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Chatting With The Commodore
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Valerie Rhodes,
WSA-OC Commodore
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This weekend I participated in the final Sea Gals event of the summer. For those who don't know, the Sea Gals program was launched several years ago by Judy Rae Karlsen as a way to give women an opportunity to sail on the Long Beach Sailing Foundation's Catalina 37 One Design boats. These boats are fast and fun and those of us flying a spinnaker aboard boat #5 experienced an adrenaline-generating round-up in Saturday's high winds.
One of the great features of the Sea Gals program is the opportunity to network with other women sailors with some pretty incredible sailing resumes. Leaders from many So Cal women's sailing groups have the opportunity to share information about their programs, recruit new members and exchange contact information.
Whether you live in Orange County, Los Angeles, San Diego, Ventura or the Inland Empire, there are many ways to connect with local women sailors and get out on the water. If you're not already a member, please consider joining WSA-OC, WSA-Long Beach, WSA-Santa Monica Bay or WSA-Channel Islands and put February 4th, 2017 on your calendar for the 2017 Women's Sailing Convention in Newport Beach.
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At Saturday's Sea Gals event (L-R) Deb Kelly, Staff Commodore, WSA-LB; Valerie Rhodes, Commodore, WSA-OC, Sharie Sneddon, Huntington Harbor YC Sailing Foundation Director; Marie Rogers, LAYC Community Sailing Program Director, Sue Service, WSA-SMB; Risa Scott, WSA-OC & Shoreline YC Sailing Foundation Program Director. Photo credit: Bronny Daniels, Joysailing.com
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| August General Meeting Recap |
We enjoyed a
picture perfect evening from the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club pool patio. Comfortable sea breezes and a gorgeous sunset only enhanced the topic
Endless Summer, Sailing Travel Adventures presented by Captain
Holly Scott as she described her Mahalo Sailing adventures around the world.
Holly gave some good advice when cruising, such as: be courteous to fellow boat mates, as you are in a small space with no way to leave; suggested keeping snacks separate from food that is designated for meals to ensure all of the ingredients will be available for the proper meal preparation; and she prefers purchasing her own food (when able) as opposed to a provisioning service, etc.
Holly's favorite group charter destination is Tahiti and her personal favorite is right here in our backyard, Catalina's Big Geiger Cove. She ended with "The world would be a better place if we all traveled. Everyone is the same."
Our first 50-50 raffle was a big success. Jennifer Bopp and Cheryl Case (long story) ended up splitting half the winnings with the other half going towards the WSA-OSeas race team.
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We have a really fun program planned for our October general meeting. It is entitled
Nauti Game Show Fun Night!
We will test your nauti(cal) skills and knowledge as you compete against your fellow WSA-OC members. There is sure to be lots of fun and laughter and prizes will be awarded.
Tuesday, October 4th
6:30 - 7:00 p.m. Happy Half Hour
7:00 - 7:30 p.m. New Business and Announcements
7:30 - 9:00 p.m.
Nauti Game Show Fun Night!
24707 Dana Drive
Dana Point, 92629
949.493.9493
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Welcome to the Women's Duffy Boat Association! Haha! We were "renamed" during one Saturday in July when our sailing group turned into "target practice" for all of the other sailors/boaters in Newport Harbor. All joking aside, our July on-the-water Duffy Boat Scavenger Hunt event was our best attended on-the-water event to date. So thank you all for attending!
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| Look out_ Comin_ in hot__ Click on image above for event photo album. |
We had four full Duffy Boats deciphering the clues and zooming around the harbor trying to get to the correct coordinates to collect the clues before anyone of the other boats. Awww, heck let's talk about what it really was ... a fantastic day on the water with old friends and new. And eating and drinking....and more drinking and eating. We will definitely be putting this on the calendar for 2017! Thanks to Gabi Schwaiger for creating such a fun event!
Check out the photos.
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New Laura's House Partnership a Resounding Success!
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Thank you WSA-OC members for your generosity!
We recently developed a new partnership with
Laura's House. It began in earnest with our August general meeting and you, our members, providing back-to-school supplies for the children in their programs.
Thanks to you, the school supplies drive was a resounding success, as you can see by the photos. I
t is our hope to hold another 'needed items drive' in the near future and host an on-the-water event, in 2017 for
the
women and children receiving services from Laura's House.
In the meantime, if you wish to help on your own, they also accept gently
used name brand clothing, books or housewares in sellable condition. Items can be donated directly to either of the shops Laura's House operates in
Lake Forest or San Juan Capistrano. Please review their website for additional information regarding all of their programs.
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Saving the Blue Heart of the Earth
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Did you hear the good news? D
ue to overwhelming interest, registration to attend the Ocean Awareness Challenge has been extended two weeks! You now have until August 24th to register.
The OAC weekend will consist of: educational seminars from Dr. Geoff Shester,
Oceana, Dr. Wendy Marshall,
Ocean Quest (formerly ExplorOcean) and Dave Rudie,
Catalina Offshore Products, two Happy Hours sponsored by Black Magic Black Spiced Rum,
Mountain and Sea Educational Adventures staff guided snorkeling and hiking eco-tours, a viewing of
MacGillivray Freeman Films documentary
Humpback Whales, live music, all meals and much more. We hope you can join us!
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Come to the Ocean Awareness Challenge to snorkel in the crystal clear waters of Emerald Bay |
As many of you know, this event is a labor of love. The OAC began as a vision of one woman, WSA-OC member, Susie Campbell who wanted to do her part to help heal the ocean.
Everyone who has donated countless hours to this project is doing so as a volunteer because they believe in the cause. If you're coming to the event and you see an OAC planning committee member wearing a blue OAC t-shirt, stop them and let them know you appreciate all of their hard work.
Without the all-volunteer planning committee the event wouldn't happen, but more importantly, it wouldn't be possible without the generous support of our donors, who were able to envision the event when it was merely an idea and provided early support to ensure the OAC weekend would be possible. People like WSA-OC member, Vicki Sweet who donated $1,000 in
honor of her late grandfather, WSA-OC member Risa Scott who kicked in $1,500 from the Scott Family Foundations or the $10,000 grant awarded to the OAC from the
Laguna Beach Community Foundation on behalf an anonymous donor. All of the speakers are donating their time and expertise and Black Magic Rum is providing sponsored Happy Hours! These are only some of the examples of the generous donations received to help make the OAC event be a successful one.
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| Race with the OSeas, We're More than LEMWOD |
One thing we sailors have in common, is a love of the water, sea air, and like-minded people. I especially love the community of the WSA-OSeas group and have found the experiences and friendships life-altering.
Sailing, like horseback riding or any other sport, can be an enjoyable leisurely way to spend the day. These activities can be also be used to get the competitive juices flowing. Have you ever considered the thrill that you can get from competitive sailboat racing? The OSeas are not just about LEMWOD, racing opportunities are all around us and the experiences and experience level vary from race-to-race and boat-to-boat.
My goal, as Race Chair for both WSA-OC and SCYA, is to identify racing opportunities for our community of women racers looking to hone their skills aboard a racing boat. For example you can walk onto a dock on a weekday evening and jump onto a boat for a buoy race, tackle Newport-To-Ensenada or compete in a one design race. They're all out there, just waiting to be raced. #SailLikeAGirl
The following are upcoming racing opportunities, specifically for women. As always, preregistration is required.
If you know of upcoming races please let me know, so we can publicize them.
Fundraising:
As we all know, sailing isn't an inexpensive sport. I'd love some ideas and participants to help with some fund raising events and ideas. Let's talk! Please contact me at
at
oseas@wsaoc.org
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~ Karen Pacella, Racing Director
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| Mark Your Calendars Now! Upcoming WSA-OC Events* |
WSA-OC has events* planned through the end of 2016. 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.
September 6th
~ ~ No General Meeting
September 18th ~ ~ OSeas: Long Beach Charity Race
Reminder: All of our activities and events, except our monthly general meetings or where stated otherwise, require you to be a WSA-OC member in good standing and also require paid in advance preregistration. That being said, if you're not a member we'd LOVE to have you. We have a lot of events planned through the end of 2016 and we hope you will
join us today so you won't miss out on the fun!
*Subject to change
**Affiliate event
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| Duffy Boat Scavenger Hunt group photo |
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***REMINDER***
No September Meeting
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In lieu of a September general meeting we will be hosting the Ocean Awareness Challenge on Catalina Island's Emerald Bay, September 9th - 11th.
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Sail for the Visually Impaired
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s many of you know we've been holding the Sail for the Visually Impaired event for 20+ years and 2016 is no exception. This years event will be held on Saturday, October 15th and once again our partner will be the American Legion Yacht Club in Newport Beach.
Big thank you to WSA-OC Philanthropy Chair, Dee Carroll and Treasurer, Wayne Wallace who are heading up the effort this year. There is currently a need for a couple more volunteers.
Let us
know if you can help by donating your time and/or boat for the event.
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Board of Directors
Elections
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Don't Miss this Very Important Meeting
 The WSA-OC BoD will be up for election during our November 1st general meeting. If you are interested in running for a position on the Board or would like more information please contact our current
Commodore, Valerie Rhodes.
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WSA-OC In the News
WSA-OC and OAC have been receiving some nice recognition in print and over the airwaves. Take a look and a listen below.
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Click on image above to read article
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Ship Store
We have the mock up for the WSA-OC pink camo logo visor, that was mentioned in last month's edition of
The Whistle. They will be available the first week of September and you can
pre-order them now as they are sure to sellout quickly.
All other Ship Store items can be purchased
here.
Thank You ...
- To our boat owners who month-in and month-out donate not only their boats, but their time, knowledge and patience to our members. Without your generosity our on-the-water events would not be possible.
- To Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club for welcoming us for our August meeting, on a Taco Tuesday race night.
Photos
We've heard you! We are currently in the process of creating an account for you to easily upload your event photos you'd like to share with us. Stay tuned ...
Have you recently received a sailing award or trophy? Did you get a new boat? Do you have a sailing or marine photo? If you said "yes" to any of these questions, let us know. Don't be shy! Email us at:
info@wsaoc.org
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Women's Sailing Convention 2017
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Planning Committee Members Needed
Planning for the 2017 Women's Sailing Convention is about to get underway. The committee is looking for talented women who wish to contribute their expertise and time to attend the WSC first planning meeting of the year, on
Thursday, August 18th at BCYC at 7:00 p.m.
This is a great résumé building and networking opportunity, but keep in mind that serving on this committee requires you to
make a
significant
time
contribution. Contact Gail Hine, SCYA for additional information and to RSVP or click above for the full agenda.
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Training Opportunity
WSA-OC member Captain, Diane Berol is once again graciously inviting our members to take her sailing classes at no charge aboard her 40' Pacific Seacraft
Celtic Song.
The following is her schedule through October.
August
27th
Basic Sailing
31st Docking
September
7th Anchoring
14th MOB
18th Basic Sailing
25th Navigation & Anchoring
Channel Islands info ...
Requirements for participation:
- Text book: Sailing Fundamentals, by Gary Jobson
- Sailing gloves
- Closed-toe shoes
- Bring your own lunch
All classes will be held from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
If you want to participate or would like more information,
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Welcome Aboard 
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WSA-OC continues to grow, thanks to all of you for being WSA ambassadors.
Welcome to our newest member:
Victoria Kelley
Linda Ludlow
Shelly Smigel
Happy Sailing!
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NoCal Women's Sailing Seminar
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Can't wait for the 2017 Women's Sailing Convention in February? Our sailing sisters from the
Island Yacht Club in the San Francisco Bay area town of Alameda have you covered. They are hosting the
Women's Sailing Seminar (which is inspired by the WSC) September 24-25, 2016.
Register before September 2nd to take advantage of the early bird registration fee.
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WSA-OC
Board of Directors
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WSA-OC
Commodore
Valerie Rhodes
Vice Commodore
Kathleen Brown
Rear Commodore
Gabi Schwaiger
Treasurer
Wayne Wallace
Secretary
Brenda Highley
Membership Director
Risa Scott
Director (Racing)
Karen Pacella
Director (Programs)
Melanie Green
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Newsletter Editor
Tracy Gallucci
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