A few days ago, I participated in the N2E (the Newport to Ensenada race). This was not my first time offshore, but it was my first N2E experience. So how does one plan for a race like this? What training should you have and what gear should you bring? The list is long and includes safety training and equipment, proper clothing and footwear, emergency medical supplies, adequate provisions and so much more. Some things may already be aboard the boat, others will need to be supplied by the crew, but what is most important is that we think and talk about everything well before race day.

I encourage each of you to think about your own personal safety on the water – whether it be on a SUP, kayak, dinghy, sailboat, or powerboat. We are blessed to have members who volunteer their boats for our events, but it’s up to you to be responsible for yourselves. Do you have a PFD (personal flotation device)? A whistle? Perhaps a small knife? These are basic safety items you may want to own and be familiar using. Did you know you can also take the CA Boater Card class online for free, paying only a $10 fee for certification?

When I catalog my gear, submit my safety certifications, and eye the weather before such a race, I continuously ask myself: what more can I do to be ready? There’s a reason the old saying “if you fail to prepare, you are preparing to fail” is still around… and I hope it never applies to any of you!

Wishing you fair winds and following seas.

Excitement Continues to Build for WSA-OC's Full/Flower Moon Themed On-The-Water Event: May 6th in Newport Beach!

WSA-OC members will share in our common love of being on the water at our next event on May 6th. This event is currently sold out but we are accepting waitlist participants. For those confirmed attendees, there is no need to dress up for this themed event—it's simply a fun reason to enjoy a late afternoon/evening sail, as the full/flower moon is the day before on Friday. We will head back into the slip around sunset as the moon rises!

May 1 - May Day

May 5 - Cinco de Mayo

May 6 - Full/Flower Moon OTW

May 10 - General Meeting

Location: ALYC

Time:        6:30 HH, 7-9 Meeting

May 14 - Mother's Day

May 21 - Stand Up to Trash

May 22 - National Maritime Day 

May 27 - Sunscreen Day

May 29 - Memorial Day 

MAY RACING CALENDAR

ALYC

May 1,8,15,22 - Sundowners

BCYC

May 7 - Lorin Weiss Series #3

May 9,16,23,30- Taco Tuesday - Evening Series

May 21 - Charity Race - Harbor 20

DPYC

May 6 - Dana Point Series # 4

May 11, 8,25 - Thirsty Thursday Races

May 13 - ORS #2 - Aliso Creek Dash

May 27&28 (with CBYC) - Around Catalina Island Race

DWYC

May 12 - Harvest Moon Race #1

May 13 - Jack & Jill Double - Non Spin

LMVYC

May 21 - Spring Regatta II (Series Race)

NHYC

May 6 - Opening Day Race

SSYC

May 31- Hibachi Series

Lisa Cullinane Will Share Why You Should "Buy Your Second Boat First" at WSA-OC's May 10 General Membership Meeting at ALYC.

Lisa Cullinane is a former WSA-OC Commodore and now Staff Commodore. She is also a director for the South Shore Yacht Club this year and was previously Co-Chair of the Sailing Convention for Women annual event.

 
As a boater for 11 years, Lisa has experienced numerous transitions in boat ownership. She started with a 27-foot Catalina, then purchased a Catalina 320, and now owns a Navigator 3300 Power Boat (pictured below). Through it all, she has learned the value of her boating community and acquired knowledge about the sale and purchase of boats.

If you have heard this talk before, it has evolved from her earlier story. With a great deal more experience buying and selling watercraft, with and without a broker, she will share what she has learned from her very recent experiences. 

If you have ever considered buying a boat, this talk is a must! The ups and downs of buying a boat can be daunting, and Lisa can help unpack the issues.
 

Dates are set and it’s time to start planning for our two main philanthropic events:

Adventure Sail, 8/26 in Dana Point: This is a nation-wide event we celebrate with our National Women’s Sailing Association sisters. In OC, we treat girls from the Boys and Girls Club of San Clemente to a day of sailing, lunch, gift bags and a one-of-a-kind experience on the water.

Women in the Wind, 9/23 in Newport Beach: We provide a day of sailing, lunch, and gift bags to women from the Soroptimist Club—a support group for women who have experienced some of life’s greatest challenges and are working diligently to turn their lives around. This day provides these women with a life-changing experience and personal empowerment as they master the wind and waves with the amazing women of WSAOC!
 
How can you be a part of these exciting events?
 
1. The number of girls and women we can serve is directly proportional to the number of boat owners who share their boats. Please contact me or Vice Commodore, Debra Osborne, ASAP to schedule your sail or power boat for this event.
 
2. Gift bag items will be gathered soon. We will graciously accept any items you might dream up for a gift bag. In the past, WSA members have donated beach items such as sun screen, flip flops, sun glasses, t-shirts, water bottles, and beach towels.
 
3. Help is always needed on the day of the event for set up, from first mates, and for hostesses on land.
 
If you are interested in helping in any way, please contact me.

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!!

Hats / Visors / Jackets/ Water Shirts

You can also access the Ship Store by visiting: 

WSA-OC ShipStore Online