Happy May Day to you all! As we move into May, the season of Opening Days is in full swing. While WSA-OC does not have its own Opening Day, this time of year includes important Opening Day events hosted by other yacht clubs. As your Commodore, I represent WSA-OC at these events on behalf of our membership.
These appearances are not simply social events–they are part of maintaining strong relationships within the broader yachting community, supporting reciprocal goodwill between clubs, and ensuring WSA-OC has a visible and respected presence among our peer organizations.
Because many of these Opening Day events occur in the same seasonal window as our own on-the-water events, there are times when I represent WSA-OC externally rather than attend local events. Both are important to our club: one supports the internal experience, and the other strengthens our standing and connections outside our club.
As a reminder for our General Meetings, please plan to arrive at 6:30 p.m. with your drink in hand, as the “happy half-hour” begins at that time. This helps us transition smoothly so we can begin the meeting promptly at 7:00 p.m.
Thank you for your understanding and support of this balance of responsibilities. I’m proud to represent WSA-OC and to bring those relationships and opportunities back to our membership.
Our Spring Fling OTW event in April was a great success for 29-30 members and boat owners sailing in and around Newport Harbor. Thanks to Barbara Lawler, Lori Romano, Anita Wang, Lisa Cullinane, and Colleen Weeks for hosting us on their boats! We had a sailboat and a couple of Duffy boats that took passengers to locations they hadn’t seen before in the far reaches of the harbor and bays. Thank you all for your participation!!
This month, we will be howling at the moon on our Full Moon sailing adventure scheduled for May 30th. We’ll begin around 4 pm and sail into the early evening. Stay tuned to our Members Only Facebook page for upcoming details for the Full Moon Sail!
REMEMBER:
1. Sign-up will be announced approx. 2 weeks prior to the event 2. Sign-up is sent to emails as well as placed 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 prior to boat launch 6. Cancellations within 48 hours of the event will not be refunded
Please mark your calendars for these upcoming 2026 OTW events:
** Dates, locations, and times are subject to change based on boat availability and weather.
May 30th – Full Moon Sail July 16 – 19th – Annual Trip to Catalina – Two Harbors August 15th – Tropical Luau September 20th – Pirate Party October 3rd– Huntington Beach Air Show November 21st – Friendsgiving Duffy event
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!!
I hope you enjoyed our panel discussion at the April meeting.
We received some great feedback from members and guests.
Looking Ahead The future of women’s sailing is not just promising, it’s powerful. As access expands and barriers continue to fall, the sport is becoming more inclusive, dynamic, and innovative.
Whether it’s a young sailor taking her first lesson or a seasoned racer pushing the limits offshore, women are charting new waters every day. And perhaps that’s what sailing has always been about: not just navigating the wind, but having the courage to choose your own course.
The water is open, and there’s space for everyone.
Come join us at our next meeting, May 13, Staff Commodore KT Reiter will be sharing about a recent trip to Loreto and whale watching.
Meeting Details Date: May 13, 2026 6:30 p.m. happy half hour. Meeting starts promptly at 7:00 p.m. Location: Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club 1601 Bayside Drive Newport Beach, CA
Dinner reservations required. Contact KT by Sunday, May 10, for dinner reservations 1stm8k8@outlook.com
No reservations are required to attend the meeting.
Upcoming Meetings
June 10 Dana Point Yacht Club
July 8, Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club
August 12 Dana Point Yacht Club
September 9, Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club
October 14 Dana Point Yacht Club
November 11, Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club
*Non-members are welcome and encouraged to attend the April 8 General Membership Meeting. Guests may attend up to two meetings to evaluate the club and decide whether to join. If you’re not a current member and would like to join, you can do so here:https://wsaoc.org/membership
If you have questions, don't hesitate to get in touch with Linda Kiernan, Rear Commodore, at Rearcommodore@wsaoc.org - Cell 949-201-9336
Happy May, Ladies,
Wishing Happy Birthdays to the following members:
ILona Nanda May 1st
Stephanie Gray May 7th
Steve Baker May 10th
Penny King May 15th
Susan Campbell May 15th
Russ Brown May 20th
Sarah Judd May 21st
Amber Ajluni May 22nd
Mark Lovett May 25th
Michele Lucero May 25th
Judy Myton May 28th
Suzanne Burk May 30th
You can reach me, Jeanette Jordan, by email at membership@wsaoc.org or by cell phone at
Take a look at all the philanthropy happenings this month (and more coming soon)!
Hats for Sailors – Ongoing Out of the 20 members who signed up for this fun project, many have already finished their first beanie for Hats for Sailors (a charity that supports U.S. Navy sailors). And a few folks who’ve caught the “crafting for a good cause” bug are already on hat #2 and even #3!
Girl Scouts Mariners Group – May 2 Four volunteers are kicking off a new partnership with the Girl Scouts of Orange County at the Gathering All Mariners event in Newport on May 2. There won’t be sailing this year, but WSA-OC will be jumping in on all kinds of activities like kayaking, canoeing, compass reading, and knot tying.
AdventureSail® 2026 – July 11, Dana Point Harbor Come be part of one of our favorite annual events! Sponsored by NWSA and in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of San Clemente (BGC-SC), this event helps make sailing more accessible to girls ages 9–14. We’re looking for volunteers to help pull it all together and be there on July 11—especially four boat owners (sail or power). Watching these girls get out on the water (and even take the helm!) is amazing. “Sail like a girl!”
AdventureSail® 2025 – NWSA Scholarship We’re working with the BGC-SC to secure a $300 NWSA scholarship for one girl who attended AdventureSail® 2025. WSA-OC is also pitching in another $300 for a second girl at BGC-SC. Both girls will learn the basics of boating safety, rigging, and points of sail, and then take those skills to the next level by sailing at our partner Westwind Sailing (well known for its youth programs).
Women in the Wind 2026 – October 11, Newport Harbor We’re already getting things rolling for our second annual event with Soroptimist International of Huntington Beach. We’ll be inviting beneficiaries of their programs to join us for a day on the water. Many of our guests are the primary financial providers for their households and are working toward an education to build a better life for themselves and their dependents. Some have been through challenges that are hard for most of us to even imagine. For many, Women in the Wind is their very first time on a boat—and it can help them work through a fear of water or simply build the confidence to try something new. This activity is truly about empowering women on the water!
Have a new philanthropy idea or a suggestion for ongoing activities? Email philanthropy@wsaoc.org or text Greta at 3367065046.
Some apparel brands run small, so please check the size chart before you order. Also note that many of the apparel choices are from the brand "Port Authority" and they often run "small", so you may want to order a size up. NOTE: All online purchases are custom-made and are non-returnable.
Please ship to your address so your items go directly to your home.
See me at the next Member Meeting for more information.
Thank you for showing your club spirit by purchasing items from the WSA-OC Ship store!
May 13 – WSA-OC General meeting Location: Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club 1601 Bayside Drive Newport Beach, CA 92629
Time: 7:00 pm (Happy Half Hour 6:30 pm)
May 25 – Memorial Day
May 31 – Full Moon OTW Sail
MAY 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 at 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
