The Fourth of July is just a few days away but the celebrations have already begun! I used to spend this holiday close to home, having a bar-b-que with friends followed by one of the many fireworks shows around town. In recent years I've found myself in the harbor, joining a dock party or two, getting soaked during water wars or just kayaking around and visiting from boat to boat. It's always a party in the harbor!
This holiday has another meaning for me... it signifies that our annual Catalina trip is just four weeks away! This month starts with a bang and ends with a giant party at the Isthmus -- no wonder I love July! It looks like this year will be our biggest Catalina event of recent years, with 11(!) boats committed as I write this. Thank you to all who have volunteered their boats; if you are a boat owner who has not yet committed please consider joining us!
I hope that wherever you spend this holiday, you are surrounded by friends and family, and that you stay safe!
Don't Miss Our Annual Catalina Extravaganza!
I cannot believe Summer 2023 is here already! Time sure flies when you are having fun (on the water)! The first half of this year has been filled with fantastic on-the-water events for our members, including last weekend’s Summer Sailstice in Alamitos Bay which is a newer location for WSA-OC that all enjoyed.
Our next OTW event will be our Annual Catalina Extravaganza in Two Harbors aka “The Isthmus” July 27-30! Registration is now open, so hurry to secure your spot! I will finalize boat assignments shortly thereafter so the skippers and their crew can get in touch with one another to discuss their boat’s theme/costumes etc., for the Friday night themed progressive cocktail/appetizer party.
We have many boats going this year, so prepare to have a great time with friends both old and new and get to know some of your fellow sailors better!
July 3 - International Plastic Bag Free Day
July 4 - Independence Day
July 9 - Stand Up to Trash
July 12 - General Meeting
Location: ALYC "The Hut"
Time: 6:30 HH, 7-9 Meeting
July 27-30 - Annual Catalina Island Trip
July 30 - Sea Gals Event
JULY RACING CALENDAR
ALYC
July 17, 24, 31 - Sundowners
BCYC
July 9 - Charity Race - PHRF
July 11, 18, 25 -Taco Tuesday - Evening Series
DPYC
July 1 - ORS #3 - Newport Bell Buoy
July 6, 13, 20, 27 - Thirsty Thursday Races
July 8 (w/ SLBYC) - Seal Beach to Dana Point Race
July 22 - Dana Point Series #7
DWYC
July 7, 14, 21 - Friday Summer Fun Series Non-Spin
NHYC
July 6, 13, 20, 27 - Twilight Series
NOSA
July 16 - Commodore Appreciation Regatta
SSYC
July 5, 12, 19, 26 - Hibachi Series
July 15 - Crew of Two Around Catalina
WCYC
July 8 - Single Handed Race - Dana Point
July 8 - Tiki Regatta
“Cruising Baja and the Sea of Cortez” to be presented by Captain Alison Osinski at WSA-OC’s July 12th General Membership Meeting at ALYC, aka "The Hut.”
Have you ever dreamed of sailing the crystal-clear waters of the Sea of Cortez? Captain Alison Osinski, Ph.D., will entice you with photos and tales of white sand beaches and abundant marine life in this beautiful gem south of the border.
Alison has sailed for more than forty-five years and has cruised extensively. She has sailed both near, including the Channel Islands and the Sea of Cortez, and far, including Australia, Indonesia and literally Timbuktu!
A USCG licensed captain (Master, Near Coastal, 100 Ton with Sailing, Towing & STCW Endorsements), Alison is the principal-owner of Aquatic Consulting Services located in Avalon, California (Santa Catalina Island). Alison offers keel boat and cruising catamaran sailing lessons, handling skills and safety drills, instruction in navigation and rules of the road, and charters out of La Paz in the Sea of Cortez. Many of you have chartered Captain Alison’s Lagoon 38 Catamaran, Mermaid QOTS.
Alison has also featured as a speaker at the Sailing Convention for Women. We are pleased that she has agreed to share this presentation with WSA-OC at our next General Membership Meeting.
Summer is upon us and so are our exciting annual philanthropy events— AdventureSail for Girls from the Boys and Girls Club of San Clemente and Women in the Wind in partnership with Soroptimist. These events are our chance to share our love of the ocean with girls and women and inspire, empower, and pamper them with a day on the water.
We have changed the date for Adventure Sail from August 26th to Saturday August 5th to accommodate the availability of our gracious boat owners. Women in the Wind will take place as planned on Saturday September 23rd in Newport Beach.
If you would like to offer your boat, provide items for gift bags, or volunteer on the day of the event please contact me at philanthropy@WSAOC.org. You will be glad you did!
July Birthdays
Please join me in wishing a very Happy Birthday to those members born during July.
7/1 - Candice Coleman
7/2 - Penny Nelson
7/7 - Sana Talwar
7/9 - Lisa Cullinane
7/16 - Mary Ann Osman
7/16 - Mike Nelson
7/20 - Jennifer Burns
7/27 - Cherie Faulds
7/28 - Kathy McGraw
7/30 - Sarah Sepulveda
Get Your WSA-OC On!!
Grab items from our store and show off your pride as a member of WSA-OC! Click below to grab some of our newer inventory!!
I hope you have enjoyed this month's edition of The Whistle! Please visit WSA-OC's website, social media pages on Facebook and Instagram, and check your email inbox for up-to-date communications about all WSA-OC happenings, meetings, and events!
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