From the Helm

It is hard to believe that 2024 is already coming to an end. I feel that it has been an eventful year, and we will strive to do more in 2025! The Holiday Social is on December 15th, if you are able to, please come. Socials only happen with your help and support.

The board has sent out some proposed changes to the bylaws for the approval of the membership. The proposed changes lower the number of board members needed to constitute a quorum from 75% to 60%. It has been difficult on occasion to have 75% of the board present due to conflicting schedules, this change would allow for a smoother process. The other proposed change is to allow board members to serve two three year terms instead of just the one three year term.

The board recently approved a motion for WRYC to charter a Sea Scouts Ship. If you are unfamiliar with the Sea Scouts, they are the Boy Scouts of the Sea, it is open to anyone 14-20 regardless of gender. If you have a child that has an interest in joining, or if you as member wish to help out, please reach out.

The Latest Fleet Scuttlebutt ...................

Greetings! I realize it’s been some time since I last provided any updates. While there has been some activity, it wasn’t worthy of the effort it required to report on it. So here is three months’ worth if updates!

First, I want to thank all those members who stepped up to help the fleet group this past year……. whether it was helping with Junior sailing, helping maintain the dinghies and skiff, or taking over the adult sailing program……we had great support, and I thank each and every person. Without YOU the club couldn’t operate!

Now for some business. I’m still working thru the boat storage list and have a pretty accurate listing of assigned boats/trailers and who they belong to. Thank you to all those who responded. I hope to finish the project before the end of 2024. I’m also working on disposing of our 26’ keel boat “Wagtail” and would like to offer any Club member the opportunity to make an offer on it first. If you are interested, please call me and I will provide all the details (Jim G.-757-349-5980). Our plan is to divest of it in the next 30 days. We ultimately would like to purchase a 20-22’ tailorable “swing keel” boat we can moor at the club and keep on our property during winter.

The racing committee has some “fun” events scheduled for 2025 which should generate some additional sailing opportunities………. for amateur skippers, crew opportunity and spectators alike. More to come…………..

Steady winds and calm seas,

Jim Garrett, Fleet Capt.

Holiday Social

Thanksgiving has come and gone, and we already have the holidays upon us!

Please consider joining us for our Holiday Social on Sunday, December 15 from 4:00pm to 7:00pm. Hosted by Sean and Nancy Smith and catered by Nuttalls, this event also has beer, wine, and a local guitarist. Feel free to bring your own beverages as well!

This event is open to the public, so encourage your friends and family to see what WRYC has to offer at this festive gathering. We are offering one set price of $35 for all adult members and non-members. Children 6-12 are $15.

RSVP and purchase tickets online here by December 8. Thank you for your support throughout the year and making WRYC a fun place to be!

Membership Updates

As your Membership Chair, I want to emphasize the crucial role that each and every one of you plays in keeping our club vibrant and appealing. Our club's strength lies in its active and engaged membership. I’m excited to announce that plans for a membership drive event in April are underway, and I’ll be reaching out to members soon to help organize this important initiative. I encourage all members to consider volunteering their time and talents to make this event a success. By working together, we can attract new members and ensure the continued prosperity of our beloved club. Please contact me should you have ideas for the membership event or wish to volunteer. Wishing you all a joyous holiday season and a prosperous New Year!

⛵The Sailing Report...............

Since we ARE a Sailing Club and have quite a few events each year centered around sailing I thought it was time we launched a special section of the TellTale dedicated to the sport. To that end, we had another successful Adult instructional sailing program this year, as well as Junior sailing camp and Governors Cup regatta. We continue to “sell out” of our Junior Sailing program and thanks to John Dudley, we had another successful Adult Instructional Sailing program utilizing our Keel boat Tranquility Base. We plan to continue to expand this program going forward into 2025 by adding another small keel boat and adding some events to the Calendar. If you have participated in the past John is looking for feedback and I believe he sent out an email to the participants looking for responses. Also, if interested in participating in the program for 2025 please let us know by emailing the club.

In addition to the Governor’s Cup, we hope to launch 2 new Regattas for 2025 which are focused on the larger keel boats. We already have a team of sailors working hard behind the scenes to bring you a couple of events that will (hopefully) be almost as fun to watch as to participate in. These won’t be your routine, boring strictly by the rules, USSA sanctioned, Olympic preparing, Vendee Globe type race events, oh no! And while we don’t plan on offending any die-hard sailors, we do plan on making these events every bit as interesting! More to come

A Time for Socializing

Thank you to everyone that came out to the Oktoberfest. It was a lot of fun! The next social is the Oyster Roast this weekend which should also be a ton of fun. There is also a possible Christmas social in December, however we are still in need of a host for that event. Please think about volunteering, it’s a great way to let your creative side show on the club’s dime. Get in touch with Autumn at bariautumn@gmail.com.

The Board of Directors meeting will be November 12th at 6:30pm, as always, members are welcome to join!