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Chatting With The Commodore
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Risa Scott,
WSA-OC Commodore |
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February is already in full swing! In some places, the water is still frozen over and boats are still on the hard. Fortunately, in southern California, we are able to sail year round. Race season has already started and folks are getting their boats tuned up for another great year on the water. The wet stuff that fell from the sky might have dampened some sailing enthusiasm, but only temporarily.
The 28th Annual Women's Sailing Convention, held on February 4th in Newport, was another huge success with 220 women from 13 states participating in workshops, hands-on learning and on-the-water activities, including some racing on Harbor 20's. It was a wonderful opportunity to learn from some very experienced local women sailors, as well as meet up with old and new friends and to network for more opportunities to get out on the water. After a few rainy days, it turned out to be a beautiful day, both on and off-the-water. It was also great to meet up with other sailors from WSA chapters, near and far!
Let's keep the momentum going! We will have our
Whale of a Sail on February 25
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. Sign up as soon as possible as space is limited! I missed this event in 2016 and kicked myself all year for missing one of the greatest whale watching days ever!! As always, we are so very grateful for our members that are able to generously donate their time and their boats for this event and our many other events!
We have so much in store for WSA-OC this year! Keep up-to-date by following us on Facebook as well as our NEW WSA-OC Members Only Group (see sidebar for information) and keep opening our emails!
Until we meet again! As always, be safe, have fun and always learn something new on the water!
Thanks for your support!
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Sign Up Now for Our Whale of a Social Sail
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There are only a few spots left. Sign up NOW!
Please join us for a fun day on the water, where we will be on the lookout for
Pacific gray whales and other marine life. Each year, thousands of these gentle giants pass right offshore as they head south to the calving lagoons of Baja Mexico and then later, return North to their feeding grounds in the Bering Sea.
Our first social sail of the year:
Whale of a Social Sail will be held at Dana Point Harbor on Saturday, February 25th, noon - 4:00 p.m. Hopefully we will experience a repeat of last years whale sail, which included hours (literally) of whale watching and perfect weather.
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This photo was captured during last year's Whale of a Social Sail. Let's hope for a repeat! Photo: Jennifer Johns
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Current membership and pre-registration is required to attend and
$25 will secure your spot in the event. Once your payment is received you will be emailed additional details regarding the trip, such as boat assignment, boat location, etc
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Email Gabi Schwaiger with any questions or if you would like to donate your boat for the event.
Not able to attend the event? Not to worry, we will be gathering for an informal après-sail happy hour at Harpoon Henry's, immediately following
. Feel free to join us. This happy hour will be a great opportunity to get to know and socialize with the participants from other boats, catch up with old friends, share photos, grab a drink and eat the best nachos anywhere!
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Spring Sailing: Getting Your Boat in Ship Shape
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With our March meeting being just two weeks before the first day of Spring, we have the perfect topic -
Spring Sailing: Getting Your Boat in Ship Shape
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to ensure you and your boat are ready. Regardless of whether or not you own a boat this meeting is not to be missed as safety is of paramount importance to every sailor/boater.
WSA-OC members Sue and Chuck Hutchings - who are also United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Vessel Examiners - will be our guest speakers for the evening. T
hey will:
- Show you how to to have your vessel ready for a safety check and why it's important;
- Share the many benefits that the USCGA offers the public and;
- Review current safety regulations to help ensure we are following safe marine and boating practices on the water.
Tuesday, March 7th
6:30 - 7:00 p.m. Happy Half Hour
7:00 - 7:45 p.m. New Business & Announcements
7:45 - 9:00 p.m.
Spring Sailing: Getting Your Boat in Ship Shape
24707 Dana Drive
Dana Point, 92629
949.493.9493
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More Than Training ... See the World
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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. What you may not know, however, is that there is a long-term goal to these classes - five in all, Basic, Reefing, MOB, Anchoring and Docking.
The purpose of these classes is to develop crew who will be able to participate in various "legs" aboard Celtic Song as she sails around the world, beginning in 2018. Please review just launched SV Celtic Song website for additional information.
Prospective crew members must take the required five lessons within two months. We expect everyone to honor scheduling commitments. Crew will be evaluated on two categories:
- Sailing ability, seamanship and the ability to learn
- Temperament as well as ability and willingness to get along with others
You need not be an expert or seasoned sailor, but you you should have a strong understanding of the sailing principles and have logged at least 25 hours on the water.
The following is the schedule for the month of February.
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SV Celtic Song in the Pacific Northwest
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February:
22nd TBD
25th MOB
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 would like to participate,
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The year has begun and there have been opportunities to get on the water, starting with the Women's Sailing Convention. Did you attend? If so, you were one of the lucky people
that got to to practice some race starts on the Harbor 20's? For those of us not racing we got to
spend a day learning more about sailing, cruising, racing, and even boat maintenance. And what a great day it was on and off the water!
Here are some upcoming sailing events for you to get involved in, either
on-the-water on on land:
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Mark Your Calendars Now For Our April Events
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In honor of Earth Day,
April 22nd, our April events will embody the spirit of the day in conjunction of this worldwide event - support for environmental protection.
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| #EarthDayEveryDay |
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- General Meeting: our April 4th meeting will feature speaker Kurt Lieber, the founder and executive director of Ocean Defenders Alliance. Kurt will be showing a video and talking about ODA's goals, adventures, volunteer opportunities and how we, as boaters can help.
- On-the-Water: the April 22nd (Earth Day!) event will be a Duffy Boat progressive in Newport Harbor.
Stay tuned to our Facebook page, website and forthcoming emails for details regarding these and other events.
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| Mark Your Calendars Now! Upcoming 2017 WSA-OC Events* |
WSA-OC events* have been tentatively planned for all of 2017. More details will be added as planning continues and as the events get closer. For more information, view our
All Events page on the website where you will be able to read more detail about each upcoming event, as well as additional events that aren't listed below. As each event gets closer, more details will also be provided via the various WSA-OC online outlets. Questions? Email us at
events@wsaoc.
July 3rd ~ ~ 1st Start Transpac Social Sail
July 4th ~ ~ No General Meeting - Happy Independence Day!
September 17th ~ ~ Charity Regatta - OSeas
October 3rd ~ ~ No General Meeting
*Subject to change. Black = meeting//Pink = on-the-water//Green = OSeas
**Affiliate event
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| Vice Commodore, Melanie Green, celebrating a milestone birthday (50!!!), January 10th, on a mooring at Bloody Mary's Restaurant in Povai Bay, Bora Bora. Photo: Doug Green |
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Welcome Aboard 
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WSA-OC is continuing to grow with new members every month! Thanks to all of you for being
WSA-OC ambassadors. Welcome to our newest members:
Rose Henigman
Penny Nelson
Paige Shields
Happy Sailing!
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It's Not Too Late to Join or Renew Your 2017 WSA-OC Membership!
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If you do not wish to purchase your membership online, you may also mail a check to:
P.O. Box 937
Dana Point, CA 92629
*Renewing members MUST have been a member for the
previous year (2016), otherwise you are considered a new member.
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Members Only Facebook Group
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Join Our Private WSA-OC
Facebook Group
We recognize this is not an ideal solution, as everyone doesn't have a Facebook account. However, something is better than nothing, right?
This is a page in which you can:
~ Seek crew
~ Share photos
~ Ask questions
~ Post announcements
~ Share club/boat related info
Please take advantage of this page. It will only be as successful as you make it. To be an approved group member you also need to be a current member of WSA-OC.
Mobile Device Link for the
Facebook Group App
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Laura's House Update
The children being helped by Laura's House this Valentine's Day are getting some love, in the form of stuffed bears and candy, thanks to all of you. The purchase of these gifts was made possible by the funds raised at our Holiday Party silent auction.
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Merchandise Blowout Sale
Everything Must Go
New WSA-OC logo merchandise will be coming soon, but first we have to get rid of the old. Act now as there are limited quantities available.
WSA-OC Logo Sale Items
$10 - Mens and Womens XL polo-style white short sleeve shirt
$18 - Pink camo visor
$12 - Stainless steel Klean Kanteen
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Boats Needed!
We need boats and skippers for all of our 2017 on-the-water events. Email us at
events@wsaoc.org if you would like to donate your boat for one or all of our events or if you have any questions.
Thank You
- Thank you Laura McCaleb for taking over the Ship Store responsibilities.
- Thank you Dee Carroll for purchasing the Valentine's gifts for the kids at Laura's House.
- A big thanks, once again, to Aventura for meeting venue.
- Thanks to all of our members who donated their time and boats to the Women's Sailing Convention.
In The News
The Log - Women's Sailing Convention
Email us at:
info@wsaoc.org
if you have
information, photos or announcements that you'd like to share with the members.
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Aventura Invites You to Their Comedy Night
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Aventura is hosting a Comedy Night on Saturday, February 18th at 7:00 p.m. and is inviting WSA-OC members to attend. The cost is only $20.
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2017 WSA-OC
Board of Directors
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WSA-OC
Commodore
Risa Scott
Vice Commodore
Melanie Green
Rear Commodore
Karen Pacella
Treasurer
Wayne Wallace
Secretary
Brenda Highley
Membership Director
Cheryl Case
Directors
Kathleen Brown
Gabi Schwaiger
Jr. Staff Commodore
Valerie Rhodes
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Newsletter Editor
Tracy Gallucci
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