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Chatting With The Commodore
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Melanie Green,
WSA-OC Commodore |
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Happy Spring Everyone!
I just love March! There are a few fun days to look forward to - March 8th
is International Women's Day, springtime is officially approaching on the 20th, daylight savings time gives us an extra hour of sunshine, baseball spring training is underway and we can always use a little extra luck with St. Patty's Day in the mix!
I hope our March 6th
meeting presenter, travel and boating journalist Zuzana Prochaska inspired you to dream big and plan some far-off sailing adventures. She sure tempts me to add to my bucket list! We are so fortunate to have so many amazing cruising destinations in our own backyard, and one really doesn't have to go far to enjoy the magic of the ocean. One of my favorite Cable TV personalities is Huell Howser host of California's Gold (1991-2012). He showed us the many wonders of our local communities. One of his favorite places was Catalina and the Channel Islands. Many of us frequent Catalina and each time I go I love to learn a new piece of history and explore hidden gems this charming island offers. We invite you to join us for our WSA-OC cruisers weekend to Catalina this summer (details to come soon) to share in a fun local adventure together.
One of my favorite parts of getting out on the water is the instant attitude adjustment. You can get a totally different perspective being on out the water. I think that's one of the reasons we love sailing so much. As we shove off the dock we can leave so many things behind and focus on the simplicity of the wind and waves as we glide along the water. Sailing for me is true ocean therapy ... so, who wants to join me for a spa day on a sailboat?!?
Sails Up!
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April Meeting, Come Laugh & Learn With Us
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Heads Up! Clean Up!
It's game night. Come and relax with a glass of wine, good sailing friends, and a rousing game of Heads Up! Since April 22nd is Earth Day we are going to kick-off the month, during our monthly meeting, with our own version of Ellen's popular game, Heads Up! We will be using trivia to fight the good fight, i.e. sharing useful bits of information that are near and dear to our hearts ... sailing and marine environmental issues. This is going to be a FUN meeting with all uptight attitudes checked at the door ;). We are guaranteeing there will be friendly competition and rumor has it, prizes will be awarded.
⛵️ Tuesday, April 3rd
⛵️ 6:30 - 7:00 p.m. Social/Happy Hour
⛵️ 7:00 - 7:30 p.m. New Business & Announcements
⛵️ 7:30 - 9:00 p.m.
Heads Up! Clean Up!
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.
⛵️ 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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We Sailed Around the World in March
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Come Sail Into Spring with Us
The meeting was open with the usual committee reports and announcements. Then we jumped right into our main program Spring Into Sailing. Now that the Holiday Season is well behind us, we've sprung forward and the yacht clubs opening days are in full swing; can only mean one thing ... it's officially sailing season! To kick it off Kay Phillipson lead the membership in the reading of "A Boater's Prayer" during our second annual "WSA-OC Blessing of the Boats" in which all boat owners received a copy of the prayer and a guardian angel boat plaque. 
A Boater's Prayer
We ask for your blessing and hedge of protection upon the boats that we love. Bless them, Lord from bow to stern and starboard to port. Please guide us as we navigate
unfamiliar waters. Protect us from unseen dangers. And above all, Lord, be our anchor in the storm.
While the entire east coast suffered from yet another nor'easter and we've been dealing with chilly temperatures and dodging intermittent raindrops it was time to
escape to tropical locations for the evening. We were fortunate to welcome renowned boating, travel journalist and photographer Zuzana Prochazka as our featured presenter. Zuzana took us on a photographic journey to Tahiti, Grenadines, Cuba, Greece and Croatia. As we visited all of those places she provided a lot of in-depth local knowledge that is invaluable when chartering outside of the U.S.
Here are a few tidbits she shared with us: Tahiti ~ Once just isn't enough. Buy local brands. Quiet, not a lot of nightlife. Wine is good. Grenadines ~ "Boat Boy" culture, they work for tips. Bug spray for ashore. Cuba ~ Hemingway House a must see. Trade with local fisherman, they can't take cash. Rum is good. Greece ~ Relatively cheap. Don't go in August, too crowded. Can actually sail quite a bit. Croatia ~ Has a lot of UNESCO sites. Known for producing lavender. Catamarans are more popular in the South Pacific and Mediterranean. Monohulls are more popular in Europe.
To learn more about Zuzana and her travels or to book one of her Zescapes tours be sure to explore her website.
Special thanks to our Hospitality Co-Chairs, Dee Carroll and Mary Coleman, for the spectacular St. Patrick's Day themed nosh: corned beef, coleslaw and a Bailey's aperitif. As always, a donation to the meeting food fund of at least $3 per person is greatly appreciated
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Learn to Race/Skills Brush-up Clinic
Taking Names for Wait List
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The event is currently sold out. However, we are compiling a wait list. If you wish to be placed on the wait list, for this event, please submit your name. Priority will be given based upon date and time of submission.
Is one of your New Year's Resolutions to: Get out on the water more? Learn something new? Learn to race? Meet new people? Well, we can help! Join fellow WSA-OC members for a Learn To Race/Skills Brush-up Clinic aboard the fun Cal 20's in Long Beach. We'll start our day with a Race Rules Chalk Talk starting at 11:00 a.m. at Shoreline Yacht Club.
At noon, we'll grab our sandwiches, provided by WSA-OC, and get the boats rigged and off the dock by 1:00 p.m. We'll have several practice starts and races.
This event is perfect if you're new to racing. Of course racing is a huge component, but sailing on the Cal 20's can help improve your sail trimming and help you have a better understanding of the wind. In addition to just being plain ol' fun sailing on the Cal 20's will certainly enhance your abilities aboard any size boat.
A pre-registration fee of $25 is required to reserve your spot. All WSA-OC on-the-water events are limited to current members only. Cancellations will be assessed a $5.00 fee to cover our credit card fees. Cancellations made within 48 hours of event cannot be refunded.
Learn To Race/Skills Brush-up Clinic Details:
⛵️ Sunday, March 25th
⛵️ 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
⛵️ $25 Per Person
386 Shoreline Drive South
Long Beach, CA 90802
562.435.4093
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| Help Us Become SCYA Club of the Year |
It's been over three years since our relaunch in 2015 and the WSA-OC Board of Directors have decided
to take our club to the next level by participating in Southern California Yachting Association's Club of the Year program, for 2018. The purpose of this award program is to promote the Corinthian Spirit in yachting, foster the exchange of information among yacht clubs, encourage civic involvement, and reward participation in SCYA activities.
Almost all of the work for this distinguished
honor will be conducted by the BoD behind-the-scenes. However, you, the general membership, can help us strive to
earn the COY award.
You can help by attending SCYA Seminars. Currently, there is only one offered, - Medical Emergencies at Sea - but be sure to check back
regularly for addtional seminars. When you attend an SCYA seminar, sign-in and include WSA-OC as your club affiliation; it also won't hurt if you snap a photo of the sign-in and email it to us.
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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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March 24th
~ ~ DPYC Spring Series
May 13th ~ ~ Sea Gals
May 19th ~ ~ On-the-Water Event
June 9th ~ ~ DPYC Spring Series
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 8th ~ ~ TBA
September 9th ~ ~ Sea Gals
*Subject to change
Black = meeting | Pink = on-the-water | Green = OSeas | Orange = affiliate event
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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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Are you looking for an alternative to West Marine for your sailing gear? Well, look no further, Sailing Pro Shop is offering our current members 15% off on any purchase you make.
Sailing Pro Shop
1510 Newport Boulevard
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
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Special Meeting Date: Wednesday, April 3rd - Captain Liz Clark presents the adventures of
Swell.
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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Sea Gals is back for 2018!
Mark your calendar for the following five spring and summer Sunday Sea Gal events:
May 13th
June 10th
July 15th
August 19th
September 9th
Registration is not yet open for 2018. For more information contact
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Judy Fusco,
Sea Gals Program Director
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Once again Aventura Sailing Association is offering current WSA-OC members generous discounts for their classes and/or membership. Click on image below to expand.
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| Aventura 2018 WSA-OC Discounts |
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Wow, wow, wow! What a month it's been for new memberships.
Thanks to all of you for being
WSA-OC ambassadors. Welcome to our newest members:
Melissa Gruner
Denise Paige
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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WSA-OC members checking out the new merch at the March meeting
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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).
We will accept and distribute your personal items at our general meetings. Your items will be sent out on a quarterly basis.
The schedule is as follows:
Mtg. Bring - Mtg. Receive
Jan/Feb - Mar
Apr/May - June
Jul/Aug - Sep
Oct/Nov - Dec
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OSeas: More than LEMWOD Team
The OSeas came about because the 2015 LEMWOD team needed a name and it was a fun play on our organization's name. However, the OSeas Race Team is more than a team assembled for LEMWOD.
We will be racing all year in all sorts of races all over SoCal. Any WSA-OC member who races is considered a member of the OSeas. Because of this our Racing Committee Co-Chairs has a list of our members who are skilled racers.
There have been several times when skippers have reached out to us looking for experienced crew. Thanks to the aforementioned list they are able to connect the two. Remember to check and/or post to our private Facebook group for race crew opportunities.
Skippers are generally looking for experienced crew with a specific skill set. These are not learn to race situations. However, if you wish to learn we will have several opportunities throughout the year.
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Next on the Schedule
May 2018 Events
Details Coming Soon!
⚓️ May Meeting: May Day! May Day! Learn Safety at Sea. Tuesday the 1st 7:00 p.m. at Aventura.
⚓️ Raft-Up on the 19th
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⚓️ The following local area yacht clubs have extended guest privileges to current WSA-OC members. Specific privileges may vary by club but typically include the use of: bar, showers, snack bar, guest docks, hoist and ramp (if available). Please call the yacht club you wish to visit in advance, for more specific details. Keep in mind, we are guests of these facilities and should act accordingly.
⚓️ Congratulations to KT Reiter and the Reiter Riders for winning the Dana Point Festival of Whales Cardboard Classic & Dinghy Dash Race - Adult Division and for the Best Overall Design. Check out the photos, especially #3, #7 and #21.
⚓️ Congratulations to Bill McNamara as he was recently sworn in as the Fleet Captain for the Southern California Yachting Association.
⚓️ Congratulations to Barbara Keeler, as she recently obtained her Master 100 Ton USCG Captain's license, Near Costal Waters.
⚓️ Are you an Instagram user? Give us a follow, our username is @wsaoc
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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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