Hello Sailors

Lots coming up – let's just dive in:

• SPSA Annual Meeting & Awards and the SPYC Awards Banquet is scheduled for Friday September 6th. Social beings at 5:30 Dinner will start at 6:15 followed by a brief meeting, election of the new Board of Directors, Awards and our famous trivia contest. Don't miss it. Tickets are $64 per person and can be purchased https://spsa.us/banquet/.  If you prefer to pay by check please RSVP number of tickets to be purchased to secretary@spsa.us. Don't miss out. This is always a fun event – a chance to dress it up a bit, think Snappy Casual. Deadline to purchase tickets or RSVP is September 1st.

• The beginning of our 2024-25 season is a special time as we embark on our trial year of merging with the Dolphin Cruising Club. Like SPSA the Dolphin Cruising Club has a rich history of sailing around Tampa Bay and beyond. We are very excited to welcome Dolphin Cruisers to SPSA and participate more fully in the upcoming cruising events. 

• Our racing and cruising events schedules are set.. Follow the links to see all of the events and to register. When you visit the events page you will also find links to easily add SPSA racing and cruising events to your own calendar. And if your racing prowess extends beyond SPSA you can find a schedule for all of the races and regattas taking place in the Tampa Bay area on the West Florida Racing Calendar.

• All are invited to the SPYC Ocean Racing Awards celebrating the incredible accomplishments of our sailing community over the past year. Take place this Saturday August 17th, 6:00pm at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club – hors d'oeuvres will be provided with a pay-for-your-own-bar. Please register here.

• The weekend of August 17th is also an opportunity for a Full Moon Sail. Try a full moon KOB, let others know that you plan to go. We can do a group sail and maybe a social afterwards.

• Speaking of KOB – Slow Bell is the winner of the July KOB with a corrected time of 0:57:04. Congratulations Slow Bell Captain and Crew! July starts the new year of KOB monthly winners. Top time of the year will be crowned the Annual King. And who knows, your run around the marks may make it into the top 10 best times. See the winning times here.

• Don't forget this is the time to renew your membership with SPSA and if you are a boat owner, to renew your PHRF rating certificate.

• Start swabbing the decks and polishing the stainless of your good old boat to be ready for the 15th Annual Classic Regatta benefiting Neighborly Senior Services Meal on Wheels program. The event takes place on Saturday October 19th. You can register your 20 years or older boat at Yacht Scoring then jump on over to the event website for more details including sponsorship opportunities and an Auction Donation form. Let's flood the Bay with boats and love and make this another successful event to support the seniors in St. Petersburg.

I think that's it for now. As always See you out on the Bay.