Labor Day Social Re-scheduled
Labor Day is upon us and as you all are aware, the normal time for our social has been rescheduled. This is partly due to my having a slower than planned recovery from a hip replacement and members out of town. As you will see in the invite, the new date is September 26th. Please RSVP so we can give a good headcount to Scoot’s for the BBQ.
Summer at the club has been busy! We hosted the Albacore National Regatta in July and also held the Governor’s Cup Regatta July 31st-August 2nd. I want to thank everyone for coming forth to help with both functions! As we have said in the past, this is your club and participation from the members is most essential.
The social at the end of September falls on a Sunday when the sailing group has their Sunday series of racing. They typically finish around 3, so if anyone wants to come a bit early to observe the sailors, please do. We are pleased that one of our members, Carolyn August will be providing music for our enjoyment.
Looking forward to seeing and meeting all the new members who have signed on board this year!!!
Ya’ll come, hear…Jane Smith, Social chair
Adult Sailing/So Much Fun!!
The adult sailing program this summer was an experience I never dreamed I would have. Growing up on a farm in the mountains, sailing was out of my field of vision for 25 years. It wasn’t until my husband Harry had the itch to get back into sailing, in the very place he learned to sail, did I think to maybe give it a go. Having piloted planes before, it turns out...a sail is just a vertical wing!
Under the tutelage of Joe, Jim, and Bill, I was able to go from zero to hero in a matter of a few weekends. I never stepped foot in a sailboat until this summer. From learning how to tie a figure eight knot, to the points of sail, to then serving as crew on Albacores and solo-sailing Lasers, Saturdays became something I looked forward to after a long work week. I thought sailing was so out of my reach; yet, here I was, doing it!
Joe always claimed we “get what we pay for” with the adult sailing program at WRYC. However, you get much, much more than you pay for. You gain knowledge, experience, and friends. If you are on the fence about sailing, a little rusty, or a sprout like me, give it a try! You won’t regret it.
-Autumn T, WRYC member since 2019
Welcome all new members!
Word of mouth is certainly spreading about WRYC and we would like to welcome the following families for the month of August.
Stephanie & Gary of Hayes, VA
Iliya and Leonne; daughter May, and sons, Alex and Paul of Ware Neck, VA (former members)
Reid of Ware Neck, VA
David and Carmen and daughter, Danielle, of Yorktown, VA
We look forward to meeting you all and can’t wait to get together soon!
Beve H.
57th Annual Governors' Cup a Success
August proved to be another busy month with our sailing activities which started with the 57th Annual Governors Cup Regatta. The event was a success thanks to the dedication of Scott Titus and the Committee members who supported it. Special thanks to club members Bill and Layne Brown, Clayton James, Jane Smith and Gary Hermanson. We ended up with a respectable showing of 43 boats and despite challenges with the weather on both days, the RC did a good job adjusting for the wind conditions and managed to get in 4 races on Saturday. Unfortunately weather moved in on Sunday and all races were cancelled. Nevertheless, the sailors and crew managed to make the most of it and had a terrific time.
This years Governors Cup Trophy went to Gordon Stokes, winner of the Hampton One Design fleet which had 14 boats represented. This was followed by the Albacores with 8 boats, Lasers, Buccaneers, a PHRF Class and our Opti Fleet. This years Chamber of Commerce Cup recipient, awarded to the Top participating skipper under age 18, went to William Sutten in a Laser Radial. And the Congressman’s Cup, awarded for sportsmanship throughout the regatta, went to OPTI sailor, John Ackerly. John also took 1st in the OPTI Green fleet. Congrats to all the winning skippers and their crews !!
Now to Fleet business. As I mentioned, we had plenty of sailing activity in August and with the addition of new members, continued to expand our adult sailing program and had over 8 folks checked out on club boats. Our keel boat is securely moored in front of the club and available for use. I also plan to keep a few Lasers and Albacores available for use thru October so please take advantage. I‘ve also confirmed rumors of a Ladies group who are sailing regularly on Saturday’s…………….terrific !! For any ladies who might like to know more please send me an email.
Lastly, we have divested ourselves of our 25’ Irwin “Gabby” and are now down to one keel boat, our 26’ Paceship Wagtail. If you would like to get checked out on this boat for use, please let me know. My plan is to add an additional Keel boat by next year so we have 2 solid, reliable vessels members can have access to. There is still plenty of sailing season left so I hope to see you out on the water.
Happy Sailing,
Jim Garrett - Fleet
Fall Rental Count
It will be a busy Fall with Rentals and Events at WRYC. We have 5 rentals scheduled for September and October. One rental in November. The hope is we will have a late September Club social as well as one October and the ever popular November Oyster Roast.
Please step up to help assist with the planning, set up, serving and clean up of these fun socials. Hope to see you on the Ware soon.
Layne, WRYC Manager
Gone so Fast!
July certainly has flown by and was a busy month at the WRYC, full of sailing activities. I would like to thank all who had a hand in making these events so successful. Without naming names (there are many) you know who you are and without your unwavering support of sailing our Club would not be what it is. As summer winds down remember that there is still plenty of time to make it out to the Club and enjoy time on the water or enjoy the beautiful grounds. Sundays are for racing as well as fellowship with other members. I look forward to seeing you all soon.
Be Well,
Jonathan Matthews
Commodore
Adult Sailing Update
Despite a slow start due to weather and scheduling, we were able to get fifteen brave souls out for the adult sailing program. No prior sailing experience was necessary and classes began inside with an overview of the basics. Afterwards it was out on the water using the Albacores, Lasers and Wags (the Club keel boat). Everything was very informal, low key and NO pressure, which was great for everyone’s confidence. After a few Saturday sessions, students learned sailing basics, terminology, rigging and de-rigging the boats. The objective of Adult Sailing is for students to be competent when taking a small boat out for a sail, and with a little more practice, that goal will be met. Everyone has done a tremendous job of braving requests and demonstrating a willingness to adventure out on the Ware.
We will likely finish the summer with another class or two and then resume again next spring.
I’d like to thank Jim G., Stephanie P., Bill B., and Ian P. for assisting me on various Saturdays.
Joe M.
Albacores, Albacores everywhere...........
July was filled with lots of boating activity as the Club saw 2 sessions of Junior Sailing Classes, Adult Sailing Saturday with Joe Morgan featuring Albacore and Laser instruction, and of course the Albacore Nationals.
The highlight of the month was the Club’s hosting of the Albacore Nationals, which went off without a hitch thanks to the dedicated Club members who did a FANTASTIC job helping our core committee organize and work the event. My biggest shout outs go to Layne Brown (who wore multiple hats) , Jane Smith and Jane Wilson (Food) John Singleton & team (RC), Gary Hermanson (Logistics), Joe Morgan (Event shirts) and Trish Schengber and Carolyn August ( goodies for the SWAG bags) There were many other members who donated time, talents and or boats and to all of them I say………….THANK YOU !! We couldn’t have done it without you.
I also want to mention Hayes Sailmakers who provided the tote bags made from old sail cloth! Thanks Phil !
We ended up with 21 boats registered and 20 that started the series. Despite some tough wind situations mid-day Saturday we finally managed to get in 3 races and another 3 on Sunday (One was a bit long). All in all it was a big success and the sailors all commented on what a terrific place Ware River is to sail, and host these events. For those of you who know the Albacore class, Barney Harris, a top Albacore sailor for years took first place in the Presidents Fleet. For those skippers who had never sailed in the Class Nationals before, there is the Challenger Fleet, and in that division our own Joe Morgan took first place. Congrats to Barney with crew Lee Mullins and Joe with crew Ian Palmer, and all the winners !
We still have some great looking long sleeve rash guard shirts from the Nationals available for sale in multiple sizes. Please see me or Layne Wilson if interested.
As I write this article we are getting ready for the Governors Cup Regatta and looking forward to another active weekend on the Ware River. I hope to see YOU at the Club soon!
Respectfully
Jim Garrett - Fleet