I'd no sooner unpacked my gear from our wonderful Ocean Awareness Challenge weekend, than the phone calls and emails were soon filling up my inbox regarding the Sail for The Visually Impaired, the upcoming LEMWOD Regatta, our October meeting, the November moonlight sail...and....just around the corner, our November WSA-OC Board elections and our annual Holiday party!!! 

I have to honestly say, as I look towards the end of my second year serving as Commodore, I don't know when I've ever put in so many hours for something that produces such tangible, rewarding results. My experience over the past couple of years has opened the door to wonderful new friendships, many new sailing opportunities and social activities, competitive racing and rewarding public service. As we begin the process of recruiting and electing our 2017 board, I can assure you, it's a fun and incredibly rewarding gig to serve on the WSA-OC board with so many other committed, enthusiastic ocean-loving sailors. Please drop me a note if you are interested in serving and want to learn more about the opportunities available. You'll be glad you did!

Tuesday, October 4th

6:30 - 7:00 p.m. Happy Half Hour

7:00 - 7:45 p.m. New Business and Announcements 

Aventura Sailing Association

24707 Dana Drive

Dana Point, 92629

949.493.9493

By Kathleen Brown, OAC Steering Committee

Amazing! Fantastic! Awesome! These are just some of the adjectives that attendees used to describe the inaugural Ocean Awareness Challenge event weekend. Beautiful Emerald Bay, Catalina Island, this year 's  event location, gave participants a first-hand look at our earth ' s valuable resource and lifeblood: the ocean. The event ' s goals of increasing awareness of the ocean ' s health and challenging participants to make changes in their lives to positively affect the ocean ' s health were enthusiastically embraced by those in attendance.  

Photo credit: Robin Froman Photography

Over 100 adults and children experienced a three-day action-packed weekend of fun, learning and challenges for change. Presentations by Dr. Geoff Shester, Oceana ' s California Program Director; Dr. Wendy Marshall, Discovery Cube ' s Ocean Quest - Newport Beach  Director of Education; Dave Rudie, Catalina Offshore Products 

Founder & CEO and Tony Budrovich, Catalina Island Conservancy ' s President & COO provided insightful information about the state of the ocean in each of their areas of expertise and recommended ways in which we can make a difference.   Hands-on activities brought the concepts to life, such as snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, and a tour of the aquarium touch tank. The learning came full circle when the group watched an exclusive showing of the award-winning MacGillivray Freeman Films  Humpback Whales  documentary under the stars with the Pacific Ocean as the backdrop. The Happy Hour unsparingly provided by Black Magic Rum and live music led the way to an evening of celebration and dancing.  All of this encouraged participants to make personal challenges, statements and commitments about  protecting and creating  positive changes to help make a difference in the health of the ocean.

OAC founder Susie Campbell, addressing all of the OAC participants. Photo credit: Robin Froman Photography

A passionate, all volunteer group from our very own WSA-OC spent the last 1-1/2 years planning all aspects of this event. Most importantly, the finance committee is busy finalizing the numbers as significant funds were raised for a newly created OAC Scholarship fund for under-served youth to attend the Mountain & Sea Adventure Camp, the very camp at which we held our event. This scholarship fund is an important component of the event; recognizing that our youth are key to ensuring the future health of the ocean.

Participants were so excited about all they learned, the presenters very generously promised to provide links for our website for further information.  Look for that information on the WSA-OC website in the coming weeks.

By Wayne Wallace, SVI Coordinator

For 20+ years this WSA-OC (formerly WORSA) sponsored event has been providing a wonderful day sail experience in Newport Harbor for the visually impaired. Hosted by the American Legion Yacht Club in Newport Beach the event relies entirely upon dozens of volunteers, numerous organizations and boat owners to make it possible. Awareness of this event within the visually impaired community continues to grow and this year participant attendance is expected to be high. The need for volunteers will increase as well so please mark on your calendars the October 15 ^th date to remind yourself of the opportunity to volunteer and help. 

While considerable resources are required the most immediate need is to identify volunteers to assist. WSA-OC is responsible for providing volunteers to escort guests from buses to registration desks as well as to the boats. Volunteers are also needed for registration and sign-in of volunteers and guests and assisting with the care of seeing eye dogs. In addition, any WSA-OC boat owners and skippers that wish to participate in the actual sail are welcome. Forms and documents for volunteers and guests are now available on the WSA-OC web site.

Volunteers will be required to sign the 'Medical Emergency Release' and should review the event schedule, courtesy rules and the sign-up document. There will be a raffle as well so if you are able to donate items please let us know.

 

If you know you can help, please visit the WSA-OC web site and review the forms. You may email the completed form to Wayne Wallace or just email Wayne your interest in volunteering and the forms may be completed at a later date.

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. 

  

*Subject to change

**Affiliate event