From the Helm
Happy 250th Birthday, America!
As I write this, it is the morning of July 4, 2026. So thankful that we’re blessed with a beautiful waterfront property in lovely southeastern Virginia in the greatest country on Earth. I hope each of you enjoy this holiday weekend safely. Please consider joining us later this month for the July social to celebrate our Nation.
Hard to believe we are only one month away from the Governor’s Cup Regatta. Registrations are coming in and work is already underway. However, more help is still needed. Whether your skills and interest lie ashore or afloat, there’s a place for you to help out with the event (and we need everyone’s help). If you’ve not already volunteered, I encourage you to consider reaching out to Ray Mazzocco for positions ashore with the hospitality team or John Dudley for positions afloat with the race committee. If you have any questions about the event or where your skills may best fit, please reach out to me.
It’s come to my attention that local hotel rooms are rapidly filling during Governor’s Cup weekend. If you have space to host any of the sailors please let me know and I will connect you to a sailor looking for a spot to stay.
Hats off to Samantha Preddy and her team for a strong start to the 2026 Junior Sailing program. The coaches and boats are ready to provide a strong foundational program to our youngest sailors. The Junior Sailing program at WRYC provides so much more to the young attendees than how to sail. So many life lessons accompany their time at camp. Thanks as well to Sharon McGlohn for working with Samantha and the Junior Sailing coaches to conduct a fundraiser in support of Sail Beyond Cancer - Virginia! Session One brought in $100 for SBC-VA! Find out more about this local charity that is supported by many WRYC volunteers at www.sailbeyondcancer.org.
Once again, have a safe and happy 4th! See you on the water!
Scott Titus, Commodore
2026 Ware River Yacht Club Flag Raising
Fleet Scuttlebutt
Greetings sailors and fellow members, and welcome to July! While statistically it may not be the wettest month, it does have the most days with measurable rainfall, often coming in short bursts. This means we must keep an eye on the forecast and the horizon as we prepare for activities on the water.
Our staff, supporters and young sailors are in the middle of Junior Sailing camp, and it is encouraging to see the youngsters cooperating enthusiastically as their sailboats dot our section of the river. This is a great tradition at WRYC, represented by at least three and going on four generations of sailors and their extended families. There has been crucial support offered by volunteers in the form of talent and even donated boats! Such good deeds will ripple forward to future generations of sailors, so many thanks if you’ve been involved in any way – as a camper, family member, or as a volunteer donating your time and expertise!! There’s a Summer Happy Hour planned for Thursday, July 23rd, which is the final day of the final Sailing Camp session – if you’re interested in learning more about the program, come to that Happy Hour and ask questions of those who’ve been involved! Indeed, come anyway, as it’s an easy and informal way to learn more about any aspect of our club!
In addition to keeping our Optis and Lasers shipshape for Sailing Camp, we have begun work on our Albacores to make them more seaworthy and more easily launched. You may notice one or more in front of the sail loft, both club boats and member boats. These sloops are safe, relatively light (launchable on a trailer or a dolly), and great for beginners as well as more experienced sailors. If you are the owner of an Albacore, and can share your knowledge, please let me know! (I know only enough to get in over my head, despite having built them at Moorman Manufacturing when it was located behind the Birdsall’s veterinary practice in what is now a county building.)
Finally, I would ask again about some of the neglected boats and trailers in our storage area – we don’t want to see anyone’s treasured boat either forlorn or abandoned (please see last month’s Scuttlebutt). We were recently contacted by Mathew Maritime Foundation, and they offer donated boats for sale – perhaps that presents a win-win solution if you’re wondering what to do with your unused boat? That’s as much as I know, but I expect they can offer helpful details about their programs.
In spite of the promise of warmth in the coming days and weeks, I hope to continue to see you, or to see you for the first time, on or near the water!
-John Dudley, Fleet Captain
Social Chair Update: A Jam-Packed July!
Summer is in full swing, and July is shaping up to be one of our busiest and most exciting months yet at the Club. We have two fantastic events lined up, and we can’t wait to see everyone out on the lawn!
☀️ Summer Happy Hour & Sailing Camp Celebration
When: Thursday, July 23rd at 5:30 PM
What to Bring: Your favorite beverages (BYOB) and an appetizer to share.
The Details: Come out and wind down with your fellow members! This month’s happy hour coincides with the final day of Session 2 of our youth sailing camp. To celebrate, we’ll have music playing and lawn games set up for everyone to enjoy. It’s a free event and the perfect chance to catch up with old friends and welcome new faces.
🇺🇸 Independence Day & America’s 250th Celebration
When: Sunday, July 26th 4:30pm
The Details: We are keeping the patriotic spirit alive as we gather to celebrate America’s landmark 250th anniversary! Join us at the Club for a spectacular day filled with traditional American fare, festive music, and games for all ages. Let’s come together to honor the spirit of our country and our incredible community. Many thanks to The Tituses for hosting!
🪵 Looking Ahead: Labor Day Hosts Needed
It might feel like summer just started, but we are already looking ahead to our end-of-season traditions. We are currently seeking hosts for the Labor Day social. Hosting is a fantastic way to get involved, and you'll have plenty of support to pull it off. If you are interested, want to co-host with a friend, or just have questions about what hosting entails, please reach out to Josh at socials@wryc.org.
See you at the Club!
Josh Social Chair
WRYC 2026 Calendar of Events
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 23 Summer Happy Hour-Free BYOB & Appetizer to share
July 26 Independence Day Social
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.
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!