Opti Summer Racing

Sailors and Sailors Parents,

We are starting a new opti racing program this summer run by the Bellingham Yacht Club and Whatcom Sailing.  Details of the program are still being worked out but I wanted to see what the interest is at this point and go from there.  Likely the program would consist of Tuesday night practices in Optis down off Zuanich dock run by the Bellingham Yacht Club coaches.  The practices would be tailored more towards racing than learning to sail and would last 2-3 hours.  On weekends the "team" would attend youth circuit regattas locally and around the state.  Attendance and coaching at these regattas would be done by Whatcom Sailing coaches (primarily myself with assistance from high school sailors).  I am estimating the program will cost around $200-$300 for the summer, with scholarship money available.  The schedule of regattas would look something like this:

June 30th - Bellingham Opti Regatta (Bham)

July 28th-29th-  Gorge Opti Regatta (Cascade Locks, OR)

Aug 11-12 - Bellingham Youth Regatta (Bham)

Aug 25-26 - Junior Olympics (Seattle, WA)

Sep 8-9 - JAM (Port Madison, WA)

Sep 29-30 - Octoberfest (Seattle, WA)

So who should participate?  Any youth sailors 7-13 years old with an interest in racing.  We will require that sailors have taken at least one learn to sail class before joining the team.  Sailors do not need to be experts, beginners are expected and racing is a great way to learn to sail better.  If you are not sure if this program is right for your kid please email me or call and we can discuss.

If this sounds like something your kid would be interested in doing please email me with the following information: Sailors name, your contact email and phone, sailors age, experience, and school grade.  

Soon after I will schedule a meeting for those interested to go over details.

ALSO, if your kid is not of Opti age and not on the high school team already but is interested in racing this summer in youth regattas in lasers, fjs, etc, please also email me so I can put you on our email list.  I will be organizing that age group also to attend the same youth regattas.  There is laser racing Tuesday night on the bay which I would highly recommend.  

Email or call if you have any questions.  Thanks,

Scott Wilson

Coach - WCS

360.303.1759 c

www.whatcomsailing.com

Tuesday Night Racing

Team,

Don't forget to dust off your lasers and head out for Tuesday night racing on the bay tomorrow.  Racing starts at 6:00pm.  You can either launch your boat at the main boat launch, or keep it on the dinghy dock.  You can download sailing instructions and registration forms here: http://sailfleet.byc.org/ .   If you don't have a boat ask around to see if you can borrow one.  Hope to see everyone out there!

 

Scott Wilson

Coach - WCS

360.303.1759 c

www.whatcomsailing.com

Last Practice Thursday / Junior Scow Regatta

Two announcements:

On Thursday we have our last practice of the season and we have a special guest coach.  Jonathan McKee is coming up to coach just our team.  This is very cool as Jonathan is a professional sailor with lots of experience.  He has: won a dozen national champhionships, multiple world championships, 1 Olympic Gold medal, 1 olympic bronze medal, college all american sailor, raced in the Americas Cup, Volvo Ocean race, Mini Transat, Bermuda World Race, and probably more I don't know about or forgetting.  He's quite good.  So, plan on making it to practice Thursday and if you can come early to rig boats that would give you more time with him coaching rather than wasting time rigging.  Come with questions!  And be thankful because he is making a special trip up just for you guys and he leaves the next day for Austria to race RC44's!

Second Announcement:

The Junior scow regatta is being held on June 2nd.  This is a great event and something you should all take part in.  The fleet is offering their boats to you to race so find a pair or singlehand and go scow racing.  Below is the schedule and contact information.  

The schedule of events for the Junior Regatta is as follows:

Saturday, June 2

• 0900-1000 Registration.
• 1000 Competitors' Briefing Meeting on Lawn in front of the Fleet 84 Clubhouse.
• The Race Committee is planning for two (2) short practice races prior to starting the first official race.  The Warning Signal for the first practice Race will be at 1100.  The Warning Signal for Race 1 (the first official Race) will be at approximately 1130.  Additional race(s) will follow immediately after the completion of Race 1 at the discretion of the Race Committee. 
• 1300-1400 Lunch break ashore.  Bring your own lunch.
• 1430 warning signal for remaining races.  A total of 8 races will be completed at the discretion of the Race Committee.

·         1630 - NO RACE WILL START AFTER 1630 hours.

 

Registration Forms, Liability Release Forms, and Sailing Instructions will follow within the next several days.  Racers 18 years and younger are eligible. 

 

Reply to john.holland@heath.com if you are interested.  Beg forgiveness from your coach Scott Wilson if you are going to wimp out.

Scott Wilson

Coach - WCS

360.303.1759 c

www.whatcomsailing.com

End of Year Party

The Johnson's have offered to host our end of the year party on Sunday June 10th at 5:00pm.  Please put this date and time on your calender.  The party is for everyone!  Sailors, parents, and alumni!  There will be a potluck dinner, awards, games, etc.

More details to come...

Scott Wilson

Coach - WCS

360.303.1759 c

www.whatcomsailing.com

Practice Tomorrow MEET AT MARINA

For practice tomorrow we will be meeting at the TD Curran parking lot to unload a few boats real quick before we head back to lakewood for practice.  The TD Curran lot is just on the left as you head in towards the BYC.  It is across from LFS if that helps.  Please arrive at 3:00pm so we can quickly get the boats unloaded and then head back to lakewood for sailing.  Please arrange carpools down there.  8th graders, you can still plan on heading to Lakewood after school, I expect we will be able to unload the boats and get back to Lakewood about the same time you get there.

Thanks, see you tomorrow.

Scott Wilson

Coach - WCS

360.303.1759 c

www.whatcomsailing.com

Boats

Hey team,

Nationals was great, I will tell you all about it at practice.  But first I need to go down and get 2 of our boats which are still down in Seattle.  Mallory and I brought back 6 of them this evening, but we left 2 for tomorrow evening.  I am hoping I could get a couple of you who aren't too busy to drive down with me, load 2 boats on a trailer, and then drive back.  I know this sounds like the most amazing evening ever, but I will buy blizzards for you if you come!  Email me if you could possibly help me out.

Thanks,

Scott Wilson

Coach - WCS

360.303.1759 c

www.whatcomsailing.com

Seattle Regatta Details

Team,

For those going down to seattle tomorrow:

We will meet at Sehome haggens at 6:45 tomorrow.  This is a change from an earlier email, please don't be late.

Bring $15 for entry fee.  And extra money for going out to dinner Saturday night.  No lunches are provided, so Mallory and I will be getting lunches for everyone.  If you have special requests let me know.

Don't forget bailers, hats, sunscreen sunglasses, sleeping bag, pad, pillow, etc.

The NOR is attached.  Please bring the waiver and medical form filled out tomorrow morning.

Go to sleep early tonight and see you at 6:45 in the morning.

Scott Wilson

Coach - WCS

360.303.1759 c

www.whatcomsailing.com