and brings us one step closer to the finish line. Let’s keep the momentum going, spread the word, and grow our membership through November 1st.
Thank you for being such an important part of our club’s growth.
For any membership questions, please reach out to Bailey Kruse; she can be reached by email at
Ahoy! We’re kicking off this last quarter with lots of fun Philanthropy activities. Please join us!
Hats for Sailors – Ongoing
Dec. 1 is our deadline to complete 50 loomed, knitted, or crocheted hats for Hats for Sailors, a charity supporting U.S. Navy sailors. In September, we welcomed two members to our group; one had just joined WSA-OC! Who would like to host our final 2026 get-together? We’ll add tags to our beanies, show off our creations, take a group photo, and raise a toast to a great initiative!
Girl Scouts of Orange County - Ongoing We’re starting to plan “learn to sail” workshops in Feb. and Apr. 2027 on Sabots based in Newport Dunes. First, Girl Scouts-OC has some repair work to do on their boats!
Women in the Wind 2026 – October 10, Newport Harbor All systems go! Our annual event with 12 program beneficiaries from Soroptimist International of Huntington Beach is ready to set sail! Skippers and other volunteers are in place for a fun-filled Duffy outing focused on empowering women on the water.
AdventureSail® 2026 – Canceled Unfortunately, the Boys & Girls Club of Capistrano Valley had to cancel this event due to a conflict with its annual gala. A big thank-you to our skippers, mates, and volunteers who were ready to make the day special: Brenda Highley, Valerie Rhodes, Michelle and Marty McReynolds, KT Reiter, Cherie Faulds, Rita Nep, Sarah Sepulveda, and Penny King. We truly appreciate your willingness to help and look forward to next year!
Holiday Party Silent Auction Gift Baskets – Dec 1 The annual Silent Auction will be WSA-OC’s only fundraiser for philanthropic activities in 2026. We need your generous donations of gift baskets, ribbon, empty baskets, and items to create baskets. Ideas include cooking and pet items, Happy Hour treats, gift certificates, boating gear, chocolate, cabin stays, boat outings, and more! Let’s beat last year’s $3,525 raised with 50 baskets! Bring donations to the November meeting or contact Greta at philanthropy@wsaoc.org or 336-706-5046.
Have a new philanthropy idea or a suggestion for ongoing activities? Email Philanthropy@wsaoc.org
or text Greta at 336-706-5046.
Get your WSA-OC Gear Direct!
Shipping is direct to your home!
Order WSA-OC clothing in the exact size and color you want, shipped directly to you at: https://stores.crsapparel.com/WSAOC/shop/home
Thank you for showing your support and sharing your love of the club by wearing your WSA-OC gear on your many adventures on the water and about town.
October 14 - WSA-OC General Meeting at Dana Point Yacht Club in Dana Point. Happy Half Hour – 6:30 pm. Meeting - 7:00 pm
October 31 – Halloween Witches Paddle (Westwind Sailing) – Dana Point
October 31 - Halloween
OCTOBER RACING CALENDAR
There are multiple opportunities to join a race in the Orange County area. If you are interested in Orange County sailboat racing, you can find a list of the monthly sailboat races on the Association of Orange Coast Yacht Clubs website under the Racing Calendar tab.
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
