From the Helm
Firstly, I wanted to thank you all for your participation and support of our beloved WRYC under my first year as Commodore. The year brought in necessary changes, many storms in which we weathered, but also saw our club gather, volunteer, and shine within our community.
Sailing is at our core at WRYC, and we offer a sailing experience for all ages and levels of expertise as a benefit of membership. Per usual, our Junior Sailing Program continues to flourish as a much sought after youth summertime event, selling out quickly by the beginning of the year. Adult Sailing continues to increase in popularity with our Sunday series, and we expect it to grow in the coming year as word gets out.
A long-term campaign began this year to increase membership, by way of multiple events. WRYC was represented at the annual Daffodil Festival, to spread the word about our Club in the community. The Summer Soiree, Oktoberfest, and other events were open to the public to showcase exactly what our club has to offer with much success. We will continue this campaign in 2025 to attract new and younger members to continue our club’s legacy.
As always, we need to improve our Club over time, and facility issues always arise. 2024 saw a storm during Governor’s Cup, leading to power outages, a fallen tree on our clubhouse roof, and of course lack of bathrooms. However, the show went on and the problems were quickly addressed. 2025 will also see significant issues will be on their way to being restored, such as the bulkhead and various repairs, with room for improvement in other areas of our club.
I cannot stress the amount of time and love that goes into maintaining our Club for members to enjoy. Consider donating your time to help get our Club looking and performing at its peak like I know it can. I give many thanks and appreciation to the Board members, Layne, and all members who have volunteered this year.
Membership Corner
Happy Holidays, WRYC members! As we close out the year, I want to thank you all for staying active by volunteering, participating in socials and recruiting new members. Please join me in welcoming new members Charlie Poulson and Bridget Motley and The Campbell Family (Andrew, Julia, and children Sasha and Natalie) to the club. Charlie and Bridget are both from Gloucester (Charlie is my nephew and grew up in Ware Neck) and they look forward to playing lots of pickle ball and volunteering as needed. The Campbell’s are excited to enroll their children in sailing camp and volunteer with club activities and children’s events.
The Membership and Social Chairs are joining forces in 2025 as a hybrid chair and we need 4-5 interested members who would like to be part of this exciting committee. We have a lot of new ideas planned for the coming year while continuing to honor the clubs history and tradition. 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 encourage all members to consider volunteering their time and talents to make this event a success. 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!
WRYC 2025 Calendar of Events
January 18 Annual Meeting and Dinner
February 15/16 Valentine’s Day Social (Host choice)
March 15/16 St. Patrick’s Day Social (Host choice)
March 29 Spring Work Day
May 3 Flag Raising / Bob James Memorial Regatta
June 23-26 Junior Sailing Session 1 Week 1
June 30-July Junior Sailing Session 1 Week 2
July 3 Junior Sailing Banquet
July 4/5 Independence Day Social (Host choice)
July 7-10 Junior Sailing Session 2 Week 1
July 14-17 Junior Sailing Session 2 Week 2
July 17 Junior Sailing Banquet
July 21-24 Junior Sailing Session 3 Week 1
July 28-31 Junior Sailing Session 3 Week 2
July 31 Junior Sailing Banquet
August 1/2 61st Governor’s Cup & Junior Regattas & Awards
August 30/31 Labor Day Social (Host choice)
TBD Anchor On The Ware
October 11 Oktoberfest / Harry Sindle Memorial Mobjack Bay Regatta
November 8 Oyster Roast
December 6/7 Christmas / Holiday Social (Host choice)
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!