Social Scene: Let’s Kick Off the Season!
Hello everyone! As the weather warms up, it’s finally time to dust off the patio furniture and get back to what we do best—gathering as a community. We have a packed calendar of traditional socials and new activities planned, and I can’t wait to see everyone back at the club.
Our First Happy Hour Social
Join us for our first official gathering of the year! This is a free event and the perfect opportunity to catch up with old friends and meet our newest members.
When: Thursday, April 23rd @ 5:00 PM
The Details: It’s BYOB and we ask that you bring an appetizer to share.
Plus-Ones: Friends are more than welcome—the more, the merrier!
On the Courts & On the Calendar
The tennis and pickleball courts are currently being prepped for the season. Keep your eyes peeled for upcoming "pickle" and tennis activities coming your way very soon.
Looking a bit further ahead, sharpen your wits for Trivia Night in May! We are still finalizing the date, so stay tuned for the official announcement.
Flag Raising & Bob James Regatta will be held on Saturday, May 5th! Stay tuned for more information regarding this annual event.
Get Involved
These events are only possible thanks to our wonderful members. If you’re interested in volunteering or joining the social committee to help shape this season’s festivities, please reach out to Josh. We’d love to have your input!
Also, a quick reminder: the "Guide to Hosting" was emailed out a few weeks ago. We’re hoping it serves as a helpful roadmap to calm any of those "hosting" fears.
Here’s to an incredible season ahead!
Josh Social Chair -WRYC
Spring Cleanup Weekend – A Huge Success!
What a weekend!
Thanks to the incredible turnout and hard work of our members, the Spring Cleanup Weekend was an overwhelming success. The club is looking outstanding and ready for the season ahead.
Members showed up in force on both Saturday and Sunday, bringing energy, teamwork, and pride in our club. The amount of work accomplished in just two days was nothing short of impressive. Projects completed included:
Hedge trimming and grounds detailing
Fresh mulching across key areas
Debris pickup and site cleanup
A full tennis court makeover
Dock duckboard replacement and repairs
Interior cleaning and organization
A major sail loft overhaul
Ongoing general maintenance across the property
These improvements have made an immediate and noticeable impact, and they set the tone for a great year ahead at the club.
Just as important as the work itself was the camaraderie. It was great to see members working side by side, sharing stories, and enjoying the day together—exactly what makes this club so special.
A huge thank you to everyone who came out and contributed their time and effort. Your commitment and pride in the club do not go unnoticed.
And of course, a special shoutout for the outstanding lunch from Nuttall’s Store — well-earned and thoroughly enjoyed by all!
Outstanding job, everyone—and thank you for stepping up and making a difference.
Brian Beach
Buildings & Grounds
Thank you Brian, for your great leadership!!
2026 April Rental Report
The WRYC Rental Calendar is filling up for 2026. Here are the numbers by month:
April 2 Socials, 1 Non-Member Wedding, 2 Non-profit, 1 Member Rentals
May 2 Socials & Regatta, 3 Member Rentals
June 2 Socials, 2 Member, 3 Non-member Wedding Rentals, Jr Sailing Camp Starts 6/15
July 1 Social, 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, 2 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
April 12 Alliance II Sail from WRYC
April 2 3 Spring Happy Hour (Host Choice) Free, BYOB, Appetizer to Share
April 19 Pickleball round Robin
May 2 Flag Raising / Bob James Memorial Regatta
May 16 Pickleball round Robin
May 20 Trivia Night
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.
Fleet Scuttlebutt
Greetings sailors and all club members! Good riddance January! While sailing is impractical, we can look forward to preparations to make this coming season as good or better this year as it’s been in the past. Accordingly, here are some suggestions and some information:
→ Spring work days are set for March 21 & 22. If you would like to become more familiar with our fleet, please plan to join us on this weekend. Seeing the sail loft and fleet in the off season will give you a good understanding of how to take advantage of the resources during the warmer months. “Many hands make light work” is an apt description of the activity, and it is not age-restricted! Elsewhere in this Telltale is Brian Beach’s email address, so let him know you’re interested in the activities (and lunch!).
→ Adult Sailing communications. I keep an “Adult Sailors” email group in my address book, and during the season (beginning in early May) will be sending bi-weekly emails to this group. If you would like to be included in these emails, please let me know at jdudley5@triad.rr.com. (Also, don’t hesitate to call me at (704) 363-0483 if you don’t receive a sufficiently prompt response.)
→ Our Member Page on the website includes a “Reserve a Boat” button. You can re-enter the same password you use to access the Member Page, and a calendar and form appear if you wish to reserve a Laser, Albacore or Tranquility Base (our keelboat). The bottom of the form includes my name and phone number if you wish to check on your reservation.
Stay healthy, warm and safe, and perhaps I’ll see you at our Valentine’s Day event on February 14th.
John Dudley, Fleet Captain
Membership News…Please Welcome
Hello WRYC Members!
Happy New Year! We are off to a great start in 2026, welcoming three new families to
WYRC!
Lauren Mastro and Clark Owen, with children, Alexandra (a 2025 junior sailor)
and Silvia. Lauren is an experienced sailor and is excited about volunteering in
our racing events. Clark, an arborist and horticulturist, envisions volunteering to
help with the club grounds and maintenance.
Ben and Kerry Leigh, with children, Ethan and Samuel, both of whom have
been junior sailors for the past two years. Ben was a member as a boy and also
participated in junior sailing as a camper and instructor for several years.
David Huber joins us after many years of racing in our Governors Cup Regatta!
He brings his expertise in racing and his extensive knowledge of Albacores to the
benefit of the club.
Please introduce yourself to our new members when you see them and welcome them
to WRYC!
Thank you!
Ray Mazzocco
Membership Chair
Making Waves: A Message from the Social Chair
Greetings, Members!
Your Social Committee has been busy behind the scenes, and we are thrilled to announce that we’re cooking up a season that goes far beyond our traditional calendar. Our goal for 2026 is to provide a diverse range of activities that ensure every member finds their perfect way to engage with the club community.
❤️ A Special Valentine’s Event
This February, we’re focusing on matters of the heart in more ways than one. We are proud to team up with the American Heart Association for a special Valentine’s Day Lunch & Learn.
We are honored to welcome guest speaker Dr. Petra Lynch, a cardiologist from Sentara, who will lead a vital discussion on women’s heart disease and cardiovascular risk.
When: February 14th at 11am
Details: Keep an eye on your inbox — a flyer with full details and RSVP instructions is coming your way shortly!
📅 Call for Volunteers: Your Club Needs You!
A few weeks ago, the 2026 Calendar of Events was emailed to the membership. First, a huge thank you to those who have already stepped up to host a social this year! You are the reason our club remains such a vibrant place to be.
However, we still have a few open dates on the calendar. Whether you’re a seasoned host or a first timer, we encourage you to grab a partner or a small group and take the helm for an evening.
Interested? Please email Josh to claim your spot or to ask any questions about what hosting entails.
🎾 More to Look Forward To
Get ready for a fun-filled season featuring:
Summer Happy Hours (back by popular demand!)
Pickleball & Tennis Round Robins
Trivia Nights and much more.
Volunteering is the lifeblood of our club—it’s what keeps us active, vital, and connected. We look forward to seeing everyone on and off the water!
Warmly,
Josh James – Social Committee Chair
Setting Sail with New Leadership: Meet Matt and Samantha Preddy!
We are thrilled to announce that Matt and Samantha Preddy will be taking the helm of our Junior Sailing Program for the 2026 season! Many thanks to Bill and Layne Brown for their years of leadership and guidance with the Junior Sailing Program.
The Preddys come to us with a deep passion for the water and a commitment to fostering the next generation of sailors. Matt grew up taking sailing lessons at WRYC and he and Samantha’s children are current students. Whether your junior sailor is just learning to rig a boat or is looking to sharpen their competitive edge, Matt and Samantha are dedicated to creating a fun, safe, and skill-building environment for all ages.
They are already hard at work preparing for a fantastic summer on the water. Please join us in giving them a warm welcome when you see them around!
