I'm writing this a couple of days after returning from the annual Women's Sailing Convention. It was so inspiring to be surrounded by 200+ women sailors of all levels teaching, coaching and encouraging one another.  I was proud to see so many WSA-OC members in attendance as coaches and participants. In fact, most of the women responsible for planning the event are longtime WORSA and now WSA-OC members.  

I had a few minutes during the evening program to talk about WSA-OC and as I reflected on what makes our group so special, I thought about the deep sense of community service so many of our members have and how they use their love of sailing as a vehicle to help others. I hope each of you will take the time to read some of the stories below about the things our members are doing to change the world and hope you'll consider participating in some of these wonderful efforts.

It might be using money won at the WSA holiday party to "pay it forward" or perhaps creating a three-day event on Catalina to raise awareness and funds to heal our ocean. Maybe it's donating your boat to take visually-impaired kids and adults out on the water or possibly participating in a fun regatta and picnic with kids living in foster care group homes. It can be something as simple as bringing potato salad to the Anchors Away Youth Sailing Regatta or writing a check to support one of our philanthropic efforts.  I'm so grateful to our members for their spirit of giving. It's my sincere hope that each of you will find something that touches your heart and you'll join us in using our shared love of sailing and the ocean to improve our world.

There will be information for both novice as well as experienced racers. Both local and international races will be highlighted, race calendars will be on hand and we'll let you know how you can get involved. 

 

On March 20th, we will follow up the meeting's speakers with an on-the-water event. The highly regarded  and previously well received "Racing 101: Training Regatta" is back for it's second year. 

March Meeting Info:

Aventura Sailing Association

24707 Dana Drive

Dana Point, 92626

WSA-OC is extraordinarily lucky to have so many members willing to donate their time and money to our philanthropic venture(s), specifically the Ocean Awareness Challenge. The OAC is very fortunate to have recently received a $1,000 donation from Vicki Sweet, in honor of her grandfather, Glenn Vedder. 

Glenn Vedder at his favorite place, Laguna Beach, in 1988. Photo courtesy of Vicki Vedder Sweet

The OAC also received a $1,500 donation from the Homer A. & Mildred S. Scott and the Dan & Jeanne Scott Family Foundation in honor of Risa Scott's grandparents. 

Both the Vedder and Scott families have a long history being environmentally aware and practicing green initiatives. Please click here to read more about Glenn Vedder and here to read about the Scott Family Foundations. 

Our members truly are amazing and selfless. KC Matlock decided to pay her good fortune forward.  KC won $174 at our Holiday Party 50/50 raffle. Instead of using that money to buy Christmas presents or pay a bill she wanted to give the money to the community, where it could be put to good use. She created a 'Pay It Forward' contest on her Facebook page asking for submissions of random acts of kindness and the winner would receive the $174. However, the money had to be spent on a need in their community or be donated to a non-profit of their choice. 

The winner, KC chose, was a woman who regularly helps a homeless man in her Orange County neighborhood. She was able to buy him a few nights stay at a local hotel. She also chipped her own money in and bought him some new clothes.  KC was so moved by all of the submissions that she sent matching funds to Laura's House, which was the runner-up's requested non-profit.  

Thanks to KC, on behalf of the WSA-OC, $348 has been sent out into the world, paying it forward, to help those in need. 

WSA-OC has events* planned through the end of 2016. Below is a list of events through the first six months of the year. For more information, view our   All Events page on the website, where you will be able to read more detail about each event as well as additional events that aren't listed below. As each event gets closer more details will be provided via the various WSA-OC online outlets. 

  

*Subject to change