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SPSA April Update

Hello Sailors,

 
It has been a busy and fun couple of months of racing locally. The weather has been fantastic with some days of challenging winds. I thought of coming up with a clever phrase or include a poetic quote about March winds and Spring, but I am not ready for the weather to change and didn’t want to jinx it.

 
Here’s what been going on and coming up for SPSA racers:
  • March SPSA Spring Series Race Results: We did it up right for our annual St. Patrick’s Day Race. The boats and crew – true to the tradition – were decked out in green to honor the holiday. Bumugo’s crew won best dressed and out on the race course, Cayennita III and Warrior were the winners of the day . A special thanks goes to John Ovink and Connie Reichert, our Rear Commodore team for providing a festive post race celebration. 
  • The King of the Bay (KOB) winner for March is Slow Bell. Congratulations to Jeff Lewis and Crew. Don’t forget about this self timed race. Get out and run the course. We have a winner every month – you get to “take” the big KOB flag for the month and you get a keeper flag to add to your winning collection. It’s a great way to tune your boat and your crew. Report your time to commodore@spsa.us.
  • SPYC Twilight Racing started on March 17th and will continue every Friday night until August 25th. You can still register. It’s a great way to spend a Friday evening. 
  • The next SPSA Board of Directors meeting is Tuesday April 4th at 6:00pm at the Sailing Center. All members are welcome to attend. If you do plan to come please let me know by sending an email to commodore@spsa.us.
  • Our Next SPSA Races are Saturday April 8. Start time is 1100. Tack Tick will be Race Committee. Post race gathering will be announced after the BOD meeting. This will be the last race of the SPSA Spring Season. Let’s plan on a great turnout!
  • Davis Island Yacht Club hosts the Hospice Cup on Saturday April 23. This Regatta, Dinner, and Auction benefits Hospice, and Honors Sailing Legend Charley Morgan. If you can’t race but would like to make a donation or participate in the auction here is a link for the details
  • The 44th Annual Suncoast Race Week kicks off April 28th. This is a 3 day event sponsored by SPYC in cooperation with Davis Island and Bradenton Yacht Clubs. 
  • The SPSA Couples/Doublehanded Race will take place on Saturday May 13th. The race will be a pursuit start. Starting times will be announced before race day. This is always a fun event and the last official race of the SPSA 2022/2023 Season. Don’t miss it – sign up now. 
  • One more event happening in May is the Bone Island Regatta Race to Key West May 17th to the 20th. The race starts in Sarasota. It’s sure to be fantastic, I mean, who doesn’t want to race to Key West! It’s also a great way to jump into a little cruising if you have the time. Sail to the Tortugas, or visit the other islands in the Keys chain before heading back home.
One ending note.  You may have noticed some new boats out on the race course and some new faces at the post race gatherings. SPSA is growing. 35 new members have joined SPSA in our 2022/2023 season. Congratulations and thanks to everyone for promoting and encouraging participation in the noble art of sailing.
 
See you all out on the Bay!

Penny Simone

SPSA Commodore

 

 

SPSA – Late February Update

Hello Sailors,

  • It has certainly been a great month for sailing with fantastic racing opportunities. The Helly Hansen/Sailing World Regatta was certainly the highlight so far. SPSA members made a great impact to the over 260 boat fleet. Congratulations to Tack Tick and Legacy for their wins.
  • First up: January’s KOB winner is Obsession. Skipper Brian Conlin and crew picked the right day and time to run the course resulting in a #6 position in the top 10 best KOB times. Congratulations Brian! There are two more days to attempt to take the KOB flag for February. Wind’s up get out there.
  • The SPSA Spring Series Races 11&12 brought high winds and a bumpy race course. Blue Chip and Cakewalk sailed to victory in their respective Divisions. Congratulations!
Coming up:
  • March 4th. If Grand Prix racing is not your thing, SPYC’s Pennington Cup is where you should be. This is a Gulf Race out of SPYC Pass-a-Grille location. There is still time to enter.
  • The SPSA Board of Directors meeting will be held on Tuesday March 7th at 6:00PM at the Sailing Center. All members are welcome to attend. If you plan on coming to the meeting, please send me an email commodore@spsa.us. Thanks.
  • SPYC Twilight Racing Series begins Friday March 17th.  The Twilight Racing series runs from the beginning of Daylight Savings Time through to the end of August. Don’t miss out sign up now. Friday night fun!!!
  • SPSA Series Race 13 & 14 is on Saturday March 18th, 1100 start time. SPYC will be the Race Committee. This is our St. Patrick’s Day Race and the post race will celebrate this Irish Holiday. Stay tuned for details.
See you all out there.
 

 

Fwd: Mid January 2023 update

Mid January Update

Hello Sailors,

It's only the middle of January and we've had heavy fog; no wind; gentle breezes; overcast skies; Chamber of Commerce days filled with brilliant sunshine; cold temps and heavy air – with gusts up into the mid-30's. Happily from my view of the Bay boats are getting out weekdays and weekends making the most of our early winter weather. 
We had a great turnout for our New Year's Day race. Fog and little to no wind actually made for an exciting day on the water. And of course the pot luck dinner and White Elephant Gift exchange rounded out the fun day with our fellow SPSA members. 
A number of boats came out for the Full Moon Sail on the 7th. Little to no wind and chilly temps at moonrise may have made a short night for most, but if you stayed out for a bit a nice breeze came up. Moonlight sails are so magical. 
Here's what's coming up next for SPSA:
  • The first race of the 2023 Spring Series is this Saturday, January 21st. Race time is 11:00. SPYC Twilight Race Committee will be RC for this race. Look for the Coast Pilot to be on station for the race start and finish. The race will be followed by our annual Chilli Cookoff at the Sailing Center. See Chilli Cookoff Details on the attached flyer. If you haven't signed up for the Spring Series please do so at SPSA.US
  • The St. Petersburg Boat Show takes place this weekend beginning Thursday 1/19 through Sunday 1/22. Women Who Sail Tampa Bay will be hosting 10 very interesting seminars at the boat show – click here for the seminar schedule. Several of the presenters, Vanessa Goodrum, Jody Kotun and Al Lima are also members of SPSA. I know I am looking forward to attending. The topics are intriguing. 
  • Our 2nd Annual Off the Wall Regatta will be held Sunday, January 29. Start time 11:00. This is a pursuit race geared toward new racers/racing skippers. All racers are welcome though. We have classes for new/novice racers and experienced racers. The race is open to all keel boats and SPSA and non-SPSA members. See attached flyer. If you'd like to assist a new racer on race day, please attend the Skippers meeting on Saturday January 28 at 4:00pm at the Sailing Center. We will review some basic racing rules and the pursuit start. The post race meet-up and awards will take place at Courigan's Irish Pub.
  • Saturday, February 4 is our second Spring Series Race (Series Race 11 & 12). Start time at 1100. We Need a Volunteer for the Race Committee for this race! Reply to this email if you can do RC. 
  • Here's what else is happening in February:
  • Go to  the Master Racing Calendar for the West Coast of Florida for more upcoming racing opportunities. A link to this calendar can also be found at SPSA.US

    • We have an exciting few months of sailing opportunities coming our way. See you all out on the Bay.

    Penny Simone

    SPSA Commodore
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    Late December Update

    Hello Sailors!

    The sun is out. The temperatures are rising. I’m venturing out beyond the space heater and have shed a layer or two of fleece and wool. I’ve missed a few days of getting out for a sail and I’m really looking forward to our upcoming events.

    • January 1, 2023 – New Year’s Day Fun Pursuit Race. Nothing better than starting the new year than a race on the bay followed by a PotLuck Dinner and the now famous (notorious) White Elephant Gift Exchange. Race Start time is 14:00. This is a pursuit race – start times will be posted no later than noon on Saturday 12/31. The Potluck will be held at the Sailing Center following the race. SPSA will be providing ham, Iced tea and water, please bring a dish to share and your favorite post race drinks. And don’t forget to bring a wrapped gift for the White Elephant Gift Exchange. Please RSVP to commodore@spsa.us. Expect to have a riotous good time!
    • Tuesday, January 3 is our next SPSA Board of Directors Meetingt to be held at 6:00pm at the Sailing Center.. As always all members are welcomed to attend. Please let me know if you plan to be there – commodore@spsa.us.
    • Saturday January 21, 2023 is the SPSA Spring Season Kick-off Race followed by the ever competitive and delicious Chili Cook Off at the Sailing Center. Start time is 10:00. Race Committee boat will be announced soon. If you haven’t already, please register for this series on our SPSA Website
    • The Off the Wall Regatta, a race geared toward new and novice racers, will be held on Sunday January 29th. Open to all keel boats 30′ or less and new this year we will add a class of keel boats over 30′. SPSA and non-SPSA members are invited. Additional details to be announced soon.
    • February will be an exciting month for racing in Tampa Bay. See the Master Racing Calendar for the West Coast of Florida for details. A link to this calendar is available on the SPSA website.
    • Lastly – KOB – There are a few more days left to take the flag for King of the Bay for December. Last month we had seven KOB runs reported. Let’s try to beat that this month.

    See you out on the Bay.
    Happy New Year!

    Penny Simone
    SPSA Commodore

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    November Updates

    Hello Sailors,

     
    We hope everyone had a splendid Thanksgiving with time to spend with family and friends and enjoying the cooler weather.
     
    Here is what is coming up at SPSA:
     
    • In case you weren’t aware, Cayennita III won KOB for the month of October. Congratulations Tony and crew. Speaking of KOB there are 2 days left to make a run for November. Don’t forget to report your time to commodore@spsa.us.
    • Several SPSA members participated in the Dolphin Cruising Club’s Fall Event. Thanks to all that participated. I know Saturday was a gorgeous sailing day and Sunday’s return tested the fair weather sailor. Pictures indicate that everyone had a great time.
    • The final race of the Fall Series is this Saturday, December 3rd. Start time is 11:00. Bumbugo will be RC for this event. Post Race meet-up and trophies will be at Courigan’s Irish Pub. 
    • Our next Board of Directors meeting will take place on Tuesday December 6th at 6:00pm at the Sailing Center. All SPSA members are welcomed. Let me know if you are planning to attend. Shoot me an email at commodore@spsa.us.
    • Start the 2023 off right by going sailing. Our New Year’s Fun Pursuit will take place on January 1st. Start time is 14:00. Post race festivities at the Sailing Center will include a potluck dinner with the club providing some traditional southern New Year’s fare and a traditionally boisterous gift exchange. Additional details to come.
    • What do you do with the 3 weeks between our December race and the New Years Pursuit? YOU GO SAILING. Try an attempt to win December KOB, take family out for a sail.  go sailing just because it’s a beautiful day. If you do go out why not post it on our Facebook Members Group and see if you can entice others to leave the dock too. 
    See you all out on the Bay
     

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