As your newly appointed Commodore, I am thrilled to set sail into the exciting year ahead alongside our talented and capable 2024 Board of Directors. With the wind at our backs and the sun on our faces, I can't help but feel an overwhelming sense of enthusiasm and optimism for the future of our club.
Our Board of Directors represent a diverse and accomplished group of individuals who are deeply committed to steering our association toward new horizons and opportunities. Their dedication, expertise, and passion for boating make them the perfect crew to help navigate us through the waters ahead. From organizing thrilling on-the-water events to hosting engaging educational workshops and social events, our Board is eager to provide enriching experiences for all members. I have no doubt their collective wisdom and forward-thinking approach will lead us to even greater heights in the coming year.
I am grateful for the trust and support you have placed in me, and I am truly honored to serve as your Commodore. As we move through the year together, let's embrace the spirit of adventure, collaboration, empowerment and unity that defines our association.
I look forward to hoisting the sails, basking in the sea breeze, and celebrating the joy of sailing with all of you. Here's to a year filled with exhilarating voyages, meaningful connections, and unforgettable memories on the water.
I wish you all fair winds and following seas.
As your Vice Commodore, I am excited to be tasked with planning and executing our On-The-Water Events for 2024.
Our first OTW will be Galentine’s Day on February 17th in Newport Beach, 10:30am - 2pm. My boat, Candy Shop, will be ready to welcome WSA-OC members in good standing aboard! I hope other members who own boats in NB will join the celebration, and if you own a boat in Dana Point or further north, WSA-OC will pay for a night at Marina Park if you can participate. Come feel the LOVE, and share the thrill of being on the water, together. We are also looking for more volunteers for our OTW Committees. With a membership of nearly 150 active women and men, I believe we can find the helping hands we need. Join the Newport Beach, Dana Point or Alamitos Bay OTW Committee and partake in event planning, lunches, and afterparties. Contact me at vicecommodore@wsaoc.org to volunteer today.
Mark your calendars for these upcoming 2024 OTW plans:
3/16 – St. Paddy’s Day – Newport Beach 4/13 or 4/14 – Spring Fling – Alamitos Bay 5/18 – Newport Harbor Cruising – Newport Beach 6/22– Summer SAILstice – Alamitos Bay 7/25-7/28 - Annual Trip to Catalina – Two Harbors
Thank you in advance to all our boat owner members willing to share their boat and time, to make OTW the most anticipated opportunity within WSA-OC.
February 1 - National Girls and Women in Sports Day
February 2 - Groundhog Day
February 10 - Stand Up to Trash Yoga/Beach Cleanup
February 10 - Chinese New Year
February 11 - Super Bowl
February 13 - Mardi Gras
February 14 - General Membership Meeting
Location: The "Hut" at ALYC
Time: 6:30 pm
February 14 - Valentine's Day
February 17 - Galentine's Day OTW
February 18 - World Whale Day
February 19 - Presidents' Day
2024 is officially underway and I am excited to bring you WSA-OC’s first guest speaker for the year at our February 14th General Membership Meeting! Lynsi Gibbons, Quantum Sails San Diego Consultant, will share her story about becoming a professional sailor and answer questions in her presentation, “All About Sails.” An experienced sailor who began racing at the age of 9, Lynsi has competed in 3 Transpac races and placed in 2 of them. She is scheduled to race on a TP 52 for the PV and Pacific Cup Race this year, as well as dozens of inshore and offshore races up and down the California Coast. Lynsi will share her expertise about what goes into building, choosing, and maintaining sails on all types of boats.
With the new year 2024 here at last, I look forward to spearheading exciting and memorable philanthropy events. The annual AdventureSail™ is slated to take place again with the Boy and Girls Club of San Clemente in August, and Women in the Wind in September!
I welcome any thoughts or suggestions for additional philanthropic opportunities and community outreach for this coming year. Please contact me at philanthropy@wsaoc.org.
Welcome to all our new members and thank you to all who have renewed this month! We are really looking forward to an exceptional year of making new friends, volunteering, and getting out on the water!
Members who are celebrating birthdays in February are:
💗 Valerie Burchfield Rhodes 💗 Sandy Whiteside 💗 Wendy Jameson 💗 Mary Longpre 💗 Shaune Hand 💗 Laura Nelson, and 💗 Mary Bacon
Please join me in wishing these members a happy birthday.
I hope you have enjoyed this month’s edition of The Whistle.
As the year progresses and our Board of Directors finalize plans for events and meetings, you can remain informed by visiting our website, which includes our calendar of events and meetings that I update regularly when event/meeting organizers solidify details. I also email and post the details of events and meetings in ourFacebook Members-Only Groupand Public Facebook Page, so be sure to keep an eye out there for opportunities to sign up. You can also find our past editions of The Whistle on our website if you miss the email I send on the 1st of every month.
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 937, Dana Point, CA 92629, United States
