From the Helm
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. No, not Hallmark movies and Santa Claus—sailing season!
Thanks to the entire team who has worked hard to get the fleet ready. Tranquility Base was out on Mobjack Bay this weekend with Fleet Captain John Dudley and his adult sailing crew. The dinghy fleets and sail loft have been prepped, and Samantha Preddy and her team are ready to kick off another full junior sailing program.
The Albacore fleet has already been out for a couple of training sails. Dave Huber and I are ready to ramp that up—we just need sailors! If you're interested or have questions, drop me a line. I'd love to talk with anyone interested in getting started in Albacore racing.
The Race Committee is also beginning preparations for the Governor's Cup, Fireball Nationals, Harry Sindle Memorial Keelboat Regatta, and Albacore Nationals. None of these events can happen without YOU, our members! Please consider helping the team. If you'd like information on how you can get involved, reach out to me or any member of the Board.
Finally, social season is in full swing. It was great to see so many folks at Flag Raising and Derby Days, and I look forward to seeing even more of you at upcoming events. We’ll be holding a special "Happy 250th Birthday, America!" celebration in mid-July.
Until then, I'll see you out on the water!
Regards,
Scott Titus
Commodore
Fleet Scuttlebutt
Greetings sailors and fellow members! First of all, thank you to the energetic, knowledgeable and enthusiastic members who have stepped up to assist with sail season preparations, Junior Sailing planning and preparation, and even boat rescues! We are now in a good position to enjoy the best that our location and Mother Nature can provide.
I would ask anyone with boats or trailers on the club grounds to please consider whether you wish to maintain ownership. I know that most of you are active and conscientious owners, but we do have a few sadly neglected assets on the property. In fairness to everyone, we may need to ask some of you to make a tough but necessary and overdue decision. In particular, there is a centerboard sloop near the basketball goal, and it has languished too many years without attention – do you or does someone you know have an interest in it? The license plate on the trailer (VA 462-976) appears to have been last updated in 2005, the wood deck, cuddy and other elements have deteriorated badly, and it may be time to transition it to boat heaven. If we receive no response from members, we will place a small notice in the local paper, after which… bon voyage! For the boats and trailers whose ownership is identifiable, I may be in touch with you individually just to make sure that it’s your continued wish to keep the asset. Many thanks in advance!
After some disappointing weather over the Memorial Day weekend, we were more active this past weekend with our keelboat. It remains moored in the last slip at the end of our pier, and requires less effort than in previous seasons to embark and disembark.
Next week (6/15), the 1st session of Junior Sailing begins! As those youngsters are getting their feet wet, we will be in touch with campers’ parents & guardians and other interested Adult Sailors about our Albacore fleet. We’ll make preparations and plan some late afternoon weekday sails, in addition to the bi-weekly Adult Sailing activities. If you don’t have a relative in our Junior Sailing program, and you are not receiving bi-weekly ‘Adult Sailing’ emails, and you have an interest, please let me know at jdudley5@triad.rr.com or (704) 363-0483.
Finally, our 62nd Annual Virginia Governor’s Cup Notice of Race has been posted! Please check it out. And if you haven’t been around for this event, you owe it to yourself to see what the excitement is all about. There are feisty young and formerly young sailors (also feisty) competing under sometimes stressful but always fun circumstances, and the camaraderie and fellowship is unique to this occasion. Please join us and ask how you might lend a hand – we need volunteers with varied skills, and you do NOT need to know port from starboard, or any of those other terms.
Have a great June! I look forward to seeing you on or near the water.
-John Dudley, Fleet Captain
Membership Corner
Hello WRYC Members!
This May we welcome back Ian Hawkins and his son Leo to WRYC. They were members in the past and want to get involved in all the sailing/sporting opportunities available at the club. In addition, Ian is qualified to assist with fleet maintenance and general buildings and grounds maintenance. Please look for them at upcoming events and welcome them!
In May, we lost Betty Barr Ould, a member of Ware River Yacht Club since 1982. Betty and her husband Ted were actively involved in the early formation of the club. After Ted’s Passing, Betty stayed involved, promoting Junior Sailing Camp. Her children, Elizabeth and Edward learned to sail at WRYC and became instructors in the program. Betty loved how the club functioned as a community everyone volunteering and contributing. She contributed her leadership to the club, eventually serving on the board and as Commodore.
Betty’s son, Edward and his three children, Hays, Miriam and Teddy are current members, carrying on his mother’s love of WRYC.
We offer our condolences to Betty’s family and friends. May she rest in peace.
Ray Mazzocco
Membership Chair
Social Scene: Cruising into Summer!
July 4th Social & Fireworks Update
Planning for our Independence Day celebration is officially underway! This year, we are doing things a little differently. After hearing from many of our members who have longstanding family traditions or travel plans, we have made the difficult but strategic decision not to host the official club social on the holiday weekend itself. To ensure the absolute highest participation and turnout, we will be hosting our event on an alternate date (stay tuned for the final reveal soon!).
When we do gather, it is going to be unforgettable: we are throwing a celebration in honor of the USA’s 250th Semiquincentennial anniversary! Still want to be at the club on the 4th? You’re in luck. The WRYC grounds offer an unparalleled, front-row view of the multiple fireworks displays that light up the Ware River. Members are highly encouraged to head down to the club on the Fourth, claim a spot on the lawn, and enjoy the show!
⛵ Next Up: Junior Sailing Camp & Happy Hour Combo!
Thursday, July 23rd
Mark your calendars! Our next Happy Hour is getting a fun upgrade. It coincides with the final day of Junior Sailing Camp, so we are combining forces to celebrate our young sailors. Keep an eye out for an upcoming flyer with all the details.
We need hosts! This is an incredibly easy, low-stress gig to get your volunteer hours in. If you can help host this happy hour, please reach out to Josh as soon as possible.
🗓️ Looking Ahead: Fall & Winter Hosts Needed
Our club thrives on volunteer support, and keeping our social calendar vibrant requires a village. We are currently scouting for hosts for two of our major upcoming anchor events:
Labor Day Social (Weekend of September 5th/6th)
Holiday Social (December)
Whether you want to chair an event, help with the upcoming Governor’s Cup, or simply join a committee planning team, we need you! Please reach out to Josh directly if you are interested in hosting either of these signature socials, or email socials@wryc.org with any questions and comments.
Let's keep the energy strong and make this a summer to remember on the river!
Junior Sailing
Junior Sailing Camp Sets Sail June 15th!
Summer is here, and so is one of the most beloved traditions at Ware River Yacht Club — Junior Sailing Camp! We are thrilled to announce that camp kicks off on Monday, June 15th, running for six weeks across three sessions. Whether you spot the colorful sails from the dock or cheer from the clubhouse, this program is truly a highlight of our summer season.
A Warm Welcome to Our New Camp Director
This year, we are especially excited to introduce Louise Strawn as our incoming Camp Director. Louise brings enthusiasm, expertise, and a deep love of the water to this role, and we couldn't be more pleased to have her at the helm. Please join us in giving her a warm WRYC welcome when you see her on the water!
A Staff to Be Proud Of
One of the most heartwarming parts of this program is watching it come full circle. This summer, we are proud to have a wonderful mix of returning counselors alongside former junior sailors who are stepping up into counselor and junior counselor roles for the very first time. These are kids who learned to sail right here on the Ware River — and now they're the ones passing that love of the sport on to the next generation. It doesn't get much better than that.
Sailing with Purpose: Sail Beyond Cancer
New this summer, our junior sailors will be taking part in something truly special beyond the tacking and jibing. WRYC's Junior Sailing Program has partnered with Sail Beyond Cancer, a wonderful nonprofit that uses sailing as a healing and empowering experience for those affected by cancer. Our campers will be selling buying candy throughout the six weeks, and at the end of camp, we'll present a collective donation to the organization on behalf of our junior sailors.
It's a beautiful opportunity for our youngest members to learn that sailing — and community — can make a real difference in people's lives.
A Program That Grows With Our Kids
Junior Sailing Camp has long been a place where kids build confidence, friendships, and skills that last a lifetime. From first-timers finding their sea legs to returning sailors refining their racing instincts, there's something for every level. We're grateful for the volunteers, instructors, and families who make this program so special year after year.
Here's to a fantastic summer on the Ware River — fair winds and following seas to all our junior sailors!
Junior Sailing Camp Fundraiser for Sail Beyond Cancer - Virginia
I am happy to announce that our junior sailing campers will have the opportunity to participate in a fundraiser for Sail Beyond Cancer - Virginia. This idea came about after I heard two fantastic presentations by this wonderful organization. There are several area adult sailors who participate in this organization – one being our very own Commodore Scott Titus. The sailors will learn about Sail Beyond Cancer at camp and be able to purchase frozen treats for $1.00 during lunchtime. Proceeds will go to Sail Beyond Cancer - Virginia. This will not be a huge fundraiser but the point is for the sailors to learn about caring and giving to others.
So please encourage your campers to tell you what they have learned about this organization. You can also Google “Sail Beyond Cancer - Virginia” to learn about it as well. I hope the campers will do a small chore at home to earn $1.00 each day so they can purchase the ice cream treats at lunch. If they earn their money, it will make the fundraising experience even more meaningful for them.
I will have a variety of frozen choices at camp including fruit flavored popsicles, fudgsicles, dreamsicles, and ice cream sandwiches. If a camper forgets their frozen treat money on any given day but would still like to make a purchase, I will have an ongoing credit sheet. Parents and grandparents can “settle up” at the end of camp banquet. Thanks in advance for supporting this cause.
-Sharon McGlohn
2026 Rentals
The WRYC Rental Calendar is filling up for 2026. Here are the numbers by month:
June 2 Socials, 2- Member, 3- Non-member Wedding Rentals, Jr Sailing Camp Starts 6/15
July 1 Social; 1- Member Rental; Jr Sailing Camp Continues
August 1- Social Governor’s Cup & Fireball Nationals, 1- Non-profit Rental
September 3- Socials, 1- Harry Sindle Memorial Regatta
October 1- Social-Albacore Nationals & Oktoberfest, 1- Non-profit, 1- Non-member Wedding Rentals
November 1- Social Oyster Roast, 1- Non-member, 1- Member Rentals
December 1- Social Holiday, 1- Member Rental
WRYC 2026 Calendar of Events
June 18 Summer Happ Hour (Host Choice) Free, BYOB, Appetizer to Share
June 15-18 Junior Sailing Session 1 Week 1
June 22-25 Junior Sailing Session 1 Week 2
June 25 Junior Sailing Banquet
June 27 Open Play Tennis/Pickleball Round Robin
June 29-July 2 Junior Sailing Session 2 Week 1
July 3/4 Independence Day Social (Host choice)
July 6-9 Junior Sailing Session 2 Week 2
July 9 Junior Sailing Banquet
July 13-16 Junior Sailing Session 3 Week 1
July 20-23 Junior Sailing Session 3 Week 2
July 23 Junior Sailing Banquet
July 31, Aug.1/262nd VA Governor’s Cup, Fireball Nationals & Junior Regattas & Awards
August 20 Summer Social Hour (Host Choice) Free, BYOB, Appetizer to Share
September 5/6 Labor Day Social (Host choice)
September 12 Pickleball Round Robin
September 16 Trivia Night
October 9-13 Oktoberfest – Albacore Nationals Regatta
November 7 Oyster Roast
December 6/7 Christmas / Holiday Social (Host choice)
*Members are encouraged to sign up to host or help organize each event. Co-hosting is
perfectly acceptable – you don’t have to host alone. Please contact Membership Chair,
Josh James, at socials@wryc.org with any questions or fill in your name and number in
the sign-up column above.