We are in the heart of the sailing season in Tampa Bay.  There are lots of events happening, pick one or all and get out sailing.

 

 

Cool temps cancelled the NYE anchor out with the SPSA Dolphins.  The New Years Day fun race had shifty winds, results are here.  And the holiday party at SPSC was at capacity.  SPSA sailors sailed to Clearwater in the Salt Pines Cup, then celebrated with a pirate themed party.  Next were the sailing clinics and seminars with KB.  We had an amazing turn out and sailors learned a lot of useful skills for the coming regattas. The start of the SPSA Spring Series saw lots of boats.  And the chili cookoff was another full house affair.  Other members cruised to Emerson Point to enjoy the nice weather.

 

This weekend, *Stay tuned, as these events are weather permitting*

SPSA Full Moon Fun sail 1/31 &  Off The Wall Regatta 2/1. Get off the dock with this pursuit style regatta, sign up today , invite your dock mates! Free registration. Come to the skippers meeting 1/31 , at 4pm St Pete Sailing Center. The post race social on 2/1. will happen regardless at Localz. Come and join the fun & support our season sponsor.

-Feeling like a pirate,  join the WWSTB Gasparilla anchor out at Fantasy Island in upper Tampa Bay.

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

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 (Sonars & J70s).  See event info here. 

–St Pete Boat Show:  who doesn’t like a boat show.  Join our friends WWSTB.

 

See you on the bay,

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?!?

 

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.

 

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.

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.

-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,

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.

 

 

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,