Author Archives: Brian Conlin

SPSA New Year 2026 Update

Hello Sailors,

The sailing season continues with more opportunities to get out on the bay.  As you sail into the new year don't forget SPSA's mission. We hope you can join us.
December had SPSA sailing the fun sail on the full moon, the end of the Fall Series, and the Commodore's Cup.  The SPSA Dolphins had a successful happy hour and filled out the upcoming cruising schedule.
Upcoming Events:
See attachments for more information, and share with your dock mates.
This weekend : SPSA Dolphins Anchor out: sail to the Manatee river and enjoy the Emerson Point anchorage with fellow cruisers.  Some sailboats are already on the move.
–New Years Triple Play: Come out NYE and anchor out with the SPSA Dolphins in the basin near Albert Whitted.  There will be a raft up and fireworks.   The following day at 1300 (1pm), the SPSA fleet will sail the New Years Pursuit race.  Details on course and start times to follow.  After the race, don't miss the SPSA event of the new year holiday party and white elephant gift party & potluck.  Be sure to RSVP here.  The club will provide the ham, so let's get an accurate count.
–Full Moon Fun sail 1/3/26:  Sail under the moonlight and join fellow sailors at the SC dock for post sail fun.
SPSA Dolphins:  Check out the webpage and whats app group for cruising event info.
–SPSA Spring Series:  Shine your boats, gather your crews, and dust off those chili recipes.  The spring series starts 1/24, with the post race chili cookoff.
Other sailing opportunities:
–SPYC/CYC Salt Pines regatta. Race up the gulf coast to Clearwater Yacht Club with a party not to be missed.  More info here.
–SPYC John Jennnings Memorial Regatta:  Celebrate the legacy.  Spinnaker, Racer/Cruiser, Cruiser and One design are eligible.  See event info here. 
–St Pete Boat Show:  who doesn't like a boat show.  Join our friends WWSTB.

See you on the bay,

Brian Conlin

SPSA Commodore

December 2025 SPSA Update

Hello Sailors,

This month will be another good one for sailing on Tampa Bay!
 
King of the Bay:  Three boats competed for the coveted crown in November.  Bumbugo wins again for an unprecedented third month in a row.  This time it was with spinnaker and skipper Robert Simone. Congrats!  More info here.   Who will be the December King of the Bay?!?
 
– 12/5 Full Moon Fun Sail, this Friday night. 
Gather your pals, and go sailing to enjoy the company of like minded folks under the moonlight.  Then come to the afterparty around 8pm at “the SPSA dock” in St Pete municipal marina on Demens Landing (SC dock, location on flyer) and this link.
 
– 12/6 SPSA Fall Series races 
Post race event is at Nueva Cantina,  please join us for after race fun and awards ~3:15pm.   (1625 4th St S, St. Petersburg, FL 33701)  You don’t have to race to come to the after party, come and join us.
 
NO Parking in the Sailing Center from Friday 12/5 through Sunday 12/7.  There is 100+ boat Laser regatta happening.  You can still use the hoist to launch boats from dry storage.
This weekend Sonars and J70s are available, reserve your boat today.  
 
–12/13 SPSA Commodores Cup
Register online, more details to come.  
(No J70 available this weekend 12/13)
 
SPSA Dolphin Cruisers: The next happy is on Wednesday 12/10 at 6 pm to discuss cruising events over next few months. 3 Daughters Brewing – 222 22nd St S, St Petersburg FL 33712.
Don’t forget the 12/31 anchor-out for fireworks.
 
Support your SPSA Sponsors:  Check out The Yacht Rigger in St Pete.  The SPSA coupon expires soon, xmas is coming! (more sponsors listed on website home page)
 
***Mark you calendars for the New Years Day Fun Pursuit Race & SPSA Holiday Party.  1/1/2026, starting at 2pm. 
 

See you on the bay,

Brian Conlin

SPSA Commodore

https://spsa.us/

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November 2025 SPSA Update

Hello Sailors!

The sailing continues with fun sails, regattas, and cruising events.   When the winds pick up, gather your crews and go sailing!
SPSA has been showing up to regattas all over the bay.  The fall series continued with the races on 10/25 and 11/6, see results.  Both the Oktoberfest and the after party at Nueva Cantina were well attended.  Some members sailed the TSS Rumgatta ,  SPYC MOA , and the Sailing Sisters Regatta and the DIYC Halloween race. 
Other sailing opportunities exist with the Tuesday group (find them on Whats app).  As well as sailing the pre-race practice events and the Ideal18 'wednesday rumble' with SPSC. And if there's a full moon, you will be sure to see boats out enjoying sailing in the moonlight.
King of the Bay:  Two boats competed for the coveted crown in October.  Bumbugo wins again for the second month in a row.  Congrats!  More info here.   November is already seeing more scores coming in, who will be the November King of the Bay?!?
SPSA Dolphin Cruisers:  There were two events in October.  One at Sky Beach Resort, and one at Gulfport for halloween weekend.  If you are into cruising check out the Dolphins webpage for more cruising events. Next official Dolphins anchor out is 12/31, details to come.
Upcoming events:
-Join the WWSTB at the Gulfport Brewery Tonight 11/12 6pm  for an all sailors social.
-Cruising with WWSTB.  Relax & anchor out this weekend 11/14-16. More info here.
-DIYC Egmont Key Regatta 11/22,  Since 1935, sign up to sail the oldest running sailboat race on the west coast of Florida.  Register here.
-Post Thanksgiving practice day 11/29. Get your crews ready and practice starts and boat handling. It will start at 9am and run till 11. About 1/2 mile 1 leg courses, but do 4 tacks and 4 gybes each leg. More details to follow.  Reply to this email if you are planning on joining, so we know who to expect. 

See you on the bay,

Brian Conlin

SPSA Commodore

https://spsa.us/

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SPSA has been promoting the noble art of sailing for 54 years!

October 2025 SPSA Update

Hello Sailors!

SPSA is off to a great start this season.  Membership is up again, and more folks are out sailing.
 
We started off with a successful and full house at the Annual Banquet.  Lots of fun was had by all those who attended.   The regatta season is in full swing, with the Fall Series underway, and SPSA sailing the Bradenton Kickoff, SPYC Ted Irwin Fall Bay race, and St Pete Classic Regatta.   See pics of the action on our FB page.
 
 
SPSA has also had a few seminars covering the basics of racing, and race committee workshops.  The race committee workshop is tonight at the Sailing Center, 6pm!  Don’t miss out.
 
 
SPSA Dolphin Cruisers are back again this season with lots of fun events planned.  More info to follow and at this website.
 
King of the Bay:  September was hotly contested with 5 entries for the crown.  4 of which were on the last day of the month.  Bumbugo, double handed, took home the prize.  Congrats!  More info here.
 
Upcoming events:
This weekend you have Cruising options:
– SPSA Dolphinsshakedown anchor-out event at Sky Beach.   WWSTB Cruise toTerra Ciea BayPick one and enjoy the fall cruising weather.
 
2025 Pilar Rum Rumgatta, TSS Apollo Beach:  Lots of SPSA sailors racing here.  The parties are legendary. It’s not too late to register, more info here
 
10/25: SPSA Fall Series race & Oktoberfest after party at SPSC.  Please RSVP for this event so we know how many are coming.  SPSA provides bratwurst, buns, & condiments. Bring a side dish if you can, and RSVP at this link.  There will also be a 50/50 raffle.  Come prepared to have some fun!  
Reminder, there is also practice being run by members Jody Abrams  and Declan at 9am on the bay before the race.  Get your crews ready and practice starts and boat handling before the race.
 
SPSA communications:  SPSA and SPSA Dolphin Cruisers have WhatsApp groups going to keep everyone updated on event info and crew opportunities.  Please email me for the links.  Do you want to add someone to the email list?, reply to this email and send contact info.
 

See you on the bay,

Brian Conlin

SPSA Commodore

https://spsa.us/

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SPSA has been promoting the noble art of sailing for 54 years!
 

September 2025 SPSA Update

Hello Sailors!

Sailing season is upon us.  Gather your crews and get the boats ready.

See information below on upcoming events.

This Saturday, Sept 6th Sailing Double Whammy:

1) Informal Keelboat Practice:  9am-11am, Near Bayboro channel, Sailing Center will be RC, VHF 63.  5 minute start sequences, upwind & downwind, 1 lap practices. Practice multiple starts, upwind tacks and downwind jibes.  Grab your crews and get tuned up for the races.

2) SPYC Ocean Racing & Twilight JUJU Awards & Party

Saturday 9/6/25 at St Pete Yacht Club, 6pm.  Your Twilight Race Committee & Ocean Racing Committee invite you to party and award the second flight, JUJU, awards for the Twilight Series. That same evening we’ll also be recognizing the winners of all our Boat of the Year events. Please RSVP at this link:

SPSA Full Moon FUN Sail This Sunday 9/7/25, Gather at G3 around 6:30PM Sail across the Bay or wherever the wind takes us. Post Sail Meet-Up Demens Landing  on the point (bring your own snacks)

SPSA Racing Rules of Sailing Workshop 9/9/25 at Sailing Center 6-8pm If planning to attend please RSVP to the secretary@spsa.us email.

SPSA Annual Meeting & Awards Banquet with Twilight Perpetual Trophies

Next Friday 9/12/25 at St Pete Yacht Club, 5:30pm social hour, Dinner at 6pm.  Ticket deadline is 9/8/25 for planning purposes, more info at this link:

SPSA Fall Series, Races 1&2: *Note: Start time for this race is 2pm *

Saturday 9/13/25.  Tony Sanpere is back with the RC Boat.  Register on the scratch sheet so we know who to expect at the start line.  Post-race awards & social will be around 5pm, location TBD.

SPSA Cruising:

We are still working on the list of events for the upcoming cruising season.  Stay tuned.

In the spirit of cruising and comradery, BCYC has invited SPSA Cruisers to their cruise to the Dry Tortugas in November.  They are having meetings on Sept. 20th  and Oct. 18th to discuss float plans.  Reply to this email if you are interested in this.   Our friends at WWSTB are cruising see info on their website for events. 

Member Communications

We primarily use emails and the website, see more ways to stay current with SPSA below:

We are moving away from GroupMe, and going to WhatsApp. Contact me for more information. 

See other updates and event flyers via social media FB Members Group, FB Page,  & Instagram.

 

See you on the bay!

Brian Conlin

SPSA has been promoting the noble art of sailing for 53 years!