St petersburg sailing association

Hello Sailors!

After a really HOT summer, the official SPSA season is upon us. Last season saw a record for membership and participation, lets continue that trend this year!   See below for updates on events, regatta registrations, socials, etc.

King of the Bay:  

There were a total of 39 recorded attempts on the KOB course last season.  The King of the Bay for July was Daniel Bostick in the J70. And for August, Atilio Canas, in Ananat.  The fastest time for the 2025-2026 season was OPAL!  Who will be the next SPSA King?  See more KOB info at this link.

Upcoming Events:

SPSA Dolphin Cruisers Fall Planning Meeting 

9/10/26, 18:00 @ The Tavern at Bayboro / USF St. Pete Campus 

Link with more info

SPSA & SPYC Twilight Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner

09/11/2026, 17:30 @ St Petersburg Yacht Club, event info at this link

It’s too late for a dinner ticket, but you can come for the awards, cash bar.

SPSA Fall Series 9/12 : 2pm start

The race will start at 2pm on the water.  The RC boat for races 1 &2 is Libelula.

We have a new regatta registration and scoring platform SPSA at Railmeets.   You can find the links to race schedule and instructions on how to register on the SPSA website.

Post race event starts around 4:30pm at the Big Catch in salt creek. (1500 2nd Street South St. Petersburg, FL 33701)

PLEASE NOTE: There will be no parking at the sailing center this weekend due to another ongoing regatta. There will be access to the hoist and club boats, however. 

SAVE THE DATE: 10/17/26 St Petersburg Classic Regatta,

This annual charity event raises funds for Neighborly Senior Care and its Meals on Wheels program. More info here.

See you all out on the Bay!
Brian Conlin

SPSA Commodore

Hello  SPSA Sailors!

Welcome to the club, new members and members that have renewed.   This year has been huge for this little sailing club in membership and participation.   The membership has surged to numbers that haven't been seen since the 1980's!  Thank you all for making SPSA what it is today.   

We also need to think towards the future, and next year's SPSA Board of Directors.   Please respond to this email and let us know if you can help the club.   We are looking forward to next season already and need to plan ahead.

Next up is the Double handed race, 5/2.  See flyer attached.  Don't miss this one!

This is a pursuit style race, starting at 2pm.  Course and start times will be sent out later this week.

You don't have to race to come to the party, if you can't sail, win the party, come join the fun:

***After race awards and member party***:   at the St Pete Sailing Center ~330pm

-"Taco Fiesta" in honor of Cinco de Mayo! We will have a taco bar with ground beef, chicken, shredded cheese, lettuce and taco shells but feel free to bring other taco fillings, a side dish, or dessert. RSVP at this link,

-There will also be a 50/50 raffle , bring some ca$h.

-April KOB winner will be awarded and celebrated.

Other sailing events and happenings:

You can always check out the Tampa Bay calendar

-SPYC Friday Twilights continue until September.  Every Friday at 630pm on the bay.

-DIYC (Tampa) Thursday nights check out info here

-SPSA Tuesday morning sailing (see what's app group)

End of season distance races:

-Sail the 'feeder race'  Tampa to Venice 5/8-9 with DIYC, Island-2-Island regatta

-Then sail the Bone Island Regatta , Venice to Key West!  5/13-16. Lots of boats signed up already.

Feb 2026 had SPSA members sailing every weekend and more.  The Helly Hansen Regatta was well attended, and had members sailing and helping out on RC.  Check out the recap write up and video.  The SPSA Dolphins Cruising fleet sailed to the Cortez Seafood Festival.  The following weekend had folks sailing the SPSA Series and DIYC Around the Point race.  After that the SPSA fleet invaded TSS at Apollo beach.  The wind didn't cooperate, but the fleet represented well at the party.   The Tuesday morning sailing group continues to grow and enjoy practice starts and brushing up on their skills.  Rumors are starting about adding a Sunday session, see more on whatsapp group.

Upcoming sailing events and happenings:

-This weekend sailors are sailing the gulf off  Pass A Grille for the SPYC Pennington cup.

- Catch the sunrise &  watch the start of the Water Tribe 2026 Everglades Challenge at Fort Desoto 830am. East beach.

-Sunday am, join Doug Jones at the St Pete Sailing Center.  They will be there Sunday morning if anyone wants to join around 8:30 for rigging.

-Check out the foiling birdyfish all weekend at the St Pete Pier, with Performance Regattas.

-SPSA Seminar:  Tuesday 3/10/26

Kristen Berry is BACK at SPSA — by popular demand!   Starts & Marks — starting tactics, mark roundings, and rules clarity (so you can round smarter and start faster).

When: March 10 | 5:45–7:45 PM  Where: St Pete Sailing Center  Cost: $5 Members | $15 Non-Members.  Flyer attached.  Please RSVP, so we can get a head count.   This is a great tune up for the Twilight races!

-SPYC Friday night Twilight Series, starts 3/13

Sail for fun or pay a fee for series scoring, register here.  The SPYC RC boat will be on the bay, sail by for the course, and sail this magical event from now until August 28th.  VHF 63. Races start at 630pm.  

-SPSA Spring Series 13 & 14  (see flyer)

The Series continues on 3/14 at 11am on the bay.   St Pats theme, competition for best dressed boat and crew!    Competition is tight, see results so far.  

RC boats are needed for this race, and for the rest of the season, we have RC crew who can help.  Please volunteer and keep the series going.  Please respond to this email if you can help out.

-Apres sail event at Saltaire 3/14 , Walking distance from the Sailing Center.  SPSA provides the corned beef, and daily sailing awards. This is a MUST RSVP event.   RSVP here.

-SPSA Dolphins Cruise to TSS, Apollo Beach  3/21

Sail to TSS to enjoy the TSS PHRF club race & St Pats party.  More details to come on the Dolphins Whatsapp group.

WWSTB : Movie Night  3/25 more info here.