I can hardly believe that it is already September – it still feels like the middle of summer, where the temps are high, and the days are long – but there are only 4 months left in this year!
I hope, whether you are a new member or seasoned one, that you have been enjoying all that WSA-OC offers. Have you come to a monthly General Membership Meeting, met other ladies (and an occasional gent) who share your passion for the sea? Have you learned something new from our guest presenters? Participated in one of the MANY opportunities we’ve created and/or shared for you to get out on the water? Perhaps your joy comes from helping others; have you gotten involved in our philanthropic events, either as a planner or a volunteer? Are you widening your circle of friends and acquaintances to include other WSA members?
I hope the answer to all the above is a resounding YES!
I recently sent an email to all current members letting you know there are several positions on your Board of Directors that will be up for election at our November General Membership Meeting, along with two appointed positions the Board is seeking to fill. If you are even remotely interested in what any of these positions entail, or ready to throw your hat into the ring, please email me with your best contact phone number, which position(s) you are interested in and why, and I promise one of your Flag Officers will reach out to discuss the opportunity further! (secret: it is also personally rewarding 😉)
*NOTE: You do not need to be a long-term member of the club to volunteer on the Board; you must simply be a member in good standing and care about our mission and our members!
Wishing you fair winds and following seas.
Are You Ready for Fall 2023 On-The-Water?
Summer may have come to an end, but we still have fun events planned for Fall, starting with September 30th – a day sail in Alamitos Bay, finishing with a raft up! Please note, September’s day sail was previously scheduled for September 10th or September 17th but was rescheduled to the 30th. As always, the locations and dates of our on-the-water events are subject to change based upon our ability to garner boat participation!
In October we hope to have a few events on-the-water, including a day sail in Newport Beach as well as the highly anticipated annual Witchy Women Paddle, which will take place in Dana Point Harbor on Sunday morning, October 29th.
Looking ahead to November, we are planning a Duffy Poker Run in Newport Beach on Sunday, November 12th at 10:00 a.m.
There may also be an additional “pop up” event posted last-minute in our Facebook Members-Only Group, so continue to visit us there!
September 4 - Labor Day
September 13 - General Meeting
Location: NBYC
Time: 6:30 HH, 7-9 Meeting
September 15 - Rosh Hashanah
September 16 - International Coastal Cleanup Day
September 23 - Women in the Wind
Philanthropy Event
September 23 - Stand Up to Trash
September 23 - Fall Equinox/First Day of Autumn
September 24 - Yom Kippur
September 30 - WSA-OC Day Sail/Raft-Up
SEPTEMBER RACING CALENDAR
BCYC
September 16 - Harbor 20 Tuneup
September 23 - Around The Islands #2
DPYC
September 2, 9 (w/ DWYC/SYC) - Long Beach to Dana Point
September 9, 10 - Richard Henry Dana Charity Regatta
September 30 - Doheny Series
DWYC
September 1 - Friday Summer Fun Series Non Spin
September 2, 9 (w/ DPYC/SYC) - Long Beach to Dana Point
LIYC
September 2 - Heritage Regatta
LMVYC
September 24 - Fall Regatta
NHYC
September 2-4 - Finn North American Championship
September 17 - Fall One Design Regatta
September 23, 24 - H20 Fleet 1 Championship Regatta
SSYC
September 10 - Sunday Sailing Series - Race 1
WSA-OC Proudly Presents: "History of Avalon," by John Marshall, Commodore of Southern California Yachting Association, at WSA's September 13th General Membership Meeting
John Marshall, Commodore of Southern California Yachting Association, will present this interesting and very entertaining “History of Avalon.” He begins 7,000 years ago, up to the modern era, showcasing the various personalities whose lives make up the rich history of the island town of Avalon. John’s presentation features many historical photographs of Santa Catalina Island’s Avalon, and the people that helped to shape one of the favorite destinations for mariners. Over 1 million people visit each year, and you won’t believe who was there before us!
John has been the featured speaker at meetings of SCYA, Alamitos Bay, Long Beach, San Diego, Balboa, South Shore, and Cabrillo Beach Yacht Clubs. John has been of great service and is an asset to our boating community as SCYA Staff Commodore/RBOC 2018 President/SSYC Staff Commodore/AOCYC Staff Commodore. Please come show your appreciation and join us to discover how the mariner’s paradise of Avalon was formed.
*Speaking of the ‘personalities’ of Avalon, our July Guest Speaker and Avalon resident, Alison Osinski, has provided me with a thumb drive of her presentation. If you are interested in obtaining, please contact me.
WSA-OC’s annual philanthropic event, AdventureSail® for the Boys and Girls Club of San Clemente, on August 5th was a great success! Thirteen 9–10-year-old children were treated to knot tying lessons, a tour of the Ocean Institute, lunch, a day sail, and two gift bags filled with goodies!!! The children, their chaperones, and WSA-OC volunteers all had fun. I was inspired to see young eyes and minds grow and develop a love for the ocean and a respect for the wind and the waves.
Thank you to everyone who participated and made this event so special including our gracious boat owners Barbara Kelley/Bonnie Doon, Lori Romono/No Ka Oi, Brenda Highley/Manana & Suzanne Burk/Perfect Day. We are grateful to our skippers, first mates, photographers, and 19 WSA-OC members who donated items for the gift bags!
Our next philanthropic event is also quickly approaching this month! Women in the Wind in partnership with Soroptimist will take place on Saturday, September 23rd in Newport Beach. We already have gift bag items, boats, and volunteers planning to participate, but it’s not too late to join us. If you are interested in learning how you can help with this great philanthropic opportunity, please contact me at philanthropy@wsaoc.org.
September Birthdays
Please join me in wishing a very Happy Birthday to those members born during the first month of Fall 🍂
9/4 - Barbara Lawler
9/16 - Marie March
9/16 - Leslie Dammer
9/17 - Nina Manning
9/17 - Dawn Price
9/21 - Lisa Pegan
9/22 - Nadia Ashrafian
9/23 - Laura McCaleb
9/23 - Karen Holt
9/24 - Melinda Dixon
9/25 - Rose Henigman
9/29 - Michele Silver
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
