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Chatting With The Commodore
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Melanie Green,
WSA-OC Commodore |
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I must confess, I was having a case of writer's block for this month's article. Combined with a bit of pressure as someone out there might actually continue to read my ramblings! We've had a terrific and productive spring here at WSA-OC and our pace has been steady with so many great activities thus far. While pondering, what immediately came to mind is "inspiration." So I began to think about what currently inspires me and the simple and honest answer is, YOU do! This is not an effort to gain brownie points I promise! I am continually inspired by our members passion for sailing, learning and teaching. Joined by a generous helping of fun-loving personalities, a great sense of community and an incredible zest for life in general, we have a winning membership combination!
To continue to share with you our commitment for all things sailing, we look forward to hosting our May 19th Safety at Sea on the water event. We also encourage you to join us for a relaxing evening as we go cruisin' together at our Tuesday, June 5th general meeting.
So what inspires you? We'd love to have you share with us what some of your sailing passions are, so take a few minutes to post a note on our members only Facebook page. It's wonderful to learn more about each other, gain some mutual inspiration, and the magic of our diversity truly helps us thrive!
Sails Up!
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Come Donate Then Cruise With Us!
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It's summer in Southern California and there are so many amazing places to sail and see and explore! Come join us for our June meeting and discover some places you may have never thought to go, as we cruise our coastal waters. Feel free to share your fun, interesting and perhaps "secret" destinations with us.
At our June meeting
we will be collecting:
~ Gently used men's and women's work appropriate clothing
~ Accessories:
handbags, belts, jewelry, scarves or shoes
~ Toiletries
"
At Working Wardrobes we do everything in our power to help men, women, young adults and veterans overcome difficult challenges, so they can achieve the dignity of work. Each donation means a man or woman will have their dignity restored; their confidence boosted; their outlook and opportunity to find work enhanced."
⛵️ Tuesday, June 5th
⛵️ 6:30 - 7:00 p.m. Social/Happy Hour
⛵️ 7:00 - 7:30 p.m. New Business & Announcements
⛵️ 7:30 - 9:00 p.m.
Cruising SoCal & Pre-Sail Safety
24707 Dana Drive
Dana Point, 92629
949.493.9493
⛵️ We will also have light refreshments, including beer and wine, available. A nominal donation of $3-$5 per person is requested to support the refreshment fund.
⛵️ Bring cash for our 50/50 raffle
⛵️ Meetings are open to all members, their guests and any member of the public interested in learning more about the WSA-OC.
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Update: This event is now full. We are accepting names for the waitlist.
Since the weather is finally getting nicer and in preparation for the busy summer boating season, we want to ensure our members are safe on the water. We began this theme at our monthly meeting (see below) and are continuing it by offering a Safety at Sea on-the-water event. Regardless of how much experience you do or don't have, it's never a bad idea to either learn what to do during an emergency at sea or refresh your memory. Remember, YOU could be the difference between life and death.
Sue Hutchings, WSA-OC and Coast Guard Auxiliary member, will provide a USCG approved boating safety information session while dockside. We'll then get aboard the boats, practice what we learned and have a great day-sail!
We all love being on the water, so being
safe and understanding the safety basics can be critical. Whether you're a skipper of your own vessel or crew member, this is a 'must attend' event.
This is a great way to practice hailing on the VHF Radio, understand where the fire extinguishers are located and so much more. This members-only event will take place in Dana Point on Saturday, May 19th 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Put me on the waitlist.
 Upcoming OTW Event: Summer Sailstice Day. Mark your calendars now for Saturday, June 23rd. Registration will open soon. You definitely don't want to miss this one. If you do, you'll literally be missing out on participating in a worldwide event!
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May Meeting: A Great Learning
Experience
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It was our meeting day and it was May Day. What better day to learn how to call a mayday on the radio, which is exactly what we did. Carl Chiverton from Boat Services, Marine Electronics gave us the rundown of the fundamental aspects of using the VHF radio.
There are several things to keep in mind, firstly know where it is located. VHF radios are generally a fixed mount i.e. not portable - however, this is not always the case. It is also very important to make sure you know your radio is working, both transmitting and receiving, by performing a radio check prior to your voyage.
While 911 is the standard for land based emergencies, it is not really equipped to handle an emergency at sea, that is why it is paramount for everyone to know how to call a mayday.
Most of us already know this, but it bears repeating, channel 16 is reserved for hailing and distress purposes only!
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| Not sure how to call a mayday? Follow the procedures outlined in Carl's slide |
After Carl's presentation all attendees broke into smaller groups and were assigned an emergency to discuss and resolve. Each group then "called" in a mayday using a handheld radio (they were off) providing all of the information pertinent to their emergency. It was a great exercise and gave the entire group an opportunity to have a sense of what to do in case of an actual emergency at sea.
As always we had several announcements. Our signature event, Sailing for the Blind and Visually Impaired, on October 6th will be here in no time. We are seeking volunteers to help with the many facets of SVI. This is a really fun and rewarding event. Let us know how you can help!
We also held a 50/50 raffle with Darien Smith taking home $70 and the other half being used to offset WSA-OC programming costs.
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| 2nd Annual Earth Day Duffy Event |
We made a little corner of the world less trashy and had a lot of fun doing it! What another great time we had Duffy-ing around Newport Harbor on Earth Day. Each boat was tasked with picking up trash in the harbor and coming up with a boat name. We had a friendly competition amongst the four boats to see who could pick up the most trash and who had the best boat name.
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Venus Trappers L-R: Karen Pacella, Gabi Schwaiger, KtReiter, Jacquline Vo, Lisa Morrison (guest) and Risa Scott. Photo: J.Vo
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The boat names varied from creative to silly: Duffy McTrash Face, Venus Trappers,
W
asted
S
ailors
A
drift and Watts Knotty. Venus Trappers won a close race in the name game and took home WSA-OC Klean Kanteen water bottles and Watts Knotty was the trashiest er, collected the most trash and took home their trash grabber picker upppers.
It's an amazing time to be a part of WSA-OC! The April Duffy event was a success thanks to our wonderful volunteers! Gabi Schwaiger arranged to have the Duffys reserved for us from Windward Sailing. Risa Scott coordinated our on board food and desert, along with the infamous trash grabbers. Lisa Cullinane arranged a wonderful lunch for everyone at Newport Beach Yacht Club. Thank you to everyone, it was a fun event!
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Watts Knotty L-R: Lisa Pegan,
Kathy Ellis, Kathy Dimeo, Dee Carroll,
Debbie Groutage
and Shelly Smigel. Photo: L.Pegan
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So far, we've had an event nearly every month this year, with so many more water events planned.
It's not too early to start thinking about our June 23rd event in Dana Point, be a part of the worldwide event - Summer Sailstice Day!
If you are a boat owner and would like to provide your boat to be a part of these events, please contact Karen Pacella. As we've said before, we cannot have all of these wonderful on the water events without you, our boat owners.
Remember, everyday is Earth Day!
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| Mark Your Calendars Now! Upcoming 2018 WSA-OC Events* |
WSA-OC and affiliate events* have been tentatively planned for all of 2018. However, just the events for six months out are listed below. More events and details will be added as planning continues and as the events get closer.
For more information, view our
All Events
page on the website. There, you will be able to read more detail about upcoming events, 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. All of our on-the-water events are for WSA-OC members only, unless noted otherwise. Cancellations will be assessed a $5.00 fee to cover our credit card fees. Cancellations made within 48 hours of event cannot be refunded.
Questions? Email us at
[email protected]
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May 13th ~ ~ OSeas Tryouts
June 9th ~ ~ DPYC Spring Series
June 10th ~ ~ OSeas Tryouts/Practice
June 10th ~ ~ Sea Gals
June 23rd ~ ~ Summer Sailstice Day Sail
July 3rd ~ ~ NO GENERAL MEETING
July 15th ~ ~ Sea Gals
July 27th - 29th ~ ~ Catalina Weekend with LB WSA
August 19th ~ ~ Sea Gals
August 25th ~ ~ Full Moon Sail
September 4th ~ ~ General Meeting
September 8th ~ ~ TBA
September 9th ~ ~ Sea Gals
October 6th ~ ~ Sail for the Blind & Visually Impaired
October 12th - 14th ~ ~ LEMWOD
November 3rd ~ ~ OTW Event
November 6th ~ ~ General Meeting:
Weather to Sail or Weather to Wait
*Subject to change
Black = meeting | Pink = on-the-water | Green = OSeas | Orange = affiliate event
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Special Learning & Adventure Opportunity
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| Captain Berol, in yellow, and crew after a day sailing and teaching Photo: D. Berol |
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Have you ever
thought about
cruising to exotic islands and ports and across oceans? WSA-OC member, Captain Diane Berol is looking for motivated and enthusiastic sailors with exceptional attitude, attentiveness and nautical skills who want to gain offshore experience.
Captain Diane is offering an opportunity for adventure and learning with and for serious sailors. Aboard S/V Celtic Song, Diane's, 40-foot Pacific Seacraft Voyagemaker, you will experience ocean cruising and be actively involved in all aspects of operating and maintaining a modern ocean cruising boat.
Diane's website is filled with loads of useful information for any sailor of any skill level. Take some time to click around and read some of the interesting blog posts of their adventures. Find more information at S/V Celtic Song or email Diane.
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Affiliate Organization Events & Member Announcements
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The following are affiliate events that we have been invited to participate and attend. Please be sure to visit their websites or click on the hyperlinks to view additional information. Remember when attending affiliate events, you are doing so as a representative of WSA-OC.
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Want to have more time aboard Shoreline YC Sailing Foundation's fleet of Cal 20's? Well, now you can.
Every Tuesday beginning on May 1st and ending on August 28th SYC will be holding their Cal 20 Taco Tuesday Races. The requirements:
➾ Be ready to race
➾ Be on the dock at 5:00 p.m. SHARP
➾ $10
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WSA-OC and LB WSA have made a reciprocal agreement to welcome members from each group to attend the others monthly meeting. There is no obligation to join the other organization. However, participation in club events is restricted to members only, unless otherwise specified.
The LB WSA group meets on the 3rd Tuesday of the month, 7:00 p.m. at Seal Beach Yacht Club, in Long Beach.
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⛵️ REGISTRATION NOW OPEN ⛵️
Sea Gals is back for 2018! Register now for one or all five 2018 events. All events will be held on Sundays from noon - 4:00 p.m. and will cost $50 per event. Click on the above link for additional information and to register.
Sea Gals events will be held on the following dates:
May 13th
June 10th
July 15th
August 19th
September 9th
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Aventura is extending an invitation to all of our members to attend their Open House & Barbecue on Sunday, May 20th 3:00 - 8:00 p.m. and the cost is $5
As always, we'd like to extend our heartfelt THANKS to Aventura for providing us with a monthly meeting venue!
Hope to see you at the barbecue!
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We're still on a roll with new memberships.
Thanks to all of you for being wonderful
WSA-OC ambassadors.
Welcome to our newest members:
Ellen Baldwin
Chris Hill
Deborah Laslo
Suzanne Schuler
Deborah Townes
Happy Sailing!
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New Items Are Here!
The Ship Store has some fabulous new merchandise, for both women and men, available for purchase.
Buy now, so you're outfitted for our next event or your walk around town!
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| The Ship Store is open 24/7. Our logo merch makes great gifts |
Add a
WSA-OC Logo to Your Own Items
If you have personal [fabric] items that you would like to have the WSA-OC logo embroidered
on we can do that for you! The cost will depend upon number of items received, but will be between $10 -$15 per item
, which is the cost of application. For an additional $10 you can have your item personalized i.e. name, boat name, etc. (one line only).
Contact us for info.
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The OSeas are having their first tryout this coming Sunday on the Catalina 37s. No worries if you missed the sign up for tryouts. We will be having another one coming up on June 10th with the final team being announced in July.
We hope to see a lot of participation from our membership. this is a great opportunity to showcase our advanced level sailors and racers. In order to be qualified to tryout for the team; we're looking for:
⛵️ 5+ years racing experience.
⛵️ Previous experience on the Catalina 37s.
⛵️ Ability to perform more than one position on the boat.
⛵️ Ability to move about the boat quickly with good agility and balance.
⛵️ Ability to work as a team.
⛵️ Be a current WSA-OC member.
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The OC Register Book Club presents
Shark Stories. Shark bite survivors Leeanne Ericson and Maria Korcsmaros come together for the first time to share their stories of how they miraculously survived great white shark attacks in local waters.
May 24th at Aventura $10 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
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The Long Beach Sailing Foundation is holding it's first ever 'Match Racing Summer Camp' June 8th - 10th.
This event will provide instruction and opportunities in four distinct areas of match racing.
Participants can sign up for:
⛵️ As a competitor in the first annual Match Racing Summer Camp Regatta (includes on the water coaching practice on Friday)
⛵️ As a participant in classroom and on the water instruction on how to match race (or improve your match racing)
⛵️ As a participant in classroom and on the water instruction on how to perform Race Management for a match racing event
⛵️ As a participant in classroom and on the water instruction on how to perform Umpiring for a match racing event.
Click on the PDF for a printable flyer and to read additional event details.
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⚓️ Member Terri Manok's boat Pole Dancer won the Caroline Starr trophy for 1st Place All Female Crew PHRF during this year's N2E race.
L-R: Denise Eldredge*, Angela McDowell*, Kaci Yachechak, Terri Manok*, Melissa Carter, Terrie Canon and Valerie Rhodes*. Photo: N2E/Sarita Simmons
⚓️ Congratulations to the crew of Tomol, skippered by Sue Griesbach. They won the inaugural Nauti Chica Award in the 2018 Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race. The Nauti Chica is a new class award conceived and presented to NOSA by WSA-OC member Terri Manok for the winning all-female cruising class team.
L-R: Regina Stewart, Sue Greisbach, Vicki Sweet*, Cindy Wynne, Lynn Weiser*, and Leslie Riggs. Photo: N2E/Sarita Simmons
* 2018 WSA-OC member
⚓️ Darien & Marti Smith recently became certified to charter Aventura boats.
⚓️ It's vacation season! Don't forget to take your WSA-OC burgee with you. Snap a photo with it and share it with us!
⚓️ Are you enjoying our Member Monday features on Instagram and Facebook? We'd like it to continue these posts, but we're near the end of the Board of Directors and committee chairmen. So ... we need you to submit a mini bio along with two recent headshots one traditional and the other being silly for us to feature. Let your fellow WSA-OC members to get to know you. For mini bio inspiration refer to our previously published Member Monday posts.
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Members Only
Facebook Group
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One of the perks of WSA-OC membership is accessing the exclusive content that can be found on our private, members-only, Facebook group.
Since this Facebook Group was launched, about a year ago, it has gained a lot of traction and is very dynamic.
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Click on photo link to group.
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Any group member can start a post, add photos, comment, etc. It is a forum for both official WSA-OC announcements and informal content. Friends have literally been made, crew spots filled all thanks to the easy, open communication between
members. As we've said before, "The more you put into this group [WSA-OC], the more you'll get out of it!"
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2018 WSA-OC
Board of Directors
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WSA-OC
Commodore
Melanie Green
Vice Commodore
Karen Pacella
Rear Commodore
Brenda Highley
Treasurer
Barbara Kelley
Secretary
Vallerie Gonzales
Membership Director
Cheryl Case
Communications Director
Valerie Rhodes
Jr. Staff Commodore
Risa Scott
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Newsletter Editor
Tracy Gallucci
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